The Worst Beating in NFL History
Why the Bears Mauled the Redskins 73-0 in the 1940 NFL Title Game
Washington Redskins owner George Preston Marshall's trash-talking gave the Chicago Bears and their owner/coach George Halas reason to run up the score.
On December 8, 1940, the Chicago Bears defeated the Washington Redskins for the NFL Championship and handed the Redskins the most lopsided defeat – 73-0 - in the league’s history.
Don’t think, however, that the score reflected a gulf in talent between the teams. In fact, the extreme beating can be attributed in large part to the pre-game comments of Redskins owner George Preston Marshall. He so inflamed the Bears and their owner/coach, the legendary George Halas, that the Bears entered the big game not only looking for the title, but also revenge.
Marshall and Halas Were Long-Time Rivals
Before their football days, Marshall and Halas were rival pro basketball owners. When Marshall saw Halas enjoying success in the fledgling NFL, he acquired the Boston franchise in 1932, and renamed it the Redskins to capitalize on the popularity of baseball’s Boston Braves.
After four years in Beantown, though, Marshall moved the team to Washington where they became an immediate hit.
Washington fans were hooked by the exploits of rookie quarterback Slingin’ Sammy Baugh. But that wasn’t all. Marshall spared no expense in extras. He added a marching band decked out in full native regalia and gave the team a fight song. Spectacular halftime shows were produced and the team enjoyed such success at the gate that they never had to sell a ticket on game day during Marshall’s tenure as owner.
It didn’t hurt that the ‘Skins won the league title their first year in Washington, beating the hated Bears 28-21. The game was so hotly contested that, when a fight broke out, Marshall himself charged out of the stands to get involved.
Bad Blood Boiled During 1940 Season
Both teams were league powerhouses and their rivalry grew. Late in the 1940 season, Washington eked out a 7-3 victory over Chicago, although the Bears complained bitterly about an interference call that wasn’t made on a pass that could have won the game for them.
But Marshall was hardly gracious in victory. He told the press that the mighty Bears were a bunch of cry-babies and front-runners who folded in the 2nd half. To make matters worse, he called them quitters.
Still smarting from the loss and Marshall’s trash talk, the Bears would get a shot at revenge only 3 weeks later and in the title game, no less. If the Bears weren’t angry enough already, Marshall stoked the fire by sending Halas a telegram congratulating the Bears on making the final and how it would give his team another chance to beat them.
Then, as now, that sort of bulletin board fodder was enough to get the Bears’ blood boiling and they prepared like never before.
The Greatest NFL Drubbing
The big game, played at Washington’s sold out Griffith Stadium, was a close one… until the 2nd play from scrimmage. Bears quarterback Sid Luckman connected with Bill Osmanski on a 68-yard scoring play. By halftime, the Bears held a commanding 28-0 lead.
The game might have still been in reach. But on the second play of the 3rd quarter, Baugh’s pass was picked off and returned for a touchdown. By the end of the period, the Bears led 54-0.
In the 4th, they were down to 1 last ball as fans didn’t return the ones kicked into the stands after touchdowns. The Bears helped out by passing for their remaining conversions.
When the dust settled on the 73-0 drubbing, 10 different Bears had touchdowns while their defense intercepted Baugh 8 times, returning 5 for majors. On offense, they only passed the ball 8 times, but racked up 372 yards on the ground in the most lopsided game in NFL history.
Naturally, it was a game where everything that could go wrong did for the Redskins. But their cause certainly wasn’t helped by their trash-talking owner George Preston Marshall.
