Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Exhibition Game in North Carolina, 1954

On September 11, 1954, the Packers faced off against the Washington Redskins in a pre-season exhibition game in Raleigh, North Carolina. Photos from that game give us another look at our club's 1954 uniforms.

Washington Redskin running back Charlie Justice evades a tackler after catching a pass for an eleven-yard gain against the Green Bay Packers at Riddick Stadium, Raleigh, N.C. on September 11, 1954.
In those days, Washington was the southernmost city in the NFL, and owner Preston Marshall considered the entire South as his territory. He drafted many players from southern schools, and he held exhibitions all over the region. This particular contest was a night game held at North Carolina State University, and featured his star halfback, Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice, a local boy and alumnus of UNC.

Washington Redskin running back Charlie Justice rushing along the left sideline
I don't recognize the Packer trying to chase down Justice; the Packers' website doesn't list #55 as having been issued in 1954, so it's someone who wasn't on the roster by the time the regular season rolled around.

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