1981 AFC Championship Game: Chargers vs. Bengals | "The Freezer Bowl" | NFL Full Game

[@drifterman319]

Two of the greatest announcers ever here. Miss them greatly .

[@user-cq6dg6ql9j]

I love watching this game wrapped in a heated blanket next to the fireplace. It gives you a serious appreciation for simple things like warmth. And thank you to the folks who upload these classic games.

[@Imisambi]

yes

[@Imisambi]

😊....💯💯

[@robertlevine2827]

I don't know how that reporter who was on the sidelines wearing a fedora could stand not having his ears covered in that cold. I live in Boston; on 20-degree days, my inner ears feel like they're going to explode if I don't have a wool winter hat on to cover my ears. And on that day it felt like 80 degrees lower than that.

[@Imisambi]

@@robertlevine2827 It's amazing there aren't more or any deaths or serious issues as a result of playing in such temps...from players, coaches & fans.... perhaps it's covered up ..but growing up, loved the idea of football in the cold & in the 'elements'

[@sludge8506]

@@Imisambi I worked outside all my adult life in a northern climate, and, simply, a person figures out pretty fast what they have to do to stay reasonably comfortable.

[@skillmaster2255]

Cold NFL games in the playoffs are the best. They are the most memorable and fascinating games to watch because not only are the teams battling each other in the playoffs, they are also battling the elements. Doesn't get any better...

[@spontaneouz1000-sr6ls]

This was a truly a home field advantage for the Bengals

[@davidlafleche1142]

...but not on Astroturf.

[@sludge8506]

⁠​⁠@@spontaneouz1000-sr6ls Yeah, because Cincinnati is a brutally cold destination. Heck, they average 15 inches of snow per winter, and an average high close to 40 degrees Fahrenheit all winter.

[@cruzcrane654]

@@sludge8506would you disagree? Would you argue that it was a disadvantage to the bengals? The crowd was in favor of the chargers as well?

[@sludge8506]

@@cruzcrane654 I disagree that it was an advantage for Cincinnati. Cincinnati is not a cold weather city. However, there’s always the home field advantage, no matter what the weather is. Currently, betting establishments give three points to the home team on the point spread. The Bengals won the game, though. Good for them. 👍👍👍👍

[@pgo301]

What a brilliant copy of a highly acclaimed game. I never got to see this game due to being in the overseas military. THANK YOU for positing.

[@nathaniellevesque2782]

The week prior, the Chargers played in the heat and humidity of Miami. The following week, they pretty much played in Antarctica.

[@rosswood6333]

Nathaniel Levesque it's why u get homefield

[@DeafBhoy]

But this is just a summer day in Antarctica 😉

[@dantheman5745]

Cincinnati crushed the Chargers earlier in the year, 40-17, in San Diego. It didn't matter where they played this game, or what the climate would have been. Cincinnati was going to the Super Bowl. San Diego was going home.

[@muffs55mercury61]

Yeah in Miami they were having a heatwave, literally. The heat index was well into the 90s.

[@WaltGekko]

And had a penalty on 4th Down not gone against the Bills a week earlier in the Division playoff game played in Cincinnati against these Bengals the day after the SD-MIA game that to me is still the greatest game in NFL history, the Chargers would have been likely HOSTING the Bills in the AFC Championship game presenting the NFL with what at the time would have been a big problem because both games would have been on the West Coast. Today that would not be an issue, but back then, with Churches having MUCH greater say they likely file a ton of complaints against the FCC for having sports airing during the "prime time access" period of 7:00-8:00 PM (6:00-7:00 PM CT) on Sundays that for many years was restricted to news or children's programming (as many even now associate pro sports with gambling), especially since Dallas-SF ("The Catch" game that immediately followed this one) likely winds up with a 6:30 PM ET kickoff on CBS resulting in a lot of FCC complaints.

[@theredbaronlives9889]

1981 NFL playoffs had 3 alltime memorable games.this one,epic in Miami a week earlier,and Dallas vs San Francisco nfc tittle game "theCatch".

[@bigbline405]

Why old football is better than anything today

[@robertosso5210]

forget about the catch between dallas and san francisco the only thing that was important in that game was that eric wright horse collard drew pearson in which dallas was robbed

[@Imisambi]

@@robertosso5210 pass interference ? they weren't calling that back thing on tackles

[@milesrickman9270]

@@robertosso5210 Exactly! I watched this game live with my parents when I was eleven years old. Nobody remembers Danny White finding Drew Pearson over the middle on a slant pattern,and Eric Wright was using that “gunk” stick-em on his hands and saved a touchdown by horse collar tackling Drew,because no one was between Drew and the end zone. That play happened AFTER the catch by Dwight Clark. Danny White fumbled on the next play to send SF to the Super Bowl. Makes me sick in 2022!

[@robertosso5210]

@@milesrickman9270 and also danny white really didnt fumble his arm was going forward when the ball got knocked out of his hand

[@robertslydell6990]

I always liked the Enberg/Olsen team.

[@cmitchel35]

Me too.

[@MrGb4ever]

They were the best.

[@paulsarna5066]

Very sad that Enberg and Olsen are no longer with us.

[@jeremythompson9122]

I agree. I always liked Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy as well. Charlie Jones was great too

[@budbinner2276]

Robert Slydell great pair!!

