East 20

West 9

January 17, 1954

By the time of the fourth Pro Bowl, Buddy Parker’s dominance over Paul Brown had stretched to 7 straight wins, including two straight NFL title games. The 1954 Pro Bowl was attended by 44,214 fans at the LA Coliseum. The game was a vicious encountered typified by savage defensive hits and few big plays from the high powered offenses. In 1954, the game matched the NFL’s Eastern and Western Conferences (the names were changed from American and National Conferences in 1953).

The scoring got started in the first quarter when Cleveland’s Lou Groza booted an eleven yard field just after Giant Emlen Tunnel recovered a fumble by Joe Perry of the 49ers. Following a goal line stand by the East, Cleveland’s Otto Graham was sacked for a safety in the endzone by Don Kindt of the Bears. The East actually elected to take the safety as opposed to punting out of the end zone. The halftime score stood at a awkward, 3-2.

In the third quarter, Chuck Bednarik recovered another Perry fumble which led to a Groza 25 yard field goal. The score was 6-3. Just moments later, Bednarik picked off a pass from Lions’ Bobby Layne and returned it 24 yards for a score. In the fourth quarter, Joe Perry atoned for his two fumbles when he scooted 14 yards for a West touchdown. With the score at 13-9 with seven minutes to play, the verdict was still in question. But, Ray Renfro of the Browns ended any speculation of a West comeback with a 25 yard touchdown run around right end with seconds to play. The final score was 20-9.
 

Bednarik was voted MVP of the game which saw the end of Paul Brown’s losing streak against Buddy Parker. In an unusual jester, the Eastern squad awarded the game ball to Paul Brown for his accomplishment.

Emlen Tunnell returns punt for East

RETURN