On January 14, 1968, the Green Bay Packers faced the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II, the second AFL–NFL World Championship. Played at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, it was the last game Vince Lombardi coached for Green Bay and cemented the Packers’ dynasty of the 1960s.
Winner: Green Bay Packers (33–14)
MVP: Bart Starr, Quarterback
Game Recap and Highlights
A Commanding Start
Green Bay took control early with Bart Starr guiding the offense. A touchdown pass to Boyd Dowler and three field goals from Don Chandler gave the Packers a 16–7 halftime lead.
Packers Pull Away
In the second half, Starr continued his efficient play, finishing with 202 passing yards and a touchdown. Donny Anderson added a rushing score, while the Packers’ defense forced turnovers that kept Oakland from mounting a comeback.
Key Figures
Bart Starr: Earned his second straight Super Bowl MVP, praised for his poise and precision under pressure.
Vince Lombardi: Closed out his tenure as Packers head coach with back-to-back Super Bowl titles, sealing his reputation as the greatest coach of the era.
Impact and Legacy
This victory made the Packers the first team to win consecutive Super Bowls, setting a standard for greatness. It was also Lombardi’s final game on the sidelines, a symbolic passing of the torch as the AFL–NFL merger neared completion.
Global Reach and Cultural Significance
Super Bowl II was broadcast internationally in more countries than the first, including the UK and Canada, marking a growing overseas audience. The halftime show featured Grambling State University’s marching band, continuing the early tradition of showcasing HBCU performers.
The game also drew increased advertising interest, hinting at the commercial phenomenon the Super Bowl would soon become.
Postgame Thoughts
Super Bowl II marked both an ending and a beginning: the close of Lombardi’s legendary run with the Packers and the solidification of the Super Bowl as a lasting tradition. The Packers’ dominance and Starr’s back-to-back MVPs carved their place in history, while the event itself gained momentum toward becoming the world’s premier sporting spectacle.