Edge Rewrite
location Source code View original
// request.cf · coarse context

A page that knows where it met you.

Only coarse request metadata is shown. This demo does not display or persist visitor IP addresses.

Country
US
Cloudflare location
CMH
Connection
HTTP/2
Language
Not provided

Ray ID: a447a303b9567fd8

Jump to content

Chester Marcol Game

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chester Marcol Game
DateSeptember 7, 1980
StadiumLambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
FavoriteBears by 6 pts
Attendance54,381
TV in the United States
NetworkCBS

The Chester Marcol Game was a National Football League (NFL) game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers on September 7, 1980, at Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States. In the first game of the regular season, the teams tied 6–6 at the end of the fourth quarter sending the game went into overtime. In the extra period, Packers' kicker Chester Marcol attempted what would have been a game-winning field goal, although the attempt was blocked by Bears' player Alan Page. However, the ball bounced right back to Marcol, who caught it and ran 25 yards for the walk-off touchdown. The victory gave the Packers an early boost in the 1980 NFL season, although the Bears exacted revenge later that season with a 61–7 victory in Chicago. The Bears–Packers rivalry is one of the longest and most storied in NFL history, although at the time is had been dominated by the Bears, who had won seven of their last eight match-ups against the Packers before this game. Even though it was a low-scoring game, early in a season where neither team made the playoffs, the game became notable due to the Packers' improbable and dramatic victory, and as part of the team's rivalry. Many years later, the game gained additional notoriety after Marcol revealed his addiction to cocaine, which included using the drug during halftime prior to his game-winning touchdown.

Background

[edit]

Both the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers struggled through the 1970s, with the Bears making the playoffs twice and the Packers just once.[1][2] The team's historic rivalry was fairly even that decade as well, with the Bears winning 11 out of 20 match-ups.[3][4] Coming into the 1980 NFL season though, the Bears had won seven of the last games against the Packers.[4] This included a series sweep in the 1979 NFL season, when the Bears went 10–6 and made the play-offs as a Wild Card team, where they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 27–17.[5] The Packers on the other hand had a difficult season, going 5–11 and missing the playoffs for the seventh straight season.[6][1] The Bears and Packers were scheduled to play each other twice in the 1980 season, first in Week 1 and then again in Week 14. The Week 1 match-up was to be played at Lambeau Field, the Packers' home, while the Week 14 game was scheduled for Soldier's Field, the Bears' home.[7]

Chester Marcol

[edit]

Chester Marcol was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 1972 NFL draft. During his rookie season, he led the league in scoring and was named NFC Rookie of the Year by two organizations, an All-Pro designation by the Associated Press, and was named to the Pro Bowl.[8] In his rookie year, the Packers beat the Bears twice on Marcol field goals.[9] In 1974, Marcol again led the league in scoring, was named an All-Pro, and made the Pro Bowl. Going into the 1980 season, Marcol had been the Packers' primary kicker for eight seasons, appearing in 97 games, and was again tabbed to be the team's kicker for the 1980 NFL season.[8]

Game summary

[edit]
Photo of the outer facade of Lambeau Field, with people and cars in the foreground
Lambeau Field, shown here in 1998, was the site of the game.

The Bears scored on their first possession of the game on a 42-yard field goal by Bob Thomas; the Bears converted two short third downs to keep the 13-play, 53-yard drive going. In the second quarter, the Packers tied the game 3–3 on a field goal of their own by Chester Marcol. On that drive, Eddie Lee Ivery ran for 23 yards and Lynn Dickey completed passes to James Lofton and Ivery to go 56 yards in 9 plays. Later in the quarter, the Packers drove 47 yards on 4 plays to get into field goal range before the end of the half. Dickey's screen pass to Aundra Thompson for 25 yards was the key play to put the Packers in range. Marcol converted the 46-yard field goal as the first half game clock expired, giving the Packers a 6–3 lead. The only score of the second half occurred in the third quarter, with the Bears converting a 34-yard field goal to tie the game at 6–6. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, which sent the game into overtime.[10]

Chicago received the kickoff in overtime, but was unable to move the ball, with three penalties pushing them back against their goal line. The Bears punted to midfield and on the first Packers' play, Lofton caught a pass from Dickey for 32 yards.[11][12] A few plays later, Marcol stepped out onto the field for the game winning 34-yard field goal attempt. The Bears' Alan Page blocked the kick with his helmet, but the ball bounced right back to Marcol who ran to his left for a 25-yard touchdown on the recovery. The Packers won the game 12–6.[13]

Box score

[edit]
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Bears 3 0 3006
Packers 0 6 00612

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

First quarter

  • CHI – Bob Thomas 42-yard field goal, 4:41. Bears 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 53 yards.

Second quarter

  • GB – Chester Marcol 41-yard field goal, 12:39. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards.
  • GB – Chester Marcol 46-yard field goal, 0:00. Packers 6–3. Drive: 4 plays, 47 yards.

Third quarter

  • CHI – Bob Thomas 34-yard field goal, 11:23. Tied 6–6. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring

Overtime

  • GB – Chester Marcol 25-yard blocked field goal return (no extra point), 0:00. Packers 6–3. Drive: 5 plays, 26 yards.

