7 "Chilly" Facts About the Freezer Bowl

January 10, 2019 3 Comments

7

When pro football fans talk about epic cold weather games, two particular contests always come up. One is the Ice Bowl played on December 31, 1967. It was a playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and the host Green Bay Packers to determine who would represent the National Football League (NFL) in Super Bowl II.

The other game, of course, is the Freezer Bowl, played on January 10, 1982 at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium. The winner of that game would also earned a trip to the Big Game, in this case Super Bowl XVI.

The Ice Bowl, won by the Packers is the coldest game in NFL history in terms of air temperature which was -13F at kickoff, with a windchill of -48F. The Freezer Bowl, won by the Bengals, is the coldest in terms of windchill which reached -59F with an air temperature of -9F. While that distinction is known by many fans, there are some fun facts that aren’t widely known about the Freezer Bowl.

It was only the second play-off win for the Bengals

A week earlier, the Bengals notched their first postseason win in the first playoff game they ever hosted. The Bengals beat the Buffalo Bills in that game 28 to 21. The Bengals made playoff appearances in 1970, 1973, and 1975, but lost all three games on the road.

It was a huge temperature swing for the Chargers

The day before the Buffalo/Cincinnati game, the Miami Dolphins hosted the San Diego Chargers in the Orange Bowl. The game became known as the Epic in Miami, with the Chargers escaping South Florida with 3-point overtime win as kicker Rolf Benirschke split the uprights from 29 yards out.

The temperature at kickoff was 76F. That means the Chargers, in one week, experienced a game time temperature swing of 67 degrees. Factoring the windchill, it was a difference of 117 degrees. 

Attendance was off

Through sold out, only 46,302 brave fans came through the turnstiles in 59,000-seat Riverfront Stadium. Oddly, only 55,000 attended the previous week’s game against the Bills. The kickoff temperature for that game was 45F.

The Chargers wanted to postpone the game

A few hours before the game, Chargers owner Gene Klein met with then Bengals assistant GM Mike Brown (current owner). Klein insisted that both place a call to NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle and have the game postponed. Brown declined, or more accurately, "de-Klein-ed."

Bengals coach Forrest Gregg participated in the Ice Bowl and the Freezer Bowl

In 1967, Forrest Gregg was a right tackle for the Green Bay Packers and played in the famous Ice Bowl game against the Dallas Cowboys. He was also named to the Pro Bowl that year. In 1980, he became head coach of the Bengals and was their coach for the Freezer Bowl.

The Chargers’ revenge

On January 5, 2014, the Chargers finally got their revenge, knocking the Bengals out of the playoffs in a wildcard game played at Paul Brown Stadium. The temperature for that game was a balmy 42F at kickoff.

Charger James Brooks later became a Bengal

The Chargers kick returner was James Brooks. He fumbled a return that the Bengals recovered on the San Diego 12 yard line. Two plays later, the Bengals scored as QB Ken Anderson connected with tight end M.L. Harris from 8 yards out. In 1984, Brooks became a Bengal and was on the team that went to Super Bowl XXIII. That year, 1988, Brooks ran for eight TDs, caught six and ran for 931 yards, along with 287 receiving yards.




3 Responses

Morgan
Morgan

January 29, 2023

With so much in my heart I am here to express myself on how Priest Salami saved my marriage from divorce. Myself and my husband were having some misunderstanding and it was tearing our marriage apart to the extent my husband was seeking a divorce. So I have no option other than to go to the internet to seek a solution to my problem. It was there I came across Priest Salami details and about how he has helped a lot of people by restoring their relationship. I contacted Priest Salami and in less than 48 hours my husband cancelled the divorce papers. Now myself and my husband live together in peace and harmony all thanks to Priest Salami for saving my marriage from breaking up. Priest Salami contact information are via email: purenaturalhealer@gmail.com. Whatsapp number: +2348143757229

Aira
Aira

January 18, 2023

I have read so many content about the blogger lovers however this article is truly a nice paragraph, keep it up.
온라인 카지노
카지노사이트
바카라사이트
토토사이트
호텔 카지노
https://www.j9korea.com/

Evelyn Dawson
Evelyn Dawson

January 03, 2023

I was reading through Facebook when I saw a post about the legit spell caster called Dr Kachi who has helped people in winning the lottery ticket. I’m a woman who’s addicted playing the lottery and always put all my faith in buying the ticket I lost all my money of all time and my effort trying to win my game, until I met my old friend who told me the Secret of her wealth that Dr Kachi who cast lottery spell winning number for her to play the Powerball ticket that change her life, it was she that directed me to Dr Kachi. i explained to him i want to win the Mega millions, Dr Kachi instructed me on what to do which i did and he told me to wait 24hours for him to cast the winning numbers, i went to buy my ticket and play the numbers which Dr Kachi gave to me and it was surprise when i find out i won the sum of ($109.9 Million Dollars Cash Value) for Friday night’s drawing Mega Million Jackpot and than the whole thing looks wonderful, That’s the most amazing thing i have ever experience with winning the lottery spell. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to help you win big amount in lottery game, because i am now happy with my life. words Ain’t enough to say thank you Sir. and from the deepest part of my heart, i will show my gratitude by sharing this testimony all over the world let people seek for your help to win the Lotto Game, and be happy like me today: Text Number and Call: +1 (209) 893-8075 Email: drkachispellcast@gmail.com his Website: https://drkachispellcast.wixsite.com/my-site

Leave a comment


Also in Cincy Shirts News

My first memories as a Cincinnati Reds Fan
My first memories as a Cincinnati Reds Fan

March 19, 2024 1607 Comments

As the 2024 season draws near, I find myself reflecting on the journey that led me to become a devoted Cincinnati Reds fan. For many of us, our passion for this team and the game itself runs deep in our blood, often cultivated by the experiences shared with family and friends. 

Learn More

Cincy Shirts Student Spiritwear Design Contest!
Cincy Shirts Student Spiritwear Design Contest!

February 16, 2024 1525 Comments

Learn More

Banana Splits at Kings Island
Remember the Banana Splits Movie That Was Filmed at KI?

April 04, 2023 2138 Comments

Learn More