The Toilet Bowl: How 3rd Place Used to Be Determined | NFL Films Presents 

The Play Off Bowl had two prime objectives: 1) Provide an extra TV game to fund the NFL pension plan. and 2) Broaden the pool of post season bonuses. The $1500 per man winners share and the $750 losers share is significant when you are making $15000. a season. Note none of the players ever passed on the dough.

I attended the final game, where the Rams shut out the Cowboys, 31-0. Roger Brown, who was featured in this, played in that game for the Rams. As a kid who had just become a football fan, it was the first football game I ever attended. a few days earlier, I celebrated my 11th birthday, and attended the game with my father and older brother, who both, sadly, are now gone.

3:39 Seeing them use modern broadcast technology on classic clips is honestly so cool. Also between this and the College All-Star Game, the NFL really did love its bizarre exhibition games that aged like milk.

RIP Roger Brown. Go Lions and he should be in the Hall of Fame

NCAA March Madness used to do Consolation game too before championship game

Thank you NFL Films for even acknowledging this game existed. It seemed like it was kept quiet for so long. Easy today to criticize with 24/7 NFL coverage, but in an era with the possibility of seeing no more than 3 games a week, and little to no during-the-week content, an extra game is a big deal. And for the players, an extra week's game check was a very big deal. Proceeds also went to the pension fund. It's much like a college bowl. Whoever wants to be there more will put out a better effort. It had its place and time. Now, like with the College All-Star Game and all other all-star games (except MLB), the money to be lost with a serious injury is exponentially greater than that to be won in the game. Thanks for playing up the game and the things that came out of it.

Very fitting that the Lions won the Playoff Bowl 3 times

It gave those of us who lived in Florida a chance to see a game. I have fond memories of going with my dad to see the Lions vs. Browns game in the first one. I got Jim Brown's autograph that day, so it was a great game.

Loser of the AFC and NFC championship should play in the toilet bowl the week between the conference championship and Super Bowl. Winning team gets $100k incentive, a free vacation, and their first game of the next season is at home

Loved seeing Roger Brown, Alex Karras' running mate on that fearsome DL .. Lions were Western Conference representatives first TWO editions of this (ahem) classic, and i was a kid of 9 born in Detroit, growing up in Miami, attending with my dad and his dad, and i became a lifelong Lions fan - and it's been a long ride from Milt Plum to Jared Goff .. thanks for posting this on @NFLFilms. #GoLions

The 1970 Playoff Bowl (1969 season) was the first time in franchise history that the Cowboys were shutout in a game.

I attended the last game, my father took me. I was 4. Don't recall much, do recall the stadium being 1/2 empty. Thanks, Dad.

Rather see this than the Flag Bowl

I thought I know all there was to know about football but I never heard of this.

This would probably be more interesting than the Pro Bowl, as it currently stands. Give a few more incentives for the winner, and it could be a good time.

I remember watching the Cowboys play in the T Bowl. It was like a pre-season game during the post season.

6:23-little did Shula know at the time he would spend a lot more time on that Orange Bowl sideline.

Unless you made Joe Namath type money, which most players didn't, that extra game seemed like a gift to many. Heck, I can remember magazines back then talking about the jobs NFL players had in the offseason just to survive. Fred Cox was a chiropractor and Gary Cuozzo was an orthodontist and they stayed busy.

The Playoff Bowl against the Vikings was the only time that the cowboys ever won in the venerable Orange Bowl. Too bad for them that it didn't count.

I thought I knew NFL football history well but had never heard of the Playoff Bowl. Granted, it started before I was born and ended when I was a toddler so I don't remember this era of football at all. Thanks, NFL Films for filling in a gap in my knowledge.

