‘I used to be blind drunk for Super Bowl after massive evening – however nonetheless led us to victory’
You’d forgive even essentially the most diehard of NFL followers for not figuring out who Max McGee is.
However, in 1967, the wide-receiver – affected by a hangover – earned his spot in NFL historical past as he impressed his Green Bay Packers to their first Super Bowl success. It was the primary ever version of the Super Bowl that summer time, with the NFL champions taking over the AFC upstarts.
It was extra of a gimmick match – akin to the trendy day Pro Bowl. However, for legendary coach Vince Lombardi, successful was all the things, and he wished to ‘defend the honour of the league’.
READ MORE: Inside World Cup 2026 remaining stadium – Super Bowl controversy, skyline view, 28k parking spots
READ MORE: Rugby stars who moved to NFL – and what occurred to them subsequent
Learn extra
Watch each Playoff recreation together with Super Bowl LVIII dwell, plus hundreds of hours of on-demand programming together with Hard Knocks, NFL Network, NFL Films and way more.
Get the genuine American broadcast expertise in English with U.S commercials, half-time reveals and evaluation.
£19.99
DAZN
McGee was within the twilight of his profession – and he reportedly toyed with the thought of retirement the season beforehand. However, he had determined to proceed as a backup for the Packers, receiving a profession low three receptions all season.
He had no hope of enjoying a single snap in the course of the Super Bowl. McGee’s former team-mate Paul Hornung revealed to Sports Illustrated, McGee had snuck out the night earlier than the sport – anticipating Hornung to affix him.
What do you consider Max McGee’s hangover heroics? Let us know within the feedback part
(Image: Sports Illustrated by way of Getty Images)
“He called and said, ‘I’ve got two girls, and yours is gorgeous,’ come out and have a couple of drinks with us.'” Hornung, who was weary of the $5,000 and was getting married later within the week, declined.
And so, alone with a few women, McGee partied into the evening, with Hornung subsequent listening to from him at 6:30am: “He called from the lobby and asked if they did a second check. I said, ‘No, you lucky b******, now get your ass up here.'”
McGee did not get a wink of sleep, and he rocked as much as the wide-receivers assembly with a pounding headache. Boyd Dowler joked: “We’re having our little assembly and Max says, ‘Whatever you do, do not go down immediately.’
(Image: Focus on Sport by way of Getty Images)
Watch Super Bowl in type
Experience the massive recreation this yr at Hard Rock Cafe as NFL fanatics are invited to rally behind their favorite staff at both Hard Rock Cafe London (10pm-4am) or Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus (10:30pm-4am) for the highly-anticipated annual showdown.
Standard tickets are simply £62 per particular person, and embody entry, a reserved seat, two Budweiser beers, and three gadgets off the brand new Big Game Menu, which options American classics equivalent to sliders, nachos, wings, loaded tater tots and extra.
For followers in search of an elevated expertise, the VIP bundle at Piccadilly Circus is accessible at £99 per particular person. This unique bundle consists of entry, two Budweiser beers, a reserved seat within the premium VIP space, a particular Big Game welcome cocktail, 4 meals gadgets from the Big Game Menu, and a complimentary Goody Bag. Book tickets right here
“I said, ‘What do you mean?’ Max says, ‘I was out all night, and I had a few more drinks than I should have, and I didn’t get much sleep. So just don’t go down.'”
Dowler, nevertheless, had been enjoying the season with a dodgy shoulder – and it took only one hit to interrupt it. Lombardi, wanting alongside his bench, noticed the hungover McGee and referred to as him onto the gridiron.
McGee was so unprepared he was unable to search out his helmet, and he needed to borrow a linebackers. And it went from unhealthy to worse when he dropped his first catch.
(Image: Getty Images)
Amazingly, the celebs began to align for McGee. He caught one landing, after which one other, because the Packers began to run away with the sport.
When the Packers had been topped as the primary Super Bowl champions, McGee had seven receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns. “He had the game of his life,” joked Hornung.
