Amazing official NFL ‘The Duke’ Wilson/Thorp football used in the final scoring play of the 1965 NFL Championship Game between the defending NFL champions Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on January 2, 1966. With 5:32 remaining in the contest, Packers placekicker Don Chandler booted the offered football 29 yards through the field goal uprights to cement the game’s final score, 23 to 12, and the ninth championship in Green Bay’s history. A bottom panel of the football is marked in black felt tip, “23 To 12, Packer—Browns, 1965 Championship Game.” In fine condition, with expected wear from use.
Accompanied by a letter of provenance from Jordan Hebel, a Green Bay Packers equipment associate who caught this offered ‘last score’ football after it sailed through the goalposts. In part: “I worked for the Packer Corp. for about 12 yr. I took care of hauling the equip. for the Packers & all teams coming & going into Green Bay from the airport to the Stadium & back out to the aircraft after the games. I worked for the equip. man. Gerald Braisher & Bob Noel. I worked the side lines for the game with equip. & extra balls. We started every game with 12 new balls. Equip. & locker room men were always the last to leave after a game & most of the help didn’t get paid back then. Gerald (Dad) Braisher gave us a football or a couple of bucks. The ball you have I was given after the game because I caught it after Don Chandler kicked it for the 3 points that won the championship. I took the ball up & put it in the back room for Dad B. & after we had cleaned up the locker room I told Dad B. it was there before I left & he said ‘take it see you next yr.’” Also included is Hebel’s official Green Bay Packers employee card. A remarkable piece of gridiron history—the 1965 NFL Championship was the first of its kind played in January and televised in color, and the last title game played before the Super Bowl era. Additionally, the 1965 championship marked the very last game played by legendary Browns running back Jim Brown.
