On December 30, 1956, the National Football League (NFL) Championship game, also known as the "World Championship Game" before the Super Bowl era, took place between the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears at Yankee Stadium in New York City. The game was played in icy conditions, with the temperature dropping to around 20°F (-7°C), earning it the nickname "The Sneakers Game."
The Giants, who were known for their powerful running game, found themselves struggling to gain traction on the frozen turf. Trailing 17-3 at halftime, Giants head coach Jim Lee Howell made a pivotal decision. He sent his assistant coach, Vince Lombardi, to a nearby sporting goods store to purchase sneakers for the entire team.
Equipped with the sneakers, which provided better grip on the icy field, the Giants mounted a remarkable second-half comeback. Led by the powerful running of fullback Alex Webster and the precise passing of quarterback Charlie Conerly, the Giants scored 24 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
The Bears, still wearing traditional cleats, were unable to adjust to the changing conditions and found themselves slipping and sliding all over the field. The Giants' defense, led by linebacker Sam Huff and defensive end Andy Robustelli, shut down the Bears' offense in the second half.
The final score was Giants 47, Bears 7, marking one of the most lopsided victories in NFL Championship history. The Giants' 47 points set a new record for the most points scored in an NFL Championship game, a record that would stand until Super Bowl XXIX in 1995.
The images of the Giants players running and making cuts with ease in their sneakers while the Bears struggled to maintain their footing became iconic. "The Sneakers Game" remains a testament to the importance of adapting to conditions and the impact that a simple decision, like changing footwear, can have on the outcome of a game. It also served as a prelude to the success that offensive coordinator Vince Lombardi would later achieve as head coach of the Green Bay Packers in the 1960s.