[@euclideszoto997]

I remember watching this game in NJ. The Hudson River was frozen over and it was 28 below 0 watching at home. Dan Fouts said about the game: We lost as soon as we got off the plane.

[@77-ty7gb]

Bengals beat the Chargers in the regular season that year. The game was IN San Diego and Cincy won 40-17. Regardless of the weather the Chargers were going to lose

[@graciemaemarie11jones16]

@@77-ty7gb agree. fouts was a loser

[@SolidPain6624]

Ken Anderson= Most underrated QB of all time

[@kennethanderson7229]

Justin Kiwi Thank you sir, you're much too kind

[@discocactus2770]

WHO DEY!

[@desmondanderson5542]

Hes better than Andy Dalton and Boomer Esiason

[@mooiemooface1550]

Disco Cactus No. Terry Bradshaw is the most underrated. Ken Anderson 2nd.

[@SolidPain6624]

mooiemooface no.

[@discocactus2770]

How is Ken Anderson not in the hall of fame? Fantastic player.

[@dantheman5745]

Incompetent HOF voters who ignorantly over-accentuate team accomplishments (winning SBs) when assessing individual value. Weak-minded HOF voters who are unduly influenced by self-promoting players and too lazy to analyze more than just superficial factors for players, like Ken Anderson, who didn't promote themselves. Shallow HOF voters who are overly influenced by things like a random sound bite ("In fact, I guarantee we'll beat the Colts") or heavy exposure of players from big-market teams.

[@caponsacchi]

Anderson was exceptionally modest, the complete "team player," which places humility above preening, destructive pride. Which was also the Paul Brown playbook. The '70s were known for Steeler domination through defense and the "dead ball." But Ken Anderson in the '70s won his first 2 of 3 starts against 9 future Hall of Famers. Soon, he would introduce the nation to the new game when footballs would light up the skies and the scoreboards--with the highest QB rating in 1974 and again In 1975, when on Monday Night the Bengals beat O.J. Simpson and the Bills with Kenny's 450 yards passing. No other team in the NFL reached the 3000 yds passing that Anderson breezed thru. --by an athlete who exemplified the QB position. No wasted movement, back-pedaling on his tip toes, shot-gun formations--none of that for Anderson. He got to his mark,, then turned, planted his rear foot, waited til the last possible moment, and rifled the ball to Skip or threw a 65-yard rainbow to Isaac. Kenny paved the way for the big yardage of Fouts, who always had the giant-sized Winslow to throw to, and when the Bengals traded away the man Bill Walsh called the smartest receiver in the league--Charlie Joiner---Kenny's weapons were much fewer. But he'd fault himself before any other player. And in the early '80s he came all the way back--best QB rating in 81 and again in '82--setting the tone for the even greater shows of offense when Montana and Marino would pick up from Fouts' big yards. I suspect that, like baseball fans who are more impressed by home runs than batting averages--ithe HOF committee is more impressed by yards accumulated than completion percentage. Anderson is the most solid of 4 top QBs in '81 Pro-Bowl, yet the announcer, Fran Tarkenton, shows the "hero worship" of Fouts, who is sacked and parted from the ball 3 times by the NFC defenders, and each time Tarkenton says "Boy, what a tough tough player!" At another point Fran says "We never knew Ken could run until these past 2 years." That tells you something about the biases of many who were close to the game. (Anderson from the beginning was known as a highly mobile QB--Fouts was not. Fran apparently likes to keep his own specialty to himself.) The irony is that so many of the HOF players, incl. QB's--Marino, Fouts, Tarkenton--never won a Super Bowl. So that loss hardly explains the slight to a quarterback who was the Bengals "only" winning QB and, moreover, was a favorite of the revered legend, Paul Brown.

[@texasstadium]

@@dantheman5745 You are 100% correct.

[@scottclark4892]

He should be very under rated

[@dennissaunders5247]

Kenny was as good as any of them from that era.

[@JamesBess-y3o]

I was at this game at the top riverfront. It was cold ,but it was special.

[@elpostino1]

I was a big San Diego Charger fan growing up. This game broke my heart along with last years AFC Championship Game against the Raiders. The Chargers had their opportunities to go to the Superbowl but just could not do it. Nontheless, the Air Coryell Chargers will always be my favorite teams. They were sooo fun to watch.

[@mako8033]

I'M STILL A CHARGER FAN AND STILL GETTING MY HEART BROKEN . HOWEVER ...JUSTIN MAY BE THE ONE !!!!!

[@Imisambi]

saaame....watch these old videos in hopes of different outcome (( :

[@giantsr1eva]

@@mako8033 How can you possibly beat a team who beat you at home by 23 points? That’s what happened to the 1981 San Diego Chargers.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

This Raider fan had huge respect for Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow, and air Coryell. As much as a rival San Diego was, that team during those years is missing a SB ring. One of those years they really should have at least gone, if not won it all.

[@eddielester3589]

Nice post AZ...many memories. Football is first and foremost an element sport.This is what originally made the game exciting!

[@tonybino01]

The 80s was a great time to watch football. You can watch Enberg/Olsen, Summerall/Madden, a young Musberger, Bob Costas, MNF crew. They are all legends calling games played by legends.

