The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10 on January 15, 1967. This game was officially called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game at the time.
The Packers represented the established NFL while the Chiefs represented the upstart AFL. It was the championship game that merged professional football’s biggest rivalry. Sixty million people watched the game on television.
The game was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with 61,946 fans in attendance. Both CBS and NBC broadcast it simultaneously, the only Super Bowl ever shown on two networks. This was the only instance of this kind of simulcast in Super Bowl history.
First Super Bowl Game Details
| Category | Details |
| Date | January 15, 1967 |
| Location | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles |
| Attendance | 61,946 |
| Final Score | Green Bay Packers 35, Kansas City Chiefs 10 |
| MVP | Bart Starr, Green Bay QB |
| Winning Coach | Vince Lombardi |
| Broadcast | CBS and NBC (simulcast) |
| Packers Record | 12-2 regular season |
| Chiefs Record | 11-2-1 regular season |
| Starr Stats | 16 of 23 passes, 250 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
The Green Bay Packers Dynasty
The Packers came to Super Bowl I with an incredible pedigree. They had won two consecutive NFL championships before the game.
Coach Vince Lombardi transformed the franchise from one of the NFL’s worst teams. When he arrived in 1959, the Packers were 1-10-1. By 1967, they had become unstoppable.
Lombardi won five NFL championships in seven years with Green Bay. He then won the first two Super Bowls before leaving in 1968. His coaching legacy became one of the greatest in American sports history.
The Packers would go on to win four total Super Bowls. They won Super Bowl I and II in consecutive years. The championship trophy was named after Lombardi following his death in 1970.
During the 1966 season, the Packers went 12-2 in the regular season. This was the best record in the entire NFL. They then beat the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Championship Game before facing Kansas City.
The Packers won three consecutive NFL titles from 1965 to 1967. This feat had only been accomplished once before in NFL history. Curly Lambeau’s Packers had done it in 1929-1931.
Lombardi’s teams featured legendary defensive end Willie Davis. Davis would become a Hall of Famer. Packers safety Willie Wood also made crucial plays in Super Bowl I.
Bart Starr’s MVP Performance
Bart Starr was the Packers’ quarterback and the game’s MVP. In the 1966 season, he won the NFL’s regular season MVP award.
Starr completed 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns. He had one interception in the game. His performance earned him the first-ever Super Bowl MVP award.
The Chiefs were heavily favored before the game based on some predictions. Most football experts expected the Packers to win easily. Starr’s calm execution proved why Lombardi valued him so highly.
Starr would also win MVP honors in Super Bowl II a year later. He became the first quarterback to win consecutive Super Bowl MVPs. This remains an incredibly rare achievement in NFL history.
In the first half, the game was surprisingly competitive. Starr completed 8 of 13 passes with no interceptions. The Packers led just 14-10 at halftime despite dominating the first quarter.
Starr’s leadership made the difference in the second half. He guided the Packers to 21 unanswered points after halftime. His 37-yard touchdown pass to Max McGee sparked the scoring surge.
Before Super Bowl I, Starr had been questioned by some. Lombardi had doubts about his physical toughness early in his career. By Super Bowl I, Starr had proven himself to be the perfect field general.
Max McGee’s Unexpected Heroics
Max McGee was the unlikely hero of Super Bowl I. He had caught only four passes during the entire 1966 regular season.
McGee wasn’t even supposed to play in Super Bowl I. Starting receiver Boyd Dowler was injured in the game early on. McGee replaced him and changed the course of the game completely.
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McGee caught seven passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the game. His 37-yard first-quarter reception set up the Packers’ first touchdown. His second touchdown came later in the fourth quarter.
McGee’s performance remained one of the most memorable backup contributions ever. This inspired future generations of depth players to stay ready. His story showed the importance of preparation.
How the Game Unfolded
The Kansas City Chiefs opened with an impressive performance. They outgained the Packers in total yards at halftime 181-164.
The Packers scored first with Starr’s 37-yard pass to McGee. This made the score 7-0 early in the first quarter.
Kansas City answered quickly with a touchdown pass from Len Dawson to Curtis McClinton. The score was tied 7-7 after the touchdown.
