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1963 Chicago Bears season

NFL team season

NFL team season

FieldValue
teamChicago Bears
year1963
record11–1–2
division_place1st Western
coachGeorge Halas
general managerGeorge Halas, Jr.
ownerGeorge Halas
stadiumWrigley Field
playoffs**Won [NFL Championship](1963-nfl-championship-game)**
(vs. [Giants](1963-new-york-giants-season)) 14–10
shortnavlinkBears seasons

(vs. Giants) 14–10

The ** Chicago Bears season** was their 44th regular season and 12th post-season appearance in the National Football League. The team finished with an 11–1–2 record (the best of the 4th and final Halas era) to gain their first Western Conference championship since 1956, and the berth to host the NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants (11–3–0).

In the regular season, Chicago defeated the rival Green Bay Packers (11–2–1) twice to deny them the opportunity to play for a third consecutive NFL title; the Packers had won the previous five meetings with Chicago. In the championship game on December 29, the Bears defeated the Giants, 14–10, at Wrigley Field for the club's eighth league title, their first since 1946 and the last under head coach and founder George Halas.

This was the Bears' last playoff berth prior to the AFL–NFL merger, and their last NFL championship until 1985 and Super Bowl XX. The Bears' defense in 1963 was the third in history to lead the NFL in fewest rushing yards, fewest passing yards, and fewest total yards; the defense also allowed only 144 points, formerly an NFL record.

In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1963 Bears as the ninth-greatest defense in NFL history, noting, "[i]n 1963, Bears defensive coach George Allen came up with a new zone defense against the pass, befuddling opponents. With Doug Atkins and Ed O'Bradovich pressuring opposing QBs from their defensive end slots, and Bill George and Larry Morris defending against short passes from the linebacker position, the Bears picked off 36 passes, and allowed just 10.3 points and 227 yards per game. The Bears went on to win the NFL championship, thanks to the Defense. In the title game against Y. A. Tittle and the Giants, who had the best offense in the NFL, Chicago's five picks were the key, as the Bears won 14–10. George Allen got the game ball."

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1963 NFL draft

Source:

Personnel

Coaches

  • Head coach – George Halas
  • Assistants – George Allen (Defensive Coordinator), Jim Dooley, Phil Handler, Luke Johnsos, Sid Luckman, Chuck Mather

Roster

  • Rudy Bukich

  • Billy Wade

  • Charlie Bivins

  • Ronnie Bull

  • Willie Galimore

  • Joe Marconi

  • Billy Martin

  • Angelo Coia

  • Bo Farrington

  • Johnny Morris

  • Mike Ditka

  • Steve Barnett T

  • Jim Cadile G

  • Roger Davis G

  • Ted Karras G

  • Herman Lee T

  • Mike Pyle C

  • Bob Wetoska T

  • Doug Atkins DE

  • John Johnson DT

  • Stan Jones DT

  • Bob Kilcullen DE

  • Ed O'Bradovich DE

  • Fred Williams DT

  • Tom Bettis MLB

  • Joe Fortunato OLB

  • Bill George MLB

  • Roger LeClerc K/OLB

  • Larry Morris OLB

  • J. C. Caroline CB

  • Larry Glueck FS

  • Bennie McRae CB

  • Richie Petitbon SS

  • Rosey Taylor FS

  • Dave Whitsell CB

  • Bobby Joe Green P

  • Bob Jencks K

  • Rick Casares RB (IR) [[File:Injury icon.svg|7px]]

  • Earl Leggett DT (IR) [[File:Injury icon.svg|7px]]

  • Mike Rabold G (IR) [[File:Injury icon.svg|7px]]

  • Tommy Neck S (IR) [[File:Injury icon.svg|7px]]

  • Maury Youmans DE (IR) [[File:Injury icon.svg|7px]]}}

  • Team photo

  • Rosters - 1963 NFL title game

Preseason

Schedule

Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"WeekChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"DateChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"Time ([](central-time-zone))Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"OpponentChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"ResultChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"RecordChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"VenueChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"TVChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"AttendanceChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"Recap12345
vs. [New York Giants](1963-new-york-giants-season)
(at Ithaca, NY)**W** 17–71–0South Hill Field
at [Washington Redskins](1963-washington-redskins-season)**W** 28–262–0D.C. Stadium
7:55 p.m.vs. [Green Bay Packers](1963-green-bay-packers-season)
(at Milwaukee, WI)**L** 7–262–1Milwaukee County StadiumWBBM-TV44,592
[St. Louis Cardinals](1963-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season)**L** 3–72–2Soldier Field
[Baltimore Colts](1963-baltimore-colts-season)
(at New Orleans, LA)**W** 14–73–2Tulane Stadium

