I attended this game with my Brother and step dad. It was one of the coldest games I ever went to. We sat in the closed end of Wrigley, I can still see W.A's last hail mary pass gently landing in Richey Pedibones arms to seal the victory. This is still one of my greatest memories. I was lucky enough to attend every Bear home game in Wrigley from 1953 to 1963. This was the last Bear game I ever saw played in Wrigley, I left for boot camp one month later. I only returned to Chicago a few times over the next 50+ years, but I always will be a Bear Fan.
I was actually at this game with my father... although my mother had no idea where we were. I was 3 years old in '63 and my mother asked my father to watch me for a bit while she went to her mother's home for the day. Well... mom didn't say where exactly he had to watch me so, good ole Pop chose Wrigley Field as a good and proper place to watch his son lol. *GO 🐻 BEARS!*
@@mayhemjr.803 C´mon I was only 3 years old, but if memory serves me, it was colder than a witches nose! Must have been just above freezing is my guess.
@@MrMenefrego1 lol. I bet. 🤣😂What a memory huh?. My earliest football memory goes back to maybe two years old watching Super Bowl V between the Colts and the Cowboys and being confused by the Horseshoe helmets and thinking " oh yeah those are the Cowboys "🙄
For some reason that was the one year their defense stopped people until Butkus came along in 1965. But the key was their ball control offense which gave their D a rest. In other years they were on the field all the time.
I love this stuff. Black and White film, goalposts on the goal line, single bar facemasks, Ditka bulldozing people, non electronic scoreboards. Coach Halas on the sideline. Salvaging a tie. Ritchie Pettibone (from Tulane, I recall, I had his football card). Oh yea, no dancing in the endzone. Earl Morrall punting.
Bunch of showboating clowns with their irritating dances. Ditka as head coach once told these mullet heads to knock off the stupid end zone celebrating. His words, "Act like you've been there before." They called him a dinosaur. Idiot current players. If it wasn't for NFL greats like Papa Bear, Bert Bell, Pete Rizell and the founders of the NFL they'd be working at car washes or some other menial manual labor job.
29:37 The Bears clinching a spot in the championship game on a pick 6 might be one of the most underrated moments in franchise history. No one ever talks about that! I can only imagine Wrigley was going crazy!
i don't know if it is any where on line but the call by Brickhouse on that play was tremendous. I was 16 then. Back then home games were blacked out. I haven't heard it in quite a while. But gives me chills when I hear it. The Steeler game was not shown as that was the weekend Kennedy was killed and there were no games on tv. One can't compare eras but that 63 defense was tremendous.
I was there N M, I was sitting just behind the Bears bench with my brother when Davy pick that ball and you bet we all went crazy !! It looked very bad and suddenly there goes the ball the other way and the Bears were going to play in the NFL Championship game the following week, great days !!!
Actually when Davy made that pick Jack Brickhouse was so excited the only thing you could make out was "Bears win - in the Steeler game Ditka made one of the best catches I ever saw - it seemed like every player on the Steelers got a hand on him but he just kept on going until he ran out of gas - the Bears were a touch group.
Oh man does this bring back wonderful memories of Chicago. We lived there during these years,12 years total,the 60's First,just hearing Jack Brickhouse again....."Hey Hey weeeee!!!" after every Cubbies home run from Ernie Banks,Ron Santo,or Billy Williams. Mike Ditka was one of the toughest football players I ever saw. Bone jarring blocks and always caught the ball. That hit on Nitschke was classic Mike Ditka. Matter a fact my Pop used to say Ditka was Butkus on offense. Even though we moved back to Philadelphia in '71,hearing all the great Packers,Bears,players again brought tears to my eyes. I recall my best Christmas present was my Zenith,yeah remember that name,transistor radio which I listened to Jack do the Cubs games on or at night when the Sox were outta town and I'd sneak my Zenith into bed with me so Mom wouldn't hear it. God I loved Chicago back then. My heart cries out when I hear of all the crime there,ya know it's all over,here too in Philly. Little 5 to 8 year old kids in North and West Philly playing in front of their house gunned down by these drug animals. And yes,by the way,I too remember freezing beyond all get out in Soldiers Field watching a Bears game with my Pop. Is there anyplace on Earth colder than Soldiers Field with the wind blowing and the Bears losing?
"Over the years ten of the Bears' defenses being ranked among the 100 stingiest defenses of all time by Cold Hard Football Facts, more than any other franchise."
George Halas also was arguably what got the Packers kicked out of the league in 1921 to sign a player Harry Anderson Halas wanted. Curly Lambeau got the Packers reinstated in 1922, but the Bears got Anderson. Let the rivalry begin! The Packers were pathetic in the 50's. Halas did help the Packers, from what I've read get funding for a badly needed new stadium by encouraging fans locally by radio. It was good business for the Bears to have a viable Packers team. Also, when Jack Vainisi was looking for a new Packers coach after the 1-10-1 1958 season, one of the people he question was Halas about Lombardi who was coach of the offense for the Giants. According to the Book That First Season Halas replied "I shouldn't tell you this because you're liable to kick the crap out of us, but he'll be a good one." Well that was prophetic. I am a Packers fan really because of their history but I like Papa Bear. Hey, anyone finds Lombardi before a Bears-Packers game with an urgent message and then tells Lombardi that the Bears are going to kick their ass that day can't be all bad!
@@marksimpson1010 great points....people either forget all of that or just don't have any knowledge of it....Packer fans should have a statue of George Halas out side of their stadium
When George Halas brought the Bears to Chicago, he had these distinctions as head coach: First to hold daily practice sessions. First to introduce the T-Formation. First to have assistant coaches. First to have movies to evaluate his players First to have pro games in a baseball park. (Wrigley Field, 1921-70).
Brickhouse bungled more baseball interviews with players from other teams. I was his golf caddie at North Shore CC when I was 17 or 18 for a celebrity venue. The going tip rate was $15-20. He gave me $2. Had to be polite. My father had warned me Brickhouse had a reputation for being cheap in restaurants, too. I thought his broadcast of Ernie Banks hitting HR #500 was about the worst 500 call of them all. His inteview with Orlando Cepeda was a travesity to the game of baseball. Nonetheless, RIP in Jack.