The 2024 UFL should bring this concept back with a twist. The Friday night before the title game the runner ups should play each other, but play the game as other teams (like the Tennessee Titans playing a game as the Houston Oilers). Since it is 100th anniversary of the Cleveland-Canton Bulldogs championship of 1924, they can take the field as the Bulldogs & the Akron Pro's (1920 champion) played in eastern Ohio. Alternatively, they could play in Kansas City as the UMKC Roos & the Wichita State Shockers with Bill Parcels as honored guest.

Hear me out, but this is what should replace the pro bowl!

I imagine it would be a lot like a pre-season game, where it really means nothing, and both teams sit out every starter to not get them hurt for the regular season.

Lombardis quote was "a hinky-dink football game, held in a hinky dink town, played by hinky-dink players. That's all second place is -- hinky-dink." Also, the original name of the game was the Bert Bell benefit bowl, named after the well regarded NFL commissioner who died of a heart attack in the fall of 1959.

It may have been a nothing game, but that extra $750 must have meant something to some of them. The post 1962 game between the Steelers and Lions was a 17-10 blood bath.

The nfl needs to bring this back and replace the pro bowl with the playoff bowl

I remember the very last Playoff Bowl following the 1969-70 NFL regular season. If my memory is correct, it was played on a Saturday, the day before the 1969-70 NFL Championship game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns. This was the final Playoff Bowl ever as it was discontinued after the NFL merged with the AFL starting with the 1970-71 regular season. The Los Angeles Rams were pissed off at blowing a 10 point lead over the Minnesota Vikings and losing to them in the opening round of the playoffs 23-20; they played the Dallas Cowboys who were thoroughly demoralized and traumatized after getting clobbered at home by the Cleveland Browns 38-14 on the very same weekend. The Rams took out their frustrations on and decisively defeated the Cowboys, shutting them out 31-0. I must admit that in looking back in time through the history of pro football, I wonder what would have happened if there had been some other kind of runner up game. For example, the 1967-68 Dallas Coboys vs the 1967-68 Houston Oilers or the 1969-70 Oakland Raiders vs the 1969-70 Cleveland Browns or the 1971-72 Baltimore Colts vs the 1971-72 San Francisco 49ers. Back in the late 1960s pro football players didn't get payed all that much. So they were more than glad to get an extra game check before heading back to their off season jobs. And the regular season was only 14 games long.

The 1969 Playoff Bowl (1968 season) was the only time the Cowboys won at the Orange Bowl.

Love how the footage is remastered

Meredith returned to Dallas and flew with the team to Miami, resuming his role as a leader. “We need to win to get in the right frame of mind for next season,” he said. The Cowboys beat the Vikings, 17-13. Meredith played solidly. No one, not even Meredith himself, knew it was the last game of his life. Eisenberg, John. Chronicles of a Dallas Cowboys Fan: Growing Up With America's Team in the 1960s . Diversion Books. Kindle Edition.

They used to do the same thing in the NCAA college basketball tournament , the losers of the semi final game would come and play for third place . That game showed character in who could back from their dashed dreams . I think they should have something similar come back now with the NFL having that game the week before The Super Bowl and in college basketball just before in the finals game . These type of games would truly show character ! Back in the 1960s the paycheck for that extra game represented a big part of the then merger player salaries .

I remember watching the NFL Playoff Bowl on TV back during my preteen days, but none of my friends cared anything about it. However, the Pro Bowl--when it was a real game--did generate interest. But, that was then. Now, the game has changed, and no player today has to worry about suffering a career-threatening injury received from playing in a "hinky-dink" game.

The Playoff Bowl Games are now considered exhibitions and nothing of those games counts. But it offered the then new NFL Films lots of great footage. Some of it’s included in They Call It Pro Football (often called the Citizen Kane of football movies)

I think the NFL should revive the 3rd place game and give the winning team a bonus draft pick at the end of the first round.

Vince Lombardi called it a hinky dink game in a hinky dink town. Coach was insightfully accurate.

Lmao TOLIET BOWL!!!😂😂😂

If you youngsters have never heard of Hank Stram, look him up. He was fiery.

