College All-Stars vs. NFL Champions: The Chicago Charities Football Games, 1934-1976

Originally created to help promote the Chicago World's Fair, the annual Chicago Charities College All-Star Game pitted college players against the defending NFL champion. For 42 years, the game launched the football season and attracted more than 90,000 spectators on several occasions. The Collegians prevailed nine times, including the stunning 20-17 defeat of Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers in 1963. This book covers the history of this notable and beloved interleague game, which began as a fundraiser for charitable organizations in Chicago and as a promotional tool for the NFL. It looks at the evolution of football and the NFL during the series, the stars as well as surprising participants, and the risks faced by players. Read more