The Greatest Game Ever Played ever played took place on this date in history in 1958. The Baltimore Colts played the New York Giants in the NFL Championship Game, which would feature the leagues first ever sudden-death overtime game. The Colts defeated the Giants, 23-17, after Alan Ameches 1-yard touchdown plunge. The game marked the beginning of the NFLs popularity surge, and eventual rise to the top of the United States sports market. A major reason was that the game was televised across the nation by NBC. Baltimore receiver Raymond Berry recorded 12 receptions for 178 yards and a touchdown. His 12 receptions set a championship record that would stand for 55 years, until broken by Demaryius Thomas 13 receptions in Super Bowl XLVIII. One year later, Texas billionaire Lamar Hunt would form the American Football League, which began play with 8 teams in the 1960 season. The growth of the popularity of the sport, through franchise expansion, the eventual merger with the AFL, and popularity on television, is commonly credited to this game, making it a turning point in the history of football. The game is, to date, the only NFL championship game ever decided in overtime.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 23:14:39 +0000
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