Game summaries

Week P3: (Saturday, August 24, 1963): vs. [[1963 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]

Regular season

Schedule

Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"WeekChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"DateChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"OpponentChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"ResultChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"RecordChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"VenueChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"AttendanceChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"Recap1234567891011121314
at [Green Bay Packers](1963-green-bay-packers-season)**W** 10–31–0City Stadium42,327
at [Minnesota Vikings](1963-minnesota-vikings-season)**W** 28–72–0Metropolitan Stadium33,923
September 29at [Detroit Lions](1963-detroit-lions-season)**W** 37–213–0Tiger Stadium55,400
October 6[Baltimore Colts](1963-baltimore-colts-season)**W** 10–34–0Wrigley Field48,998
October 13at [Los Angeles Rams](1963-los-angeles-rams-season)**W** 52–145–0Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum40,476
October 20at [San Francisco 49ers](1963-san-francisco-49ers-season)**L** 14–205–1Kezar Stadium35,837
October 27[Philadelphia Eagles](1963-philadelphia-eagles-season)**W** 16–76–1Wrigley Field48,514
November 3at Baltimore Colts**W** 17–77–1Memorial Stadium60,065
November 10Los Angeles Rams**W** 6–08–1Wrigley Field48,312
[Green Bay Packers](1963-green-bay-packers-season)**W** 26–79–1Wrigley Field49,166
November 24at [Pittsburgh Steelers](1963-pittsburgh-steelers-season)**T** 17–179–1–1Forbes Field36,465
[Minnesota Vikings](1963-minnesota-vikings-season)**T** 17–179–1–2Wrigley Field47,249
December 8San Francisco 49ers**W** 27–710–1–2Wrigley Field46,994
December 15Detroit Lions**W** 24–1411–1–2Wrigley Field45,317

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 15, 1963): at [[1963 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]

  • Point spread: Bears +11
  • Time of game:
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"BearsGame statisticsGreen Bay Packersyear=1963border=2}}"PackersFirst downsRushes–yardsPassing yardsPassesSacked–yardsNet passing yardsTotal yardsReturn yardsPuntsFumbles–lostPenalties–yards
159
35–10721–77
12983
18–24–111–22–4
1–51–10
12473
231150
84101
5–43.85–48.6
1–11–1
5–506–58

Individual stats

Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears PassingC/ATT1YdsTDINTSkYdsLG3Rate
Wade18/2412901152269.6
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears RushingCar2YdsTDLG3
Casares527013
Wade826012
Bull1223010
Marconi92319
Galimore1808
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears ReceivingRec4YdsTDLG3
Bull648022
Marconi427016
Casares41104
Farrington115015
Morris115015
Ditka112012
Galimore1101
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears Kick ReturnsRetYdsY/RtTDLng
Marconi11515.0015
Casares11010/0010
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears Punt ReturnsRetYdsY/RtTDLng
Taylor2199.500
Morris2126.000
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears PuntingPntYdsY/PLngBlck
Green521943.8
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears KickingXPM–XPAFGM–FGAMFG
Jencks1–11–2
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears InterceptionsIntYdsTDLGPD
Petitbon119019
Taylor1505
George1404
Whitsell1000

Week 2 (Sunday, September 22, 1963): at [[1963 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]

  • Point spread: Bears –4
  • Time of game:
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"BearsGame statisticsMinnesota Vikingsyear=1963border=2}}"VikingsFirst downsRushes–yardsPassing yardsPassesSacked–yardsNet passing yardsTotal yardsReturn yardsPuntsFumbles–lostPenalties–yards
2420
27–10634–152
253197
23–33–016–27–3
0–02–23
253174
359326
3485
1–44.02–35.0
1–14–2
8–755–55

