Things were not looking up for the 1981 Green Bay Packers. They finished the first half of the season with a 2-6 record. Despite the early season trade for Pro Bowl wide receiver John Jefferson, the Packers lost their last three games, and their playoff hopes were hanging by a thread, even in the mediocre NFC Central Division. The team would also be without starting quarterback Lynn Dickey who was out of the lineup with a back injury. But backup quarterback David Whitehurst was able to deliver, making his first start in nearly two years, he threw three touchdown passes and ran for another, in a 34-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Today we look back at David Whitehurst when he led the Packers to a win over Seattle that turned the 1981 season around.
David Whitehurst Leads the Packers to a Win Over Seattle that Turned the 1981 Season Around: The Buildup
The Packers dealt with a lot of turmoil in the week leading up to the game. After losing three straight games, fans were calling for the firing of head coach Bart Starr. During his weekly television show, Starr asked the fans to show vocal support for the team against the Seahawks.
While some fans showed up with bags over their heads, the crowd was loud and enthusiastic as they rooted on their slumping Packers.
The Seahawks were also struggling. They entered the game with an identical 2-6 record. Jack Patera’s team was at least coming off a 19-3 road win over the New York Jets.
A Tough Start
The Packers defense forced a punt on the Seahawks first possession. The Packers took over on their own eight and then disaster struck. Whitehurst tried to find Harlan Huckleby with a pass, but it was intercepted by Seattle’s John Harris who ran it back 42 yards for a touchdown. The Packers were down 7-0 and the cheers at Lambeau Field turned to scattered boos.
But the Packers answered quickly after the ensuing kickoff. Whitehurst mixed runs by fullback Gerry Ellis and passes to his running backs and tight ends. Key plays included nine and 18 yard runs by Ellis and 12-yard passes to running back Jim Jensen and wide receiver James Lofton. The drive ended when Whitehurst found tight end Paul Coffman for a seven-yard touchdown pass. The game was tied 7-7.
In the second quarter, the Seahawks put together their first sustained offensive drive. The key play was a 20-yard pass from Jim Zorn to future Hall of Famer Steve Largent. Zorn found running back Dan Doornick for a 12-yard touchdown and the Packers trailed 14-7.
David Whitehurst Leads the Packers to a Win Over Seattle that Turned the 1981 Season Around: A Wide-Open Half
But the Packers answered immediately. Whitehurst found halfback Terdell Middleton for 27 yards as he continued to throw to his backs. Whitehurst scored the touchdown himself, scrambling for the end zone and lowering his head and diving for the right corner of the end zone. Whitehurst’s helmet went flying, but he made it into the end zone, and the game was tied 14-14.
The Packers got the ball back immediately on the ensuing kickoff. Will Lewis was hit and fumbled and Packers safety Bill Whitaker fell on the ball at the Seattle 23. After a penalty, Whitehurst found Huckleby for 25 yards to set up an eight-yard touchdown pass to Lofton. Green Bay led 21-14.
But a fumble on the Packers next possession set up Seattle at the Packers 43. The drive ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Doornink and the game was again tied 21-21 at the half.
The Packers Pull Away
The Seahawks briefly took the lead midway through the third quarter after a 10-yard punt by Ray Stachowicz. A sack by linebacker John Anderson disrupted the drive and Seattle settled for a 54-yard field goal by Efren Herrera. The Packers trailed 24-21.
Later in the third quarter, Whitehurst finally found Lofton for a long pass. The 38-yard touchdown gave the Packers the lead 28-24.
“It was a delayed pattern underneath because they were trying to keep us from completing deep passes,” Loften said. “David [Whitehurst] made a couple of reads to the strong side and then came back to me. I just cut up the sideline and got a real good block from J.J. on Ken Easley.”
In the fourth quarter, the Packers went on a long drive that stalled at the Seattle two-yard line. Huckelby’s 22-yard run set up a 19-yard field goal by Jan Stenerud.
Linebacker Rich Wingo’s interception set up the final score of the game, a 36-yard field goal by Stenerud. The Packers won the game 34-24.
David Whitehurst Leads the Packers to a Win Over Seattle that Turned the 1981 Season Around: The Aftermath
As the Packers took control of the game, the fans enthusiasm increased. The fans at Lambeau were loud enough that both coaches commented on it after the game. “I never tingled on a sideline like that in a regular season game in my life,” Starr said after the game. “That was sensational.”
When asked about the crowd, Patera admitted, “It bothered our right tackle who didn’t hear the snap count, and it ended up with Mike Butler sacking our quarterback. But it was a tremendous thing for the town of Green Bay to support the Packers like they did today.”
Starr was also pleased with Whitehurst’s performance. “I think David got better as the game progressed,” Starr said. “He began to find himself.”
Whitehurst felt vindicated by his strong play. He threw for 205 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another. “I think it will shut some people up. I guess you can say that. But next week, I will only be as good as a I am that day,” Whitehurst said. “The fans will have a right to boo again if they want.”
Ellis finished the game with 127 yards rushing on 23 carries while Lofton caught four passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns.
The win did help turn the Packers season around. They went 5-1 in their next six games and had a chance to make the playoffs if they could beat the Jets in the season finale at Shea Stadium. They lost 28-3 and finished the season with an 8-8 record.
But for this game, Whitehurst came off the bench to rally the team and the fans got behind them. It started a second half turnaround that saved Starr’s job and gave the fans reason for hope.
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