10 Interesting Facts About the “Ice Bowl” Between Packers and Cowboys

By Michael Terrill

10 Interesting Facts About the “Ice Bowl” Between Packers and Cowboys

Ice Bowl — On Jan. 11, 2015, the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys will take part in a playoff game at Lambeau Field for the first time since the 1967 NFL Championship. The “Ice Bowl” is one of the most historic games in football history. The incredible weather conditions and importance of the game between two classic teams will never be forgotten. Here are 10 interesting facts about the “Ice Bowl” between the Packers and Cowboys.

10. Temperature Was Unbearable

Temperature Was Unbearable

10. Temperature Was Unbearable

Temperature Was Unbearable — The game-time temperature was -15 degrees with a wind chill that averaged 48 degrees below zero. It was so cold that the halftime show that was supposed to feature a marching band had to be cancelled because the instruments were too cold to be played. During the broadcast, CBS sportscaster Frank Gifford famously said, “I think I’ll take another bite of my coffee.” To sum it up, it was the coldest game in NFL history.

9. Referees Had To Stop Using Whistles

Referees Had To Stop Using Whistles

9. Referees Had To Stop Using Whistles

Referees Had To Stop Using Whistles — During the game, a referee tore a piece of skin off his lip after the metal whistle got stuck to his mouth. That was enough for the other game officials to do away with the whistles. For the rest of the contest, the referees used voice and hand commands to officiate the game.

8. Bob Hayes Gave It Away

Bob Hayes Gave It Away

8. Bob Hayes Gave It Away

Bob Hayes Gave It Away — One of the reasons the Packers were able to control the Cowboys’ offense was due to something they picked up on Dallas’ best wide receiver. Bob Hayes would keep his hands in his pants when the Cowboys were going to run the ball in order for his hands to stay warm. When he expected the ball to come his way, he would have them out and ready. Green Bay’s defense noticed this, which is why they only kept an eye on him when his hands were out.

7. Lombardi Tried To Prevent the Field From Freezing

Lombardi Tried To Prevent the Field From Freezing

7. Lombardi Tried To Prevent the Field From Freezing

Lombardi Tried To Prevent the Field From Freezing — Vince Lombardi purchased heating coils to be used under the field in order to prevent the ground from freezing. Unfortunately, the tarpaulin covering the field kept all of the heat in, which formed condensation on the ground. As soon as the tarp was removed prior to kickoff, the freezing air instantly turned the field to ice. Also, it was so cold that the electrical grid system under the field had stopped working.

6. Frostbite Used As a Badge of Honor

Frostbite Used As a Badge of Honor

6. Frostbite Used As a Badge of Honor

Frostbite Used As a Badge of Honor — Numerous players suffered frostbite on their feet and hands. Ray Nitschke had frostbite so bad on his feet that his toes began to turn purple and the toenails fell off. Bart Starr and Willie Davis had frostbite in their fingers. In fact, Davis has been quoted as saying to this day he still has no feeling in the fingers he used to get in a stance.

5. Emotionally Spent

Emotionally Spent

5. Emotionally Spent

Emotionally Spent — Players in both locker rooms suffered flu-like symptoms and frostbite. That was the physical repercussion of playing in the game. The emotional side saw Packers players openly weeping after the victory. The weeping wasn’t because of the cold, but rather, it had to do with how much they loved Coach Lombardi, who would retire from being the Packers coach after the season.

4. Ice Bowl Death

Ice Bowl Death

4. Ice Bowl Death

Ice Bowl Death — Myth has it that multiple fans died at the game due to the intense cold weather. The reality is only one person died. It was an elderly man who passed away due to exposure to the conditions. Multiple fans did suffer severe frostbite and fainting because of the weather. That includes 11 members of the UW-La Crosse marching band who were taken to the hospital.

3. Packers Fans Played a Role

Packers Fans Played a Role

3. Packers Fans Played a Role

Packers Fans Played a Role — Throughout the game, Packers fans sitting in the front row behind the Cowboys’ bench could be seen unplugging extension cords. These cords just so happened to be what was heating the benches for the Dallas players.

2. NFL Struggled To Film the Game

NFL Struggled To Film the Game

2. NFL Struggled To Film the Game

NFL Struggled To Film the Game — Steve Sabol, president of NFL Films, said in an interview decades later that the cameras used to film the game were not winterized. Therefore, the cameras had a difficult time staying in focus. In fact, of the 18 cameras initially used at the start of the game, only five were still working at the conclusion.

1. The Play

The Play

1. The Play

The Play — “31 Wedge” was what was called on the final play of the game, but Starr never thought fullback Chuck Mercein would be able to get his footing right on the frozen ground to receive the hand off. That’s why he told Lombardi he was going to do a quarterback sneak, which coincidentally became one of the most famous touchdowns in NFL history. Jerry Kramer got the famous block, while the rest of the O-line made just enough of a push for Starr to score.

Teams in this article »

Dallas Cowboys

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Green Bay Packers

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