Not many Green Bay Packers coaches have had as disastrous a debut as Dan Devine, but several have had less than ideal ones. Not only did Devine’s side lose the match, but by the time it was over, the coach had two broken legs and was admitted to the hospital. Yes, that was an exciting game that the Packers lost, 40–40. It was a sign of things to come for the Packers and Devine.
Dan Devine, the head coach of the Packers, broke his leg in a disastrous debut: The Run-Up to the Game Devine took over as head coach of the Packers prior to the 1971 season, succeeding the fired Phil Bengtson. Devine had been a successful college coach, most notably at Missouri, before coming to Green Bay.
Though Bengtson was never able to live up to the expectations in Green Bay following the Lombardi Era, the Packers were coming off a 6-8 season in 1970.
Bart Starr was still the team’s quarterback, but he was hurt and missed the first game of the season. Zeke Bratkowski started as the starting quarterback for the Packers during the regular season, with rookie sixth-round pick Scott Hunter filling in. The team finished 2-4 in the preseason. At the age of 39, Bratkowski announced his retirement from professional baseball to play for the Pack after missing the previous two seasons.
At Lambeau Field, Devine made his Packers debut in the season opener against the Alex Webster-coached New York Giants.
### A Wild Start to the Game
The Packers scored first. The Giants began with the opening kickoff and advanced into Packers’ territory, but their drive stalled. Pete Gogolak missed a field goal, which Packers cornerback Ken Ellis caught at the goal line and returned 100 yards for a touchdown, giving the Packers a 7-0 lead. This was the only score in the first quarter.
The Giants took control in the second quarter. Fran Tarkenton threw two touchdown passes to wide receiver Rich Houston, one from six yards and another from 39 yards.
The Packers then started turning the ball over. Running back Dave Hampton fumbled at the Packers’ three-yard line, and Ralph Heck of the Giants recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown. Hampton then fumbled the ensuing kickoff in the end zone, which Joe Green recovered, marking the Giants’ second score in six seconds. The Packers trailed 28-7.
Green Bay narrowed the gap before halftime, thanks to Hampton. He returned the kickoff 44 yards and finished the drive with a 19-yard pass from Bratkowski, leaving the Packers behind 28-14 at the half.
### Packers Coach Dan Devine Broke His Leg in a Disastrous Debut: The Giants Pull Away
In the third quarter, the Giants extended their lead despite a change at quarterback with Hunter stepping in. Fran Tarkenton threw two more touchdown passes, an 81-yard bomb to Rich Houston and a 20-yard strike to running back Tucker Frederickson.
The Packers responded with a Lou Michaels field goal and a 21-yard touchdown pass from Hunter to tight end Rich McGeorge, marking Hunter’s first NFL touchdown pass. Despite these efforts, the Packers still trailed 42-24 at the end of the third quarter.
