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American Football

A historic day for Green Bay Packers and the birth of the NFL neutral venue

DAZN Staff
A historic day for Green Bay Packers and the birth of the NFL neutral venueGetty

As the Green Bay Packers prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, it's a great moment to reflect on their incredible history.

The Packers, founded in 1921, are the NFL's third-oldest team, behind only the Arizona Cardinals and the Chicago Bears.

So, it should come as no surprise when we travel back in time to this day, December 13, in 1936 to remember when the Packers made history by defeating the Boston Redskins to win the NFL Championship.

It was a landmark moment as it marked the first championship game played at a neutral venue.

DAZN News revisits the events and key players from that historic clash.

Who were the Boston Redskins?

The Boston Redskins were the predecessor of today’s Washington Commanders.

The team was established in 1932 and spent its early years in Boston. The 1936 season marked their final year in the city, as financial struggles and low attendance prompted owner George Preston Marshall to relocate to Washington, D.C.

In 1936, the Redskins finished atop the Eastern Division, earning their spot in the championship game. While their roster included many talented players, they struggled to develop a loyal fan base in Boston.

Why the neutral venue?

The 1936 NFL Championship Game was a trailblazer in that it was the first to take place at a neutral location.

Ironically the neutral venue came about out of convenience and capitalism rather than a desire for equality.

Having earned home-field advantage, the Boston Redskins opted to play the game at the Polo Grounds in New York City instead of Boston.

The decision was taken because Marshall, anticipating a poor turnout in Boston, opted for the larger and more centrally located Polo Grounds.

The decision was unprecedented at the time, but the game drew a huge crowd, and the event was a big success, setting a standard for future championship games.

The Game itself

On December 12, 1936, the Packers and Redskins clashed in front of roughly 29,000 fans at the Polo Grounds.

Under legendary coach Curly Lambeau, the Packers dominated the game, with their superior tactics.

The Packers emerged victorious with a 21-6 win, claiming their fourth NFL title.

Their performance demonstrated their adaptability and strength on both offense and defence.

The game has come a long way since 1936 as back then players played both ways, offensively and defensively - this means there were only eleven starters for each squad.

Who were the stars?

Arnie Herber and Don Hutson, two Hall of Fame players, were instrumental in the Packers' success. Herber, the quarterback, displayed exceptional passing skills, while Hutson’s receiving ability made him a constant threat.

Running back Johnny Blood, another Packers legend, added versatility to their offense while the influence of coach Curly Lambeau cannot be discounted as his strategic brilliance played a crucial role in the victory.

For the Redskins, standout players like quarterback Cliff Battles and end Wayne Millner made valiant efforts, but the Packers proved too strong.

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