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This thorough examination of the 1963 NFL Championship chronicles the trials and triumphs of Chicago's historically most neglected champions against the economic, social, legal and human-interest backdrop of professional football in the 1960s. The Bears and their legendary owner/coach George Halas adjusted to the increased revenue of the television era and the behind-the-scenes drama of a gambling scandal, while developing into one of the greatest teams of the pre-Super Bowl era. Their tumultuous rise and tragic deterioration are covered in detail.
List of contents
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
¿1.¿January: He Who Gambles Lives in Shambles
¿2.¿February and March: Rozelle Takes His Time and Papa Bear's Youth Movement
¿3.¿April and May: Hornung and Karras, Welcome to Shambles
¿4.¿June and July: Mugs Halas, Your Table Is Ready, and Papa Bear's White Whale
¿5.¿August: Back Home Again, in Indiana
¿6.¿September: Best Start in 15 Years!
¿7.¿October: The NFL Takes Notice
¿8.¿November: Declaring Their Dominance, Surviving a Tragedy
¿9.¿December: Earning It the Hard Way
10.¿December: The Irrepressible Force Meets the Immovable Object
11.¿December: The Nation Witnesses a Classic
Afterword: Trouble, Sadness, and Fleeting Success
Epilogue: The Price They Paid
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Charles N. Billington is a rehabilitation administrator and sports historian with longtime interests in 20th-century baseball and football. He lives in the Chicago area.