@@BaseballPlayer0 Bob Prince was a racist antagonist to Roberto Clemente ..Roberto did not like being called Bobby and Prince knew it but called him Bobby anyway...alot of broadcasters and sports writers made fun of the way Roberto talked..
I got to see Mike Ditka as a player several times after he went to the Dallas Cowboys and finished his career there. He was a very good tight end, receiving and blocking. He coached under Tom Landry as an assistant, just cannot remember how many years there in Dallas.
I miss the dancing that you see today after every play - even when it isn't a very good play. The players today know how to be good sportsmen by shoving it in their opponents face whenever they can.
And, the first down prancing. Boy, Steve Harvey the comedian tore the players a good one on that at 2019's HONORS show. I loved it! "Get yo ass in the endzone first.."
@@MrMenefrego1 you are 87? I am 41 years old. Reason why I said that is because I hate seeing something good being knocked down and can't get back up. I rather see someone get knocked down, but get back up.
I’m 26 years old. I wish i was alive to see the bears dominate like they did this season and in 85. George Halas and George Allen did their thing this season
I loved these Bears. I was 13 in 63. 2 years later we moved to Lombard from Chicago and Mike Ditka and Joe Marconi lived a block away from us. One day I was walking back home from shooting baskets at Lombard Jr. High and Ditka came roaring down the street I to his driveway right before me. A great thrill in my life. We used to see him every Sunday at Mass at Christ the King parish. (I was later married at that church).
If you like this era of the NFL, I strongly recommend reading Jerry Kramer's two books ("Instant Replay" was the 1st, famous one). Very well written about a very different time in our (and the NFL's) history.
When he was Saints coach, at Ditka Live TV show, in Oct 1998, I asked him if he was going to open an Iron Mike's Grill in New Orleans anytime soon...he answered "I better win some more games before they run me out of town". I asked the last question on the very last show ever, asking him if there would be any good receivers in the 99 draft? (he had declined on drafting Randy Moss due to "character issues")..he rattled off some names, but that's the draft he traded away all the picks to the Redskins to get in #2 position to draft Ricky Williams in the first round, gambling that the Colts would draft Edgerrin James, which they did....after a disastrous 1999 season (3-13) he opened Mike Ditka's Restaurant in downtown New Orleans, on Jan 5, 2000, the day he got fired and "run out of town."..
Fitting story on Ditka's managerial decision making...better player than coach for sure. 1985, as the record now shows, was an exception for Ditka, not the norm. As they say, even a broken clock will eventually tell the right time. The fact that he claimed to be 'clueless' on numerous opportunities to allow Walter Payton to score a touchdown in the 1985 Super Bowl shows his 'iron' mindset.
In 1965, Gale Sayers was drafted to replace Bears game-breaking running back #28 Willie "The Wisp" Galimore 15:2422:40, who was killed at age 29 in an automobile accident near the Bears Indiana training facilities before the start of the 1964 season. Also killed in the accident was 28 year old Bears wide receiver John 'Bo' Farrington 8:2617:50. If Galimore was not killed in that accident, its doubtful the Chicago Bears draft Sayers the following year.
My Dad was at The '63 Championship game, and was good friends with Center Mike Pyle.. After the game, they went to Ditka's Bowling Alley for the Team Party..My Popz said the wives were embarrassed by their drunk, naked husbands running amok😆True Story..
I was surprised that the Rams got pummeled this (1963) year when they had a formidable defensive front line of Merlin Olsen, Lamar Lundy, Deacon Jones, and John Lovetere.
John Levertere was on the Giants that year he played against the Bears in the title game....The rams had Rosey Grier who the Giants traded to the Rams after the 62 season
I lived fairly close - by Riverview/Lane Tech - went to all the games in 65 - 66 - 67 - 68 - couldn't make 69 as I got drafted - it seemed like you were on the field and Wrigley just rocked - amazing.
And who can forget the scene after the Bears had won...live TV cameras were in the Bear's dressing room and captured the immortal serenade to coach George Halas...'Hooray at last he's a horse's ass'...this is 1963, black and white TV and on air profanity was never heard until this unique moment...
The gridiron here in Wrigley went to left field, but in the recent Northwestern game, it went to Right. The football pitch in the recent Roma vs Warsaw game went to Right Field too. And now with the renovations, it will always go to Right
Trivia - in the 49ers game, the 49ers are NOT not wearing gold. Their colors were SILVER and red. So you have to really work your imagination to see that :) They switched to gold the next year.
The Bears beat the Packers twice that year to win the The Black & Blue Division and win the 1963 Championship Game! After they shot Kennedy in Dallas like a dog in November 22! They weren't even sure if they would play the Championship Game! But they did and it was the first time I cheered for the Chicago Bears to win after the Chicago Cardinals left Comiskey for St Louis! The Bears won the game because of the interception of a Y A Tittle pass! A lot of Southsiders became Chicago Bear fans that day! Kinda of funny both Wade & Jimmy Mac wore #9 jersey and were similar in their style of playing QB on the NFL level! 22 years apart! Both Champions! # 63 Ted Karras Sr. Played RTG that year his brother Alex Detroits #71 DT & HOF'ER, his Brother Lou played too! And then his Grandson Ted Jr. Played Center for New England during a couple of Superbowl wins! Three Generations of Karras's playing in the Big 10! Talk about a Family Tradition! Love watching the old games of the 60's & 70's! The game was an hour long! No Fu?king TV Timeouts! Now it's a 3 hour commercial where sometimes a football game breaks out!
Bears always played first few games on road when Wrigley Field was their home. Right field stands were added after baseball season. Sadly, the tie vs. Steelers at Forbes Field was played on Nov. 24 when the country was deep in mourning for the slain President John F. Kennedy.
Oh yeh, I remember the controversy about whether they should postpone for a week and decided not to. Illinois was supposed to play its last season game against Mich St. on the 23rd but postponed to the following Thursday IIRC. (I only remember that because they needed a win or tie to go the Rose Bowl for the first time in 25 or so years.)
One thing about this era of football that we don't see today are productive fullback runs. The kicking game is also vastly improved versus the "fat football" era ten years earlier.
Simultaneously refreshing and disturbing, but indisputable truth in the context of history. Not to mention I lived in the shadow of Chicago at this time.
'63 was the year I got hooked on the NFL, and living 130 miles south of Chicago they were my "home" team. My dad was a lifetime Bears fan and we watched games together a lot, but he died the previous May. I really wish he'd been able to see this game.
