• Music
  • Kenoshans
  • Local
  • Real Estate
  • Food + Drink
  • Family
  • Pets
  • Food + Drink
  • Local
  • Sports
  • News
  • Kenoshans
  • Real Estate
  • Technology
  • Arts
  • Pets
  • Education
  • #FridayFunny
SHOP

Latest Stories

Top Authors

Jaime Brown
Jaime
Brown
John Hogan
John
Hogan
Sarah Freeborn
Sarah
Freeborn
Jeffrey Zampanti
Jeffrey
Zampanti
Alan Ameche 1958
PHOTO: University of Wisconsin Athletics
Sports

The Greatest Game Ever Played

Kenosha’s Alan Ameche finished with 59 rushing yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns in leading the Baltimore Colts to the 1958 NFL Championship.

By David Marran

As the longtime Kenosha News sports editor, Marran mentored a team of talented writers over a span of two decades, crafting award-winning coverage and high praise from the local sports community.

December 28, 1958

On this date in 1958, Kenosha’s Alan Ameche scored the clinching touchdown in what has become known as “the greatest game ever played.”

Ameche’s 1-yard plunge with 6 minutes and 45 seconds left in overtime handed the Baltimore Colts a 23-17 win over the New York Giants in the NFL Championship game before 64,185 at Yankee Stadium.

The Bradford graduate was instrumental on the victorious drive in the first NFL game decided in sudden-death overtime.

The fullback from Wisconsin snared an 8-yard pass on a 3rd-and-8 and later got the Colts to the red zone with a 22-yard run. Ameche also had a 1-yard run inside the 10 before crossing the goal line.

Ameche finished with 59 rushing yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns. The 1954 Heisman Trophy winner also had three catches for 14 yards as the Colts won their first championship.

This epic back-and-forth battle, which featured 17 future Hall-of-Famers, ushered the NFL into its modern era where it became the country’s most popular league. 

The nationally-televised game captured the attention of the country so much it soon became known as the “greatest game ever played.” 

That has been confirmed in many polls and surveys over the years with the latest coming in a nationwide poll of 66 media members in 2019.

More Like This

Sports

A Season for the Ages

Indian Trail graduate Daviyon Nixon turned in one of the finest years in Iowa football history

Arts

Le Freak enters Digital Age

Local art gallery set to unveil online winter exhibition on Feb. 1

Local, News

Kenosha Public Market continues to Evolve

Customers, sales soaring for downtown market

Popular Categories

Local

Food + Drink

NEWS

HEALTH

KENOSHANS

SPORTS

TECHNOLOGY

REAL ESTATE

PETS

EDUCATION

Kenosha

THE STORY OF US

Kenosha.com is a local, digital media platform offering interesting, engaging content created by experienced journalists and local professionals. The platform features a wide range of content including news, features, profiles and reviews, showcasing Kenosha’s outstanding people, places and events.

© 2021 Kenosha.com Inc.

RESOURCES

  • Business Development
  • Education
  • Non-Profit
  • Tourism/Recreation

ADVERTISE

  • Submit Your Ad
  • Submit Your Advertorial

ABOUT

  • Meet Our Team
  • Write With Us

CONTACT

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
SHOP
Kenosha

RESOURCES

ABOUT

ADVERTISE

CONTACT

THE STORY OF US

Kenosha.com is a local, digital media platform offering interesting, engaging content created by experienced journalists and local professionals. The platform features a wide range of content including news, features, profiles and reviews, showcasing Kenosha’s outstanding people, places and events.

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

© 2021 Kenosha.com Inc.

Follow us today!

Sign up for the latest news, entertainment and
information from Kenosha.com & you’ll be ENTERED FOR
A CHANCE TO WIN $500 in local gift cards.