[@daviclar867]

I grew up watching all you mentioned but can't stand Bob Costas. Not after his stance on the Washington Redskins name and believed it was racist.

[@EBRoyJr]

Like many commenting here, I remember watching this game at home in Huntington, WV. WEe had the same cold conditions.. So, at half-time I went down to the Ohio River to be feel like I was experiencing history. I was 15 years old at the time. I watched chunks of ice float downriver. This brings back great memories. Thank you for uploading.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

I lived in Champaign, IL and I'll also never forget the cold of that weekend. We didn't have the wind chill Cincy had, but it was -21F IIRC. I know my dog didn't take more than a few seconds to do her business instead of sniffing around for half an hour!

[@kingdomsgate]

Well after watching these recent playoff blowouts this weekend i have been enjoying these vintage games . Finally get to enjoy football again . Thank God for these real football games . Time in a bottle .

[@rtee48]

Still saying the same thing after this past weekend games?

[@sludge8506]

@@rtee48 He’s what I call an ancient armchair warrior. The nfl is *more* popular than *ever.* So the geezer likes to watch old games. So do I. But senseless whining is infantile.

[@rtee48]

​@@sludge8506I get him. Romanticizing the past. Someone will do the same with today's NFL. We move on though. Happy New Year to ya

[@MRBIG-ts2rm]

Kenny Anderson should be a HALL OF FAMER. Great player 👍.

[@Booth1667]

Ken Anderson is a poor man's Craig Morton. Absolutely not.

[@rivercap1986]

Wow that's cutthroat And that's from a Steelers fan

[@markfuller2656]

@@Booth1667 What a stupid ass comment. He was MVP and pro for most of his career and he had equal or better stats than Ken Stabler. He absolutely should be in the hall of fame.

[@williamstocker584]

That means nothing coming from a bum like you

[@hardcorehouse]

Good stats but not a special player

[@valentinmartinez9518]

Great game. During this pandemic I've watched many of past games, while lifting weights.Great enjoyment.

[@jonboxleitner7354]

Forrest Gregg played in the Ice Bowl and coached in the Freezer Bowl. What a life.

[@georgehahn6149]

He also played in the 62 NFL Championship game which I understood was brutally cold

[@ebsmith29]

Consider that he was born and went to high school not too far from Dallas. He played for SMU in Dallas. (It can get over 100 degrees during the summer there. I experienced it myself.) He won his last Super Bowl ring with the Cowboys. He definitely lived a football life.

[@docadams7099]

He was also on 3 Super Bow-winning teams (2 with the Packers, 1 with Dallas). Vince Lombardi rated Gregg as his best player. That says plenty right there.

[@gynandroidhead]

And he took the coaching job at his collegiate alma mater after the "death penalty" expired, saying it was the third time he was drafted and answered all three calls.

[@mtphill71]

He also died trapped inside a car during a blizzard. 🥺

[@ryanw2744]

The foot work and mechanics of Anderson look like a modern NFL QB. Bill Walsh was truly the master. He needs to be in the Hall of Fame

[@frankpalancio8471]

I get shivers just watching this video. Cincy fans were amazing.

[@ArmandoXGG1]

In my humble opinion, Ken Anderson is the Best QB of all times. He was a marvel in all kind of throws, great accuracy, great leadership, very mobile. If he had played in an elite team like Steelers, Cowboys, Raiders or Dolphins in the 70’s, he could easily win multiple Super Bowls

[@muffs55mercury61]

He played an amazing game. The concrete hard turf really bruised him up but didn't take him down.

[@mako8033]

MY GRANDMOTHER TOO AND BE NAMED SB MVP . OR IF SHE HAD BALLS THEN SHE WOULD'VE BEEN ....MY GRANDFATHER !!! ANDERSON WAS VERY GOOD BUT LET'S NOT GO CRAZY

[@markfuller2656]

@@mako8033 If Ken Stabler is in the HOF Kenny Anderson should also be. Stats are pretty much identical with Anderson throwing more touchdowns.

[@mako8033]

@@markfuller2656 I WAS BEING A SMARTASS. I HAVE ONLY ONE PROBLEM WITH ANDERSON. HE BEAT MY BELOVED CHARGERS IN THE AFC TITLE GAME. IT WAS SOOOO COLD THAT DAY . HE BROKE MY HEART BUT SURE PUT HIM IN . HE WAS A GREAT ONE .

[@danbev9313]

I watched this entire game back in 81. Remember like it was yesterday.

[@danbev9313]

@john woodham Hey old man. I was only 15 :) . San Diego was the prototypical warm weather team of that era. Folded like a cheap tent in fridgid weather. Good memories

[@daviclar867]

@@danbev9313 hey old men. lol. I was 14 and still can't believe Clark caught that ball! Heartbreaker for me.

[@Ryan2022]

@@daviclar867 I was eight And I was disappointed because I wanted to see the high flying chargers in the Super Bowl. Then I had to watch my beloved Cowboys be defeated a number of hours later

[@UncleClaudeSportsandThangs]

Exhibit A for why Kenny Anderson should be in the Hall of Fame.

[@kennethanderson7229]

Tell me about it.

