Green Bay Packers Vince Lombardi

The Green Bay Packers have been playing professional football in the city since 1919, and in that time have become one of the most legendary dynasties in all of sports. Founded on two men’s shared idea – George Calhoun and Curly Lambeau actually first tossed the idea around on a street corner before deciding to pursue it – the Packers began from somewhat humble origins. In fact, the team’s owners had to solicit money from Curly’s bosses at the Indian Packers Company just to purchase uniform jerseys. And though the team played their first games soon thereafter, and even sought an NFL franchise, it was not until 1922 that Lambeau was finally able to secure the team’s future rights to NFL membership with an investment of two hundred and fifty dollars. The Packers Dynasty The Packers have definitely earned the right for the city of Green Bay to be called Titletown. With twelve National Football League titles to its credit, the franchise has established itself as a dynasty. Throughout the thirties, the sixties, and again in the nineties, the “Pack” demonstrated the pride of a championship unit. Still, the mightiest Packers dynasty of them all was without a doubt the one that Vince Lombardi built in the decade of the 1960s. Restoring the glory When Lombardi arrived at the Packers organization, the team had just suffered through a period of decline that was capped by the 1958 loss of ten of their twelve games (with one game being a tie). Lombardi’s arrival from the assistant coaching ranks at the New York Giants sparked an immediate turnaround in the team’s fortunes. His 1959 team won seven of twelve games, with the 1960 squad going on to play in the NFL’s western championship – a game they lost to Philadelphia. From that point onward, however, the Packers were all but unstoppable in the 1960s as they won titles in 1961 and 1962, and then followed that up with a three-peat performance from 1965 to 1967 – with the latter two championships also being the first two Super Bowls. The ultimate football dynasty Under Lombardi’s coaching tenure from 1960 until 1967, the Packers finished either first or second in their division each year. During that time, the team was thought of as the epitome of football success. The franchise’s five championships in the space of seven seasons was clear evidence that Lombardi’s disciplined, military style system obviously worked. During his nine years with the team, the Packers won 98 games, lost only 30, and had 4 ties. His postseason record was even better, as the Packers won 9 of their 10 postseason games – with the only loss being that 1960 matchup with Philadelphia. The real Lombardi When most people think of Lombardi, they imagine an offensive and defensive genius who could will his team to win through the sheer force of his personality. He is, after all, the coach who is most famous for repeating the quote about winning being the only thing that matters. The real secret to his success was, however, his ability to prepare his team each and every week. Take the famous Packer Sweep running play, for example – a play designed by Lombardi. His players practiced that one play so many times that they could literally run it successfully even though everyone in the stadium – including their opponents – knew they were going to do it. Freddie Brister begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting is a huge fan of all sports and recommends checking out his Green Bay Packers Blanket and Los Angeles Dodgers bedding at his shop.

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