1939 NFL Championship Game

Location

The game (hosted by the Packers) was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the "Dairy Bowl" stadium, located in the infield of the Milwaukee Mile racetrack). The newly-built "Dairy Bowl" football stadium was dedicated at halftime with the breaking of a bottle of milk. On hand were Wisconsin Governor Julius P. Heil and Milwaukee Mayor Daniel Hoan.

The day before the game, the 1940 NFL draft was held at Milwaukee's Schroeder Hotel.

Scoring summary

• First quarter
  • GB – Milt Gantenbein 7-yard pass from Arnie Herber (Paul Engebretsen kick). Packers 7–0
• Second quarter
  • no scoring
• Third quarter
  • GB – Engebretsen 29-yard field goal. Packers 10–0
  • GB – Joe Laws 31-yard yard pass from Cecil Isbell (Engebretsen kick). Packers 17–0
• Fourth quarter
  • GB – Ernie Smith 42-yard field goal. Packers 20–0
  • GB – Eddie Jankowski 1-yard run (Smith kick). Packers 27–0

Statistics

Source:

Officials

• Referee: Bill Halloran
• Umpire: Ed Cochrane
• Head linesman: Tom Thorp
• Field judge: Dan Tehan

:The NFL had only four game officials in ; the back judge was added in , the line judge in , and the side judge in .

Attendance and receipts

The Packers moved the game from Green Bay to the larger metropolitan area of Milwaukee in hopes of increasing attendance. Ultimately, 32,379 paid to watch. At the time, this was the highest attended sporting event in the Milwaukee area. The gross gate receipts of $83,510.35 set a new record.

The title game tickets went on sale at noon on Monday, six days before the game, in both Green Bay and Milwaukee and were nearly sold out in the first 24 hours. Face value prices ranged from $1.10 to $4.40 per seat, the equivalent of $22 to $87 in 2021.

Team shares

The gate was distributed as follows:

• The Packers took $23,231.06, with their 33 players each receiving $703.97.
• The Giants took $15,487.37, with their 34 players each receiving $455.57. Source

Team rosters

Source:

References

References

1. "1939 Green Bay Packers games".
2. "1939 New York Giants games".
3. Strickler, George. (December 10, 1939). "Packers meet Giants for pro title today". [[Chicago Tribune]].
4. Steve Snider, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram-packers-giants-to-clash/160845428/ "Packers, Giants to Clash for Pro Grid Title Today: 32,000 Pay $80,000 to See Big Game in Milwaukee,"] ''Eau Claire [WI] Leader,'' Dec. 10, 1939, p. 14.
5. Strickler, George. (December 11, 1939). "Packers win pro title; whip Giants, 27-0". [[Chicago Tribune]].
6. McGlynn, Stoney. (December 11, 1939). "Bays crush Giants in title game". Milwaukee Sentinel.
7. Kuechle, Oliver E.. (December 11, 1939). "Packers' power and deceptive passing game defeat Giants, 27-0". Milwaukee Journal.
8. Snider, Steve. (December 11, 1939). "Pro grid reaches new heights in playoff". Pittsburgh Press.
9. (December 11, 1939). "Green Bay pro champs of gridiron". Reading Eagle.
10. (10 January 2024). "Last NFL Draft in Wisconsin Was Missed Opportunity For City".
11. (December 11, 1939). "Packers earn $703.97 each in title triumph". [[Chicago Tribune]].
12. (December 11, 1939). "Green Bay, wins professional football title by defeating Giants". [[Chicago Tribune]].
13. Stoney McGlynn, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WUNQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KA0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6473%2C1804012 "Packers slight favorites to beat Giants,"] ''Milwaukee Sentinel,'' Dec. 10, 1939, p. 18.
14. (December 11, 1939). "Green Bay Packers grab pro football championship with great ease". Spokesman-Review.
15. Kuechle, Oliver E.. (December 10, 1939). "32,500 to see Packers play Giants for pro title". Milwaukee Journal.
16. Kuechle, Oliver E.. (December 5, 1939). "30,000 seats practically sold out in one day for Packer game". Milwaukee Journal.
17. (December 5, 1939). "Packer-Giant tickets go on sale; then swish, they're gone". Milwaukee Sentinel.
18. (December 10, 1939). "Packer and Giants team rosters". Milwaukee Sentinel.