Saturday, July 16, 2011

’69 Timeout

Head Coach Phil Bengston and QB Bart Starr are seen together today, conferring on the sideline during a 1969 contest. The club posted an 8-6 record, earning them a third place finish in the N.F.C. Central division. Without the disciplined guidance of Vince Lombardi steering the Packers for the first time in a decade, Green Bay started the season strong at 5-2, but stumbled down the stretch. Plagued by injuries and inconsistent play, the team clawed their way to their 10th winning season in the last 11 years.

Regardless of the winning record, by season's end several future Hall of Famers — such as Willie Davis and Herb Adderley — departed or retired, leaving the team scrambling to rebuild its depleted roster. As eager as Packer fans were to recapture the winning ways of Lombardi, it was obvious Titletown would have to wait to regain its luster.