November 6, 2024 • 10 mins
Welcome back to our podcast series on the history of the Super Bowl. Today, we're diving into Super Bowl 2, which took place on January 14, 1968, at the Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. This game pitted the NFL champion Green Bay Packers against the AFL champion Oakland Raiders in what would be the last NFL-AFL World Championship Game before the official merger of the two leagues. As we explore this historic matchup, we'll delve into the lead-up to the game, the key players and coaches involved, the dramatic moments that unfolded on the field, and the lasting impact of this early Super Bowl on the sport of football. The Green Bay Packers entered Super Bowl II as the defending champions, having won the inaugural Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs the previous year. Led by the legendary coach Vince Lombardi, the Packers were looking to cement their dynasty and prove once again that the NFL was superior to the upstart AFL. However, the Packers' journey to Super Bowl 2 was not as smooth as their previous season. Both of their starting running backs from the previous year, future Pro Football Hall of Famers Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor, had left the team. This loss of talent in the backfield forced Coach Lombardi to adapt his strategy and rely more heavily on his passing game and defense. The Packers' offense was led by quarterback Bart Starr, who had been named MVP of Super Bowl 1. Starr was known for his precision passing and cool demeanor under pressure. Despite the changes in the backfield, Starr still had reliable targets in wide receivers Boyd Dowler and Carroll Dale. Dale, in particular, had an outstanding season, recording 35 receptions for 738 yards, an impressive average of 21.1 yards per catch, and 5 touchdowns. On the defensive side, the Packers boasted what many considered to be one of the best units in NFL history. The defense was anchored by linebacker Ray Nitschke, defensive end Willie Davis, and defensive backs Herb Adderley and Willie Wood. This formidable unit had been crucial to the Packers' success throughout the 1960s and would play a significant role in Super Bowl II. The Oakland Raiders, representing the AFL, were a team on the rise. Under head coach John Rauch, the Raiders had compiled an impressive 13 and 1 record in the regular season, the best in franchise history. They then defeated the Houston Oilers in the AFL Championship game to earn their spot in Super Bowl 2. The Raiders' offense was led by quarterback Daryle Lamonica, nicknamed "The Mad Bomber" for his penchant for throwing deep passes. Lamonica had an outstanding season, throwing for 3,228 yards and 30 touchdowns. His favorite target was wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, who caught 40 passes for 876 yards, an average of 21.3 yards per catch. The Raiders also had a potent running game, featuring Clem Daniels, Hewritt Dixon, and Pete Banaszak, who combined for over 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns. On defense, the Raiders were led by cornerback Willie Brown and defensive tackle Tom Keating. While not as renowned as the Packers' defense, the Raiders' unit had proven itself capable throughout the season and was eager to test itself against the NFL champions. As the game approached, there was a palpable sense of anticipation. The previous year's Super Bowl had been a competitive affair for the first half before the Packers pulled away. Many wondered if this year's AFL champion could put up a better fight and perhaps even pull off an upset. The game began with both teams feeling each other out. The Packers received the opening kickoff but were forced to punt after a quick three-and-out. The Raiders' first possession showed promise, with Lamonica completing a couple of passes to move the chains. However, the drive stalled, and Oakland was forced to punt as well. The first score of the game came midway through the first quarter when Packers kicker Don Chandler connected on a 39-yard field goal, giving Green Bay a 3 to zero lead. This score was set up by a 14-yard run from Donny Anderson and a crucial third-down conversion from Starr to Boyd Dowler. The Raiders responded with a drive of their own, moving into Packers territory. However, the Green Bay defense stiffened, forcing Oakland to attempt a 47-yard field goal. Raiders kicker George Blanda's attempt fell short, keeping the score 3 to zero in favor of the Packers. As the second quarter began, the Packers started to assert their dominance. Bart Starr led a methodical drive down the field, mixing short passes with runs from Anderson and Ben Wilson. The drive culminated in a 23-yard touchdown pass from Starr to Boyd Dowler, extending the Packers' lead to 10-0 The Raiders, feeling the pressure, tried to respond quickly. Lamonica attempted a deep pass to Biletnikoff, but Packers cornerback Herb Adderley made a spectacular leaping interception, giving Green Bay the ball back in good field position. The Packers capitalized on this turnover with another Don Chandler field goal, push
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to our podcast series on the history of
the Super Bowl. Today, we're diving into Super Bowl two,
which took place on January fourteenth, nineteen sixty eight, at
the Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. This game pitted
the NFL champion Green Bay Packers against the AFL champion
Oakland Raiders in what would be the last NFL AFL
(00:20):
World Championship game before the official merger of the two leagues.
