Winter has crept itself upon us, and the probability of snow had certainly heightened on any given day.

Over the years, falling snow and freezing temperatures have created an attractive football game to watch. We can all remember our share of snow games on TV and how each of them has provided a lasting memory.

In the week’s version of my Yesterday column – reminiscing about sports and pop culture in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and sometimes before and beyond – I’ll take a look at some of the NFL’s more memorable coldest games on record as well as some frigid fragments.

With subzero figures in Kansas City and a foot of snow in Buffalo this weekend, “snow” games are back in the scene.

And what famous superhero show debuted 58 years ago? What teams played in the “Freezer Bowl,” and what were those ice-cream filled, small plastic cups called?

Not A Frigid Rematch

... In Dallas this weekend, the temperatures will be in the 30s, but the Cowboys won’t be playing in the Cotton Bowl or Texas Stadium. Instead, they’ll be playing in the comfy confines of AT&T Stadium.

I was young at the time, and don’t remember the classic “Ice Bowl” matchup between the Cowboys and Packers in Green Bay on Dec. 31, 1967. It’s pretty impossible to believe both teams played in an atmosphere of -13 degrees and a wind chill of -48. More than 50,000 fans braved the elements. Remember, the appropriate apparel to keep yourself warm would be considered primitive today.

If you watched the game live on CBS, “America’s Game” is one of the better postseason games of all time. You can easily see why.

Green Bay took a 14-0 lead, but the Cowboys battled back to take a 17-14 lead due to Dan Reeves’ halfback touchdown pass.

The Packers then had their legendary 68-ayrd drive that culminated when quarterback Bart Starr drove into the end zone behind guard Jerry Kramer for the go-ahead score with 16 seconds left.

Anyone remember the announcers for the game? Ray Scott and Jack Buck split play-by-play for the halves and Frank Gifford did the color. Tom Brookshier and Pat Summerall were the sideline reporters.

This game featured a cavalcade of Pro Bowlers and all-stars, as well as a star-studded TV crew.

More Than Cold Feet

... There have been 10 to 20 games played near or below zero and well below in wind chill.

Another one that comes to mind is the Chargers-Bengals AFC playoff game on Jan. 10, 1982. Gametime temperature was -9 and -59 wind chill in the “Freezer Bowl,” widely regarded as football’s “coldest” game.

Behind quarterback Ken Anderson, the Bengals rolled to a 27-7 victory. Anderson threw for 161 yards with a pair of touchdowns, and Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts tossed for 185.

One of my favorite winter football scenes always was in Minnesota. Watching the snow-packed sidelines in a late-season or playoff game was enthralling in my teens.

In 1972, the Packers downed the Vikings, 23-7, in a December contest in which the temps hovered around -2 with a wind chill at -19. A week earlier, it was -2 with a wind chill of -15 against the Bears.

You can also look back at the 1981 Raiders-Browns playoff game in Cleveland (-4, -36), and the 2008 Giants-Packers playoff game (-4,-24).

It’s still incomprehensible to me how anyone could play in that kind of weather.

If you have any recollections about a “cold” game you would like to share, contact me.

Phillies Phodder

... Each week, I will pose a Phillies trivia question with the answer revealed at the end of this column. Here you go: Who is the only Phillies player to win the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award?

Cold, Cruel, Curmudgeon

... Jan. 12, 1966, marked the 58th anniversary of my favorite show, Batman. Among the many notable villains on the show was Mr. Freeze.

George Sanders played the first Mr. Freeze in one of the earliest episodes in the series, and it proved to be a good two-parter. Gotham City Wheels’ pitcher Paul D’Amante, who was kidnapped, was the Sandy Koufax facsimile, as Koufax was dominant at the time.

My favorite Mr. Freeze was played by legendary actor and film director Otto Preminger. This two-parter also has a solid two-parter, as the dynamic duo was trapped in a giant frosty freezy cup.

The final Mr. Freeze was played by Eli Wallach, another legend, but it did lack some substance. Its claim to fame is being the last regular two-parter before the single Batgirl episode debut.

Incidentally, Mr. Zero debuted in a 1959 issue of the Batman comic and later changed to Mr. Freeze.

Happiness in a Cup

... Growing up, there always was room for that vanilla ice cream in a plastic cup with the small wooden spoon.

We probably all had our share of Dixie Cups. I remember going down to the corner stone to pick one up, but I could never get used to the spoon taste. I did like the strawberry flavor.

Remember how you could buy them in a five-cup pack?

What’s In A Name

... How many athletes had a name with a cold connection? I found a few, but may have missed some.

The likely most famous one was the Chicago Bears’ William “The Refrigerator” Perry, who had more than a few days in the spotlight.

There also was Spurs’ forward George “The Iceman “ Gervin, Giants/Angels first baseman J.T. Snow, Packers’ defensive tackle B.J. “The Freezer” Raji (supposedly as a tribute to Perry), Islanders’ goalie Garth Snow, Cardinals and Cubs catcher Ken Rudolph, Packers’ defensive back Scott Frost, and current Steelers’ quarterback Mason Rudolph.

Gene Freese played 12 seasons, one with the Phillies in 1959, and David Freese played mainly with the Cardinals.

Readers Write

... Bruce Charles from Whitehall Township shared his feedback on Penn State football, while Richard Ochs from Walnutport looked back on some of the best baseball players from the past.

“Hello Jeff, just a follow up to your column looking at PSU football.

The interesting thing when Lydell (Mitchell) played at PSU was his lesser used backfield mate by the name of Franco Harris.

I remember seeing them play at Beaver Stadium sitting in the end zone bleachers with the running tracking around the field.

Of course, we all know what kind of pro career Franco had. Thanks for a great column each week, sure lets you know that the years go by quickly and how much you forgot about.”

“Hi Jeff!

Your recent column about the longevity of some of the old timers brought back some memories of the past. In addition to Jim Kaat (50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s) and Jamie Moyer (80s 90s, 2000s, and 2010s) we also have Early Wynn (P - 30s, 40s, 50s, & 60s), Mickey Vernon (1B and PH – 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s), Jesse Orosco (P - 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s), and Tim McCarver (C and PH - 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s).

Let’s not forget the five decades players! Minnie Minoso (OF and PH - 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s). Satchel Paige could also fall into this category, if you count his time in the Negro Leagues (P - 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s). One of their greatest players who played in four decades was Ted Williams (OF - 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s).

I’m sure that many baseball fans have wondered for years how the game would have been if there wasn’t any barrier. It’s too bad we never had a chance to see Satchel Paige in his prime and some of the others who were too old to play in the majors. Looking back now, I can safely say that the owners were nothing more than idiots.”

Trivia Answer

... Brad Lidge won the NL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2008 for his 2-0, 1.95 ERA, 44-save season after he went 5-3. 3.36 and 19 saves for Houston a year earlier. Lidge was instrumental in the Phillies’ 2008 championship.

Feedback

... Your thoughts and ideas are welcome at tnsports @tnonline.com