Week 3 at Lions

First quarter

  • CHI – Angelo Coia 18-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 7–0. Second quarter
  • CHI – Johnny Morris 16-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 14–0.
  • CHI – Mike Ditka 13-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 21–0.
  • CHI – Richie Petitbon 66-yard interception return (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 28–0.
  • CHI – Bill Wade 1-yard run (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 35–0. Third quarter
  • DET – Terry Barr 60-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Wayne Walker kick). Bears 35–7.
  • DET – Gail Cogdill 67-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Wayne Walker kick). Bears 35–14. Fourth quarter
  • CHI – Safety, Earl Morrall tackled by Doug Atkins in end zone. Bears 37–14.
  • DET – Gail Cogdill 38-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Wayne Walker kick). Bears 37–21. ;Top passers
  • CHI – Bill Wade – 18/34, 219 yards, 3 TD, INT
  • DET – Earl Morrall – 8/21, 229 yards, 3 TD, INT ;Top rushers
  • CHI – Joe Marconi – 9 rushes, 30 yards
  • DET – Nick Pietrosante – 8 rushes, 12 yards ;Top receivers
  • CHI – Johnny Morris – 6 receptions, 85 yards, TD
  • DET – Gail Cogdill – 4 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD

Week 4 vs Colts

First quarter

  • No scoring Second quarter
  • No scoring Third quarter
  • BAL – Jim Martin 16-yard field goal. Colts 3–0. Fourth quarter
  • CHI – Ronnie Bull 44-yard pass from Rudy Bukich (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 7–3.
  • CHI – Roger LeClerc 16-yard field goal. Bears 10–3. ;Top passers
  • BAL – Johnny Unitas – 21/36, 182 yards, INT
  • CHI – Rudy Bukich – 6/7, 112 yards, TD ;Top rushers
  • BAL – J.W. Lockett – 10 rushes, 13 yards
  • CHI – Rick Casares – 7 rushes, 54 yards ;Top receivers
  • BAL – Tom Matte – 7 receptions, 56 yards
  • CHI – Ronnie Bull – 2 receptions, 44 yards, TD

Week 5

  • Mike Ditka 9 Rec, 110 Yds

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10 (Sunday, November 17, 1963): vs. [[1963 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]

  • Point spread: Bears +4
  • Time of game:
Green Bay Packersyear=1963border=2}}"PackersGame statisticsChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"BearsFirst downsRushes–yardsPassing yardsPassesSacked–yardsNet passing yardsTotal yardsReturn yardsPuntsFumbles–lostPenalties–yards
1619
20–7157–248
17892
11–30–56–14–0
2–173–23
16169
232317
10163
5–38.83–47.0
2–20–0
6–6511–97

Individual stats

Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears PassingC/ATT1YdsTDINTSkYdsLG3Rate
Wade6/1492003232865.2
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears RushingCar2YdsTDLG3
Galimore1479127
Marconi145209
Casares114407
Bull430014
Wade42813
Bivins815010
Bukich1202
Coia1–20–2
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears ReceivingRec4YdsTDLG3
Ditka232016
Coia226014
Marconi128028
Casares1606
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears Kick ReturnsRetYdsY/RtTDLng
Pyle100.000
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears PuntingPntYdsY/PLngBlck
Green314147.00
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears KickingXPM–XPAFGM–FGAMFG
LeClerc4–7
Jencks2–2
Chicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}};"Bears InterceptionsIntYdsTDLGPD
Taylor2800
McRae144044
Petitbon111011
Whitsell1000

Week 11

Week 12 (Sunday, December 1, 1963): vs. [[1963 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]

  • Point spread: Bears –13
  • Time of game:
Minnesota Vikingsyear=1963border=2}}"VikingsGame statisticsChicago Bearsyear=1963border=2}}"BearsFirst downsRushes–yardsPassing yardsPassesSacked–yardsNet passing yardsTotal yardsReturn yardsPuntsFumbles–lostPenalties–yards
915
38–11633–67
120164
6–13–116–32–0
4–341–10
86154
202221
14293
4–15.77–52.4
4–34–3
3–263–25

Week 13

Week 14

Standings

NFL Championship

Main article: 1963 NFL Championship Game

The Giants opened the scoring in the first quarter when quarterback Y. A. Tittle led New York on an 83-yard drive that was capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Frank Gifford. The drive was set up by Bears quarterback Bill Wade's fumble deep in Giants territory, which was recovered by former Bear Erich Barnes. However, later in the first period, Tittle suffered an injury to his left knee when Larry Morris hit him during his throwing motion. For the rest of the game, Tittle would never be the same. Morris then intercepted Tittle's screen pass and returned the ball 61 yards to the Giants' 6-yard line. Two plays later, Wade scored a touchdown on a two-yard quarterback sneak to tie the game at 7.

