In football, there is little more exciting than sudden death overtime.  NFL games were decided in sudden death for a number of years, giving the opponent no chance for a rebuttal – the NFL added a rebuttal opportunity if the first offensive drive leads to a field goal in 2012.  The only thing more intense for sports fans than an overtime game, is an overtime championship game.

On this day, December 28th, in 1958, the Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants 23-17 in overtime. The 1958 championship was the first NFL playoff game to go into sudden death overtime.  With the score tied 17 to 17, the game ended with a 13 play, 80 yard drive led by Baltimore quarterback Johnny Unitas.   Baltimore receiver Raymond Berry had 12 receptions for 178 yards and a touchdown in the game.

The 1958 Championship earned the name, “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”  It is also credited with greatly increasing the NFL’s popularity, as the game was broadcasted to a national audience on NBC.