As we explore this historic matchup, we'll delve into the
lead up to the game, the key players and coaches involved,
the dramatic moments that unfolded on the field, and the
lasting impact of this early Super Bowl on the sport
of football. The Green Bay Packers entered Super Bowl two
as the defending champions, having won the inaugural Super Bowl
(00:43):
against the Kansas City Chiefs the previous year. Led by
the legendary coach Vince Lombardi, the Packers were looking to
cement their dynasty and prove once again that the NFL
was superior to the upstart AFL. However, the Packers' journey
to Super Bowl two was not as smooth as their
previous season. Both of their starting running backs from the
previous year. Future Pro Football Hall of Famers Paul Horning
(01:06):
and Jim Taylor had left the team. This loss of
talent in the backfield forced coach Lombardy to adapt his
strategy and rely more heavily on his passing game and defense.
The Packers offense was led by quarterback Bart Starr. Starr
was known for his precision passing and cool demeanor under pressure.
Despite the changes in the backfield, Starr still had reliable
(01:27):
targets and wide receivers boy Dowler and Carol Dale. Dale
in particular, had an outstanding season, recording thirty five receptions
for seven hundred and thirty eight yards, an impressive average
of twenty one point one yards per catch, and five touchdowns.
On the defensive side, the Packers boasted what many considered
to be one of the best units in NFL history.
(01:48):
The defense was anchored by linebacker Ray Nichke, defensive end
Willie Davis, and defensive backs Herb Adderley and Willie Wood.
This formidable unit had been crucial to the Packers' success
throughout the nineteen sixties and would play a significant role
in Super Bowl two. The Oakland Raiders, representing the AFL
(02:08):
were a team on the rise under head coach John Rouk.
The Raiders had compiled an impressive thirteen to one record
in the regular season, the best in franchise history. They
then defeated the Houston Oilers in the AFL Championship Game
to earn their spot in Super Bowl two. The Raiders
offense was led by quarterback Daryl Lamonica, nicknamed the Mad
(02:30):
Bomber for his penchant for throwing deep passes. His favorite
target was wide receiver Fred Boletnikoff, who caught forty passes
for eight hundred and seventy six yards, an average of
twenty one point three yards per catch. The Raiders also
had a potent running game, featuring Clem Daniels, Hererett Dixon,
and Pete Banazak. On defense, the Raiders were led by
(02:50):
cornerback Willie Brown and defensive tackle Tom Keating. While not
as renowned as the Packers defense, the Raiders unit had
proven itself capable throughout the season and was eager to
test itself against the NFL champions. As the game approached,
there was a palpable sense of anticipation. The previous year's
Super Bowl had been a competitive affair for the first
(03:11):
half before the Packers pulled away. Many wondered if this
year's AFL champion could put up a better fight and
perhaps even pull off an upset. The game began with
both teams feeling each other out. The Packers received the
opening kickoff, but were forced to punt after a quick
three and out. The Raiders' first possession showed promise, However,
(03:31):
the drive stalled and Oakland was forced to punt as well.
The first score of the game came midway through the
first quarter, giving Green Bay a three to zero lead.
This score was set up by a fourteen yard run
from Donnie Anderson and a crucial third down conversion from
Starr to Boyd Dowler. The Raiders responded with a drive
of their own, moving into Packers' territory. However, the Green
(03:53):
Bay defense stiffened, forcing Oakland to attempt a forty seven
yard field goal. Raiders kicker George bland As attempt fell short,
keeping the score three to zero in favor of the Packers.
As the second quarter began, the Packers started to assert
their dominance. Bart Starr led a methodical drive down the field,
mixing short passes with runs from Anderson and Ben Wilson.
(04:16):
The drive culminated in a twenty three yard touchdown pass
from Starr to Boyd Dowler, extending the Packers' lead to
ten zero. The Raiders, feeling the pressure, tried to respond quickly.
Lamonica attempted a deep pass to Beletnikoff, but Packers cornerback
Herbatterly made a spectacular leaping interception, giving green Bay the
(04:39):
ball back in good field position. The Packers capitalized on
this turnover with another don Chandler field goal, pushing their
lead to thirteen. As halftime approached, the Raiders managed to
get on the scoreboard with a forty yard field goal
from George Blanda, making the score thirteen to three at
the break. While the Raiders had shown flashes of competitiveness,
the Packers experience and execute were proving to be the difference.
(05:02):
The third quarter saw the Packers continue to control the game.
