How the 1967 Green Bay Packers survived the coldest game in NFL history

Science · Published 20 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the 1967 NFL Championship, the Green Bay Packers faced the Dallas Cowboys in temperatures of minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit. The extreme cold rendered the stadium's turf heating system useless, turning the field into a frozen, rock-hard surface where even the referees' whistles froze to their lips during the game.

The 1967 season was a historic milestone for the Green Bay Packers, marking their 49th season overall and their 47th in the NFL. Led by head coach Vince Lombardi and veteran quarterback Bart Starr, the team achieved an unprecedented feat: winning three consecutive NFL championships. This accomplishment, secured by defeating the Dallas Cowboys in the legendary Ice Bowl, remains the only time a team has achieved this in the playoff era, which began in 1933.

The Ice Bowl, played on December 31, 1967, at Lambeau Field, remains one of the most iconic games in sports history. With a wind chill factor reaching approximately minus 48 degrees Fahrenheit, the conditions were brutal. The Packers trailed 17–14 late in the fourth quarter before Starr orchestrated a final drive. With only 16 seconds remaining, Starr executed a quarterback sneak behind blocks from center Ken Bowman and guard Jerry Kramer, scoring the winning touchdown to secure a 21–17 victory.

Following their championship win, the Packers advanced to Super Bowl II to face the Oakland Raiders. The team dominated, winning 33–14 in what would be Vince Lombardi's final game as head coach of the Packers. This victory marked the fifth world championship for the franchise under Lombardi's leadership. Despite the team's success, the 1967 season also saw the departure of key players like Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor due to the expansion draft, as the league added the New Orleans Saints to its ranks.

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