No country has won more Olympic bronze, and that includes some former NFL players. Respect to amateur athletes. 🇺🇲

They should bring this back and give some kind of incentive for the winner. and maybe do it the weekend before superbowl weekend

Do you know how much more fun this would be rather than watching Pro bowlers play golf??

Buffalo Bills 2020 Playoff Bowl Champion!!!

This should still be done.

Lombardi was savage lol. I guess being the Goat at the time you get your perks.

I rather have this then a pro bowl... probably more competitive

Bring back the play off bowl and can the Pro Bowl! Besides cash awards, give the third and forth place finishers incentives like a couple of high round draft picks each.

... so, it was pretty much like 95% of the college bowl games now.

Just replace the pro bowl with a 3rd place game

What it be really awesome is a 4-team playoff between 4 bottom feeding teams where the actual winner would get the number 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft.

still better than any football played today

I've honestly never heard of this. This is pretty crazy.

I’ve never heard of this game before…and I’m 62.

I wondered if the Bills would be viewed differently if the NFL still had the Playoff Bowl and won the 2020 Playoff Bowl, as the Bills could've claimed themselves to be the 2020 Playoff Bowl Champion, instead of AFC Conference Finals Losers. By having one more game it gives teams that lose in the conference finals one more chance at ending their season with a win instead of with a loss.

Lombardi using the game to evaluate talent was probably the best you could expect.

Thought I knew everything about the NFL. Never knew about this game.

Playoffs bowl having the George Bell Trophy should start up in 2025. AFC vs. NFC

Consolation games were always a bad idea.

Teams do this in the Olympics all the time, but they win a Bronze medal for it. Would you watch the Bronze medal bowl?

Its shocking that with all the production money in the world, The NFL ommitted both the namesake and reason for the game. The Burt Bell benefit bowl was created, yes to compete with the AFL, but also to honor the legacy of the recently deceased Burt Bell and contribute to the players' pention fund. The NFL doesnt even want to admit that they couldve treated players better in the PAST much less the present.

The AFL had a better idea and pitted the 1st and 2nd place teams of opposing divisions against each other in the first round of a playoff tournament. Lombardi was right in that the objective is to win a championship. He was probably a little salty because his team was forced to play in a 3rd place game when he wanted a shot at another championship.

Bring it back.

We’re number 3! We’re number 3!😊

To think, if that still exist today. That will be hilariously interesting.

There was a time when people valued winning Silver and Bronze (2nd and 3rd) in events. It is still true for some competitions. However, the public has shifted - especially since the late 90s - to calling second place "the first losers." Regardless, even in the 60s, nobody cared about the third place game.

So Super Bowl 2 and 3 had a game played on its field a week before…

Just listening to Rodger Brown talk about wanting to be in a championship game. You can feel his disappointment. But hey! It was extra money in his pocket. I seem to remember a game with the the NFL champs playing college all stars. Really happen or am i dreaming?

Imagine losing your franchise QB to injury in a game where both teams always lose. And you have to give up an extra week + a few days in the off season after what was certainly a heartbreaking loss in the playoffs. Deeply insane idea.

What a fantastic idea!!! Why the heck did they stop doing this??? Would have been so great this year to watch the Ravens playing with tears running down their faces the entire game because they thought they thought they were going to be in the Super Bowl!

The pro bowl is the new toilet bowl

The NCAA used to have a 3rd place for the basketball final 4.

The Toilet Bowl is actually last year's Bears @ Commanders game

They make world cup teams play for 3rd and they do in olympics too!

This just makes me wonder what is the difference between the Playoff Bowl for 3rd place in the NFL and the Bronze medal game at the Olympics? This video just proves why the Olympics needs to eliminate the bronze medal games.

I wouldn't mind seeing it, but I doubt the players would be up for it unless it was like flag football with some hefty bonuses

Instead of a third place game they should have a true Toilet Bowl between the last place team in each conference, winner gets the #1 pick. Would make for some good entertainment

They should have the last place teams play each other to see who the worst team that year.