Watching Joe Marconi carry the ball, it suddenly occurred to me that this was the first time I had ever seen number 34 being worn by someone other than Walter Payton.
Between 1920 and 1963, the Bears won 8 NFL championships in 43 seasons. Since 1964 - a span of 57 years, the franchise has won only once in the 1985 Super Bowl (three times if you count the 1985 NFC champions and the 2006 NFC champions).
Most nowadays don't even know Wrigley was home to the Bears for decades, even Chicagoans. My memory was that for much of the 1960s, the 49er away game in Chicago were at Wrigley, and I saw those on the TV when both teams were in the Western Conference. The 1966 game was memorable for a ending with a tie. Anyway, the Bears had a great team in 1963, and the defense was rock solid with Fortunato, Morris and George at LB. I don't know that Billy Wade was much of a QB, but he had Marconi, Gallimore, Casares, and Bull in the backfield, and Ditka at tight end.
@@michaelleroy9281 That game is here on You Tube, the thrashing the 49ers gave to the Bears, played December 11 at Kezar in San Francisco. It was probably the last time Wade played, as he came in for Bukich, who threw a few interceptions. Arnett played some in that game at Kezar too, so it was the swan song for some old vets. Next week, the 49ers had to beat Baltimore to get into second place to qualify for the Playoff Bowl in Miami. Colts won 30-14.
Gifford was interfered with on the last pass that Petition intercepted.Of course, the referees will not call it for to do so would " influence the outcome ." But not to call it also "influences the outcome" .
Modern day NFL athletes would not survive against this era. This was real down and dirty football and the rules were not like they are now. QBs of today would be annihilated without the reffs protecting them with so many "Don't Touch Brady" rules.
Big money is where it went wrong. This allowed the players to wrest control away from the coaches, and the league. If that kind of crap would have been tried on a Halas, Lombardi, or Landry coached team they would have been traded to Palookaville, or cut and out of the league.
@@philosophy20 Times do change but some should remain like respect and sportsmanship. Which are sadly in short supply. Football went from a team sport to Hey look at me! Fundamental football is gone, shock value replaced it. I hate the Patriots but there's a reason they win. Best example of teamwork and the coach has control of the team
Karras' brother Ted started in the OL for the Bears in 1963. The Karras brothers used to line up against each other when the Bears played the Lions. Except, of course, in 1963 because Alex was suspended.
indeed it was. I think Packers suffered some injuries also, which is why they did not repeat as champions. Not to take anything away from this Bears team
Tennessee State University's famous "aristocrats of marching bands" marching band doing the halftime show is a minor, but interesting, historical episode. While they've been recognized as one of the best marching bands, having this HBU (historically black university) provide the entertainment, I'm speculating, may have been an NFL decision to show support for the civil rights movement at its zenith. Unrelated, YA Title, at 37, near the end of his long, distinguished career, actually had his best statistical season this season. Though only with the Giants for hs final four years, his two best statistical seasons were with them, aging like fine wine. Astonishing is his 105 QB rating in '63, a non-passing era when a 90 could make one the league's passing leader. He was a very special talent. As a Bears fan, I always knew Ditka was a beast of a TE and these clips are an example of him being THE passing game and the guy carrying the offense.
The Bears are currently in their longest drought ever. Cubs, Sox' and Hawks' longest droughts ended recently in 05, 10 and 16. Bulls are 3 years away from being in their longest drought. In early 2010, the Bears, Hawks and cubs were all simultaneously in their longest droughts ever, with the cubs and Blackhawx simultaneously in their respective sports' longest ever droughts.
Philly's KING HILL from Rice, CLEVE'S Frank Ryan from Rice, LIONS/PACK AFL CHARGERS Tobin Rote from Rice..other than MINNY'S Tommy Kramer in the 80's., it has been awhile for the OWLS..
Two fine receivers from that era came from Rice. Bill Howton of the Packers (who was once the all-time leading receiver in the NFL) and Buddy Dial of the Steelers were both all-pros.
The 'Lost Quarterback ' in Chicago Bear history is Billy Wade. No one in the media mentions him. Why is that? I remember him in LA, hated to see him traded to Chicago.
The Bears, Lions, Browns and Giants were the teams of that era, which is exactly why they didn't want expansion to places like Miami, Houston, Dallas, or San Diego. Knowing their run oriented games would have to yield to a more passing oriented game in those warmer climates, owners vetoed expansion plans. Hence, the creation of the AFL.
don't hear much about this bears team. great season, funny how baltimore was in the western conference and dallas and st. louis were both in the eastern conference. what's interesting is how the nfl played thru the kennedy assassination, playing 2 days after. the bears were in pittsburgh. pete rozelle would later say he regretted that decision. the eagles and redskins were against playing that sunday. safety rosey taylor made at least 3 touchdown saving tackles in the championship game. the bears got 6 turnovers, (should of had 7 if not for a bad call) but they only won by 4 points. which means the giants defense may have played better. if the bears hadn't started 1965 0-3, (gale sayers record breaking rookie year) they could have won the west again, but packers beat the colts in a tie breaker, and beat the jim brown browns in the championship. a gale sayers, jim brown championship would have been interesting. but as it was the bears wouldn't make the playoffs for another 14 years until walter payton and his monster year in 1977.
Make no mistake, I saw that Bear team play every game that year. The defense was incredible, but the offence was sad. That Bear team was not very good, the Giants were a much better team and should have won that game but I thought it was pay back for 1956 ! That was a Championship game played in NY the Bears should have won but did not. It all evened out !!
And there was the 4th quarter field goal by the Packers in the Colts-Packers game where the refs blew it and called it good. It allowed the Packers to get to overtime and win it on another field goal.
@@sdgakatbk even Chandler though the kick was no good..he kicked the ground in disgust when the ball was headed to the goal post...the kick was wide left not even close
There was not the unanimous opinion that games should not be played. 75% of the cancellations were because of public shaming. Unlike public universities who owned their stadiums NFL teams paid rent. Plus it was the end of the seasons for college and it wasn’t difficult to reschedule. It was stupid to cancel games in the first place. BTW- JFK wasn’t a popular president in 1963. Papa Kennedy stole the election in ‘60 and JFK was way down in the poles because he was a neophyte and drugged up.
