The game featured Chicago Bears coach George Halas' first appearance as an all-star coach since the 1942 All-Star game which featured Halas' Bears against an all-league squad; it was also to be his final Pro Bowl appearance. Allie Sherman of the New York Giants was the coach of the East. Two Baltimore Colts swept the player of the game awards: Johnny Unitas was named "back of the game" (his third Pro Bowl MVP) and Gino Marchetti won "lineman of the game" honors. Marchetti presented the game ball to Halas.