Bart Starr led another impressive drive, showcasing his accuracy and
decision making. The drive was capped off by a five
yard touchdown run from Donnie Anderson, extending Green Bay's lead
to twenty. The Raiders, desperate to get back into the game,
began to take more risks on offense. This aggressive approach
(05:24):
backfired when Darryl Lamonica's pass was intercepted by Packers' safety
Willie Wood, who returned at forty two yards to the
Raiders three yard line. On the next play, Packers full
back Ben Wilson punched it in for another touchdown, making
the score twenty seven to three and effectively putting the
game out of reach. Despite the large deficit, the Raiders
continued to fight. Lamonica managed to lead a touchdown drive
(05:47):
early in the fourth quarter, connecting with Bill Miller on
a twenty three yard scoring pass. However, any hope of
a miraculous comeback was quickly extinguished when Herbatterley intercepted another
Lamonica pass and returned at sixty yards for a touchdown,
sealing the victory for green Bay. The final score was
green Bay Packers thirty three, Oakland Raiders fourteen. The Packers
(06:10):
had successfully defended their title and once again proven the
superiority of the NFL over the AFL. Bartstar was named
the Game's Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year,
becoming the first player to win back to back Super
Bowl MVP awards. Starr completed thirteen of twenty four passes
for two hundred two yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.
(06:31):
His calm leadership and precise passing had once again been
crucial to the Packers' success. The game was notable for
several reasons beyond the final score. It marked the end
of an era for the Green Bay Packers, as it
would be Vince Lombardi's final game as the team's head coach.
Lombardy had built the Packers into a dynasty, winning five
(06:51):
NFL championships in seven years, including the first two Super Bowls.
His departure would mark the end of the Packers dominant
and the beginning of a long period of rebuilding for
the franchise. For the AFL, the loss was disappointing, but
not entirely unexpected. The Raiders had proven themselves to be
a worthy opponent, and their appearance in the Super Bowl
(07:13):
was a sign of the growing parody between the two leagues.
This parody would be fully realized the following year when
the New York Jets, led by Joe Namath, shocked the
world by defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super
Bowl three. Super Bowl two also showcased the growing importance
of the event as a cultural phenomenon. The game was
broadcast on CBS, with an estimated thirty nine point twelve
(07:36):
million viewers tuning in. While this number may seem small
by today's standards, it represented a significant portion of the
American population at the time and demonstrated the growing appeal
of professional football. The halftime show, featuring Grammy Award winning
trumpeter Al Hurt, was a far cry from the elaborate
(07:59):
spectacle we see today. However, it marked the beginning of
the tradition of using the Super Bowl halftime as a
showcase for musical talent. In terms of lasting impact, Super
Bowl two further solidified the importance of strong quarterback play
and a stout defense in championship football. Bart Starr's efficient
performance and the Packers' ability to force turnovers were key
(08:22):
factors in their victory. This blueprint for success would be
emulated by many teams in the years to come. The
game also highlighted the importance of coaching in big games.
Vince Lombardi's ability to prepare his team and make in
game adjustments was evident throughout the contest. His legacy as
one of the greatest coaches in NFL history was further
(08:42):
cemented by this victory. For the players involved, super Bowl
two represented the pinnacle of their careers. Many of them,
including Bart Starr, Ray Nichke, Willie Davis, and Herbatterley from
the Packers and Fred Bletnikov from the Raiders, would go
on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
As we look back on Super Bowl Two from our
vantage point today, it's remarkable to see how much the
(09:04):
event has grown and changed. What began as a competition
between two rival leagues has evolved into a global spectacle
that transcends sports. Yet at its core, the Super Bowl
remains what it was on that January day in nineteen
sixty eight, the ultimate showcase of American football, a chance
for the best teams to prove themselves on the biggest stage.
(09:26):
The passion of the players, the strategic chess match between
the coaches, and the drama of crucial plays made in
critical moments. These elements that made Super Bowl two compelling
continue to draw us to the game today. As we
watch each new super Bowl, we are in a sense
connecting back to those early games, to the players who
took the field not knowing they were making history. To
(09:48):
the fans who witnessed the birth of a phenomenon, and
to the spirit of competition and excellence that has defined
the Super Bowl from its very beginning. Thank you for
joining us on this journey back to Super Bowl two.
We hope this detailed exploration has given you a new
appreciation for this historic game and its enduring impact on
American sports and culture. Stay tuned for our next episode,
(10:12):
where we'll dive into the shocking upset of Super Bowl
three and the guarantee that changed football forever.
