Sneaker Game
December 9, 1934
Polo Grounds, New York
1934 NFL Championship
New York Giants (30) over Chicago Bears (13)
Overnight freezing rain leaves Polo Grounds frozen into a skating rink.
At half time with his team trailing 10-3, the Giants' coach,
Steve Owen
sends the equipment manager, Abe Cohen, in search of better
footwear for the team. The
manager provides the team with sneakers to improve traction.
In the second half, the Giants come alive behind halfback
Ed Downowski who ran for a touchdown and threw for another.
The 8-5 Giants then upset the previously-undefeated Bears,
ending the Bears' championship streak at two. Despite the loss,
some claim the 1934 Bears were one of football's greatest teams.
Going into the Sneaker Bowl
they had a 13 game winning streak and a 33-game unbeaten streak.
During the season they had outscored their opponents 286-86.
| Score by Quarter |
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 |
4 | Final |
| Chi Bears |
0 | 10 | 3 |
0 | 13 |
| NY Giants |
3 | 0 | 0 |
27 | 30 |
| Attendance: 35,059 |
| Weather Observations for the Day |
| High | Low | Precipitation |
Snowfall | Snowcover |
| 25° F |
11° F |
0 in |
0 in |
0 in |
|
|