This Chicago Bears team kept the Packers from 3-peating TWICE! 1961-63 and 1965-67 (would have been)! I believe the Packers 5 titles in 7 years is still the record?!! The Bears intercepted Green Bay 9 times in their two meetings! 4 the first game, 5 the second! Very uncharacteristic of Green Bay! Scores were Bears 10-3 and 26-7!
The Packers Paul Haurnung was give a season long suspension in 1963 for gambling..that could have made a difference in the 1st meeting with the Bears...in the 2nd meeting the Bears were on their way as they killed the Packers ..it wouldn't have mattered...
The Chargers that year had a high octane offense with Tobin Rote/John Hadl and Lance Alworth passing and receiving with Paul Lowe at RB. Would have been an interesting match up.
George Halas didn't make that decision on his own....he would have needed the permission from the NFL commissioner..plus the attitude back then was the AFL was a Mickey Mouse league that would fold anytime so why waste our time giving them any recognition...most of the AFL players were considered NFL cast offs or just plain inferior....lastly some of the NFL owners didn't want to risk their worst nightmare....the Chargers actually winning the game.
I attended this game with my Brother and step dad. It was one of the coldest games I ever went to. We sat in the closed end of Wrigley, I can still see W.A's last hail mary pass gently landing in Richey Pedibones arms to seal the victory. This is still one of my greatest memories. I was lucky enough to attend every Bear home game in Wrigley from 1953 to 1963. This was the last Bear game I ever saw played in Wrigley, I left for boot camp one month later. I only returned to Chicago a few times over the next 50+ years, but I always will be a Bear Fan.
How come a few times since you had family there?
What do you mean by closed end. They wouldn't let you sit there if it was closed
Ritchie Petitibon
How cold could it be, With so many Fans walking around with short sleeves, Looks pretty warm to me.
It is ironic that Del Shofner is probably best remembered or dropping that touchdown pass from
Tittle. .He was one of the best receivers of his era .=
I was actually at this game with my father... although my mother had no idea where we were. I was 3 years old in '63 and my mother asked my father to watch me for a bit while she went to her mother's home for the day. Well... mom didn't say where exactly he had to watch me so, good ole Pop chose Wrigley Field as a good and proper place to watch his son lol. *GO 🐻 BEARS!*
How cold was it? Do you remember?
@@mayhemjr.803 C´mon I was only 3 years old, but if memory serves me, it was colder than a witches nose! Must have been just above freezing is my guess.
@@MrMenefrego1 lol. I bet. 🤣😂What a memory huh?. My earliest football memory goes back to maybe two years old watching Super Bowl V between the Colts and the Cowboys and being confused by the Horseshoe helmets and thinking " oh yeah those are the Cowboys "🙄
@@mayhemjr.803 Well, it is logical after all, why put a star on a cowboy? lol. Memory is a funny thing.
@@MrMenefrego1 ikr? Lol. Cowboys and horseshoes should go hand in hand right? 😂🤣
With Ditka becoming something of a character it’s good to be reminded of how good of a player he was.
The Gronk of his early days.
Wipes out Nitschke 2:34
That long run Mike ran was phenomenal !
He had a head like a cannonball and just as hard.
So true
Thank you for posting this. Ronnie Bull is my dads uncle and these games were before our time and we never got to watch them. Thank you so much.❤️
Hey Abby, how are ya
Bears probably had the best set of LB's in the league at that time: Joe Fortunato, Bill George, and Larry Morris.
The Bears defense carried the team that year
Maybe George Allen's finest coaching (defensive assistant).
@@jeremythompson9122 What else is new with our Bears? lol (The Defense carrying the team)
Until they drafed Butkus 2 years later.
For some reason that was the one year their defense stopped people until Butkus came along in 1965. But the key was their ball control offense which gave their D a rest. In other years they were on the field all the time.
The Giants in that era were like the Buffalo Bills of the early 90,s. They lost 5 title games in 6 years. 2 to packers 2 to the colts and bears...
They won in 56 though. The Bills never broke through
@@michaelcavallacci2945
I love this stuff. Black and White film, goalposts on the goal line, single bar facemasks, Ditka bulldozing people, non electronic scoreboards. Coach Halas on the sideline. Salvaging a tie. Ritchie Pettibone (from Tulane, I recall, I had his football card). Oh yea, no dancing in the endzone. Earl Morrall punting.
Yes, no dancing in the end zone. Lots of respect for the opponents.😀
Bunch of showboating clowns with their irritating dances.
Ditka as head coach once told these mullet heads to knock off the stupid end zone celebrating.
His words, "Act like you've been there before."
They called him a dinosaur.
Idiot current players. If it wasn't for NFL greats like Papa Bear, Bert Bell, Pete Rizell and the founders of the NFL they'd be working at car washes or some other menial manual labor job.
I was at one of those 1963 home games in Chicago with my dad. I was born in 1958 in Chicago.
29:37 The Bears clinching a spot in the championship game on a pick 6 might be one of the most underrated moments in franchise history. No one ever talks about that! I can only imagine Wrigley was going crazy!
i don't know if it is any where on line but the call by Brickhouse on that play was tremendous. I was 16 then. Back then home games were blacked out. I haven't heard it in quite a while. But gives me chills when I hear it. The Steeler game was not shown as that was the weekend Kennedy was killed and there were no games on tv. One can't compare eras but that 63 defense was tremendous.
I was there N M, I was sitting just behind the Bears bench with my brother when Davy pick that ball and you bet we all went crazy !! It looked very bad and suddenly there goes the ball the other way and the Bears were going to play in the NFL Championship game the following week, great days !!!
Actually when Davy made that pick Jack Brickhouse was so excited the only thing you could make out was "Bears win - in the Steeler game Ditka made one of the best catches I ever saw - it seemed like every player on the Steelers got a hand on him but he just kept on going until he ran out of gas - the Bears were a touch group.
@@robertfranzen7604 One of the great calls of all time on that interception. "He's Gonna GOOO! He's Gonna Gooooo!"
Real nice quality, liked seeing Wrigley Field host football
The Chicago Bears played in Wrigley Field from 1921-70.
The field went down the left field line@@armorybrunotjr.3204
Never understood why Billy Wade is never mentioned in the list of greatest ever bears QBs. He looked pretty damn good in this highlight reel
It could be because he isn't one of the best Bear quarterbacks.
