1960s Timeline

June 26, 1962 - Forsaking another shot at the Olympics for “my first love, football,” Frank Budd, Villanova’s great sprinter, today signed to play for the Philadelphia Eagles. Vince McNally, general manager of the Eagles, said that Budd signed a contract with no promises that he would be retained unless he made the squad. The Eagles weren’t exactly buying an unknown quantity in making Budd their seventh draft choice this year and signing the 100-yard dash world record-holder.

Dec. 10, 1961 - Charlie Conerly’s deft hand guided the New York Giants today to at least a tie for the NFL’s Eastern Conference title. Called to the rescue with his team trailing by 3 points midway in the second period, the gallant 40-year-old quarterback from Mississippi threw 3 touchdown passes that brought about a 28-24 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Now the Giants can clinch the Eastern title they last won in 1959 by beating the Cleveland Browns in their regular-se

Nov. 26, 1961 - Some Eagle fans among the 60,127 persons at Franklin Field today booed Sonny Jurgensen (pictured) when he was introduced before the game against the Dallas Cowboys. In the next 60 minutes, however, Jurgensen was cheered as he passed for all 5 Philadelphia touchdowns and the Eagles romped to a 35-13 decision over the Cowboys. Apparently blamed by many for the two recent Eagle defeats, Jurgensen, more than any other member of his team, was responsible today for

Nov. 19, 1961 - Jimmy Brown, the 228-pound fullback of the Cleveland Browns, had his greatest effort as a professional as the Browns routed the Eagles, 45-24. He rushed for a record total of 242 yards, scored 4 touchdowns, and blocked savagely. The victory for Paul Brown’s bruisers lifted them into a tie with the Eagles for second place behind the Giants. The Giants, who meet the Browns in Cleveland next Sunday, have had success stopping Brown in his four years as a pro. The

Oct. 29, 1961 - Sonny Jurgensen’s 41-yard touchdown pass to Tommy McDonald in the last 16 seconds enabled the Philadelphia Eagles to beat the Washington Redskins, 27-24, today. The play sent Washington to its seventh straight defeat of the season and its fifteenth straight in two seasons. The Eagles, who won the NFL title last year, appeared beaten when the Redskins took a 24-20 lead with 51 seconds to play. But the Eagles prevailed and have now taken over first place form th

Aug. 4, 1961 - If Nick Skorich, the new coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, had any doubts about replacing Norman Van Brocklin at quarterback, they were removed today in the 28th annual All-Star football game at Soldier Field. Skorich watched with obvious relish as the NFL champion Eagles pummeled the 1961 College All-Stars, 28-14, before a crowd of 65,000. It was evident that there was a highly capable replacement for Van Brocklin, who is now the coach of the new Minnesota Vik