[@pgraybengal]

No doubt about it as a Bengals fan I can say he was completing 70% in a era of QB's they were down around 50% plus Namath & Stabler HOF QB's had more career picks then TD's the DB WR rules much different all advantage offense none for the D, wasn't the case when Anderson played.

[@lovell123456789]

KENNY was a good qb

[@stealthiscool]

Claude White the king of the west coast offense

[@johnulmerRacing]

Deberg and Testaverde weren't career winners. I'm not sure he's a HOFer, but your "59%" comment doesn't help make you look like you know what you're talking about.

[@Muskegon333]

Riverfront Stadium field was Astroturf which was like playing on concrete. I don't think the QBs today could handle being slammed down on that stuff. The players, including quarterbacks were so much tougher back then.

[@caponsacchi]

They had to be tough. There were no rules against bumping receivers all the way down-field (the reason Shula started the practice of triple-teaming Isaac Curtis) and hands could be in the QB's face and around his neck.

[@buckshotjones9731]

ledsohio could you imagine Brady playing back then ? In games like the “freezer bowl” or against the doomsday defense or steel curtain

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@buckshotjones9731 I seriously doubt it, LOL.

[@buckshotjones9731]

Harambe Was Framed exactly. Ever since Roger Stalin Goodell became commissioner the NFL went to crap. Sports entertainment indeed.

[@buckshotjones9731]

Mark B Fensler he would have retired by his second season if not his rookie year. Probably would have been 3rd string

[@joegriego3091]

I remember watching this game. Heck, I was cold watching it!

[@d0nKsTaH]

This was a classic example of "Home field advantage"

[@adamdorgant9454]

True!!!!!

[@giantsr1eva]

@@adamdorgant9454 Why didn’t the Chargers win when they played the Bengals at home during the regular season?

[@adamdorgant9454]

@@giantsr1eva The Bengals just had the better team that season, to be honest!!!!

[@comfortat]

Another example of "Fouts Chokes in a Big Game." Muncie and Brooks were running well, but Fouts just kept trying to make himself the hero. The most overrated QB ever.

[@williamstocker584]

Calling someone overrated and you never made it to the nfl…yeah calling someone overrated means nothing coming from you

[@NFL]

16:48 Bengals Force Fumble on Kickoff 18:26 K. Anderson 8-yard TD Pass to Harris 33:46 D. Fouts 33-yard TD Pass to K. Winslow 40:23 P. Johnson 1-yard TD Run 46:38 D. Fouts Intercepted by Breeden 53:23 D. Fouts Intercepted by Kemp 1:01:57 Chargers Fumble in Bengal Territory 1:17:54 Bengals Fumble in Chargers Territory 1:36:44 K. Anderson 3-yard TD Pass to D. Bass 1:47:21 Chargers Stop Bengals on Fourth Down to Ice the Freezer Bowl

[@gucciboi1090]

NFL r

[@gucciboi1090]

NFL g

[@helloman107]

NFL Chargers stop Bengals???

[@robertridley1029]

NFL glad I didn't read this before watching the video. why are you giving away the results in the comments section for those of us not old enough to remember the game?

[@jkmracer15]

NFL zz

[@babyfir77]

Finally, I have completed my last game from the NFL archives. I hope the NFL will bring on some more classic games soon and not wait until the season starts to do it. Great memories!

[@marcl467]

Thank you NFL for posting the game

[@timmasterson7703]

I remember watching this game in our living room and I was freezing wrapped up in a blanket watching this game in doors

[@treybelcher3503]

I remember watching this as a 7yr old my first afc championship game!

i was 8.

[@SomeGuy-lv8bl]

I can relate. i was six. Still love this team and they drive me freaking crazy.

[@treybelcher848]

Some Guy which team?

[@JayDogTitan]

I'm sure some of the Charger players were thinking, "Damn, and we were complaining about the heat in Miami last week!!"

[@indy_go_blue6048]

I don't know why they should complain. The average temperature they played in was around 15 degrees; that's not unbearable, lmao.

[@txmetalhead82xk]

@@indy_go_blue6048 60 below zero in Cincinnati.

[@jasoncatron1039]

I really enjoyed this video. I would love to go back to 1981

[@krustymadrid4953]

what a day to be a football fan! such vivid memories

[@RonCunningham-mx2kk]

I went down to this game and it was super freezing !

[@danlivni2097]

Cris Collinsworth was the Bengals best receiver in 1981. He had over 1000 yards.

[@Agent-xn1hr]

6 quarterbacks that I wish would have got a Super Bowl ring: Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Warren Moon, Bert Jones, Ken Anderson & Dan Fouts. All should be in the HOF

[@jamesroberts1810]

Agent..my uncle said bert jones was tough ass nails

[@sebastiangonzalez-pf7zi]

Bernie kosar too

[@warrenbfeagins]

Tarkenton?

[@xxxxbigrich5752]

All of them are except Bert jones and Anderson

[@infernohellknight]

@@sebastiangonzalez-pf7zi Bernie got a ring as a Cowboy.

[@civlyzed]

Bengals are back in the Super Bowl!

[@Statuskuo75]

Miss Paul Brown. Modern football owes him so much

[@graciemaemarie11jones16]

paul brown was the architect of modern professional football

[@jessphiliprodriquez7381]

Catching the football must have been like catching a brick!

