’47 Archive: Golden Age of Gridiron
The 1958 NFL Championship Game helped shape the growth of football. Broadcasted throughout the country, viewers witnessed the drama of a hard fought battle between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants. The score was tied at the end of regulation, forcing, for the first time in the history of the NFL championship game, a sudden death overtime. The Colts came out victorious, nipping the Giants by a score of 23-17. This game, known as arguably the greatest ever played, ushered in an era of gridiron glory.
As a result of the sport’s growing popularity, the American Football League debuted in 1960 as a rival to the NFL. The AFL brought football to smaller markets and helped increase an interest in the game. The success of both leagues forced a merger, transforming the game of football into an American passion.
Through archival research at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, we created ‘47 ARCHIVE: Golden Age of Gridiron. Established to preserve and celebrate this landmark era in football history, this collection features the Broncos, Colts, Browns, Chiefs, Seahawks, Bengals, Eagles, 49ers and more.