In the second quarter, the Giants retook the lead, 10–7, on a 13-yard field goal. But on New York's next drive, Tittle re-injured his left knee on another hit by Morris. With Tittle out for two possessions, the Giants struggled, only able to advance 2 yards in 7 plays. New York coach Allie Sherman even punted on third down, showing no confidence in backup Glynn Griffing. However, the score remained 10–7 at halftime.

Tittle came back in the third period, but due to his injury, he was forced to throw off his back foot. An interception on a screen pass by the Bears' Ed O'Bradovich was brought deep into Giants territory, setting up Wade's 1-yard touchdown to give Chicago a 14–10 lead. The score held up, and the Bears iced the game on Richie Petitbon's interception in the end zone with 10 seconds left. It was Tittle's 5th interception. At the end of the game, defensive coordinator George Allen was given the game ball due to his defense's spectacular play.

After the game the Bears received the traveling Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy for the first time since 1946, and for the fifth and final time throughout its existence. The also received an additional trophy Chicago’s Mayor Richard M. Daley named after recently assassinated John F. Kennedy, which is still on display at Halas Hall.

References

References

  1. Strickler, George. (December 29, 1963). "Bears battle Giants for title today". Chicago Tribune.
  2. Hand, Jack. (December 29, 1963). "Offensive Giants, defensive Bears in NFL finale". Spokesman-Review.
  3. Strickler, George. (September 16, 1963). "Bears shatter Packers' invincibility". Chicago Tribune.
  4. Strickler, George. (November 18, 1963). "Here's how Bears won". Chicago Tribune.
  5. Strickler, George. (December 30, 1963). "Bears the champions! Win, 14–10". Chicago Tribune.
  6. Sell, Jack. (December 30, 1963). "Bears stop Giants, win NFL title". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  7. Livingston, Pat. (December 30, 1963). "Bears open 'screen' door to title". Pittsburgh Press.
  8. (December 30, 1963). "Papa's polar Bears whittle Tittle; intercept five, win title 14–10". Spokesman-Review.
  9. ''The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns'', p. 294, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007, {{ISBN. 978-1-58979-360-6
  10. (January 31, 2014). "Happy Birthday George Halas". [[Chicago Bears]].
  11. [https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/bestNFLdefense.html The List: Best NFL defense of all-time, 2007]
  12. [http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.aspx?release_id=1453 1963 Draft at Pro Football Hall of Fame]. Retrieved 2013-Dec-08.
  13. [http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?pbid=41c4d917-80fc-4f73-ae5c-d0dd83cef45e Chicago Bears media guide]. Retrieved 2015-Aug-23.
  14. (December 14, 1963). "Team photo". Chicago Tribune.
  15. (December 29, 1963). "TV numbers". Chicago Tribune.
  16. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196309150gnb.htm Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – September 15, 1963]
  17. . "Chicago Bears 2023 Media Guide". *Chicago Bears*.
  18. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196309220min.htm Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – September 22, 1963]
  19. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196310130ram.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Dec-08.
  20. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196310200sfo.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  21. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196310270chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  22. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196311030clt.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  23. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196311100chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  24. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196311170chi.htm Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – November 17, 1963]
  25. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196311240pit.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  26. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196312010chi.htm Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – December 1, 1963]
  27. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196312080chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  28. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196312150chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.
  29. Coppock, Chet. (December 27, 2013). "Bears defeat Giants 14–10 for 1963 championship". [[Chicago Bears]].
  30. "Mystery of the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy solved". Packers.com.
  31. "No Lombardi trophy in 1963 - no trophy at all for the NFL’s champs in ‘63 (a trophy didn’t exist.) So Chicago’s Mayor Daley made one himself for the Bears, who beat the Giants in a noon game at Wrigley Field. Named trophy after recently assassinated JFK. #HalasHall". X.com.
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