[@usernamestooken]

Smoking on the sideline, Anderson coming back in after clearly suffering a concussion at around 1:27:00 Crazy how different thing were back then

[@stephw1702]

Ken often tells the story of how in the first quarter he almost got knocked out. He had tucked his feet under the heated bench. When a roar came from the crowd he went to stand up yet his feet were still tucked so he ended up falling face first on the ground. Luckily he was still wearing his helmet at the time.

[@chrisorr4902]

1981 postseason had some remarkable moments.

[@johnphelan4215]

OMG, as a New Yorker we had the Giants and Jets both in for the first time in a while, then the next week the Epic in Miami, then the next week this game and The Catch game. Super Bowl looked like a blowout for a while but ended up tight. Best postseason ever all in all.

[@Avendale]

That old Riverfront turf was bad enough under favorable conditions.. I can't even imagine what it felt like on a day with -59 wind chill.. whatever these players got paid it wasn't enough

[@chrisuncleahmad789]

As bad as the weather was, I can't imagine how much worse it could have been had this game started later that noon

[@indy_go_blue6048]

I still can't figure out why the NFL schedules the 2cd playoff game of the day in cold weather places like GB and NE.

[@gatienlaurol5793]

@@indy_go_blue6048 It’s the nature of the game.

[@kevingreen2400]

@@indy_go_blue6048 The Bengals were 12-4 that season and had the #1 seed in the AFC, the Chargers were 10-6, the Bengals beat the Chargers 40-17 in week 10 (November 8) had the Chargers won that game both teams would have been 11-5 and the Bengals would have had to go to San Diego

[@indy_go_blue6048]

@@kevingreen2400 That I understand. I don't understand why... say, this weekend one game is in NO and the second game is in Buffalo (just for example.) Then the NFL schedules the NO game for 4pm and the Buffalo game for 7:30. That simply doesn't make sense to me.

[@DNSKansas]

Fortunately for all, the NFC title game was in San Francisco, so the scheduling was automatic.

[@howard2031]

Watching this while watching Dolphins vs Chiefs,the 4th coldest game all time.

[@robertgarcia7024]

The field must have felt like pure concrete.

[@nathaniellevesque2782]

They might as well have renamed that game, "Welome to Hell!"

[@penoyer79]

astro-turf was practically concrete to begin with.

[@cfoster81]

And the ball felt like a big slick rock if you were trying to throw and/or catch it, and the kickers and punters felt like they were kicking solid concrete

[@Mario-cv5el]

I got the idea that I was fine with it and they were so far away from the police and they had to carry the whole match

[@Imisambi]

can't imagine

[@kenc9265]

I was 15yrs old watching this game who would taking on my sister 49ers , and Niners won Super Bowl, now I just 58 .,such a good memory

[@ccjjpp1966]

I remember watching this game live on TV and felt cold just watching it!

[@michelleo7501]

Trust me, it was......

[@CelebrityGamerTV]

Dan Fouts deserved a super bowl ring.

[@gigyoung181]

no, he didn't

[@CJinsoo]

Deserve? He played an awful game. The Bengals QB played in the exact same weather and made passes going into the wind. Fouts really sucked in this game. He was inaccurate and he made very poor decisions.

[@jamesroberts1810]

Andeson play better that day...coryell didnt make any adjustments...

[@teamlovell38]

It's not a GM in football who would take Anderson over Fouts. Fouts didn't play as well as Anderson in this game because of the weather. That being said Anderson was a damn good qb but Fouts was a no questions asked HOF

[@jeremythompson9122]

Not really. But San Diego did kinda get screwed by the weather in this game. I believe that if it was even halfway decent weather that San Diego would've won

[@janemargaretaguhobchildres7558]

Great video! Enberg at his best. The refs seem to let the game flow well without the constant penalties like now. The players also seem to play without getting in each other's face after every play. No whining in 82!

[@jimijakjones99]

It was too cold to get in anybodys face Lol . The Chargers were a dead tired team after playing double overtime the week before in humid Miami . Throw in the fact that the Chargers flew from San Diego to Miami to San Diego to Cincinnati and play 2 NFL games all in 8 days .

[@kidmack1121]

@Jane Margaret Aguho... Don't ya just hate that about today's game? I haven't watched a game played in this century in 6 seasons now because of all the foolishness on and off the field, including the SB this past Sunday, and I used to be a BIG 49er fan!

[@cr-nd8qh]

People were tougher then

[@MrOldDude]

Was there and on the field for a long time. Was with the Marching Band. We didn’t march at half time cause the instruments froze up and our breath couldn’t keep them un-froze.🎺

[@MrOldDude]

Also, the feels like temp is a real thing. People below debating wind chill but from experience. IT WAS COLD!

[@bertgetslit6239]

As much as I love the bengals, and Kenny Anderson, Dan Fouts is such a badass and my 2nd all time favorite quarterback.

[@jimijakjones99]

Dan Fouts was my favorite quarterback of all time but now that honor goes to Philip Rivers.

[@sebastiangonzalez-pf7zi]

Stan humphries was good too

[@jamesmurphy5742]

Fouts wasn't much of a badass in this game!!

