December 21, 1947: Just One Beer?

It was a long week—and a long wait—for the Chicago Cardinals as the club waited for an Eastern Division playoff result to determine which team would play the Cardinals for the 1947 NFL championship.

And now, 75 years ago to the day, we continue our mini-series on the 1947 Chicago Cardinals championship quest here on the Sports History Network. After handily defeating the Chicago Bears 30-21 on December 14 to grab the Western Division title, the Cardinals learned that Pittsburgh and Philadelphia were deadlocked atop the Eastern Division and the aforementioned playoff would be held in Pittsburgh on December 21.

Gee, I'm Hoping!

Although the two eastern foes had split a pair of games earlier in the season, it appeared that the Steelers might have the advantage since the game would be played in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers had also completed their season a week before and enjoyed some valuable time off from the NFL battlefield.

But no one was openly confident, including team owner Art Rooney of the Steelers. When asked by the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph about his team’s chances in the upcoming battle, Rooney simply replied: “Gee, I don’t know. I’m hoping. Ever since I’ve been in the league I’ve wanted to win the Eastern championship, and I’d certainly like to make it this time.”

While the Cardinals continued to practice in Chicago during the off week, mostly to keep in shape, it was very difficult to prepare for the championship clash not knowing who the opponent might be. In order to lessen the information gap about the possible opponent, Coach Jimmy Conzelman and the other members of the Cardinals’ staff decided to attend the Eastern Division title game and personally scout both teams.

Joining Conzelman would be team president Ray Benningsen, business manager Arch Wolfe, and assistant coach Phil Handler.

The Cardinals’ team members also took care of some personal business in a very classy manner by deciding to award a full share of their post-season earnings to the widow of halfback and punter Jeff Burkett. Burkett, a promising rookie, had passed away October 24 in a plane crash after being hospitalized in Los Angeles with an appendectomy.

Meanwhile, the country was beginning to learn more about Conzelman, the unique and energetic coach of the Cardinals. Long known for his dry wit and sense of humor throughout the football universe, the appearance of his team in the title game brought Conzelman a bit more into the mainstream limelight. A wire service article captured some of the essence of Conzelman, especially with his reputation for being a players’ coach who would do anything for his team members except berate them in public. 

You're Not a Substitute

One example told the tale about when Conzelman sent a substitute into a game, but the confused player was sent right back to the sidelines by his teammates telling the coach: “They say they don’t want any substitutes.” Conzelman considered that message, then told the player: “Get back in there and tell them you’re not a substitute. They’ve been playing with ten men the last two minutes!”

Back in Pennsylvania, Eagles’ coach Greasy Neale entertained his team the day before the Eastern Division title game by hosting a lengthy film review session of the previous contests with the Steelers. The Courier-Post reported that: “The viewing last night took more than three hours, as members of the team asked to have scene after scene repeated in order to check on certain Steeler maneuvers.”

From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Steve Van Buren of the Eagles scores first touchdown in 1947 Eastern Division title game.
Photo From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Steve Van Buren of the Eagles scores first touchdown in 1947 Eastern Division title game.

Pass Defense Was Terrible!

The film study obviously worked, for the Eagles seemed to anticipate every move made by the Steelers during the Eastern Division title tilt on December 21. Behind the accurate throwing arm of quarterback Tommy Thompson, and the powerful running of Steve Van Buren, the Eagles struck early and were never headed in a 21-0 domination of the Steelers.

Thompson completed 11-17 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. “Thompson completely outsmarted the home defense,” wrote the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “The pass defense was terrible.”

Although newly crowned NFL rushing leader Steve Van Buren was held in check to the tune of 45 yards on 18 carries, he also hurt the Steelers with a 15-yard scoring reception to open the scoring in the first quarter, and when in need, Van Buren picked up needed short yardage. His performance was so impressive that Pittsburgh coach Jock Sutherland remarked:

“Take Van Buren out of there and the Eagles won’t have the same team. But they were the better team today. He’s just too—well, he’s just too much ball player for anyone to handle for a whole game.”

Eagles’ coach Greasy Neale was short and sweet in his post-game evaluation: “I thought they’d dent us more than they did. But they fought like hell all the way.”

Just Two Beers: Promise?

In the loud and joyous Philadelphia locker room, Neale faced a possible player uprising, that he was very pleased to address. Amid cries of “Bring on the Cardinals” and “Champs at last,” Neale was a bit unnerved when the chants moved from “Bring on the Cardinals” to “Bring on the beer!”

Apparently, the thirsty Eagles were ready to celebrate, but the stoic Coach Neale reminded his team that there was more work ahead and urged the boys not to break training, even for a whiff of a brew.

“Please, coach, can’t we have just one bottle?” asked center Alex Wojciechowicz. Curly relented just a bit and responded: “All right, but on your word of honor and not more than two bottles each!” With that requirement understood, every one on the squad raised their hand to support the coach’s mandate that the level of beer sampling would not exceed two bottles each!

The Eagles then departed for the train ride back to Philadelphia to begin preparations for the Cardinals. Owner Art Rooney of the Steelers, while dismayed, offered his congratulations to the Eagles and their veteran coach in the Philadelphia Inquirer: “I’m sort of glad to see Greasy do it, even though we lost. Greasy’s one of my champs.”

Not Even Santa Could Help The Steelers

Over in Pittsburgh, the Post-Gazette was unable to hide its disappointment by stating: “Not even a Santa Claus, four days before Christmas, could help the Steelers Sunday.” But now the Cardinals knew their opponent, a club they had defeated both in the pre-season (38-21) and during the regular campaign (45-21). Would the third meeting be just as successful, even on the big stage of the NFL title game?

Not so fast, cautioned Luke Johnsos, assistant coach of the Bears: “The Eagles are really rolling now. The Cards will have to be on their toes, or they’ll get rocked back on their heels!” Please join us on December 24 for our next episode of “When Football Was Football,” as we journey back to that date 75 years ago to check in on the plans for both the Eagles and the Cardinals prior to the NFL championship battle scheduled for December 28, 1947. Thank you! 

Bears vs. Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry book cover
Photo Credit: McFarland Publishing of the Bears vs. Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry book cover (authored by Joe Ziemba)

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Author and Host - Joe Ziemba

Joe Ziemba is the host of this show, and he is an author of early football history in the city of Chicago.  Here, you can learn more about Joe and When Football Was Football, including all of the episodes of the podcast.

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