NFL team season
The 1963 Chicago Bears season 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).[ 1] [ 2]
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.[ 3] [ 4] Wrigley Field for the club's eighth league title, their first since 1946 and the last under head coach and founder George Halas .[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8]
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;[ 9] [ 10]
In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1963 Bears as the ninth-greatest defense in NFL history,[ 11] 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."
Source: [ 12]
Team photo[ 14]
Rosters - 1963 NFL title game[ 15]
Week
Date
Time (CT
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
TV
Attendance
Recap
1
1:00 p.m.
at Green Bay Packers
W 10–3
1–0
City Stadium
CBS
42,327
2
1:30 p.m.
at Minnesota Vikings
W 28–7
2–0
Metropolitan Stadium
CBS
33,923
3
September 29
12:30 p.m.
at Detroit Lions
W 37–21
3–0
Tiger Stadium
CBS
55,400
4
October 6
1:00 p.m.
Baltimore Colts
W 10–3
4–0
Wrigley Field
CBS
48,998
5
October 13
3:30 p.m.
at Los Angeles Rams
W 52–14
5–0
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
CBS
40,476
6
October 20
3:30 p.m.
at San Francisco 49ers
L 14–20
5–1
Kezar Stadium
CBS
35,837
7
October 27
1:00 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles
W 16–7
6–1
Wrigley Field
CBS
48,514
8
November 3
1:00 p.m.
at Baltimore Colts
W 17–7
7–1
Memorial Stadium
CBS
60,065
9
November 10
1:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams
W 6–0
8–1
Wrigley Field
CBS
48,312
10
1:00 p.m.
Green Bay Packers
W 26–7
9–1
Wrigley Field
CBS
49,166
11
November 24
1:00 p.m.
at Pittsburgh Steelers
T 17–17
9–1–1
Forbes Field
CBS
36,465
12
1:00 p.m.
Minnesota Vikings
T 17–17
9–1–2
Wrigley Field
CBS
47,249
13
December 8
1:00 p.m.
San Francisco 49ers
W 27–7
10–1–2
Wrigley Field
CBS
46,994
14
December 15
1:00 p.m.
Detroit Lions
W 24–14
11–1–2
Wrigley Field
CBS
45,317
Week 1: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Bears (1–0)
3
0
7 0 10
Packers (0–1)
3
0
0 0 3
at City Stadium • Green Bay, Wisconsin
Date : September 15, 1963Game time : 1:00 p.m. CDT Game weather : 54 °F (12 °C), relative humidity 76%, wind 7 mphGame attendance : 42,327Referee : Art McNally TV : CBS [ 16] [ 17]
Bears
Game Statistics
Packers
15
First downs
9
35–107
Rushes–yards
21–77
129
Passing yards
83
18–24–1
Passes
11–22–4
1–5
Sacked–yards
1–10
124
Net passing yards
73
231
Total yards
150
84
Return yards
101
5–43.8
Punts
5–48.6
1–1
Fumbles–lost
1–1
5–50
Penalties–yards
6–58
Individual stats
Bears Passing
C/ATT1
Yds
TD
INT
Sk
Yds
LG3
Rate
Wade
18/24
129
0
1
1
5
22
69.6
Bears Kick Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Marconi
1
15
15.0
0
15
Casares
1
10
10/0
0
10
Bears Punt Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Taylor
2
19
9.5
0
0
Morris
2
12
6.0
0
0
Bears Punting
Pnt
Yds
Y/P
Lng
Blck
Green
5
219
43.8
Bears Kicking
XPM–XPA
FGM–FGA
MFG
Jencks
1–1
1–2
Week 2: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Bears (2–0)
7
7
0 14 28
Vikings (1–1)
0
7
0 0 7
at Metropolitan Stadium • Bloomington, Minnesota
Date : September 22, 1963Game time : 1:30 p.m. CDT Game weather : 51 °F (11 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 9 mphGame attendance : 33,923Referee : Harry BrubakerTV : CBS [ 18] [ 17]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
CHI
Passing
Bill Wade 23/32, 253 YDS, 3 TDs
Rushing
Ronnie Bull 14 CAR, 53 YDS
Receiving
Mike Ditka 8 REC, 124 YDS, 2 TDs
MIN
Passing
Fran Tarkenton 13/22, 167 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing
Tommy Mason 11 CAR, 60 YDS
Receiving
Ray Poage 5 REC, 67 YDS
Bears
Game Statistics
Vikings
24
First downs
20
27–106
Rushes–yards
34–152
253
Passing yards
197
23–33–0
Passes
16–27–3
0–0
Sacked–yards
2–23
253
Net passing yards
174
359
Total yards
326
34
Return yards
85
1–44.0
Punts
2–35.0
