The
1969 Pro Bowl was played on
a miserable, rainy day at
the Coliseum before a small
crowd of 32,050. The game
will be remembered for the
contributions of Los Angeles
Rams players and their
coach. George Allen, the
coach of the Rams, had been
fired after the season. But,
after a great outcry from
the fans, was rehired by
Rams management. The coach
of the East was Tom Landry of the
Cowboys.
The only score of the first
half came from the West.
Bruce Gossett of the Rams
hit the crossbar with a 52
yard attempt that bounced
back onto the playing field.
In the second quarter,
Gossett connected from 20
yards out. The East had a
chance to score in the
second quarter. Cardinal
defensive end Don Brumm
picked up a fumble by Ram
Roman Gabriel and returned
it 31 yards to the West four
yard line. The Browns’ Leroy
Kelly then carried the ball
in for an apparent score
but, the play was nullified
by a motion penalty. A few
plays later, Willie Wood of
the Packers intercepted a
Tarkenton pass and returned
it 56 yards to snuff the
threat. The score was 3-0,
West at the half.
Midway through the third
period, the Cowboys’ Don
Meredith found Cleveland’s
Paul Warfield open and
connected with him for a 34
yard touchdown pass. The
East led 7-3 at the end of
three. In the fourth
quarter, Gabriel and the
West started from their own
46. First, Donny Anderson of
Green Bay went around end
for seven yards. Then,
another Packer, Carroll
Dale, caught a 25 yard pass
from Gabriel. On the next
play, Anderson burst up the
middle for 22 yards down to
the East one yard line. From
the one, Minnesota’s Bill
Brown plunged into the end
zone for the go ahead score.
Tarkenton moved the East to
the West 43, but on third
down he was caught from
behind by Minnesota’s Jim
Marshall and fumbled the
ball away to Merlin Olsen of
the Rams. The final score
was West 10, East 7
Olsen was selected as
lineman for the game.
Gabriel received the back of
the game award. The game
ball was presented to George
Allen, due to his trials in
the previous weeks. Upon
presenting the ball to
Allen, Packer tackle Forrest
Gregg said, “Thirty-five
players wanted this win, but
one man wanted it more than
the rest of us-George Allen."
The
1969 Pro Bowl was played on
a miserable, rainy day at
the Coliseum before a small
crowd of 32,050. The game
will be remembered for the
contributions of Los Angeles
Rams players and their
coach. George Allen, the
coach of the Rams, had been
fired after the season. But,
after a great outcry from
the fans, was rehired by
Rams management. The coach
of the East was Tom Landry of the
Cowboys.
Olsen was selected as
lineman for the game.
Gabriel received the back of
the game award. The game
ball was presented to George
Allen, due to his trials in
the previous weeks. Upon
presenting the ball to
Allen, Packer tackle Forrest
Gregg said, “Thirty-five
players wanted this win, but
one man wanted it more than
the rest of us-George Allen."