The Ice Bowl: Packers vs. Cowboys in 1967
Few games in NFL history are remembered with as much awe and reverence as the Ice Bowl — the 1967 NFL Championship game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. Played on December 31, 1967, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Ice Bowl wasn’t just a battle for a Super Bowl berth. It was a test of endurance, willpower, and resilience, played in conditions so brutal that the game itself became legendary.
Setting the Stage
The NFL was in its final season before the AFL-NFL merger. The winner of the NFL Championship would go on to face the AFL Champion in Super Bowl II.
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Green Bay Packers: Coached by the legendary Vince Lombardi, the Packers were seeking their third straight NFL Championship.
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Dallas Cowboys: Led by coach Tom Landry, the Cowboys were a rising powerhouse looking for their first title.
The game had all the makings of a classic — two great teams, two great coaches, and a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
The Brutal Conditions
The Ice Bowl earned its name for good reason. At kickoff, the temperature was -13°F (-25°C), with a wind chill approaching -50°F (-46°C).
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The referees’ whistles froze to their lips.
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The field’s turf, usually heated, froze solid when the heating system failed.
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Players’ breath instantly crystallized in the air.
It remains the coldest game in NFL history, a frozen battlefield where survival was as important as strategy.
The Game Unfolds
Despite the freezing temperatures, the game lived up to its billing.
First Half
The Packers jumped out to an early 14–0 lead with touchdown passes from Bart Starr to Boyd Dowler. The Cowboys’ offense struggled in the icy conditions, but their defense kept them in the game.
Second Half
The Cowboys roared back, with big plays including a halfback option pass from Dan Reeves to Lance Rentzel for a touchdown. By the fourth quarter, Dallas led 17–14.
The stage was set for one of the most famous drives in NFL history.
The Final Drive
With just under five minutes left, Bart Starr and the Packers began a march down the frozen field. Battling icy footing and relentless Cowboys defenders, the Packers slowly advanced toward the goal line.
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The clock ticked under one minute as the Packers reached the Dallas 1-yard line.
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With no timeouts left, the Packers had one final chance.
The Legendary Play
On third-and-goal, with just 16 seconds remaining, Starr called a quarterback sneak behind guard Jerry Kramer and center Ken Bowman.
Starr lunged forward, slipping into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
Final Score: Packers 21, Cowboys 17.
Aftermath and Legacy
The Packers advanced to win Super Bowl II, giving Lombardi his final championship before retiring. But it was the Ice Bowl, not the Super Bowl, that became the lasting symbol of his team’s toughness and discipline.
For the Cowboys, the loss was heartbreaking but formative. Tom Landry’s team would go on to become a dynasty in the 1970s, but in 1967, they were the foil in one of the NFL’s greatest stories.
Why the Ice Bowl Still Resonates
The Ice Bowl represents more than just a football game:
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Endurance: Players fought through conditions no modern game would allow.
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Drama: The final drive, capped by Starr’s sneak, remains one of the most iconic moments in NFL history.
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Symbolism: The Packers’ victory embodied Lombardi’s mantra: “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.”
The Ice Bowl has become shorthand for toughness and resilience in the face of impossible odds.
Cultural Impact
The Ice Bowl has been immortalized in books, documentaries, and NFL Films specials. It remains a touchstone for fans and historians, often cited as the greatest game ever played in NFL history.
Even decades later, the phrase “Ice Bowl” instantly conjures images of frozen breath, icy fields, and one of football’s most unforgettable endings.
Collecting Ice Bowl & Packers-Cowboys Memorabilia
The Ice Bowl’s legendary status makes vintage memorabilia and apparel from that era highly sought after:
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Vintage Green Bay Packers gear celebrating Vince Lombardi’s dynasty.
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1960s Dallas Cowboys apparel, honoring the team that would soon become “America’s Team.”
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NFL Championship collectibles from the pre-Super Bowl era.
These items capture the essence of a defining moment in pro football history.
Shop Vintage NFL Gear
At Gametime Vintage, we celebrate iconic games like the Ice Bowl with authentic vintage NFL apparel. From throwback Packers and Cowboys sweatshirts and jackets to retro tees, our collection keeps the memory of football’s greatest moments alive.
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Final Thoughts
The 1967 Ice Bowl wasn’t just a football game — it was an endurance test, a classic rivalry, and the stage for one of the most dramatic plays in sports history. Bart Starr’s quarterback sneak is etched into NFL lore, and the game remains a symbol of the toughness and tradition that define football.
More than 50 years later, the Ice Bowl still stands as one of the greatest — and coldest — games ever played.
