The 1961 Green Bay Packers season was their 43rd season overall and their 41st season in the National Football League. The team finished with an 11–3 record under third-year head coach Vince Lombardi, earning them a first-place finish in the Western Conference. The Packers ended the season by shutting out the New York Giants 37–0 in the NFL Championship Game, the first title game ever played in Green Bay. This was the Packers seventh NFL league championship. The 1961 Packers also featured 12 future Hall of Famers, the most on any single team in NFL history.
The 1961 season was the first in which the Packers wore their trademark capital "G" logo on their helmets.Gridiron Uniform Database: Green Bay Packers
Offseason
NFL draft The 1961 NFL draft was held in late December 1960.
Undrafted free agents
+ 1961 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeBob BeaverGuardLouisiana-MonroeClarence LacinaDefensive endWisconsin–SuperiorBill PolandFullbackRhode IslandJohn RollinsRunning backRhode Island
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Depth chart
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Dallas Cowboys W 30–7 1–0 Cotton Bowl Recap 2 at St. Louis Cardinals W 31–10 2–0 Sportsman's Park Recap 3 Chicago Bears W 24–14 3–0 Milwaukee County Stadium Recap 4 New York Giants W 20–17 4–0 City Stadium Recap 5 vs. Washington Redskins W 31–24 5–0 A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium Recap
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.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p. 284, Simon & Schuster, 1999, On November 14, Hornung was to report to Fort Riley in north central Kansas.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p. 286, Simon & Schuster, 1999, Wisconsin residents were so upset that Republican senator Alexander Wiley and Democratic congressman Clement Zablocki requested deferments for the players.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p. 285, Simon & Schuster, 1999, 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.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p. 287, Simon & Schuster, 1999, Hornung kicked a field goal and two extra points in the 17–9 victory.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p. 288, Simon & Schuster, 1999,
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 Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 17 Detroit Lions L 13–17 0–1 Milwaukee County Stadium Recap 2 September 24 San Francisco 49ers W 30–10 1–1 City Stadium Recap 3 October 1 Chicago Bears W 24–0 2–1 City Stadium Recap 4 October 8 Baltimore Colts W 45–7 3–1 City Stadium Recap 5 October 15 at Cleveland Browns W 49–17 4–1 Cleveland Stadium Recap 6 October 22 at Minnesota Vikings W 33–7 5–1 Metropolitan Stadium Recap 7 October 29 Minnesota Vikings W 28–10 6–1 Milwaukee County Stadium Recap 8 November 5 at Baltimore Colts L 21–45 6–2 Memorial Stadium Recap 9 November 12 at Chicago Bears W 31–28 7–2 Wrigley Field Recap 10 November 19 Los Angeles Rams W 35–17 8–2 City Stadium Recap 11 November 23 at Detroit Lions W 17–9 9–2 Tiger Stadium Recap 12 December 3 New York Giants W 20–17 10–2 Milwaukee County Stadium Recap 13 December 10 at San Francisco 49ers L 21–22 10–3 Kezar Stadium Recap 14 December 17 at Los Angeles Rams W 24–17 11–3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.
Season summary Week 1: vs. Detroit
Week 2: vs. San Francisco
Week 3: vs. Chicago
Week 4: vs. Baltimore
Week 5: at Cleveland
Week 6: at Minnesota
Week 7: vs. Minnesota
Week 8: at Baltimore
Week 9: at Chicago
Week 10: vs. Los Angeles
Week 11: at Detroit
Week 12: vs. New York
Week 13: at San Francisco
Week 14: at Los Angeles
Playoffs Round Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap NFL Championship December 31 New York Giants W 37–0 1–0 City Stadium Recap
Game summary
1961 NFL Championship Game vs. New York
Standings
Roster
Stats
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Kicking
Punting
Kick Return
Punt Return
Interception
Team Total yards and turnoversPassingRushing
Awards and records Paul Hornung, NFL MVP Paul Hornung, Bert Bell Award
Milestones
References
Sportsencyclopedia.com