NYG-GB: A Legend's Lessons
Next game: Sunday, January 20
NFC Championship vs. NY Giants
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NFC Championship. Packers-Giants. These teams have met five times for the NFL Championship, and a Packers left tackle and captain from the Lombardi era remembers two legendary games, one at Lambeau, one in frigid weather.
Green Bay became Titletown on Dec. 31, 1961 at Lambeau Field when the Packers hosted the first ever NFL title game in Green Bay against the New York Giants. It was a cold day, not as cold as the forecast this Sunday, with temperatures in the teens, but the hottest day a Vince Lombardi team ever had.
"Playing for Vince Lombardi, the weather was never a factor," said former Packers offensive tackle and offensive captain Bob Skoronski. We were there to play a game, not to worry about whether it was warm or cold."
The big factor that day was NFL Hall of Fame running back Paul Hornung.
He scored 19 points that day scoring a touchdown on the ground, kicking three field goals and nailing three extra points.
"He had a great nose for the game," reminded Skoronski.
"He knew what he could do in situations. He was smart enough. He capitalized on the fact that we had some plays called around some of their talent and their players, and he ran it well."
Hornung, Bart Starr, who delivered three TD passes, Ron Kramer, who caught two of them, and Ray Nitschke, who intercepted two Y.A. Tittle throws, all contributed to a 37-0 win, and the precursor to a 1962 championship rematch in New York with wind chills reaching 40 below.
"Maybe that game was colder than the Ice Bowl," Skoronski thought. "It was awfully, awfully cold. The wind was blowing big time."
Despite the 40 m.p.h. winds, Jim Taylor's 85 yards and a touchdown on the ground, Ray Nitschke's interception and two fumble recoveries and Jerry Kramer's three field goals powered another Packers win, 16-7, and the second championship win over the Giants in frigid conditions similar to what both teams might experience Sunday.
Skoronski's advice? Suck it up.
"The game was designed to be played in all kinds of conditions," said Skoronski.
"We don't decide the field conditions. They are what they are for both teams."
An Emotional Talk from a Championship Captain
Before every game, Skoronski would address his team with a sometimes teary-eyed pregame talk.
"I'm asking every guy to give their (expletive) level best for all the guys who've had a lot to do with the Green Bay Packers," said Skoronski in the locker room before a game in 1968, his last in a Packers uniform.
We asked Skoronski, who won five NFL titles and two Super Bowls, what he would say to the Packers this Sunday night.
"You don't have many chances in a lifetime to win a game like this, first of all to be in it, but most importantly to win it.
"Somehow you see teams in their first championship game and they're just happy to be there. That's totally wrong. It's what really happens today that's going to affect the outcome of even their careers.
"The Green Bay Packers, as I watch them this year, will prepare themselves into the kind of people they have to be to win that game and not let anything slip.
"I think we can play anybody that's left in the playoffs and represent themselves well. Guys just have to decide that whatever it takes is whatever we're going to do."
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