Analysis

[edit]
Photo of Payton rushing the ball
The Packers' defense limited Walter Payton, shown here in 1986, to just 2.1 yards per rush during the game.

Post-game analysis focused on the Packers' improbable victory, Chester Marcol's heroics on the last play, and the play of both defenses.[13][11][12] The Packers took advantage of their defensive stop and penalties by the Bears during overtime, which gave them good field position and allowed the offense to gain enough yards to kick a relatively short field goal for the victory.[11][12] However, the block of the field goal initially flipped the momentum, with most blocked field goals either going backward for a change of possession, or even giving he defensive team an opportunity to score.[15][16] Page, who blocked the field goal, claimed after the game that he predicted that he would block the kick.[13] However, improbably, the ball bounced directly back to Marcol, who was able to take advantage and score the winning touchdown.[17] Multiple newspapers characterized the ending as lucky for the Packers (or unlucky for the Bears), with newspapers describing it as a "freak finish", "improbable", and calling it "sandlot play".[18][19][20][13] This was not the only unlucky play of the game for the Bears, as one of the team's interceptions came off of a ricochet off a helmet.[15][16] Regardless, the victory was characterized as a huge upset for the Packers and deflating for the Bears.[13][21]

Both teams' defensives shined during the game, as the Bears gained just 268 yards, while the Packers only had 214.[13][11][12][14] There were five turnovers during the game, which limited the scoring opportunities for each team, while both teams were heavily penalized throughout.[14][11][12] The Packers defensive performance though included two key achievements that helped give the team the edge in the end: winning the turnover battle 4-to-1 and forcing the Bears into bad field position.[18][11][12] The Packers defensive also held Walter Payton to just 2.1 yards per rush, with his 31 carries only going for 65 yards.[14] The Green Bay Press-Gazette noted that the Packers' gameplan centered on stopping Payton, calling the overall effort a "sterling defensive performance".[15][16] This included a key stop of Payton for a 10-yard loss on fourth down, which caused a turnover on downs.[18] The Bears kept to Payton's run style, which focused more on outside runs, instead of trying to exploit the Packers' weakness on the inside of the defensive line.[11][12] On the other side, the Bears defense kept Lynn Dickey in check; Dickey threw for just 138 yards, no touchdowns, and 1 interception, while completing less than 50% of his passes.[18][14] However, Dickey was able to convert two key passes in overtime to get the Packers into field goal range.[13] Eddie Lee Ivery, who suffered an injury during the game, was able to generate some offense for the Packers, rushing for 73 yards on 15 carries, but the rest of the Packers were less successful, rushing for a combined 41 yards on 15 rushes.[13][14] The Green Bay Press-Gazette also highlighted the play of Packers' center Larry McCarren, who was injured and originally was not even supposed to play in the game, and defensive back Steve Luke, who had 10 tackles.[22][23]

Outcome

[edit]

Despite winning their first game, the Packers ended the season with a record of 5–10–1, including losing their last four games of the season.[1] The Bears only faired a bit better, ending the season with a record of 7–9.[2] The Bears did exact some level of revenge in Week 14, blowing the Packers out 61–7 in Chicago.[24][25] The margin of victory was the largest in Bears' history over the Packers, and one of the worst in Packers' history against any team.[26][24][25] Just a month after his improbable touchdown, the Packers released Marcol, publicly stating that his short kick-offs were the reason, although Marcol believed it had more to do with his drug use.[9] Marcol signed with the Houston Oilers to fill in for the team's injured kicker; Marcol's only game for the Oilers that season came against the Packers, where he made one field goal but missed two extra points.[8] Neither the Packers nor the Bears made the playoffs that season.[7][27]

Legacy

[edit]

The game is a notable part of the Bears–Packers rivalry, which is one of the oldest and most storied rivalries in NFL history.[28][29] Although ultimately inconsequential to the final standings for either team, who both failed to make the playoffs that season,[1][2] the game is still identified as an important part of each team's history.[30][31] Over the years, multiple sources have identified the game or Marcol's touchdown as notable, both in the history of the Packers and as an important part of the rivalry between the Bears and Packers.[32][33][34] In 2020, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel identified the game as of the greatest sports moments in Wisconsin history,[35] while the The Reporter called Marcol's touchdown "one of the most memorable plays in Packers history".[36] Although exact statistics on the topic are not complete, it is likely the only game in Packers' history to end with a walk-off touchdown for the offensive team after a blocked field goal.[37]

