“Missing the Fire”

From LIFE magazine in September 1968, we have this two-page article about former Packers’ coach Vince Lombardi at the start of his season as general manager only. He resigned as coach after Green Bay’s Super Bowl II victory, and turned the reigns over to his “capable assistant” Phil Bengston. He missed roaming the sidelines, though, and would be in Washington with the Redskins after the 1968 season.

A Few Natives Are Restless

Here’s a news clip from FOX 11 in Green Bay recently. We guess the fans need something to do in this offseason, but we doubt things like this will have any effect on anyone or anything in regards to the current lockout and strained relations between the owners and the players. If it makes this guy feel good, then he’s welcome to express himself. It’s not time to panic, and as a football writer recently stated, this is what happens in business at this level and fans shouldn’t get too worked up about things yet. There’s a long time to go.

We just hope that Green Bay players don’t say things that they’ll regret during this time, because once it’s over, the celebrations can continue for our recent world championship. Let’s hope both sides stay civil and respectful, and fans should follow the same path.

“We Played for Lombardi”

For today’s journey through football history, we’re stopping in the early fall of 1970, just after the death of Green Bay coach Vince Lombardi. LIFE magazine had a two-page article written by Packers’ guard Jerry Kramer. It features some remembrances from the players’ standpoint of this great man.

On the cover was political activist Angela Davis. She was was associated with the Communist Party U.S.A., the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Panther Party. On August 7, 1970, Superior Court Judge Harold Haley, along with several other hostages, was abducted from his Marin County, California, courtroom and murdered during an effort to free a convict. The firearms used in the attack were purchased by Angela Davis, including the shotgun used to kill Haley, which had been purchased only two days prior. Davis became a fugitive and fled California. She evaded the police for more than two months before being captured in New York City. In 1972, she was tried and the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The mere fact that she owned the guns used in the crime was not sufficient to establish her responsibility for the plot. She is presently a retired professor with the History of Consciousness Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz and is the former director of the university's Feminist Studies department. And that’s it for today’s history lesson.

Get the Swine Flu Shot!

The Green Bay Packers are always concerned about their fans ’ well-being, as can be seen in this public service announcement from the 1970’s. Good advice then, and still good advice nowadays.

Anybody for Some John Hadl?

Let’s take a short journey back to 1974, to see the Green Bay Packers vs. the Minnesota Vikings at old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota. The date was November 17th, and the teams were playing in Week Ten of the ’74 campaign. Here’s a good chance to see Packers’ QB John Hadl in action — something you see rarely in the highlights of Packers’ history. This was head coach Dan Devine’s last year in Titletown, and Hadl was brought in to save the franchise. In reality, the deal hamstrung it for years to come. This segment is from “This Week in the N.F.L.,” hosted by Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier. By the way, the Packers won that day, 19-7.

The Packers and Norleco

Your Green Bay Packers... for Norelco® Shavers.

Packers vs. Rams — 1977

It never surprises us what you can find on the internet, if you’re willing to spend the time searching. We came across this video from 1977, which is most of the second half of a game against the visiting Los Angeles Rams in Milwaukee. It was November 13th of that year, and the Packers came up woefully short that day — a score of 24-6. The T.V. broadcasts have changed a lot since then (few replays), and are seemingly in the dark ages as far as on-screen graphics (or lack thereof). Anyway, enjoy this look back into the Seventies and your Green Bay team led by quarterback Lynn Dickey (wearing No. 10 instead of the No. 12 that most people associate him with) in the Bart Starr coaching era. As an added bonus, you can also see the original commercials!

Willie Davis — #86 All-Time

Once in a while, we feature some video here on the blog, and today we have a clip from N.F.L. Films in their rankings of the Top 100 Players of All Time. Hall of Famer Willie Davis was ranked #86 by them, and that can be debated, we’re sure. But there is no doubt that he is one of the greatest Green Bay players of all time. It was good to see him in the locker room at Super Bowl XLV as the team celebrated their 13th championship.

Pete Rozelle Profile

As the current labor struggle continues, we thought we’d share an article from the January 13, 1967 LIFE magazine issue which profiles former N.F.L. commissioner Pete Rozelle. He is responsible for the explosive growth of the league during the 1960’s, which also coincided with the great Lombardi teams of that era. And many of the principles he pioneered have benefited small market teams such as Green Bay. Also, when we look at the magazine’s cover for that week, we are reminded that outside of the football cocoon of Titletown, there was a lot on America’s plate at that time in history.

Young Sports Photographer

We’re changing publications today with a look at the classic Boy Scouts monthly magazine Boys’ Life. This September 1969 issue has an article about John Biever, the son of veteran Packers’ photographer Vernon Biever. Vernon just left us this past year.