@@kevinmadden1645 he won a championship with them and went to 2 pro bowls.. do you know anything about him?
Really nice quality, thank you poster.
Oh man does this bring back wonderful memories of Chicago.
We lived there during these years,12 years total,the 60's
First,just hearing Jack Brickhouse again....."Hey Hey weeeee!!!" after every Cubbies home run from Ernie Banks,Ron Santo,or Billy Williams.
Mike Ditka was one of the toughest football players I ever saw.
Bone jarring blocks and always caught the ball.
That hit on Nitschke was classic
Mike Ditka.
Matter a fact my Pop used to say Ditka was Butkus on offense.
Even though we moved back to Philadelphia in '71,hearing all the great Packers,Bears,players again brought tears to my eyes.
I recall my best Christmas present was my Zenith,yeah remember that name,transistor radio which I listened to Jack do the Cubs games on or at night when the Sox were outta town and I'd sneak my Zenith into bed
with me so Mom wouldn't hear it.
God I loved Chicago back then.
My heart cries out when I hear of all the crime there,ya know it's all over,here too in Philly.
Little 5 to 8 year old kids in North and West Philly playing in front of their house gunned down by these drug animals.
And yes,by the way,I too remember freezing beyond all get
out in Soldiers Field watching a Bears game with my Pop.
Is there anyplace on Earth colder than Soldiers Field with the wind blowing and the Bears losing?
"Over the years ten of the Bears' defenses being ranked among the 100 stingiest defenses of all time by Cold Hard Football Facts, more than any other franchise."
The Packers still have 4 more world championships than the Bears
But George Halas once loaned money to the Packers to meet their payroll. Without Halas, the Packers would have gone out of business.
George Halas also was arguably what got the Packers kicked out of the league in 1921 to sign a player Harry Anderson Halas wanted. Curly Lambeau got the Packers reinstated in 1922, but the Bears got Anderson. Let the rivalry begin!
The Packers were pathetic in the 50's. Halas did help the Packers, from what I've read get funding for a badly needed new stadium by encouraging fans locally by radio. It was good business for the Bears to have a viable Packers team. Also, when Jack Vainisi was looking for a new Packers coach after the 1-10-1 1958 season, one of the people he question was Halas about Lombardi who was coach of the offense for the Giants. According to the Book That First Season Halas replied "I shouldn't tell you this because you're liable to kick the crap out of us, but he'll be a good one." Well that was prophetic.
I am a Packers fan really because of their history but I like Papa Bear. Hey, anyone finds Lombardi before a Bears-Packers game with an urgent message and then tells Lombardi that the Bears are going to kick their ass that day can't be all bad!
@@marksimpson1010 great points....people either forget all of that or just don't have any knowledge of it....Packer fans should have a statue of George Halas out side of their stadium
Well Chicago has always been defense 1st and foremost, offense on the other hand......
Abysmal.2023 the same.
Pro fb in classic mlb park. 1960s was the best for all four pro sports leagues.
When George Halas brought the Bears to Chicago, he had these distinctions as head coach:
First to hold daily practice sessions.
First to introduce the T-Formation.
First to have assistant coaches.
First to have movies to evaluate his players
First to have pro games in a baseball park.
(Wrigley Field, 1921-70).
I watched this season on TV as a 12 year old kid
Love the Miller High Life Frame, and Gold Ole' "Hey-Hey" Jack Brickhouse. NFL at Wrigley Field was special.
Brickhouse bungled more baseball interviews with players from other teams. I was his golf caddie at North Shore CC when I was 17 or 18 for a celebrity venue. The going tip rate was $15-20. He gave me $2. Had to be polite. My father had warned me Brickhouse had a reputation for being cheap in restaurants, too. I thought his broadcast of Ernie Banks hitting HR #500 was about the worst 500 call of them all. His inteview with Orlando Cepeda was a travesity to the game of baseball. Nonetheless, RIP in Jack.
@@mrlaw711 Was he racist to Cepeda
@@BaseballPlayer0 Bob Prince was a racist antagonist to Roberto Clemente ..Roberto did not like being called Bobby and Prince knew it but called him Bobby anyway...alot of broadcasters and sports writers made fun of the way Roberto talked..
@@mikeforte7585 i prefer bobby to them flubbing his real name
I got to see Mike Ditka as a player several times after he went to the Dallas Cowboys and finished his career there. He was a very good tight end, receiving and blocking. He coached under Tom Landry as an assistant, just cannot remember how many years there in Dallas.
I miss the dancing that you see today after every play - even when it isn't a very good play. The players today know how to be good sportsmen by shoving it in their opponents face whenever they can.
How about all the lame after touchdown celebrations!
😅 sweet sarcasm!
And, the first down prancing. Boy, Steve Harvey the comedian tore the players a good one on that at 2019's HONORS show. I loved it! "Get yo ass in the endzone first.."
Today's players act like they haven't been there before, like every first down, touchdown and win are like they won their high school championship.
@@buck4490 Chit, at my old job every day we met our quota we'd dance and jive and high five each other. Good times baby.
That was BEAUTIFUL! 'Bear Down Chicago Bears!'
Saying Bear Down makes it sound like they are being taken down or knocked down. I hate that phrase.
@@thunderlightning1980 Who gives a rat's ass what your opinion of that phrase is; or anything else for that matter!
@@MrMenefrego1 Yeah, sure kid.
@@thunderlightning1980 HAHA, "kid" huh? lol, I'll be 87 years old next week. Learn to respect your elders, *punk!*
@@MrMenefrego1 you are 87? I am 41 years old. Reason why I said that is because I hate seeing something good being knocked down and can't get back up. I rather see someone get knocked down, but get back up.
I played football for Angelo Coia, he was our coach, great guy!!!
I’m 26 years old. I wish i was alive to see the bears dominate like they did this season and in 85. George Halas and George Allen did their thing this season
The Bears in those years were grizzly as well as mean.
Loved it
Never heard of the pile on penalty. Bears were called monsters of the midway for reason great video
Ahh, nostalgia-watched thus game as a 5 years old with my father
Kicker Roger LeClerc was a very underrated FG kicker. He did sub as a LB.
Both Roger LeClerc and Dan Jencks did the kicking in 1963.