The Packers responded with Jim Taylor’s 14-yard touchdown run. This came on the famous “Power Sweep” play that was their signature. Green Bay led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Kansas City kicked a field goal to make it 14-10. At halftime, the Packers led by just four points despite playing well.
The turning point came early in the third quarter. Packers safety Willie Wood intercepted a Dawson pass and returned it 50 yards.
This interception set up Elijah Pitts’ short touchdown run. The Packers led 21-10 and never looked back. The Packers scored 21 unanswered points in the second half.
Max McGee scored his second touchdown on a 13-yard reception. Elijah Pitts added another touchdown on a one-yard run. The final score was 35-10 for the Packers.
The Chiefs were held to 12 total yards in the third quarter. Green Bay’s defense took over the game completely. The Packers dominated every statistical category in the second half.
Kansas City Chiefs and the AFL
The Kansas City Chiefs were the AFL’s champions heading into Super Bowl I. The AFL had been founded in 1960 as a rival to the established NFL.
The Chiefs finished the 1966 regular season at 11-2-1. They had defeated the Buffalo Bills 31-7 in the AFL Championship Game. The Bills had been dominant in the early AFL years.
Kansas City quarterback Len Dawson led the offense effectively. Dawson would later become a Hall of Famer. He completed 11 of 25 passes for 211 yards in Super Bowl I.
The Chiefs’ defense was respectable but couldn’t stop the Packers in the second half. Running back Mike Garrett was their primary rusher in that era.
The Chiefs were considered underdogs going into the game. Most analysts thought the NFL was superior to the AFL. The Packers’ dominant second half seemed to confirm this belief.
Legacy and Historical Significance
Super Bowl I became one of the most important games in NFL history. It proved the viability of professional football on a national stage.
Sixty million viewers watching confirmed the sport’s massive appeal. The television ratings helped establish football as America’s favorite sport. This massive audience changed professional sports forever.
The game also marked the beginning of a rivalry that would define pro football. The AFL proved itself over the next few years. By Super Bowl III, the Jets’ Joe Namath led an upset victory.
The Packers’ victory established the dominance of Vince Lombardi’s system. Other coaches tried to replicate his methods and philosophy. His teams’ success became the blueprint for building championship organizations.
Green Bay would win Super Bowl II the following year. They defeated the Oakland Raiders 33-14 in Miami. This cemented the Packers’ status as the first NFL dynasty of the Super Bowl era.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy is awarded to every Super Bowl winner. It’s named after the legendary coach who won the first two. This honored his incredible contributions to the game.
FAQs
Who was the MVP of the first Super Bowl?
Bart Starr was named the MVP of Super Bowl I. The Packers quarterback completed 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards, two touchdowns.
What was the score of the first Super Bowl?
The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. The Packers dominated the second half, scoring 21 unanswered points.
When was the first Super Bowl played?
The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967. It was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in California.
How many people watched the first Super Bowl?
Approximately 60 million viewers watched Super Bowl I on television. The game was broadcast simultaneously on both CBS and NBC networks.
Who was the coach of the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I?
Vince Lombardi coached the Packers to victory in Super Bowl I. He would win Super Bowl II the following year before retiring as coach.
How many teams participated in the first Super Bowl?
Two teams participated: the Green Bay Packers from the NFL and Kansas City Chiefs from the AFL. This was the championship game between the rival leagues.
Did the Green Bay Packers win multiple Super Bowls early on?
Yes, the Packers won Super Bowls I and II in consecutive years. They defeated Kansas City 35-10 and Oakland 33-14 respectively.
What was the original name of the Super Bowl?
It was originally called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. The name “Super Bowl I” was retroactively applied to the first game.
What did Vince Lombardi accomplish with the Packers?
Lombardi won five NFL championships in seven seasons with Green Bay. He also won the first two Super Bowls before leaving in 1968.
Has the Green Bay Packers won other Super Bowls since?
Yes, Green Bay won Super Bowls XXXI (1997) and XLV (2011). They have won four total Super Bowls in franchise history.
