Football Flashback

The 1958 NFL Championship Game, held at Yankee Stadium on December 28th, 1958, is a line of debarkation of for pro football lore known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played." This epic clash between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts featured a cast of 17 future Pro Football Hall of Famers, a testament to the game's enduring legacy. Beyond the on-field spectacle, this championship ignited a surge in the NFL's popularity, marking a pivotal moment in its rise to prominence.

The game itself was a rollercoaster of emotions. A late signal disruption on NBC left the nation in suspense as the Colts, trailing by three, mounted a furious comeback. Johnny Unitas, the Colts' legendary quarterback, orchestrated a masterful drive, culminating in a game-tying field goal with mere seconds remaining. The ensuing overtime period saw the Giants falter, giving the ball back to Unitas and his high-powered offense. With the championship hanging in the balance, Unitas masterfully guided his team down the field, culminating in Alan Ameche's iconic one-yard touchdown run. The Colts emerged victorious 23-17, claiming their first NFL title and etching their names in history with the first-ever sudden-death overtime game.

The game literally spring-boarded professional football on a course when it would eventually catch up in fan popularity with other sports such as college football and even baseball. The perfect sport for television was consumated with this exciting game played by these two legendary and evenly matched teams.

The 1958 NFL Championship transcended the realm of sport. Its dramatic narrative, coupled with the presence of football's finest, captivated the nation and propelled the NFL into the spotlight. This game served as a watershed moment, solidifying the league's position as a major force in American sports and paving the way for its enduring popularity.

---

The 1957 NFL season saw the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers tied atop the Western Conference. A playoff game on December 22nd at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco would decide the divisional champion. The 49ers, led by quarterback Y.A. Tittle, jumped out to a commanding 27-7 lead. However, the Lions, sparked by quarterback Tobin Rote, staged a remarkable comeback.

Detroit's defense stiffened, forcing turnovers, while the offense found its rhythm. Running back Tom Tracy powered the ground game, scoring two crucial touchdowns. The Lions' relentless pursuit of victory culminated in a thrilling 31-27 comeback win. This victory propelled the Lions to the NFL Championship game, where they would defeat the Cleveland Browns 59-14, securing their third NFL title in six seasons.

49ers fans were sick to their stomachs after losing such a commanding lead, others were literally having ailing bellies. While the game itself left many 49ers fans feeling metaphorically sick, with the Lions winning 31-27 after the Niners blew a massive lead, the front page of the next day’s paper was all about the fans who were literally sick to their stomachs — from some bad deviled egg sandwiches.

A San Francisco Examiner story on December 23rd, 1957, detailed how at least 50 fans, primarily members of the visiting Pacific Grove High School band, fell ill with suspected food poisoning after consuming sandwiches at the game. The incident overshadowed the thrilling on-field action, with the city's health department launching an investigation into the source of the outbreak.

It was quickly determined that contaminated deviled egg sandwiches were the culprit. Despite the band members playing their halftime show "despite their almost unanimous queasiness," many were forced to seek medical attention. The incident served as a stark reminder of the importance of food safety, particularly in large-scale events, and led to scrutiny of the 49ers' food preparation and distribution protocols.