1964: The Free Kick Game: Vince Lombardi's Packers were the first team to ever invoke the "fair catch free kick" rule. After Elijah Pitts fair caught a punt on the Packers 48 yard line just before halftime, Vince Lombardi informed the referees that they would be trying a free kick. There was confusion among all. Neither team had ever seen it before or practiced it.
The Packers lined up on the line of scrimmage with Bart Starr holding the ball. Paul Hornung stepped up and made the 52-yard field goal as the half ended. Everyone was shocked and the Bears were embarrassed as the Packers went on to win 23-12. Lombardi said after the game it was probably a "once in a lifetime" occurrence. He was proven wrong, however, as the Bears would return the favor 4 years later, beating the Packers on the free kick.
I wasn't at that 1964 game, but I was in the stands in Lambeau Field for
that 1968 game. I remember I was shocked to see this play call. That
Lombardi knew the rule in 1964 doesn't surprise me. That George Halas knew the
rule in 1968 doesn't surprise me either, especially after the Packers
exploited it against the Bears four years earlier. Great coaches know the
rules inside out.
