1958 Classic Still Rings True

Legendary Giants-Colts matchup looks odd to Eagles' Reid, but remains 'awesome'

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 22, 2008 4:58 PM CDT

(Newser) – Pigskin was served up differently 50 years ago, and Atlantic scribe Marc Bowden learned just how differently by watching the 1958 New York Giants-Baltimore Colts classic with current Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid. “You can’t even do that today," Reid said of the Colts' first play. “You have to have some guys on the line of scrimmage.” The game was also quicker—with no pauses for commercial breaks—and plays were simpler.

"This was just a part-time job for these guys," Reid noted. "They didn't have the time time" to study "all day." But some elements still thrill: Johnny Unitas, Reid says, threw just like Brett Favre. And his final, winning drive at Yankee Stadium is as riveting as any in modern ball. “This is just simple football right now, man,” Reid said. "Awesome."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

The 1958 championship game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts is considered the greatest football game ever played. (Shutterstock)

Johnny Unitas hurls the ball in the 1958 championship game against the New York Giants (Getty Images)

In this Sept. 7, 2008 file photo, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid appears on the sidelines during the first quarter of an NFL football game with the St. Louis Rams in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek, File)

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Very seldom do you see the same formation in a game anymore. That’s just the way it is today. But this was just a part-time job for these guys. They didn’t have the time to be in the building [for classroom study] all day. - Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid

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1958 Classic Still Rings True