The story begins here with a shot of Green Bay RB Donny Anderson being tackled by a Philadelphia Eagles player in Lambeau Field.

More examples of John’s work at the time.

The article concludes with two pages of text above and below.

There are some other football-related pages in the September issue, at the start of the 1969 season. We’ll show you a few. We haven’t seen this offer for Rawlings’ N.F.L. team balls before.

Wilson has their ad, too. But their balls don’t feature your favorite team’s logo.

You might want to sign up for the Punt, Pass, and Kick competition for ’69.

Check out the cool Packers’ bike hubcap in the upper left of this page’s plethora of ads.

Lastly, be sure to get your football equipment at your local Sears store.

The Miracle Maker of Green Bay

We thought we’d post another LIFE magazine story from days gone by — this time from December 7, 1962. Above is the cover story for that week’s issue.

The story on Green Bay’s Vince Lombardi and his 1962 Packers starts on page 49, and goes on for four pages, all of which are posted here. Enjoy the reading from over 48 years ago. Then, as now, your Packers were defending World Champions.

Hornung Is Back!

Wait! The headline says “Hornung is Back!,” but we see the Beatles above. What gives? Well, the article about Paul (Hornung, not McCartney) is from this August 28, 1964 issue of LIFE magazine. Below is the entire Hornung article, which is written as he is poised to play in the 1964 N.F.L. season after being suspended in 1963 by commissioner Pete Rozelle for his involvement in gambling activities.

Miscellaneous Tuesday

We thought you all would enjoy some more miscellaneous Green Bay Packers images from the archives of LIFE magazine. Above, several players including Hank Gremminger (#46) stop a San Francisco player from advancing upfield. On this day — October 23. 1960 — the Packers walloped the 49ers, 41-14 at Milwaukee’s County Stadium.

Backup G Ed Blaine stretches on the sideline during a 1962 away game.

FB Jim Taylor (left) watches the defense with some of his fellow players.

The Bears and Packers at the line of scrimmage in Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

Coach Vince Lombardi watches his players on the Oneida Street practice field. That’s City Stadium — later re-named Lambeau FIeld — in the background.

Back against the 49ers in Milwaukee in 1960, LB Dan Currie (#58) and DB Hank Gremminger guard a San Francisco receiver.

The Milwaukee crowd loved the big scoring against the 49ers that day.

Three Packers head off the field after pre-game warmups at Philadelphia’s Franklin Field. There’s those jackets that we love again.

Miscellaneous Saturday

From the sunny climate of Mesa, Arizona, we’re here today with an assortment of miscellaneous images from days gone by. These are all courtesy of our friends at the LIFE Magazine photo archives. Above, WR Max McGee makes a catch in City Stadium in 1960. In the background, we also see T Forrest Gregg (#75), G Jerry Kramer (#64), G Fred “Fuzzy” Thurston (#63), and QB Bart Starr (#15).

Safety Willie Wood approaches a ball for a kickoff during practice on what is now the Clarke Hinkle practice field along Oneida Street. That’s the domed Brown County Arena in the background. It’s still there, but has been mostly superseded by the newer nearby Resch Center for concerts and indoor sporting events.

LB Dan Currie is down with an injury at an away game in Philadelphia’s Franklin Field. The Packers’ training staff is attending him, with the help of one Eagles’ player. We would LOVE to get our hands on the jacket worn by the staff member crouching at left.

Coach Vince Lombardi paces the sideline, walking past C Jim Ringo on the left. G Jerry Kramer peeks at the cameraman over Lombardi’s left shoulder.

WR Boyd Dowler makes a successful reception in Philadelphia, as can be verified by the referee’s signal.

The team streams out of the tunnel at City Stadium (later Lambeau Field) for a 1960 game. Check out the Green Bay Packers Lumberjack Band awaiting their performance at the exit of the tunnel. WR Max McGee is recognized by his number (#85), and that’s one-year FB Larry Hickman wearing #37.

Coach Lombardi watches his defense make a stop along the City Stadium western sideline, which is always the Packers bench area. Note how open the sideline area is. Seems like nowadays there are players and staff clogging up the whole area. This photo and the rest below are from 1964.

After a game, Lombardi walks off the field. What’s also notable is the number of fans running across the field as well. Unless these folks were on the sideline for a reason during a game, it appears that there wasn’t a stiff penalty for running onto the field. Today, doing so would get you arrested, taken to jail, and earn you a fine of over $700.

Lombardi lights up a cigarette on the sideline. Kids, we now know that doing so is harmful to your health, so don’t follow his example.

QB Bart Starr discusses game strategy during a timeout at home.

DE Willie Davis (#87) rests with G Ed Blaine (#60) on the Packers’ sideline.