As we rise and wait for today's chilly Christmas Eve NFL matchups, it made we wonder about the coldest game ever played.
The coldest NFL game ever played took place on December 31, 1967 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The temperature at game time was a bone-chilling -13 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill of -48 degrees.
Image credit: NFL "Ice Bowl" of 1967
Ice Bowl of 1967: Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys
The Green Bay Packers faced off against the Dallas Cowboys in the 1967 NFL Championship, also known as the "Ice Bowl." The game was a closely contested matchup, with both teams fighting for a spot in the Super Bowl.
Despite the frigid conditions, the players on both teams refused to let the cold get in the way of their performance. The Packers, led by quarterback Bart Starr and wide receiver Boyd Dowler, fought hard against the Cowboys defense. The Cowboys, led by quarterback Don Meredith and running back Dan Reeves, battled back and kept the game close.
A Sheet of Ice: Frostbite and Hypothermia
As the game wore on, the field became a sheet of ice, making it difficult for the players to maintain their footing. The cold took its toll on both teams, as players began to suffer from frostbite and hypothermia.
Despite the challenges, the game remained a back-and-forth affair until the final minutes. With just seconds left on the clock, the Packers had the ball on the Cowboys' one-yard line. Starr called a quarterback sneak, and plunged into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
The Ice Bowl remains one of the most memorable games in NFL history, and is a testament to the resilience and determination of the players who braved the cold to compete in America's game!