On a black day in current Green Bay Packers history, we ignore the present to delve into the past as therapy. At a Midwest Shrine game at Milwaukee County Stadium, Chicago Bears coach George Halas and Packers’ coach Vince Lombardi exchange pleasantries before the contest begins.The first Midwest Shrine Game was held September 10, 1950 at Wisconsin State Fair Park. 17,191 fans saw the Packers coached by Gene Ronzani defeat the Baltimore Colts on a last-minute 23-yard field goal by Ted Fritsch. The score was 16-14. Credit for the Packers playing pre-season exhibitions sponsored by Tripoli Temple goes to the late Potentate Herbert L. Mount. Working with Green Bay management headed at that time by Dominic Olejniczak, he not only arranged for the games to be played, but to have a portion of the proceeds contributed to the Shriners’ Hospitals. To date, the series has raised more than $3.1 million for the Midwest Shrine’s burn centers and hospitals. The Shriners’ facilities provide specialized medical services, helping children with birth defects and other injuries, at absolutely no cost.
Green Bay played host to the Cleveland Browns this past Saturday night in the 60th annual Upper Midwest Shrine Game, one of the NFL's longest team traditions. The Packers prevailed 17-0. The team’s overall record in the Shrine Game is 31-26-3. The games were played in Milwaukee from 1950-82, 1984-94; all others have been since played in Green Bay.