The NFL should bring this back, but have the added incentive of the winning team receives the number one pick overall in the draft. For example, the Ravens and Lions this year came so close. You might say they are one player away from being a champion. Let them fight it out and the winner gets the number one pick overall and probably are named favorites for next year's championship. Think about it. The best college player in the draft doesn't want to go to the worst team in the league. They want to go to a contender. They want to win championships. This would be awesome for all involved.

To talk about another sports league, if the NBA wants to have their NBA Cup, instead of having it during the regular season, they should have it during the postseason involving only the teams that didn't qualify for the playoffs within each conference, each round being a single game. The Eastern and Western Conference winners could then play a single game for the NBA Cup, with the winner getting not only the Cup, but also either an additional draft pick or a few additional hundred thousand dollars of cap room.

A better idea than the Pro Bowl

Odd...I thought the "Super Bowl" IS the Tiolet Bowl. 😉

We went to Miami to play a game that didn't mean anything. Oh the ProBowl?

Believe it or not my older brother has suggested this. Thing is tho players would sit out & not wanna play. NFL isn't the Olympics or soccer World Cup. They don't award medals in the NFL. But TBH I wouldn't be too against it. In fact may be more entertaining than the phased out Pro Bowl.

Toilet Bowl = Tank Bowl

Yeah, it all sounds good - until a key player tears his ACL & misses the entire next season.

Should do a real "toilet bowl". #31 vs #32.

At 7;20 Joe K shook Shula's hand . who won that game ?

I get the feeling people would rather watch a third-place game than the Pro Bowl. Why not have it,along with a skills competition,and make a weekend out of it? Plus,it would give hardcore NFL fans their fix during that 2-week period between the conference championships and the big game itself

Lel bring it back

Hah!! Fancy that, the NFL's equivalent of the third-place playoff game in the FIFA World Cup and all those bronze medal matches that tend to be popular in the Olympics. What say we ditch the ProBowl Games and bring this back?

Little-Known Fact: The NFL now regards these games as exhibitions.

Knowing the Passion of Lombardi, surprised he didn't name it the s*** bowl.

2019 titans would’ve won toilet bowl without a doubt

It’s not worth risking injury on a meaningless game. It’s not like World Cup soccer.

Toilet bowl 😂

Tom Brady would play in 4

There’s a third place game in the World Cup still. I tell people it’s a money grab, garbage game. They should be embarrassed.

My idea to make the playoffs more interesting? Shorten the season, put all the teams in the playoffs, and make it double elimination or something long and complicated (you could even do divisional playoffs). That way, at least, even the bad teams have some drama to their season.

Bring it back and get rid of the stupid touch football Pro Bowl. Play it during the week off for the Super Bowl hype. Most importantly, all proceeds should go to the NFL Players Pension Fund to help with the horrible health care these guys receive after giving their bodies to the NFL just to entertain fans.

I always thought that the two worst teams should play in a game actually called the Toilet Bowl. Dive head first into the whole thing with sponsors like Vanish and Scrubbing Bubbles. Winning team gets first pick in the draft. just completely tanking a team is no longer a sure shot at the #1 pick. Losing team gets to host next year's game. You may initially laugh but with the amount of PR it's bound to get, the host team will make a LOT of money. You can do all that with the #3 & #4 teams, too. Instead of First Pick, you just get an additional pick at the end of the round, behind the Superbowl winner. That and your team's cut of the insane amount of money that would be generated by both versions of this game. Of course, if you wanted to make it an event at a recurring location, you've gotta put a stadium in FLUSHING, NY!

Nope Sorry, the Toilet Bowl is what New Orleaneans call the game btw Southern and Grambling!!

They should play this game the weekend between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. $500K per player on the winner, $250K for the loser. Play the game at the stadium hosting the following year’s Super Bowl.