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The gridiron, as frozen and icy as it might be, is ready for the 1956 NFL Championship between the Chicago Bears and New York Giants in 20 degree weather. It would be the first time in the title game for both teams since the Bears beat the Giants 24-14 in 1946.
And just like in the 1934 NFL Championship (aka Sneaker Game) contest against the Bears, the Giants choose to wear sneakers, only this time from the get go. In the 1934 game, the Giants in the third quarter changed their cleats to sneakers “borrowed” from nearby Manhattan College. And this move, like the one two decades previously, proved to be a major factor in the game’s outcome.
Alex Webster wearing sneakers in 1956 Championship game
With this footing advantage, the Giants had the game secured by halftime with a 34-7 lead with two rushing touchdowns from Alex Webster and another from Mel Triplett. They would add the final touchdown in the half on a blocked punt recovered by defensive back Henry Moore.
The second half was just really the Giants and the 56,836 at Yankee Stadium passing time as they waited for the final quarter to end, letting all celebrate in New York’s first title since 1938. Along the way Kyle Rote and Frank Gifford would each tack on a touchdown on passes from their quarterback Charlie Conerly for a final 47-7 score.
1956 was also the first season the Giants played at Yankee Stadium, before then they had played 31 seasons (1925-1955) at the Polo Grounds
-Ron A. Bolton
Info Source – https://www.pro-football-reference.com; Wikipedia (1956 NFL Championship game)
Photo Source – Sports Illustrated
