Y.A. Tittle feels the pain of playing the Monsters of the Midway. In the NFL championship game in Chicago, the New York Giants 37-year-old quarterback suffers a twisted left knee in the first quarter when he's hit by Bears linebacker Larry Morris while throwing a touchdown pass to Frank Gifford. He's helped to the sideline in the second period when he reinjures the knee.

After taking two shots at halftime to ease the pain, Tittle returns. But the Bears continue to torment him, intercepting four passes to bring their total for the game to five. Morris' theft in the first quarter and Ed O'Bradovich's interception in the third period set up two touchdowns by Billy Wade, both on quarterback sneaks.

With seconds left, Tittle, who threw for a record 36 touchdown passes in the 14-game regular season, heaves a desperation pass into the end zone that Rich Petitbon intercepts.

With the Giants 14-10 losers, Tittle is the epitome of dejection and despair. Jerking his helmet off his bald head, he flings it to the ground several times. Then he slumps off to the sideline with tears streaming down his face.

The Bears, meanwhile, have nothing but smiles. It is the franchise's eighth championship, the sixth with George Halas as coach.