Welcome back to our podcast series on the history of
the Super Bowl. Today, we're diving into Super Bowl two,
which took place on January fourteenth, nineteen sixty eight, at
the Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. This game pitted
the NFL champion Green Bay Packers against the AFL champion
Oakland Raiders in what would be the last NFL AFL
(00:20):
World Championship game before the official merger of the two leagues.
As we explore this historic matchup, we'll delve into the
lead up to the game, the key players and coaches involved,
the dramatic moments that unfolded on the field, and the
lasting impact of this early Super Bowl on the sport
of football. The Green Bay Packers entered Super Bowl two
as the defending champions, having won the inaugural Super Bowl
(00:43):
against the Kansas City Chiefs the previous year. Led by
the legendary coach Vince Lombardi, the Packers were looking to
cement their dynasty and prove once again that the NFL
was superior to the upstart AFL. However, the Packers' journey
to Super Bowl two was not as smooth as their
previous season. Both of their starting running backs from the
previous year. Future Pro Football Hall of Famers Paul Horning
(01:06):
and Jim Taylor had left the team. This loss of
talent in the backfield forced coach Lombardy to adapt his
strategy and rely more heavily on his passing game and defense.
The Packers offense was led by quarterback Bart Starr. Starr
was known for his precision passing and cool demeanor under pressure.
Despite the changes in the backfield, Starr still had reliable
(01:27):
targets and wide receivers boy Dowler and Carol Dale. Dale
in particular, had an outstanding season, recording thirty five receptions
for seven hundred and thirty eight yards, an impressive average
of twenty one point one yards per catch, and five touchdowns.
On the defensive side, the Packers boasted what many considered
to be one of the best units in NFL history.
(01:48):
The defense was anchored by linebacker Ray Nichke, defensive end
Willie Davis, and defensive backs Herb Adderley and Willie Wood.
This formidable unit had been crucial to the Packers' success
throughout the nineteen sixties and would play a significant role
in Super Bowl two. The Oakland Raiders, representing the AFL
(02:08):
were a team on the rise under head coach John Rouk.
The Raiders had compiled an impressive thirteen to one record
in the regular season, the best in franchise history. They
then defeated the Houston Oilers in the AFL Championship Game
to earn their spot in Super Bowl two. The Raiders
offense was led by quarterback Daryl Lamonica, nicknamed the Mad
(02:30):
Bomber for his penchant for throwing deep passes. His favorite
target was wide receiver Fred Boletnikoff, who caught forty passes
for eight hundred and seventy six yards, an average of
twenty one point three yards per catch. The Raiders also
had a potent running game, featuring Clem Daniels, Hererett Dixon,
and Pete Banazak. On defense, the Raiders were led by
(02:50):
cornerback Willie Brown and defensive tackle Tom Keating. While not
as renowned as the Packers defense, the Raiders unit had
proven itself capable throughout the season and was eager to
test itself against the NFL champions. As the game approached,
there was a palpable sense of anticipation. The previous year's
Super Bowl had been a competitive affair for the first
(03:11):
half before the Packers pulled away. Many wondered if this
year's AFL champion could put up a better fight and
perhaps even pull off an upset. The game began with
both teams feeling each other out. The Packers received the
opening kickoff, but were forced to punt after a quick
three and out. The Raiders' first possession showed promise, However,
(03:31):
the drive stalled and Oakland was forced to punt as well.
The first score of the game came midway through the
first quarter, giving Green Bay a three to zero lead.
This score was set up by a fourteen yard run
from Donnie Anderson and a crucial third down conversion from
Starr to Boyd Dowler. The Raiders responded with a drive
of their own, moving into Packers' territory. However, the Green
(03:53):
Bay defense stiffened, forcing Oakland to attempt a forty seven
yard field goal. Raiders kicker George bland As attempt fell short,
keeping the score three to zero in favor of the Packers.
As the second quarter began, the Packers started to assert
their dominance. Bart Starr led a methodical drive down the field,
mixing short passes with runs from Anderson and Ben Wilson.
(04:16):
The drive culminated in a twenty three yard touchdown pass
from Starr to Boyd Dowler, extending the Packers' lead to
ten zero. The Raiders, feeling the pressure, tried to respond quickly.
Lamonica attempted a deep pass to Beletnikoff, but Packers cornerback
Herbatterly made a spectacular leaping interception, giving green Bay the
(04:39):
ball back in good field position. The Packers capitalized on
this turnover with another don Chandler field goal, pushing their
lead to thirteen. As halftime approached, the Raiders managed to
get on the scoreboard with a forty yard field goal
from George Blanda, making the score thirteen to three at
the break. While the Raiders had shown flashes of competitiveness,
the Packers experience and execute were proving to be the difference.