I loved these Bears. I was 13 in 63. 2 years later we moved to Lombard from Chicago and Mike Ditka and Joe Marconi lived a block away from us. One day I was walking back home from shooting baskets at Lombard Jr. High and Ditka came roaring down the street I to his driveway right before me. A great thrill in my life. We used to see him every Sunday at Mass at Christ the King parish. (I was later married at that church).
If you like this era of the NFL, I strongly recommend reading Jerry Kramer's two books ("Instant Replay" was the 1st, famous one). Very well written about a very different time in our (and the NFL's) history.
This was a very close race all year. The Bears were 11-1-2. The Packers were 11-2-1. Does not get any better.
Bears were the Packers only two losses as well!
When he was Saints coach, at Ditka Live TV show, in Oct 1998, I asked him if he was going to open an Iron Mike's Grill in New Orleans anytime soon...he answered "I better win some more games before they run me out of town".
I asked the last question on the very last show ever, asking him if there would be any good receivers in the 99 draft? (he had declined on drafting Randy Moss due to "character issues")..he rattled off some names, but that's the draft he traded away all the picks to the Redskins to get in #2 position to draft Ricky Williams in the first round, gambling that the Colts would draft Edgerrin James, which they did....after a disastrous 1999 season (3-13) he opened Mike Ditka's Restaurant in downtown New Orleans, on Jan 5, 2000, the day he got fired and "run out of town."..
Fitting story on Ditka's managerial decision making...better player than coach for sure. 1985, as the record now shows, was an exception for Ditka, not the norm. As they say, even a broken clock will eventually tell the right time. The fact that he claimed to be 'clueless' on numerous opportunities to allow Walter Payton to score a touchdown in the 1985 Super Bowl shows his 'iron' mindset.
The pride and joy of Illinois 🐻
Ronnie Bull, star running back at Baylor 1959-61!
This packer fan approves of this awesome summary of a great season. The interceptions and pick 6's they had. Amazing.
The year Paul Hornung and Alex Karras were suspended, Hornung especially was sorely missed by the Packers who barely lost the division to the Bears
Mongo no like suspension. Mongo am sad.
Back when football was FOOTBALL!
Agreed. But the ironic thing is these players would get stomped from a mordern NFL team.
Players got better while to game itself got worse lol.
Ah, the good ol' days. Back when NFL Football WAS FOOTBALL!
I watched this game on TV in 1963
man. I missed Halas` Final Championship. I was getting having my diapers changed. i was born July 31,1963. BEAR DOWN yall!!!!!!!
I met him several times in the 'Ditka Live' show when he was Saints coach, in 1998..I was also on the audience question panel each time..
In 1965, Gale Sayers was drafted to replace Bears game-breaking running back #28 Willie "The Wisp" Galimore 15:24 22:40, who was killed at age 29 in an automobile accident near the Bears Indiana training facilities before the start of the 1964 season. Also killed in the accident was 28 year old Bears wide receiver John 'Bo' Farrington 8:26 17:50. If Galimore was not killed in that accident, its doubtful the Chicago Bears draft Sayers the following year.
In 1964 the Bears were 5-9 they couldn't recover from losing those 2 players
Dave Whitsell a former Bear and Ram in 67 was an original Saint.
So was Doug Atkins I believe
@jeremythompson9122 Yes he was played with the Saints from 67-69
@@jeremythompson9122 , yep.. former BEAR..
Very enjoyable.
My Dad was at The '63 Championship game, and was good friends with Center Mike Pyle.. After the game, they went to Ditka's Bowling Alley for the Team Party..My Popz said the wives were embarrassed by their drunk, naked husbands running amok😆True Story..
I was surprised that the Rams got pummeled this (1963) year when they had a formidable defensive front line of Merlin Olsen, Lamar Lundy, Deacon Jones, and John Lovetere.
John Levertere was on the Giants that year he played against the Bears in the title game....The rams had Rosey Grier who the Giants traded to the Rams after the 62 season
Even with the Foursome you got do do something on the other side of the ball they didn't begin winning with them until 1966
In that 1963 championship game, NYG's RB, Hugh McIhaney was the father of SMU's standout QB in the early 80's Lance McIlhaney.
I believe you are confusing Hugh McElhenny with Lance's father Don McIlhenny who played in the NFL and at SMU also.
4 and 5 interceptions in a game doesn't happen so much anymore. What play by the secondary!
A Bears game at Wrigley Field must have been fantastic
I lived fairly close - by Riverview/Lane Tech - went to all the games in 65 - 66 - 67 - 68 - couldn't make 69 as I got drafted - it seemed like you were on the field and Wrigley just rocked - amazing.
Um. … my dad took me to a game in ‘58 …. I remember the field very weird … short end zones, for instance … much better for baseball …
And who can forget the scene after the Bears had won...live TV cameras were in the Bear's dressing room and captured the immortal serenade to coach George Halas...'Hooray at last he's a horse's ass'...this is 1963, black and white TV and on air profanity was never heard until this unique moment...
RIP Mr Willie Galimore and Mr John Farrington.
That's the main reason the Bears offense went south in 64...
@@mikeforte7585 Have some Respect for the Men losing Their Lives including the Families as well. Damn the Chicago Bear Cubs . FUCKHEAD DUMMY.
That definitely hurt the team in 1964
it's the best TV I've ever seen.
The gridiron here in Wrigley went to left field, but in the recent Northwestern game, it went to Right. The football pitch in the recent Roma vs Warsaw game went to Right Field too. And now with the renovations, it will always go to Right
Trivia - in the 49ers game, the 49ers are NOT not wearing gold. Their colors were SILVER and red. So you have to really work your imagination to see that :) They switched to gold the next year.
The Bears beat the Packers twice that year to win the The Black & Blue Division and win the 1963 Championship Game! After they shot Kennedy in Dallas like a dog in November 22! They weren't even sure if they would play the Championship Game! But they did and it was the first time I cheered for the Chicago Bears to win after the Chicago Cardinals left Comiskey for St Louis! The Bears won the game because of the interception of a Y A Tittle pass! A lot of Southsiders became Chicago Bear fans that day! Kinda of funny both Wade & Jimmy Mac wore #9 jersey and were similar in their style of playing QB on the NFL level! 22 years apart! Both Champions! # 63 Ted Karras Sr. Played RTG that year his brother Alex Detroits #71 DT & HOF'ER, his Brother Lou played too! And then his Grandson Ted Jr. Played Center for New England during a couple of Superbowl wins! Three Generations of Karras's playing in the Big 10! Talk about a Family Tradition! Love watching the old games of the 60's & 70's! The game was an hour long! No Fu?king TV Timeouts! Now it's a 3 hour commercial where sometimes a football game breaks out!
