West 26

East 7

January 12, 1958

The 1958 Pro Bowl was expected to be a grudge match between two Detroit Lions coaches. The coach of the West was George Wilson of the NFL champion Detroit Lions and Buddy Parker of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Parker had coached the Lions, but walked out before the 1957 season with hard feelings. Wilson, Parker’s assistant, assumed his duties that year and the two engaged in a much publicized argument at a Philadelphia supper club in December. But, the coaches had buried the hatchet before the Pro Bowl and all was well. A crowd of 66,634 witnessed the game at the LA Coliseum.

In the first quarter, Bobby Dillon of Green Bay intercepted Washington’s Eddie LeBaron and returned it for a score. Jack Butler of the Steelers blocked the extra point attempt. In the second quarter, Earl Morrall of the Steelers hit Cleveland’s Ray Renfro for a 39 yard touchdown and the East led 7-6. Following a 66 yard run from Alan Ameche of the Colts, Bert Richichar booted a 9 yard field goal two minutes later and the West had regained the lead, 9-7. That was the score at half.

Seven minutes into the third quarter, San Francisco’s Y.A. Tittle engineered a drive that resulted in a 23 yard Richichar field goal and the West led 12-7. The West got the ball back on an interception of a Morrall pass by Detroit’s Yale Lary. The subsequent drive stalled and the West lined up for a field goal at the East 22 yard line. But, Coach Wilson sent in a trick play.  Holder, Tittle, took the snap from center, wheeled and tossed to 49er Hugh McIlhenny for twelve yards and a first down. Ram halfback Tom Wilson burst ten yards up the middle for the touchdown and the score stood at 19-7 with just under five minutes to go in the third quarter. The West defense took over and, in the fourth quarter, Johnny Unitas of Baltimore hit teammate Ameche on an 8 yard pass play. The final score was 26-7.

The MVP’s of the game were Hugh McIlhenney of the 49ers and lineman Gene Brito of the Washinton Redskins. It was a triple sweep that season for coach George Wilson who won the NFL West, the NFL title and the Pro Bowl.
 

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