(05:02):
The third quarter saw the Packers continue to control the game.
Bart Starr led another impressive drive, showcasing his accuracy and
decision making. The drive was capped off by a five
yard touchdown run from Donnie Anderson, extending Green Bay's lead
to twenty. The Raiders, desperate to get back into the game,
began to take more risks on offense. This aggressive approach
(05:24):
backfired when Darryl Lamonica's pass was intercepted by Packers' safety
Willie Wood, who returned at forty two yards to the
Raiders three yard line. On the next play, Packers full
back Ben Wilson punched it in for another touchdown, making
the score twenty seven to three and effectively putting the
game out of reach. Despite the large deficit, the Raiders
continued to fight. Lamonica managed to lead a touchdown drive
(05:47):
early in the fourth quarter, connecting with Bill Miller on
a twenty three yard scoring pass. However, any hope of
a miraculous comeback was quickly extinguished when Herbatterley intercepted another
Lamonica pass and returned at sixty yards for a touchdown,
sealing the victory for green Bay. The final score was
green Bay Packers thirty three, Oakland Raiders fourteen. The Packers
(06:10):
had successfully defended their title and once again proven the
superiority of the NFL over the AFL. Bartstar was named
the Game's Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year,
becoming the first player to win back to back Super
Bowl MVP awards. Starr completed thirteen of twenty four passes
for two hundred two yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.
(06:31):
His calm leadership and precise passing had once again been
crucial to the Packers' success. The game was notable for
several reasons beyond the final score. It marked the end
of an era for the Green Bay Packers, as it
would be Vince Lombardi's final game as the team's head coach.
Lombardy had built the Packers into a dynasty, winning five
(06:51):
NFL championships in seven years, including the first two Super Bowls.
His departure would mark the end of the Packers dominant
and the beginning of a long period of rebuilding for
the franchise. For the AFL, the loss was disappointing, but
not entirely unexpected. The Raiders had proven themselves to be
a worthy opponent, and their appearance in the Super Bowl
(07:13):
was a sign of the growing parody between the two leagues.
This parody would be fully realized the following year when
the New York Jets, led by Joe Namath, shocked the
world by defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super
Bowl three. Super Bowl two also showcased the growing importance
of the event as a cultural phenomenon. The game was
broadcast on CBS, with an estimated thirty nine point twelve
(07:36):
million viewers tuning in. While this number may seem small
by today's standards, it represented a significant portion of the
American population at the time and demonstrated the growing appeal
of professional football. The halftime show, featuring Grammy Award winning
trumpeter Al Hurt, was a far cry from the elaborate
(07:59):
spectacle we see today. However, it marked the beginning of
the tradition of using the Super Bowl halftime as a
showcase for musical talent. In terms of lasting impact, Super
Bowl two further solidified the importance of strong quarterback play
and a stout defense in championship football. Bart Starr's efficient
performance and the Packers' ability to force turnovers were key
(08:22):
factors in their victory. This blueprint for success would be
emulated by many teams in the years to come. The
game also highlighted the importance of coaching in big games.
Vince Lombardi's ability to prepare his team and make in
game adjustments was evident throughout the contest. His legacy as
one of the greatest coaches in NFL history was further
(08:42):
cemented by this victory. For the players involved, super Bowl
two represented the pinnacle of their careers. Many of them,
including Bart Starr, Ray Nichke, Willie Davis, and Herbatterley from
the Packers and Fred Bletnikov from the Raiders, would go
on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
As we look back on Super Bowl Two from our
vantage point today, it's remarkable to see how much the
(09:04):
event has grown and changed. What began as a competition
between two rival leagues has evolved into a global spectacle
that transcends sports. Yet at its core, the Super Bowl
remains what it was on that January day in nineteen
sixty eight, the ultimate showcase of American football, a chance
for the best teams to prove themselves on the biggest stage.
(09:26):
The passion of the players, the strategic chess match between
the coaches, and the drama of crucial plays made in
critical moments. These elements that made Super Bowl two compelling
continue to draw us to the game today. As we
watch each new super Bowl, we are in a sense
connecting back to those early games, to the players who
took the field not knowing they were making history. To
(09:48):
the fans who witnessed the birth of a phenomenon, and
to the spirit of competition and excellence that has defined
the Super Bowl from its very beginning. Thank you for
joining us on this journey back to Super Bowl two.
We hope this detailed exploration has given you a new
appreciation for this historic game and its enduring impact on
American sports and culture. Stay tuned for our next episode,
(10:12):
where we'll dive into the shocking upset of Super Bowl
three and the guarantee that changed football forever.
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