Bad Punt on Thanksgiving Day 1964

[LeonardRachiele]

The team that laid the rotten egg won the game. The punter, for one play, looked very bad. His team eventually won the game so there no immediate damage. However, the confidence in the kicker and team took a severe dive.

Thanksgiving Day 1964. Chicago Bears at the Detroit Lions. Thanksgiving Day football in Detroit has been a tradition since 1945. Green Bay was the visiting team every year until 1964. Today it was the World Champion Chicago Bears. Bobby Joe Green, their punter, was the best in the NFL. Green was the first pure punter in the game. His great punts made up for his lack of versatility.

Bobby Joe Green played two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and 12 years with Chicago. His booming punts gave his team great field position. In 1963, the Chicago Bears were NFL Champions. Their offense was only average; but their defense and the punting of Bobby Joe were the real drivers in Chicago’s first place record of 11-1-2. The Bears were 1/2 game better the second place Green Bay Packers who were 11-2-1. Both of the Packers losses were to the Bears-10 to 3 opening day and 26 to 7 in November at Wrigley Field.

Bobby Joe Green was dubbed the Rain Maker from his punts that were both high and long. He played two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1960 to 1961) and 12 years with the Chicago Bears. (1962 to 1973). His statistics were 970 Punts, for 41, 317 yards, for a 42.6 yard average. His longest punt was 74 yards. No doubt his punting style helped his statistics. Bobby Joe took the snap from center and with great coordination kicked the ball with his left foot off the ground about a foot. It was really graceful to see his right foot hit the ball at the high point of his jump with his left foot. I wondered why he did not teach dancing, ballet, or acrobatics.

He had his greatest embarrassment on Thanksgiving Day in 1964. This brings my narrative to its starting point 53 years ago. Bobby Joe Green took a good pass from center with little rush from the defense Both the offensive and defensive line went downfield. Green began his jump and kicked the ball downfield, one yard from the line of scrimmage. This delighted the home field crowd and gave the Lions a touchdown. I have never seen a one yard punt with no attempt to block it before or since.

[Bryan]

[RichardBak]

Thanksgiving Day 1964. Chicago Bears at the Detroit Lions. Thanksgiving Day football in Detroit has been a tradition since 1945. Green Bay was the visiting team every year until 1964.

Actually, the Lions' Turkey Day tradition began in 1934, their first year in Detroit. And GB was the traditional opponent from 1951 through 1963; prior to that it could be anyone from Da Bears to the NY Yanks.