One of the most heartbreaking loses for giant fans without those interceptions they would have shut out the bears
Bears always played first few games on road when Wrigley Field was their home. Right field stands were added after baseball season. Sadly, the tie vs. Steelers at Forbes Field was played on Nov. 24 when the country was deep in mourning for the slain President John F. Kennedy.
Oh yeh, I remember the controversy about whether they should postpone for a week and decided not to. Illinois was supposed to play its last season game against Mich St. on the 23rd but postponed to the following Thursday IIRC. (I only remember that because they needed a win or tie to go the Rose Bowl for the first time in 25 or so years.)
Very tragic, and commenced a slow downward spin for the character and quality of the USA. Oslwald born 57 years too early...when we really need him.
Which was neither televised or heard on the radio
60 Years Ago 😲😳
One thing about this era of football that we don't see today are productive fullback runs. The kicking game is also vastly improved versus the "fat football" era ten years earlier.
Is there a color version of this out there? I appreciate the b&w adds to the nostalgia. I'm thinking it could bring in new fans to Da Bears family.✌
Imagine an extra point being kicked into your front yard
Simultaneously refreshing and disturbing, but indisputable truth in the context of history. Not to mention I lived in the shadow of Chicago at this time.
'63 was the year I got hooked on the NFL, and living 130 miles south of Chicago they were my "home" team. My dad was a lifetime Bears fan and we watched games together a lot, but he died the previous May. I really wish he'd been able to see this game.
Watching Joe Marconi carry the ball, it suddenly occurred to me that this was the first time I had ever seen number 34 being worn by someone other than Walter Payton.
Between 1920 and 1963, the Bears won 8 NFL championships in 43 seasons. Since 1964 - a span of 57 years, the franchise has won only once in the 1985 Super Bowl (three times if you count the 1985 NFC champions and the 2006 NFC champions).
Well I wonder how Minnesota viking fans fell then?
Most nowadays don't even know Wrigley was home to the Bears for decades, even Chicagoans. My memory was that for much of the 1960s, the 49er away game in Chicago were at Wrigley, and I saw those on the TV when both teams were in the Western Conference. The 1966 game was memorable for a ending with a tie. Anyway, the Bears had a great team in 1963, and the defense was rock solid with Fortunato, Morris and George at LB. I don't know that Billy Wade was much of a QB, but he had Marconi, Gallimore, Casares, and Bull in the backfield, and Ditka at tight end.
I'm sure those who were around at that time do know.
That game was a 30-30 tie at Wrigley Field the other meeting they were blown out at Kezar Stadium
@@michaelleroy9281 That game is here on You Tube, the thrashing the 49ers gave to the Bears, played December 11 at Kezar in San Francisco. It was probably the last time Wade played, as he came in for Bukich, who threw a few interceptions. Arnett played some in that game at Kezar too, so it was the swan song for some old vets. Next week, the 49ers had to beat Baltimore to get into second place to qualify for the Playoff Bowl in Miami. Colts won 30-14.
Gifford was interfered with on the last pass that Petition intercepted.Of course, the referees will not call it for to do so would " influence the outcome ." But not to call it also "influences the outcome" .
Modern day NFL athletes would not survive against this era. This was real down and dirty football and the rules were not like they are now. QBs of today would be annihilated without the reffs protecting them with so many "Don't Touch Brady" rules.
Half of the Bears hits on Tittle would be illegal today
No quarterback sliding downs. Running it like a champ.
Richie Pettibon coached for the Redskins in 1993 after spending time as a coordinator from 1978-1992.
Not fat slobs in the line, no flying shoulder tackles and stupid disrespectful celebrations for,touchdowns. Where’d it all go,wrong?
Big money is where it went wrong. This allowed the players to wrest control away from the coaches, and the league. If that kind of crap would have been tried on a Halas, Lombardi, or Landry coached team they would have been traded to Palookaville, or cut and out of the league.
Times change things......💁🏽♂️. Don't have much choice but to change with it or get lost in a time.
@@philosophy20 Times do change but some should remain like respect and sportsmanship. Which are sadly in short supply. Football went from a team sport to Hey look at me! Fundamental football is gone, shock value replaced it. I hate the Patriots but there's a reason they win. Best example of teamwork and the coach has control of the team
#9 Billy Wade, #29 Ronnie Bull, #89 Mike Ditka
No Paul Hornung in '63, suspended along with A. Karras..for gambling on NFL games.
Karras' brother Ted started in the OL for the Bears in 1963. The Karras brothers used to line up against each other when the Bears played the Lions. Except, of course, in 1963 because Alex was suspended.
was this the year Paul Hornung, had to sit out a year?
Yes. He and Detroit Lions star defensive tackle Alex Karras both sat out 1963 for gambling.
indeed it was. I think Packers suffered some injuries also, which is why they did not repeat as champions. Not to take anything away from this Bears team
Tennessee State University's famous "aristocrats of marching bands" marching band doing the halftime show is a minor, but interesting, historical episode. While they've been recognized as one of the best marching bands, having this HBU (historically black university) provide the entertainment, I'm speculating, may have been an NFL decision to show support for the civil rights movement at its zenith.
Unrelated, YA Title, at 37, near the end of his long, distinguished career, actually had his best statistical season this season. Though only with the Giants for hs final four years, his two best statistical seasons were with them, aging like fine wine.
Astonishing is his 105 QB rating in '63, a non-passing era when a 90 could make one the league's passing leader. He was a very special talent.
As a Bears fan, I always knew Ditka was a beast of a TE and these clips are an example of him being THE passing game and the guy carrying the offense.
The Bears are currently in their longest drought ever. Cubs, Sox' and Hawks' longest droughts ended recently in 05, 10 and 16. Bulls are 3 years away from being in their longest drought. In early 2010, the Bears, Hawks and cubs were all simultaneously in their longest droughts ever, with the cubs and Blackhawx simultaneously in their respective sports' longest ever droughts.
