Today in Sports History: 12/17 | Packers Win 1944 NFL Championship

Credit: NFL.com

Today in sports history is a fun one as a Green Bay Packers fan. On this day 77 years ago, the Packers would win the 1944 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants.

The Green Bay Packers were the juggernaut of the early days in the NFL. Led by such players as Curly Lambeau, Mike Michalske and Don Hutson, the Packers were the premier franchise of the first 20 years in the NFL. That rang true in the 1944 NFL season, as the Packers finished with an 8-2 regular season record, only losing to the Chicago Bears and New York Giants. The Packers were matched up against those same Giants in the championship game.

Packers Win 1944 NFL Championship Game, 14-7

The game took place at the historic New York venue, Polo Grounds. In a stadium that would later be known as Willie Mays’ home stadium, the Giants hosted the Packers. The Giants came into the game with an 8-1-1 record, led by coach Steve Owen and former Packers’ quarterback Arnie Herber. The Packers were led by head coach Curly Lambeau and wide receiver Don Hutson. Despite the Giants’ victory over the Packers in the regular season, the Packers were slight betting favorites in this game.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Packers scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. Ted Fritsch scored on a one-yard touchdown run. He then added another touchdown, this time a receiving touchdown from quarterback Irv Comp.

The game then hit a stalemate, as neither team scored another point until the fourth quarter. The Giants’ Ward Cuff scampered in for a one-yard rushing touchdown to cut the lead to seven. Green Bay was able to hold on and win their sixth NFL championship. This was the last championship won by the legendary Curly Lambeau and the last championship until 1961.

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