1–1
Fumbles–lost
4–2
8–75
Penalties–yards
5–55
Game information
First quarter
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
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 Top rushers Top receivers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
1
2 3 4 Total
• Bears
7
21 3 21
52
Rams
0
7 0 7
14
Scoring summary Q1 CHI Ditka 13 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick)CHI 7–0 Q2 CHI McRae 35 yard interception return (Jencks kick)CHI 14–0 Q2 LA Phillips 10 yard pass from Bratkowski (Villanueva kick)CHI 14–7 Q2 CHI Ditka 25 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 21–7 Q2 CHI Ditka 2 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 28–7 Q3 CHI LeClerc 31 yard field goalCHI 31–7 Q4 LA Bass 4 yard run (Villanueva kick)CHI 31–14 Q4 CHI Ditka 14 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 38–14 Q4 CHI Galimore 2 yard run (Jencks kick)CHI 45–14 Q4 CHI Farrington 17 yard pass from Bukich (Jencks kick)CHI 52–14
[ 19]
1
2 3 4 Total
Bears
0
7 0 7
14
• 49ers
10
7 3 0
20
[ 20]
1
2 3 4 Total
Eagles
0
7 0 0
7
• Bears
10
0 6 0
16
Date: October 27Location: Wrigley Field
[ 21]
1
2 3 4 Total
• Bears
7
0 7 3
17
Colts
0
0 7 0
7
[ 22]
1
2 3 4 Total
Rams
0
0 0 0
0
• Bears
3
0 3 0
6
Date: November 10Location: Wrigley Field
[ 23]
Week 10: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Packers (8–2)
0
0
0 7 7
Bears (9–1)
13
0
3 10 26
at Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois
Date : November 17, 1963Game time : 1:00 p.m. CST Game weather : 62 °F (17 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 16 mphGame attendance : 49,166Referee : Tom Bell TV : CBS [ 24] [ 17]
Packers
Game Statistics
Bears
16
First downs
19
20–71
Rushes–yards
57–248
178
Passing yards
92
11–30–5
Passes
6–14–0
2–17
Sacked–yards
3–23
161
Net passing yards
69
232
Total yards
317
101
Return yards
63
5–38.8
Punts
3–47.0
2–2
Fumbles–lost
0–0
6–65
Penalties–yards
11–97
Individual stats
Bears Passing
C/ATT1
Yds
TD
INT
Sk
Yds
LG3
Rate
Wade
6/14
92
0
0
3
23
28
65.2
Bears Kick Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Pyle
1
0
0.0
0
0
Bears Punting
Pnt
Yds
Y/P
Lng
Blck
Green
3
141
47.0
0
1
2 3 4 Total
Bears
7
7 0 3
17
Steelers
0
14 0 3
17
[ 25]
Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings (4–7–1)
3
14
0 0 17
Bears (9–1–2)
3
0
7 7 17
at Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois
Date : December 1, 1963Game time : 1:00 p.m. CST Game weather : 23 °F (−5 °C), relative humidity 72%, wind 10 mph, wind chill 13 °F (−11 °C)Game attendance : 47,249Referee : Tony SkoverTV : CBS [ 26] [ 17]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
MIN
Passing
Ron Vander Kelen 5/9, 116 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Tommy Mason 19, CAR, 53 YDS
Receiving
Gordon Smith 2 REC, 83 YDS, 1 TD
CHI
Passing
Bill Wade 16/32, 164 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing
Ronnie Bull 14 CAR, 31 YDS
Receiving
Mike Ditka 5 REC, 76 YDS
Vikings
Game Statistics
Bears
9
First downs
15
38–116
Rushes–yards
33–67
120
Passing yards
164
6–13–1
Passes
16–32–0
4–34
Sacked–yards
1–10
86
Net passing yards
154
202
Total yards
221
142
Return yards
93
4–15.7
Punts
7–52.4
4–3
Fumbles–lost
4–3
3–26
Penalties–yards
3–25
1
2 3 4 Total
49ers
0
7 0 0
7
• Bears
14
0 7 6
27
Date: December 8Location: Wrigley Field
[ 27]
1
2 3 4 Total
Lions
0
7 0 0
7
• Bears
3
0 14 7
24
Date: December 15Location: Wrigley Field
[ 28]
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
1
2 3 4 Total
Giants
7
3 0 0
10
• Bears
7
0 7 0
14
Scoring summary Q1 7:38 NYG Gifford 14 yard pass from Tittle (Chandler kick)NYG 7–0 Q1 0:16 CHI Wade 2 yard run (Jencks kick)Tie 7–7 Q2 9:49 NYG Chandler 13 yard field goal NYG 10–7 Q3 2:12 CHI Wade 1 yard run (Jencks kick) CHI 14–10