Bears quarterback in the championship game wearing a pair of high top Chuck Taylors for good traction!
🐻🏈
Yes the 1985 Chicago Bears best team. The 1963 team wasn't far behind
DITKA!!!
its really weird to see a #34 on the bears that isnt walter
Philly's KING HILL from Rice, CLEVE'S Frank Ryan from Rice, LIONS/PACK AFL CHARGERS Tobin Rote from Rice..other than MINNY'S Tommy Kramer in the 80's., it has been awhile for the OWLS..
Two fine receivers from that era came from Rice. Bill Howton of the Packers (who was once the all-time leading receiver in the NFL) and Buddy Dial of the Steelers were both all-pros.
@@bustercherry9643, talkin' qbs. RICE has produced its share of NFL players in all decades.
Its been awhile for RICE qbs...QUARTERBACKS..
1:02:28 I wonder what became of the helmet that Ed O'Bradovich hurled into the crowd at the end of the game?
I'm sure Halas deducted the cost of the helmet out of his winning share...nothing got by Papa Bear..
The Bears got in a Championship season in an era where the Packers ruled
Amazing.
Jack Brickhouse voice of the Cubbies
19:30 as Ditka was breaking tackles Oswald was expiring
Yes but nobody saw the game on TV or heard it on the radio , only the fans that were there saw it
Nearly 60 Years Ago.
Mike Ditka could block.
and catch...
Did they slow down the games back then?
The 'Lost Quarterback ' in Chicago Bear history is Billy Wade. No one in the media mentions him.
Why is that? I remember him in LA, hated to see him traded to Chicago.
He was teammates with Del Shofner in LA
@@mikeforte7585 Yes. Shofner was a good one. Rams traded him to NY Giants. The Rosey Grier deal, I believe.
Today's players cannot compare these players. Prove me wrong.
The Bears, Lions, Browns and Giants were the teams of that era, which is exactly why they didn't want expansion to places like Miami, Houston, Dallas, or San Diego. Knowing their run oriented games would have to yield to a more passing oriented game in those warmer climates, owners vetoed expansion plans. Hence, the creation of the AFL.
Miami Houston and San Diego were in the AFL at that time it had no affect on the Bears except for the signing wars between the 2 leagues
I said that era, not specifically’63. I was talking about the late ‘50s.
don't hear much about this bears team. great season, funny how baltimore was in the western conference and dallas and st. louis were both in the eastern conference. what's interesting is how the nfl played thru the kennedy assassination, playing 2 days after. the bears were in pittsburgh. pete rozelle would later say he regretted that decision. the eagles and redskins were against playing that sunday.
safety rosey taylor made at least 3 touchdown saving tackles in the championship game. the bears got 6 turnovers, (should of had 7 if not for a bad call) but they only won by 4 points. which means the giants defense may have played better.
if the bears hadn't started 1965 0-3, (gale sayers record breaking rookie year) they could have won the west again, but packers beat the colts in a tie breaker, and beat the jim brown browns in the championship. a gale sayers, jim brown championship would have been interesting.
but as it was the bears wouldn't make the playoffs for another 14 years until walter payton and his monster year in 1977.
Make no mistake, I saw that Bear team play every game that year. The defense was incredible, but the offence was sad. That Bear team was not very good, the Giants were a much better team and should have won that game but I thought it was pay back for 1956 ! That was a Championship game played in NY the Bears should have won but did not. It all evened out !!
@@jimhardy7673 I thought I read that it was very cold the day of the '63 game and that it affected Tittle throwing.
And there was the 4th quarter field goal by the Packers in the Colts-Packers game where the refs blew it and called it good. It allowed the Packers to get to overtime and win it on another field goal.
@@sdgakatbk even Chandler though the kick was no good..he kicked the ground in disgust when the ball was headed to the goal post...the kick was wide left not even close
There was not the unanimous opinion that games should not be played. 75% of the cancellations were because of public shaming. Unlike public universities who owned their stadiums NFL teams paid rent. Plus it was the end of the seasons for college and it wasn’t difficult to reschedule. It was stupid to cancel games in the first place. BTW- JFK wasn’t a popular president in 1963. Papa Kennedy stole the election in ‘60 and JFK was way down in the poles because he was a neophyte and drugged up.
This Chicago Bears team kept the Packers from 3-peating TWICE! 1961-63 and 1965-67 (would have been)! I believe the Packers 5 titles in 7 years is still the record?!!
The Bears intercepted Green Bay 9 times in their two meetings! 4 the first game, 5 the second! Very uncharacteristic of Green Bay! Scores were Bears 10-3 and 26-7!
The Packers Paul Haurnung was give a season long suspension in 1963 for gambling..that could have made a difference in the 1st meeting with the Bears...in the 2nd meeting the Bears were on their way as they killed the Packers ..it wouldn't have mattered...
@@mikeforte7585 The scores of the 2 meetings were 10-3 and 26-7
John Chandler kicks the ball though a neighbor's window.
Resident is seen screaming at the players.
The 1963 chargers wanted 2 play the 63 bears but Chicago said no....
The Chargers that year had a high octane offense with Tobin Rote/John Hadl and Lance Alworth passing and receiving with Paul Lowe at RB. Would have been an interesting match up.
George Halas didn't make that decision on his own....he would have needed the permission from the NFL commissioner..plus the attitude back then was the AFL was a Mickey Mouse league that would fold anytime so why waste our time giving them any recognition...most of the AFL players were considered NFL cast offs or just plain inferior....lastly some of the NFL owners didn't want to risk their worst nightmare....the Chargers actually winning the game.
Willie Gallimore - #28. Gone too soon in a car cash. RIP
...and WR John "Bo" Farrington who was in the same car with Galimore.
Y A TITTLE WAS AN AMAZING QUATERBACK... I WAS A CHILD ....BUT HIS TALENT WAS OBVIOUS BY WATCHIN HIS FILMS 63 GIANTS.
DA COACH DITKA GO CHICAGO BEARS BEAR DOWN 🧡💙🧡💙🧡⬇️🐻
Why were they playing home games at Wrigley? What happened to “venerable” Soldier Field?
Soldier Field was used for nothing at the time the Bears were at Wrigley Field until 1970
Steelers rookie wide receiver Roy Curry coach football at Roberson High school Chi
Where's Ed Sprikle?