Nov. 8, 1964 - The Giants dueled the Jets at the box office today, but the Giants cheated. They were giving something away at Yankee Stadium — an NFL
game to the visiting Dallas Cowboys, 31-21.
Actually, it was a nice gesture on the part of the Giants because, a month ago, the Cowboys had pushed the Giants all over the Cotton Bowl and earned no better than a 13-13 standoff.
Today’s giveaway program started when Y.A. Tittle, a pass play busted by a rush, threw a ball he should have eaten into the arms of Jim Ridlon, who danced 76 yards for Dallas’ first touchdown. Later in the opening period, Don Chandler, back to punt, tried to make the best of a low snap from center and run. He couldn’t hold the ball, fumbled it away on the New York 17, and three plays later Don Meredith threw a scoring pass to Frank Clarke, who had Allan Webb running around like a man chasing a fly without a flyswatter.
Another interception on Tittle gave Dallas possession in midfield. Then, Tommy McDonald, alternately flanking left and right, went right, cut across the middle, took a pass from Meredith, and went 48 yards for a touchdown.
The Giants weren’t quite dead yet. They closed the gap to 21-14 in the third period and could have tied it up except that Tittle couldn’t get the ball to Aaron Thomas, who was out there all by himself.
Then the giveaway program got going again. Dick James fumbled a fair-catch punt on the New York 14, and Perry Lee Dunn pounced on the ball. Three plays later, Clarke waved bye-bye to Webb on a short pass from Meredith and it was 28-14, over and out.
Asked about it afterward, James mustered a weak smile and said: “My God, I’ve fumbled more fair catches than regular catches. I’ve done it in the past. I don’t know why — I just don’t know why.”
He paused a moment and then had to spit out his thoughts. “So have a lot of other guys fumbled them,” he said, the smile fading. “But the people out here didn’t seem to think so.” The crowd had booed him lustily.
“I feel like a black cat is following me around or something like that.” This was Dick’s seventh fumble as a Giant; six have been recovered by the opposition.
Just then, a young lad walked by and asked James for his autograph. “I’d be very glad to, son,” he said. The smile was back — but only on the outside.
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