Sept. 13, 1964 - Paul Hornung is back, and so are the Green Bay Packers. The big, well-prepared Packers are off and running and again, and they showed that in convincing fashion in Green Bay today as they blasted their most hated rivals, the Chicago Bears, 23-12, before a sellout house of 42,327 delighted fans.
The “Golden Boy” who was slightly tarnished a year ago by his suspension was never much better than today. He ran with abandon, passed well when called upon, booted three field goals, and turned in a superb job with kickoffs.
The game was not as close as the score would indicate. A penalty put the Bears in position for their score, and a couple of fumbles by Jim Taylor erased fine scoring chances by the Packers.
The tenacious defense of the Packers overwhelmed the Bears, and they were stopped with only 46 yards in running plays and a meager 84 yards through the air. Quarterbacks Bill Wade and Rudy Bukich of the Bears had the “heat” on them most of the time as the hard-charging Packer defenders turned on a great rush all day.
“It was a good game,” said Packer coach Vince Lombardi, “but there are 13 more to play.” Then, getting immediately to the subject he wanted to talk about, he said: “Mr. Hornung is quite an athlete.”
“It was nice to be back, and I wanted to do well,” said Hornung.
The best of his efforts was a 52-yard field goal with time running out in the first half. He was kicking under an obscure rule that permits a team handling a punt as a fair catch to put the ball in play from scrimmage or in a boot from placement.
“We never practiced that play,” said Hornung. “All I concentrated on was getting the ball straight. I was mighty glad to see the official’s hands go up.”
“Everyone knows about that play,” said Lombardi. “Every time the officials talk to us, they remind us — ‘don’t forget about the free kick after the fair catch.’ It’s a play that can be used only in specific cases. There are many who may never see it again in a lifetime.”
Bear coach George Halas said that Lombardi had not pulled something out of a helmet. “The officials have talked to all the clubs about it. We weren’t surprised. It was a great call, but it was not a brilliant call.”
Lombardi called the play as the Packers were getting set for the Bear punt. He said he sent punt return specialists Willie Wood and Elijah Pitts in with instruction to try for a fair catch to set it up.
Quarterback Bart Starr said the distance “looked a mile” as he lined up the ball for Hornung. “It was a great kick,” added Starr.
Halas and one of his star players joined in the salutes for Hornung.
“Apparently, Mr. Hornung has lost nothing,” said Halas. “He made a great difference for the Packers.”
Bear end Mike Ditka said the Packer offense was better than in the two meetings of the clubs last year. “I have to say Hornung,” explained Ditka. “He makes all the difference in the club.”
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