1959 Pro Bowl

1959 East–West Pro Bowl

Eastern Conference Western Conference 28 21 Head coach: Jim Lee Howell (New York Giants) Head coach: Weeb Ewbank (Baltimore Colts)
1 2 3 4 Total Eastern Conference 9 7 0 12 28 Western Conference 7 7 7 0 21
Date	January 11, 1959
Stadium	Memorial Coliseum,Los Angeles, California
Co-MVPs	Frank Gifford(New York Giants),Doug Atkins(Chicago Bears)
Attendance	72,250
TV in the United States
Network	NBC
Announcers	Jim Gibbons,Van Patrick

The1959Pro Bowlwas theNFL's ninth annualall-star gamewhich featured the outstanding performers from the1958 season.The game was played on January 11, 1959, at theLos Angeles Memorial ColiseuminLos Angeles, Californiain front of 72,250 fans. The East scored 12 unanswered points in the fourth period to pull out a 28-21 victory.

The West team was led by theBaltimore Colts'Weeb EwbankwhileJim Lee Howellof theNew York Giantscoached the East squad.

The pregame build-up centered around West quarterbackBill Wadeand East counterpartNorm Van Brocklin,who had spent four seasons asLos Angeles Ramsteammates. After the 1957 season, with the less accomplished but younger Wade in the wings, Rams management decided not to extend Van Brocklin's contract. That prompted the 31-year-old veteran to retire briefly before he was dealt to thePhiladelphia Eagles,one of the most significant developments of the off-season. The Pro Bowl marked a triumphant return to Los Angeles for the quarterback, who hooked up with Eagles endPete Retzlaffon a 15-yard touchdown pass that gave the East a 26-21 lead with less than three minutes left in the fourth period.

New York GiantshalfbackFrank Giffordwas selected as the outstanding back of the game andChicago Bearsdefensive endDoug Atkinswas named the outstanding lineman.

External links

• "1959 Pro Bowl players".Pro-Football-Reference.com.Archivedfrom the original on January 22, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 31,2012.