AFC 26

NFC13

January 23, 1972

The 1972 Pro Bowl was played before 53,647 at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. The Pro Bowl had been played exclusively in Los Angeles since 1951. This would be the last game in that series, although it would return in 1979. The coaches for the game were Don McCafferty of the Baltimore Colts and Dick Nolan of the 49ers. There was still great ongoing talk in 1972 about the superiority of the NFC over the AFC, NFC teams having won 50 of 80 regular season games since the merger.

There was no scoring in the first quarter. Jan Stenerud of the Chiefs, who had missed two field goals late in the famous sudden-death marathon game against Miami in the AFC playoffs a month before, missed two field goals in the first period. His first attempt from 38 yards was partially blocked my Mike Lucci of the Lions. His second attempt was wide from 28 yards. In the second quarter, the NFC got on the board first when Greg Landry of the Colts hit Bob Grim of Minnesota for a touchdown on a pass play of 50 yards. Stenerud connected on a field goal of 25 yards in the second and the score was 6-3 at the half.

The third quarter saw two more field goals from Stenerud, from 23 and 48 yards. The score was 9-3 late in the third when Len Dawson, Stenerud’s teammate with the Chiefs, drove the AFC to pay dirt. He struck with a five yard touchdown pass to Cleveland’s Milt Morin. Entering the fourth quarter, the score was AFC-16, NFC 6. Stenerud connected on his fourth field goal and the score was a comfortable 19-6. With eight minutes to play, the NFC narrowed the gap behind Landry when San Francisco’s Vic Washington swept left for a two yard touchdown. The score was 19-13. But, Dawson then marched the AFC on a time-consuming 7 minute drive

 of 12 plays. All the plays in the drive were running plays by Marv Hubbard of the Raiders and Mercury Morris of the Dolphins. Morris alone accounted for 42 yards on the drive in 7 carries. With 1:22 remaining, Floyd Little of Denver carried the ball in from the six and the AFC had won, 26-13.

The outcome was considered an upset of some significance by the public in 1972. Stenerud was voted the offensive MVP. His teammate from KC, Willie Lanier, was the defensive MVP. The 1972 Pro Bowl would mark the last year that two MVP awards were presented.

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