[@rtee48]

Choker in the big games, as much as I loved the Chargers back then

[@cityhawk]

@@rtee48What Charger QB hasn't choked in the big game? That's what happens when you don the lightning bolts.

[@richerdchikosky7558]

Coldest day I can remember. Yes there have been days a couple years ago when it was -10 and below, but it was not as cold as this day. I was 11 when this was played.

[@nitaishcomer9431]

BACK WHEN THEY ONLY SHOWED THE SCORE A COUPLE OF TIMES DURING THE WHOLE GAME!

[@patmalloy3569]

Gotta say I'm enjoying watching this more than today's games. Lot less filler, just pure football

[@stealthiscool]

Ken Anderson should be in the HOF

[@vincentigoa6122]

Yes, he should ! :)

[@atrain818]

stealthiscool agreed. I think he went 2 augustana

[@danhansell2799]

Yes he should. Way better than Joe Namath who is in. I think if he doesn't throw that interception in the 1st Q of SB 16 off the SF fumble on the opening KO and instead the Bengals go in to score and take a 7-0 lead, they win that game and KA is in the HOF. YEs I believe capping off that one drive with a TD was that huge for KA and his HOF future

[@mdcool3487]

This is the NFL I like to watch now in 2021.

[@mikewhitworth2392]

Watched it on TV the day it was played. It was cold in Austin, Texas, but not like it was in Cincinnati... It was nice watching it in a warm, heated efficiency apt... Grateful I was able to watch it. I love football. Still love staying warm inside when it's freezing cold outside.

[@robertridley1029]

#14 is the number for legends in Cincinnati professional sports

[@JAWrightonline]

Ken Anderson, Oscar Robertson, Pete Rose.

[@wildfrogsentertainment1154]

I was at that game from the start to the Finish. We were in our ski gear even ski boots. We actually sat up there with ski boots on. What people don't know is all of the bathrooms froze. People were pissing and crapping all around the ramps. It was so cold was unbelievable.

[@paulspencer4834]

I was there, left at halftime, too damn cold!

[@theredbaronlives9889]

1981 was a memorable NFL season the playoffs had great games SDvsMia 41-38 2ot thriller BuffvsNYJ wc NYG made playoffs 1st time since 1963 and of course the DALvsSF "theCatch" NFC title game which aired right after this game was over!

[@RCT1963]

40 years ago. Feels like 40 days.

[@mystriddlery]

This bengals team reminds me so much of the current 2021-2022 team. Young blood, great players, recovering from a rough patch to overcome the odds. It’s been decades since I was this excited for the bengals even though the Palmer/chad Johnson era was fun to watch too.

[@blainechild9068]

The thing said -59 degrees!!! That's damn cold!!

[@Ttking1018]

Mad respect for colinsworth. I wasn’t his biggest fan but after watching this game I give him props and I will give him the respect he deserves.

[@Bux2spend]

Liked him as a player, not so much as an announcer.

[@jayjayfool1996]

If he would stop glazing mahomes he’d be a better commentator

[@marka4261]

These days they would be throwing flags every play...this is when they were allowed to play

[@glennhalila8279]

I was invited to go to this game, but I had a booth @ The Sports, Boat and Travel Show @ the Cincinnati Convention Center in Downtown Cincinnati. It was cold. I had a Mini Art Gallery Set up and I had signed an Agreement to Man My Booth. It was Brutally Cold. The Cold was coming up from the Concrete Floor @ The Convention Center. We all had a TV in our Booths to watch the Game. I had a lot of Beautiful Oil Paintings of Scenery that I sold, but people kept asking for Bengal Tiger Paintings of which I was able to obtain. Those Bengals were very exciting to watch. I actually became friendly with David Verser (who was a Cincinnati Policeman when he retired) and James Brooks who ended up in Cincinnati and playing for the Bengals. I used to see him at my favorite Sports Bar/Restaurant with his wife. Both of these guys were stand up gentlemen and down to earth and were fun to chat with too! I also got to talk with Pete Johnson, he was working for a Big Home improvement Company and he also was a Gentleman.

[@SuperDetroit9]

As a hardcore Chargers fan since 1979 when they HUMBLED the defending-champion Steelers 35-7,I was almost in shock at the results here,after the STUPENDOUS victory at Miami the week before!! Finally"forgave"the Bengals for this game a year or two ago,when I bought an Anthony Munoz and Chris Collingsworth throwback jersey!!

[@richsleyster2656]

I was 10 years old. It was so cold that my parents wouldn’t let me go outside to play. The Chargers went from the heat of Miami, flew back to Cali, then flew 3 time zones into this. San Diego didn’t stand a chance.

[@77-ty7gb]

Bengals beat the Chargers in the regular season that year. The game was IN San Diego and Cincy won 40-17. Regardless of the weather the Chargers didn't stand a chance

[@captaindoeverything]

it was a cold day, it was so cold on route to the game we saw lawyers with their hands in their own pockets . . .

[@julioarce229]

How old are you now Rich?

[@yung824]

Of course they wouldn't let u go outside in that bitter cold weather u coulda di#d out there

[@adamprince5547]

refreshing to watch a game where the teams were actually allowed to hit each other

[@kennethanderson7229]

Ahhhh. The good old days. You just don't see temperatures like this any more. Most modern players couldn't handle it. They would probably cry about it.

