A Slice of AFL History

Thanksgiving Day, 1964

In 1964 and 1965, the San Diego Chargers and the Buffalo Bills were the two best teams in the AFL. The teams won their respective divisions both years, and thus met in the AFL championship game – the Bills came out on top both times. But there were memorable games during the regular season too. One of them was the 1964 battle in San Diego, taking place on Thanksgiving day, November 25th. Here were the standings going into the game:

In the Eastern division, the Bills were in a dogfight with the Patriots, while the Chargers had a comfortable lead in the surprisingly weak West. Fans of both teams fully expected these two to meet in the AFL championship game, which was scheduled to be held at the home field of the Eastern division team.

The game was a sellout, a rarity at the time.

Two views of the sellout crowd.
The attendance of 34,865 included 200 standing room only tickets that allowed fans to watch the game from the end zone.
Another view of the standing room only fans. Also note the crane with a TV cameraman – the game was nationally broadcast on ABC.
Before the game, Speedy Duncan posed for a shot.

Now, onto the game action.

Don Norton with a reception.
In the second quarter, John Tracey of the Bills intercepted a John Hadl pass.
In the ensuing drive, Joe Auer eluded the grasp of Kenny Graham and picked up 14 yards to set up the Bills with first and goal.
Two players later Auer dove over from one yard out to cut the Chargers’ lead to 10-7,
  • (Slideshow) Several shots of Buffalo quarterback Jack Kemp, who was mistakenly waived by the Chargers in 1962.
  • Kemp sacked by Geroge Gross, Earl Faison, and Ernie Ladd
  • Earl Faison brought down Kemp for a loss of 12.
  • Another sack, this one by Bob Petrich.
John Hadl, protected by Paul Lowe (23) and Ron Mix (74).
Cookie Gilchrist broke the tackle of Dick Westmoreland (25), while Bud Whitehead (47) and Chuck Allen (50) looked to make a play.
  • (Slideshow) A series of sideline shots
  • Paul Lowe (23), Jacque MacKinnon (38) and Gary Kirner (72).
  • Defensive backfield coach Chuck Noll, who later won four Super Bowls as head coach of the Steelers.
  • Part owner George Pernicano.
Joe Auer with another carry.
Cookie Gilchrist chased by the Chargers’ defense.
Lance Alworth with a reception.
Keith Lincoln brought down by John Tracey and Eugene Sykes. Note the standing room only crowd in the far end zone.
Don Norton caught a 17-yard touchdown pass to give the Chargers a 17-14 lead in the third quarter.
Another run by Cookie Gilchrist.
In the third quarter Daryle Lamonica replaced Jack Kemp at quarterback for the Bills.
Keith Lincoln with a short gain.
In the 4th quarter, the Chargers’ defense had a goal line stand to keep the Bills from scoring.
After the goal-line stand, the Chargers took over on their own one yard line. John Hadl was then sacked by Mike Stratton for a safety, igniting a Bills comeback.
Pete Gogolak kicking the game-winning field goal from 33 yards. Gogolak was the first “soccer style” kicker in pro football.

This game may have been the earliest example of “Chargering” (snatching defeat from the jaws of victory). The Chargers led 24-14 with eleven minutes left. They forced a Buffalo punt, but Lance Alworth muffed it and the Bills recovered deep in Chargers territory. The San Diego defense put together a great goal line stand and held the Bills out of the endzone on four plays inside the four-yard line. The Chargers took over on downs with seven minutes left and a 10-point lead. Surely, victory was at hand.

Except on the first play from scrimmage, John Hadl was sacked in the end zone by Buffalo linebacker Mike Stratton, cutting the Chargers’ lead to eight. Buffalo returned the ensuing safety free kick all the way to the San Diego 18 yard line. Several plays later quarterback Daryle Lamonica scored to make the score 24-22. The Bills went for two and the Chargers defense stuffed the play – except, cornerback Jim Warren was called for defensive holding, giving Buffalo another shot at the conversion. This time they made it and tied the score.

San Diego took the kickoff and started driving down the field, but Hadl was picked off near midfield by Stratton. Cookie Gilchrist, who had been pretty much held in check all day, tore off a couple of big runs, setting up Pete Gogolak for a 33-yard field goal with three seconds left, and the Bills won, 27-24.