A Bright Spot in 1963 - AFL All Star Game

by Jezru on Feb 3, 2009 11:30 AM MST

In response to Zappa's empassioned take on the HOF and ROFer Lionel Taylor, last night I went diving in a 1976 Football Encyclopedia that I somehow acquired over the last few years. Mind you our best years were still to come when (actually were about to) when this book was printed and so you can imagine my surprise when I came across a brief little blurb on the 1963 AFL All Star (Pro-Bowl) Game.

In a season where the Broncos went 2-11-1 they sent three Broncos to the 1963 All Star Game: Frank Tripucka, Goose Gonsoulin and Lionel Taylor. The following is a recap of the game I dug up online. Though our season was absolutely awful, the West overcame the East in this early ALF All Star game because of the kick ass plays these three Ring of Fame Broncos had.

Here's the link for reference: http://www.mmbolding.com/BSR/The_1963_AFL_All-Star_Game.htm

AFL West 21 East 14 January 13, 1963
The 1963 AFL All-Star Game returned to Balboa Stadium in San Diego. The coaches were Hank Stram of the Texans for the West and Pop Ivy of the Oilers for the East. The game was attended by 27,641 fans which served as a testimony to the improvement of the league in three years of existence. Rookie Curtis McClinton of the Texans busted a 64 yard touchdown run on the West’s third play from scrimmage to put his team up 7-0. In the second period, McClinton again got loose, this time for 21 yards. It set up Dallas’ Len Dawson’s 11 yard touchdown pass to Dave Kocourek of the Chargers. The halftime score was 14-0. The two potential scoring drives the East had in the first half were thwarted by outstanding defense. Austin Gonsoulin of Denver intercepted a pass by Houston’s George Blanda and San Diego’s Earl Faison recovered a fumble by Buffalo’s Jack Kemp. After the intermission, the East drove to the West’s nine yard line, but Dave Grayson of the Texans intercepted a Blanda pass and returned it to midfield. But, later in the quarter, Blanda led the East on a 68 yard march that ended in an 8 yard touchdown pass the the Oiler teammate, Charley Hennigan. Still in the third, the East tied the score at 14 all when Larry Grantham of the New York Titans intercepted a Dawson pass and returned it 29 yards to the end zone. In the final quarter, replacement quarterback Frank Tripucka of the Broncos led the West on an 89 yard touchdown drive for the winning score. He hit Denver teammate, Lionel Taylor, on passes of 7, 49 and 20 yards. The last pass good for a touchdown. The final score was 21-14.

Pretty nifty hunh?! Who knew?! Let's hope that there's a repeat of this great Bronco performance this weekend when Cutler and Marshall represent at the Pro Bowl (right right... I know tons of you don't care - but it's the last football until the HOF Game on August 9 - (right right... I know tons of you don't care - it's pre-season...).

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Dude! Great find.

http://www.remembertheafl.com/AFLHallOfFameMembersByTeam.htm

We got 10 guys in the AFL Hall of Fame. Screw the NFL! lol btw, How much do you want for your encyclopedia? :) heheh You know, I was looking at other Pro Bowl games….George Blanda threw a lot of interceptions in the Pro Bowl. He must not have been as good as people thought. :P

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by Tim Lynch on Feb 3, 2009 12:55 PM MST reply actions

Great link!

Since you’re of like mind on the awesomeness that was the AFL and the Broncos during the 60’s, you should check out this book.

Going Long : The Wild Ten-Year Saga of the Renegade American Football League In the Words of Those Who Lived by Jeff Miller

http://www.amazon.com/Going-Long-Ten-Year-Renegade-American/dp/0071418490/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233691716&sr=8-4

It’s a collection of stories and recollections of all things important and not during that time. Some funny (drunken schenanigans on away games) and some serious (what it was like knowing the merger was on the way). Nothing too heavy, but totally interesting nonetheless… A good read.

by Jezru on Feb 3, 2009 1:18 PM MST up reply actions