[@adamf6185]

well the seahawks and vikings played in -6 degrees a year ago

[@buckfuttler2877]

imagine how good 2013 seahawks d would have been if they could play like this...

[@jimbo-fk4dq]

Adam 549189 Adam AF It's really why the Vikings should have built their new stadium open air or at least retractable roof, then open it in December. Teams struggled with the weather in Minneapolis in the 70s, and in 2013, a more talented Seahawks team had trouble with the cold.

[@tomshelton1447]

Meaning the rules in today's game make it insufficiently violent for you? Sorry, but today's game is too violent. Hardly a single quarter goes by without a stoppage while someone is carted off the field due to a hard hit. Look at how many old pros are going senile due to concussions. I'm not advocating touch football, but it's obvious something needs to be done to reduce the carnage.

[@bryanlinville7275]

I was 10 years old when I watch this game. It was a awesome day in Cincinnati!!

[@caponsacchi]

Merlin Olson says after Fouts first pass, "you lose the feeling in your hand for the ball in weather this cold." He doesn't notice, or neglects to point out, that Fouts is wearing a glove on his passing hand; Anderson elects to throw bare handed. The Bengals came in with the better record than the Chargers, they'd beaten San Diego in the regular season, and handled their nemesis, the Steelers, in both season games. Anderson was #1 rated passer in this season (and #1 runner among QBs), since he had a line that could protect him and players who could run the ball (P. Johnson) as well as help for Curtis (Collingsworth, Ross). But despite his impressive numbers, Anderson at the age of 32 didn't have the same zip on the ball as he did at ages 24 and 25 (again #1 passer, under QB coach Bill Walsh). He's a smarter QB, but he couldn't do much about the turn-overs that cost the Bengals their first Superbowl.

[@ShmuelWeintraub]

7 minutes in... a close up shows Fouts playing without a glove. The first pass I saw (at 5:30) was made without a glove. He was wearing gloves when on the sidelines and pulled his undershirt sleeves down over his hands between plays. You can see him pulling his sleeves back exposing bare hands at 6:20. Not sure if you live in a cold climate or have experienced one, but your fingers can go numb just as easily with a glove on in truly cold temps. One of the body's adaptations to cold is that it reduces blood flow to extremities to try to maintain normal body temp in the core.

[@carloschambliss2238]

I REMEMBER this game like yesterday, I was watching it my GRANDPARENTS HOUSE on 2909 Curtis Street Chattanooga Tennessee in the MIDDLE ROOM where my GRANDFATHER passed away. IF IT WAS before September 25, I was 8 years old. PHOTO MEMORY......

[@jasonsmith6408]

34:10 smoking on the sideline. ..imagine that now

[@milart12]

I know..always get a kick out of it when I see it. I remember when I was a kid seeing Hank Aaron smoking in the dugout when he was with the Brewers.

[@otaviofrnazario]

If I seen this, I have to choose which way to die: from the smoke or from the physical effort of beating him up

[@cedericocosantorini8013]

Yeah, nasty.

[@walterlv01]

Very rare for Cincinnati/Kentucky to see this kind of cold. I think I read that this was the third or fourth-coldest day ever in the city dating to the 1800s. The Sunday before this when the Bengals beat Buffalo at home the temperature was in the 50s.

[@jerradmechals1]

Strange watching games back in the day. Gotta admit it's kinda nice to not see the players celebrate after every first down. Or when the score a touchdown, they don't all go into some stupid dance routines. Just some high fives and hand the ball to the ref

[@tylourbrewington4042]

Back when respect was a thing in the nfl

[@alexdelarge703]

@@tylourbrewington4042 In all sports, really

[@rtee48]

@@tylourbrewington4042 Yeah back when you received shots to the head, clotheslined, punched, hit while on the ground. Oh by the way, the Broad Street Bullies in hockey, brawls in basketball, McEnroe in tennis. So Much Respect huh. Don't judge by one game, dancing and celebrating aren't the only ways to disrespect. If that's disrespecting.

[@rtee48]

@@alexdelarge703 See my comment to Tylour Brewington

[@alexdelarge703]

@@rtee48 Apples and oranges. These clowns nowadays can’t get a first down without doing some kind of taunting. It’s ridiculous. You’re confusing passion with showmanship.

[@Charles73358]

I will never forget this great game my most memorable part is quarterback Ken Anderson calling out the signals and you can hear it very well I believe Ken Anderson will be in the Hall of Fame one day hopefully before Joe Burrow makes it 🤔 👍

[@mikethomas5231]

One of my favorite games.( Regular or postseason.)

[@king513james7]

My dad was at this game the stories he tells about it are wild .. they had a 1970 charger with Bengal stripes and was the only car would start that day lol how ironic

[@jeffreybeshears8211]

Rip olsen enberg muncie coryell etc

[@ritchietodd409]

Nobody ever brings up that Forrest Gregg played in the Ice Bowl and coached in this game, the Freezer Bowl.

[@ulphil08]

Man was it cold out there

[@carldagroundskeeper]

I can't fathom going to regular season games anymore...last one I went to was the Ravens at the 49ers, December 03. I can't even imagine how this one must have been!