In 2011, Marcol released his autobiography titled Alive and Kicking: My Journey Through Football, Addiction and Life.[38] In it, Marcol recounted his substance abuse during his time in the NFL, which included alcohol and cocaine, the latter of which he had only first tried a week before the Bears game.[9] In describing his famous touchdown, he admitted that at halftime he went into the bathroom and snorted cocaine.[39][40] Marcol stated "I don't know if it would be accurate to say I was high when I scored that touchdown two hours later, but I definitely was under the influence."[9] After finishing the season with the Oilers, Marcol never returned to the NFL.[8] In 1986, Marcol attempted suicide, causing long-term health issues.[9] In 1987, the team inducted Marcol inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.[8] Until the early 2000s, Marcol struggled with his substance abuse, although by 2007 he had "straightened out" and began training to become a substance abuse counselor.[41] After recovery from his addictions, he was hired as a drug and alcohol counselor.[28]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 "Green Bay Packers Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Chicago Bears Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  3. ↑ Christl, Cliff (January 8, 2026). "Packers-Bears is NFL's most storied rivalry, but why?". Packers.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2026. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Bears vs. Packers Results". FootballDB.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  5. ↑ "1979 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2026. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  6. ↑ "1979 Green Bay Packers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2026. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  7. 1 2 "1980 Green Bay Packers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2026. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Christl, Cliff. "Chester Marcol". Packers.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Edholm, Eric (July 1, 2016). "The time a coked-up Packers kicker beat the Bears with an overtime TD". Yahoo.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Point parade". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). September 8, 1980. p. B-1. Retrieved September 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Christl, Cliff (September 8, 1980). "Packers heal themselves with win: Part 1". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). p. B-1. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Christl, Cliff (September 8, 1980). "Packers heal themselves with win: Part 2". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). p. B-1. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Christopulous, Mike (September 8, 1980). "Marcol! Marcol!". Milwaukee Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 19, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - September 7th, 1980". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2026. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 Wheatley, Tom (September 8, 1980). "Bears unlucky, to say the least: Part 1". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). p. B-1. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. 1 2 3 Wheatley, Tom (September 8, 1980). "Bears unlucky, to say the least: Part 2". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). p. B-2. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ Walter, Tony (September 8, 1980). "This time the luck was good". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). p. B-1. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Doyle, Mike (September 8, 1980). "Pack wins with freaky finish". Rockford Register Star (clipping). p. C1. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Sandlot play wins for Pack (C-1)". Syracuse Herald-Journal (clipping). UPI. September 8, 1980. p. C-1. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ "Sandlot play wins for Pack (C-4)". Syracuse Herald-Journal (clipping). UPI. September 8, 1980. p. C-4. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Packers stun impotent Bears". The Register-Mail (clipping). Associated Press. September 8, 1980. p. B-1. Retrieved October 1, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ McGinn, Bob (September 8, 1980). "No big deal: McCarren: Part 1". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). p. B-1. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ McGinn, Bob (September 8, 1980). "No big deal: McCarren: Part 2". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). p. B-2. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. 1 2 Christl, Cliff (December 8, 1980). "Green Bay Packers - R.I.P.: Part 1". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). p. B-1. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. 1 2 Christl, Cliff (December 8, 1980). "Green Bay Packers - R.I.P.: Part 2". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). p. B-2. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ "Packers-Bears historical series breakdown by decade, superlatives". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. December 4, 2025. Archived from the original on December 18, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Yahoo.com.
  27. ↑ "1980 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2026. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  28. 1 2 Demovsky, Rob (November 1, 2013). "Remembering Chester Marcol's miracle". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  29. ↑ Radcliffe, JR (November 18, 2024). "The Walter Payton Game, Chester Marcol, Instant Replay and other close calls between the Bears and Packers in the past 40-plus years". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  30. ↑ Leigh, Andrew (June 2, 2018). "Packers vs. Bears: Top 10 Games in the NFL's Most Storied Rivalry". BleacherReport.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2026. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  31. ↑ Hendricks, Marty (January 10, 2026). "Packers legends reflect on Packers-Bears rivalry and Wild Card Playoff Game". Yahoo.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2026. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  32. ↑ Pierson, Don (October 6, 1996). "Great games and cheap shots define rivalry". Wisconsin State Journal (clipping). Chicago Tribune. p. 10D. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ D'Amato, Gary (January 18, 2011). "Marcol's touchdown among top Packers-Bears highlights". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  34. ↑ Houslot, Travis (August 31, 2011). "20 Memorable Plays for The Packers". Wisconsin Dells Events (clipping). p. 6. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ Radcliffe, JR (June 3, 2020). "50 in 50: Here are moments Nos. 71 to 80 among the greatest in Wisconsin sports over the past 50 years". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  36. ↑ D'Amato, Gary (February 22, 2017). "Ex-Packers kicker Chester Marcol finds peace, purpose". The Reporter (clipping). p. 4B. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ "First walk-off regulation TD in Packers history?". NBC26.com. December 4, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  38. ↑ Marcol, Chester; D'Amato, Gary (2011). Alive and Kicking: My Journey Through Football, Addiction and Life. KCI Sports Publishing.
  39. ↑ Anderson, Cheryl (September 27, 2011). "Former Packers kicker chronicles battle with drug addiction: Part 1". The Post-Crescent (clipping). p. C-1. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ↑ Anderson, Cheryl (September 27, 2011). "Former Packers kicker chronicles battle with drug addiction: Part 2". The Post-Crescent (clipping). p. C-3. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ↑ Durkin, Pat (November 19, 2016). "Packers Great Marcol Hunts for the Fun of It". The Post-Crescent (clipping). p. D1. Retrieved September 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chester_Marcol_Game&oldid=1378081457"