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 .[ 29] 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.[ 30] Richard M. Daley named after recently assassinated John F. Kennedy , which is still on display at Halas Hall .[ 31]
^ Strickler, George (December 29, 1963). "Bears battle Giants for title today" . Chicago Tribune . p. 1, section 2. ^ Hand, Jack (December 29, 1963). "Offensive Giants, defensive Bears in NFL finale" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. 1, sports. ^ Strickler, George (September 16, 1963). "Bears shatter Packers' invincibility" . Chicago Tribune . p. 1, section 3. ^ Strickler, George (November 18, 1963). "Here's how Bears won" . Chicago Tribune . p. 1, section 1. ^ Strickler, George (December 30, 1963). "Bears the champions! Win, 14–10" . Chicago Tribune . p. 1, section 1. ^ Sell, Jack (December 30, 1963). "Bears stop Giants, win NFL title" . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . pp. 1, 18. ^ Livingston, Pat (December 30, 1963). "Bears open 'screen' door to title" . Pittsburgh Press . p. 18. ^ "Papa's polar Bears whittle Tittle; intercept five, win title 14–10" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 30, 1963. p. 8.^ The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns , p. 294, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007, ISBN 978-1-58979-360-6 ^ "Happy Birthday George Halas" . Chicago Bears the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014 .^ The List: Best NFL defense of all-time, 2007 ^ 1963 Draft at Pro Football Hall of Fame . Retrieved 2013-Dec-08.^ Chicago Bears media guide . Retrieved 2015-Aug-23.^ "Team photo" . Chicago Tribune . December 14, 1963. p. 1, section 2.^ "TV numbers" . Chicago Tribune . December 29, 1963. p. 2, section 2.^ Pro Football Reference Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – September 15, 1963 ^ a b c d Chicago Bears 2023 Media Guide . Chicago Bears. p. 375.^ Pro Football Reference Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – September 22, 1963 ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 2014-Dec-08.^ Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.^ Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.^ Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.^ Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.^ Pro Football Reference Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – November 17, 1963 ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.^ Pro Football Reference Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – December 1, 1963 ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.^ Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 2018-Feb-17.^ Coppock, Chet (December 27, 2013). "Bears defeat Giants 14–10 for 1963 championship" . Chicago Bears . Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013 . ^ "Mystery of the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy solved" . Packers.com .^ "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 .
Charles N. Billington, The 1963 Chicago Bears: George Halas and the Road to the NFL Championship. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 2023.
Maury Youmans and Gary Youmans, '63 : the Story of the 1963 World Championship Chicago Bears. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2004.
Formerly the Decatur Staleys (1920) and the Chicago Staleys (1921)
Franchise Records Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Minor league affiliates Retired numbers Key personnel Division championships (21) Conference championships (4) League championships (9) Media
Broadcasters Radio:
Personnel:
Television:
WFLD (pre-season and most regular season games through Fox , official pre-game and post-game alternate)Marquee Sports Network (official post-game and in-season programming)
Personnel:
Lou Canellis (gameday television host, pre-season sideline reporter)
Adam Amin (pre-season play-by-play)Jim Miller (pre-season analyst) Current league affiliations
