1961 Green Bay Packers season


The 1961 Green Bay Packers season was their 43rd season overall and their 41st season in the National Football League. The club posted an 11–3 record under coach Vince Lombardi, earning them a first-place finish in the Western Conference. The Packers ended the season by defeating the New York Giants 37–0 in the NFL Championship Game, the first title game ever played in Green Bay. This was the Packers 7th NFL league championship.
The 1961 season was the first in which the Packers wore their trademark capital "G" logo on their helmets.

Offseason

NFL Draft

Staff

Roster

Depth chart

Preseason

All times are CENTRAL time

Regular season

Despite being named NFL MVP, Paul Hornung was briefly lost to the military. In response to the construction of the Berlin Wall, the Department of Defense activated thousands of reservists. Two dozen football players were activated, including Paul Hornung, Boyd Dowler, and Ray Nitschke. On November 14, Hornung was to report to Fort Riley in north central Kansas. Wisconsin residents were so upset that Republican senator Alexander Wiley and Democratic congressman Clement Zablocki requested deferments for the players. On October 18, the final word was that the players had to serve. Hornung missed the November 19 game in Green Bay against the Rams, but was flown from Fort Riley to Detroit for the November 23 Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions at Tiger Stadium. Hornung kicked a field goal and two extra points in the 17–9 victory.
Injured in late October, right guard Jerry Kramer was sidelined for the remainder of the season. Forrest Gregg moved in from right tackle to guard, and Norm Masters started at right tackle.

Schedule

All times are CENTRAL time

Season summary

Week 1: vs. Detroit">1961 Detroit Lions season">Detroit

Week 2: vs. [1961 [San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco]]

Week 3: vs. Chicago">1961 Chicago Bears season">Chicago

Week 4: vs. Baltimore">1961 Baltimore Colts season">Baltimore

Week 5: at Cleveland">1961 Cleveland Browns season">Cleveland

Week 6: at Minnesota">1961 Minnesota Vikings season">Minnesota

Week 7: vs. Minnesota">1961 Minnesota Vikings season">Minnesota

Week 8: at Baltimore">1961 Baltimore Colts season">Baltimore

Week 9: at Chicago">1961 Chicago Bears season">Chicago

Week 10: vs. [1961 [Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles]]

Week 11: at Detroit">1961 Detroit Lions season">Detroit

Week 12: vs. [1961 [New York Giants season|New York]]

Week 13: at San Francisco">1961 San Francisco 49ers season">San Francisco

Week 14: at Los Angeles">1961 Los Angeles Rams season">Los Angeles

Playoffs

All times are CENTRAL time

Game summary

[1961 NFL Championship Game] vs. New York">1961 New York Giants season">New York

Standings

Roster

Stats

Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Kicking
Punting
Kick Return
Punt Return
Interception
Team
Total Yards and TurnoversPassingRushing

Awards and records