1961 Green Bay Packers season

The 1961 Green Bay Packers season was their 43rd season overall and their 41st season in the National Football League. The team finished with an 11–3 record under third-year head coach Vince Lombardi, earning them a first-place finish in the Western Conference. The Packers ended the season by shutting out the New York Giants 37–0 in the NFL Championship Game, the first title game ever played in Green Bay. This was the Packers seventh NFL league championship. The 1961 Packers also featured 12 future Hall of Famers, the most on any single team in NFL history.

1961 Green Bay Packers season
General managerVince Lombardi
Head coachVince Lombardi
Home fieldCity Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium
Results
Record11–3
Division place1st NFL Western
Playoff finishWon NFL Championship
(vs. Giants) 37–0

The 1961 season was the first in which the Packers wore their trademark capital "G" logo on their helmets.[1][2]

Offseason

NFL draft

The 1961 NFL draft was held in late December 1960.

Round Overall Player Position School
112Herb AdderleyCornerbackMichigan State
226Ron KostelnikDefensive tackleCincinnati
340Phil NugentBackTulane
454Paul DudleyBackArkansas
456Joe LeSageGuardTulane
568Jack NovakGuardMiami (FL)
682Lee FolkinsTight endWashington
796Lewis JohnsonBackFlorida A&M
9124Vester FlanaganTackleHumboldt State
10128Roger HagbergBackMinnesota
10138Buck McLeodTackleBaylor
11152Val KeckinBackSouthern Miss
12166John DenvirTackleColorado
13180Elijah PittsHalfbackPhilander Smith
14194Nelson ToburenLinebackerWichita
15208Ray LardaniTackleMiami (FL)
16222Clarence MasonEndBowling Green
17236Jim BrewingtonTackleNorth Carolina Central
18250Arthur SimsBackTexas A&M
19264Leland BondhusTackleSouth Dakota State
20278Ray RatkowskiBackNotre Dame

Personnel

Staff
1961 Green Bay Packers staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches


[3]

Roster
1961 Green Bay Packers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

  •  3 Ben Agajanian K
  • 86 Boyd Dowler P
  • 46 Hank Gremminger KO
  •  5 Paul Hornung K
  • 85 Max McGee P
  • 24 Willie Wood PR

Rookies in italics

Source:[4]

Depth chart

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 11 at Dallas Cowboys W 30–7 1–0 Cotton Bowl Recap Archived 2020-11-12 at the Wayback Machine
2 August 18 at St. Louis Cardinals W 31–10 2–0 Sportsman's Park Recap Archived 2020-11-12 at the Wayback Machine
3 August 26 Chicago Bears W 24–14 3–0 Milwaukee County Stadium Recap Archived 2020-11-12 at the Wayback Machine
4 September 4 New York Giants W 20–17 4–0 City Stadium Recap Archived 2020-11-12 at the Wayback Machine
5 September 9 vs. Washington Redskins W 31–24 5–0 A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium Recap Archived 2020-11-12 at the Wayback Machine

Regular season

Despite being named NFL MVP, Paul Hornung was briefly lost to the military. In response to the construction of the Berlin Wall, the Department of Defense activated thousands of reservists. Two dozen football players were activated, including Paul Hornung, Boyd Dowler, and Ray Nitschke.[5][6] On November 14, Hornung was to report to Fort Riley in north central Kansas.[7] Wisconsin residents were so upset that Republican senator Alexander Wiley and Democratic congressman Clement Zablocki requested deferments for the players.[8] On October 18, the final word was that the players had to serve. Hornung missed the November 19 game in Green Bay against the Rams, but was flown from Fort Riley to Detroit for the November 23 Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions at Tiger Stadium.[9] Hornung kicked a field goal and two extra points in the 17–9 victory.[10][11]

Injured in late October, right guard Jerry Kramer was sidelined for the remainder of the season. Forrest Gregg moved in from right tackle to guard, and Norm Masters started at right tackle.

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 17 Detroit Lions L 13–17 0–1 Milwaukee County Stadium Recap
2 September 24 San Francisco 49ers W 30–10 1–1 City Stadium Recap
3 October 1 Chicago Bears W 24–0 2–1 City Stadium Recap
4 October 8 Baltimore Colts W 45–7 3–1 City Stadium Recap
5 October 15 at Cleveland Browns W 49–17 4–1 Cleveland Stadium Recap
6 October 22 at Minnesota Vikings W 33–7 5–1 Metropolitan Stadium Recap
7 October 29 Minnesota Vikings W 28–10 6–1 Milwaukee County Stadium Recap
8 November 5 at Baltimore Colts L 21–45 6–2 Memorial Stadium Recap
9 November 12 at Chicago Bears W 31–28 7–2 Wrigley Field Recap
10 November 19 Los Angeles Rams W 35–17 8–2 City Stadium Recap
11 November 23 at Detroit Lions W 17–9 9–2 Tiger Stadium Recap
12 December 3 New York Giants W 20–17 10–2 Milwaukee County Stadium Recap
13 December 10 at San Francisco 49ers L 21–22 10–3 Kezar Stadium Recap
14 December 17 at Los Angeles Rams W 24–17 11–3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap

Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Detroit
Week 1: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 7 7 0317
Packers 7 3 0313

at Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

  • Date: September 17
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), relative humidity 63%, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,307
  • Referee: Bud Brubaker
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 2: vs. San Francisco
Week 2: San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 7 3 0010
Packers 7 13 3730

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: September 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), relative humidity 90%, wind 17 mph
  • Game attendance: 38,669
  • Referee: George Rennix
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 3: vs. Chicago
Week 3: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 0 000
Packers 7 3 7724

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: October 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), relative humidity 76%, wind 19 mph
  • Game attendance: 38,669
  • Referee: John Pace
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 4: vs. Baltimore
Week 4: Baltimore Colts at Green Bay Packers
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 7 007
Packers 7 10 141445

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: October 8
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 11 mph
  • Game attendance: 38,669
  • Referee: Bill Downes
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 5: at Cleveland
Week 5: Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 14 7 72149
Browns 0 3 7717

at Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 44 °F (7 °C), relative humidity 62%, wind 16 mph
  • Game attendance: 75,042
  • Referee: Ron Gibbs
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 6: at Minnesota
Week 6: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 10 3 31733
Vikings 0 7 007

at Metropolitan Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: October 22
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), relative humidity 82%, wind 13 mph
  • Game attendance: 42,117
  • Referee: John Pace
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 7: vs. Minnesota
Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 3010
Packers 14 7 0728

at Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

  • Date: October 29
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), relative humidity 87%, wind 16 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,116
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 8: at Baltimore
Week 8: Green Bay Packers at Baltimore Colts
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 7 7 0721
Colts 7 14 101445

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: November 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 11 mph
  • Game attendance: 57,641
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 9: at Chicago
Week 9: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 7 21 3031
Bears 7 0 71428

at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 13 mph
  • Game attendance: 49,711
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 10: vs. Los Angeles
Week 10: Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 7 3 0717
Packers 0 28 0735

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: November 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 26 °F (−3 °C), relative humidity 81%, wind 5 mph, wind chill 20 °F (−7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 38,669
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 11: at Detroit
Week 11: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 7 01017
Lions 3 3 309

at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
  • Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C), relative humidity 97%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 55,662
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 12: vs. New York
Week 12: New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 7 10 0017
Packers 13 0 0720

at Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

  • Date: December 3
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), relative humidity 87%, wind 16 mph
  • Game attendance: 47,012
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 13: at San Francisco
Week 13: Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 7 7721
49ers 0 14 2622

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

  • Date: December 10
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), relative humidity 72%, wind 12 mph
  • Game attendance: 55,722
  • Referee: Emil Heintz
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 14: at Los Angeles
Week 14: Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 7 7 01024
Rams 0 3 7717

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

  • Date: December 17
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 49,169
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Playoffs
Round Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
NFL Championship December 31 New York Giants W 37–0 1–0 City Stadium Recap

1961 NFL Championship Game vs. New York
1961 NFL Championship Game: New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 0 000
Packers 0 24 10337

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: December 31
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 17 °F (−8 °C), relative humidity 82%, wind 10 mph, wind chill 6 °F (−14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 39,029
  • TV: NBC
  • Box Score
Game information

Standings
NFL Western Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Green Bay Packers 11 3 0 .786 9–3 391 223 W1
Detroit Lions 8 5 1 .615 7–4–1 270 258 L1
Chicago Bears 8 6 0 .571 7–5 326 302 W2
Baltimore Colts 8 6 0 .571 6–6 302 307 W1
San Francisco 49ers 7 6 1 .538 6–5–1 346 272 L1
Los Angeles Rams 4 10 0 .286 3–9 263 333 L1
Minnesota Vikings 3 11 0 .214 3–9 285 407 L2

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Stats

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

Kicking

Punting

Kick Return

Punt Return

Interception

Team

Total Yards and Turnovers Passing Rushing

Awards and records

References
  1. Christi, Cliff (September 24, 2015). "The G Stands for Green Bay". Packers.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  2. Gridiron Uniform Database: Green Bay Packers
  3. "All Time Coaches Database". Packers.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  4. "TV rosters". Milwaukee Sentinel. December 31, 1961. p. 2, sports.
  5. "Paul Hornung to enter Army". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 4, 1961. p. 2.
  6. When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss,p. 284, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
  7. When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss,p. 286, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
  8. When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss,p. 285, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
  9. When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss,p. 287, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
  10. When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss,p. 288, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
  11. "Green Bay tops Lions 17-9 to take commanding lead". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 24, 1961. p. 16.
  12. "Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients". Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
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