The 1963 Chicago Bears: George Halas and the Road to the NFL Championship

by Charles N. Billington

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476690438
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	12/21/2023
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.51(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

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.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
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

Editorial Reviews

Billington is a tireless researcher…. As fine as [he] is at writing about games, he is equally adept at providing historical and societal perspectives.”—Chicago Tribune

From the Publisher