[@robertgarcia7024]

Neither Miami or SD had a chance of winning this game just one week after the "Epic in Miami."

[@WaltGekko]

If a penalty had not gone against the Bills late in their division playoff game the day after the "Epic in Miami," the Bills likely win that game against the Bengals and the AFC Championship game is in San Diego with the Bills having to travel cross-country. Probably a MUCH different result.

[@stevelyons5297]

Walt Gekko No chance... you mean the same Bills team that the Bengals beat earlier in the year? We also crushed San Diego in San Diego the same year

[@boogitybear2283]

This game alone should have put Ken Anderson into the Hall of Fame.

[@dozyproductionss]

34:07 The guy is smoking on the field. What a time..

[@ernestomendozamartinez9593]

Este Equipo de San Diego es el mas Grande equipo que jamás haya visto tengo 40 años eb el ambiente de la NFL y nadie se acerca ni por poco a mis Cargadores del 1981 arriba los cargadores de San Diego por siempre

[@NascarGuy11292]

I can't imgaine sitting out in that weather for 3 hours and being so cold

[@gregoryfreeman2269]

Yeah, call me a "fair weather" Californian (relocated), but I wouldn't even sit out in that kind of cold to see a Cowboys' game (I'm a lifelong Cowboys fan), even if it was an NFC Championship game, I had my choice of seats, a Cowboys cheerleader of my choosing as a companion for the entire game, and a return trip home on Jerry Jones' private plane (l.o.l.)

[@shootr1303]

A bunch of Bengal fans took their shirts off for the entire game. Fouts supposedly saw that and freaked out.

[@отпирайте]

Shootr i heard that one fan who took his shirt off died

[@MGAF688]

Come to Minnesota. -59 F is a warm March day in Minnesota. It often approaches -90 or -100 F in various places in Minnesota.

[@1983jblack]

@@отпирайте I think the one riding around on the stuffed Bengal tiger did die because of the elements

[@lamontconyers1715]

Great game by Cincinnati. the conditions were absolutely brutal. I remember how cold it was that day in the dmv. Fouts and the chargers were a great offensive team. I know it had to be tough playing in a game like that.

[@nathaniellevesque2782]

-59 degrees is almost unheard of in Minnesota. Let alone Cincinnati.

[@ChrisDrummondAW]

Old and incorrect wind chill formula. Really was -37F.

[@nathaniellevesque2782]

AstrorumLucet Still freakishly cold.

[@mooiemooface1550]

AstrorumLucet no it was -59 dipshit

[@ChrisDrummondAW]

Yes, wind chill, which I believe I mentioned. The -9F game-time temperature is of course mentioned correctly in the video and the article.

[@1983jblack]

@@mooiemooface1550 The wind chill formula has changed since the game was played dipshit. In 1982, the wind chill was recorded as -59 F. With today's wind chill formula, it equates to -37 F.

[@doclew28]

I wish ALL these old games were this clear... This is awesome... A blast back to my being 11 years old wanting to see who my Raiders would play... LOL

[@a1gamer561]

Back when the Bengals could actually win playoff games

[@nicholsjonte]

You mean back when we actually had a team owner who actually knew what the hell he was doing, who wasn't greedy, who knew the game of football, he was a former head coach with a history of winning, and was also very good businessman. Do you know what teams equal the Bengals of the 80's in today's game: the Patriots led by Bill Belichick that's the equivalent.

[@randyware9645]

Yeah they got to the superbowl twice, both against the 49ers, and both losses

[@salvatoreperez5113]

The Destroyed the Heaters on purpose

[@landinmycourt]

Jonte Nichols Guess his only mistake was not making Bill Walsh his head coach.

[@snakeoiler1292]

+@@nicholsjonte The idiot owner let Bill Walsh go! He sure knew what he was doing.

[@jefftaylor1186]

33:49 This might be the best throw anyone has ever made in the NFL given the conditions

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

It was impressive. But I think Anderson's throw at 39:39 was better considering it was into the wind. If you see the replay from the endzone view by NFL films you can see the ball almost make a tight S through the wind, right into Curtis hands. Still, the fact ANYONE could throw and complete a pass in these conditions was amazing.

[@nickmello9415]

Good luck this Sunday Cincy!

[@2274brian]

Don Bass, who recovered the fumble on the kick off was murdered about 7 years later. This was his final game in Cincinnati as he played for the Saints in 1982 and then never played again. Bobby Kemp, Safety for the Bengals, committed suicide 16 years later. Sad endings for some of these guys.

[@justinmj6586]

The second football game I ever watched as a child. The first was the SD-Mia thriller in the divisional round the week prior that some consider the greatest game ever played. The third game I ever watched was later this day, ending with the greatest pass ever thrown; Montana to Clark, back of the end zone. I became a hopeless Chargers fan....life would have been much easier if I had chosen the 49ers.

[@bobdaniels8449]

My dad went to this game when he was a kid, he told me he had like 4 layers of clothing and a sleeping bag! He also told me the Kenny Anderson and Dan Fouts got frostbite on their hands!🥶

[@wildfrogsentertainment1154]

I was at that game also it was so freaking cold it was unbelievable. Ask your dad if he still alive if he remembers the bathrooms all freezing up