1967 Official NFL Illustrated Digest

 

Today we bring you the section on the Green Bay Packers from the first NFL Illustrated Digest, published prior to the 1967 season. In the book’s introduction, then commissioner Pete Roselle said that it “represents an eloquent tribute to the men responsible for its contents — the public relations directors of the sixteen National Football League teams.” This is how the 1967 Packers were previewed: 

Christmas Gift; Week 16 TV Map

 

Green Bay Packers season ticket holders received a little gift from the team today — a Brett Favre commemorative metallic trading card. So nice of them to think of us at Christmas time.

Map courtesy of 506 Sports
And here is the Week 16 NFL TV Map for the FOX late games on Sunday. The RED areas will see the Green Bay Packers vs. the Arizona Cardinals at 3:25 p.m. (CT). The blue markets will see Seattle vs. St. Louis, while the New Orleans area will not get a FOX game since the Saints are playing at the same time on CBS. Hopefully, you’re one of the fortunate to live in the red areas.

Packers Beat Raiders!

 

No, this is not a prediction for Sunday’s game, but a look back at the Milwaukee Sentinel’s coverage of Super Bowl II. These are the pages from the Monday, January 15, 1968 edition, covering the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Oakland Raiders — the last Packers’ game coached by Vince Lombardi. And the last championship for the team until January 1997.

The last page of their coverage is not of the game, but either an earlier example of the team licensing automobile sales, or an example of how you could just use the Packers’ name and logo without fear of legal action.

Week 15 TV Map

Map courtesy of 506 Sports
The Week 15 NFL TV Maps are out, and it’s bad news for many fans throughout the country. Unless you live in the ORANGE areas shown above, you will not see the game. CBS has the double-header broadcast, and most FOX markets will choose to carry only the Noon (CT) game instead of the Packers vs. Raiders late game. If you have the Sunday Ticket™ or access to a “Packers bar,” you’re all set... for the rest, there’s always the Packers Radio Network broadcast on WTMJ Milwaukee (non-mobile devices only).

Post-Cowboys This ’n That

 

As expected, Sunday’s Packers-Cowboys game was as wet as predicted. If it had been snow, it would’ve been a big mess for those traveling to Green Bay. One of the biggest drawbacks of a rain game is that we can’t provide photography from the game, as the camera equipment stays at home. Above, this is our view of Lambeau Field while walking to the stadium about 1:30 p.m.

This is a view of the field from the Northwest corner of the stadium. The players had not come out yet and they were still removing the tarp. The game itself was fine... although Dallas could’ve tied up the game through the third quarter. Thanks to the Packers’ rejuvenated running game and defense, they were able to pull out to and maintain a three-TD lead.

It’s always good to see this on the scoreboards as the fans file out into the evening darkness. At this game, they were playing classic Christmas music and everyone was in a good mood (compared to the last two home games).

Your Packerville, U.S.A. editor just before filing out of Lambeau. It was damp, but with the proper rain gear, the rainy weather doesn’t really make it too miserable. Hopefully, the Minnesota regular season finale will be dry. The cold is easy to prepare for. We’ve also paid the playoff tickets invoice, so we’ll see if that ends up with at least one game at Lambeau Field.

The program cover for the Packers vs. Cowboys game on December 13, 2015. 

The program cover for the Thanksgiving Packers vs. Bears game on November 22, 2015.  

We picked up this book while in Titletown over the weekend. 

The Packerville, U.S.A. Christmas tree is up in the archives, as it is each year.

Week 14 TV Map & New Book

Map courtesy of 506 Sports

Well, it’s good news for most everyone in the country who wants to watch the Packers vs. Cowboys this Sunday at 3:25 p.m. (CT). The bad news is that fans in Denver and other parts of Colorado and Wyoming are out of luck, due to the Broncos playing at 3:05 p.m. on CBS. We’re heading to Green Bay on Friday afternoon, and hope to share some photos of the weekend. Unfortunately, the forecast calls for an 80% chance of rain during the game, so we won’t be using the good camera equipment for the second game in a row. I think we’ve just recently dried out from the Thanksgiving night game. Sorry for the lack of regular posts... holiday preparations are in full swing.

While we were in Green Bay last weekend, we picked up “Green and Gold Memories,” which was just recently released. If you’re a fan of Packers history, and by extension the history of Green Bay, you’ll like this book. We’re only a few chapters in and have learned many things we did not know before. And we’re pretty much obsessed with the Lombardi era — the era of your editor’s youth.

The Old Ticker Can't Take Too Much of This

That was one exciting, historic end of the game last night, eh? We know you have seen the highlights, but seeing them again can’t hurt. Here is the “Hail Mary” play.

QB Aaron Rodgers was like a little kid who just won his first football game following the miraculous finish. His post-game interview is here.

For those who went to bed when the Packers were down 20-0, here are the full game highlights. Where do the Packers go from here? Will this spark something for the remaining four games? Will the final game against the Vikings be for the Division? Stay tuned...

Birthday Wishes...

Next Up, and Sneak Preview

We have finally dried out after last Thursday night’s loss to the Chicago Bears, but losing the last two home games is sitting uneasily in our stomachs. It was an ugly game, and the offense is lost. It is not our job to fix it, so we hope Mike McCarthy and his staff have a miracle or two up their sleeves. Now, we get the second of two Thursday night games in a row this week, with a chance for some revenge against the Lions in Detroit. The game will be shown on both CBS and the NFL Network. After the game, there is a new series on the NFL Network, with the first episode airing after the game — featuring the return of Brett Favre to Green Bay.

Thanksgiving in Green Bay

    

Well, thanks to the NFL’s schedulers, we’ll be spending the Thanksgiving holiday driving to Green Bay and attending the Bears vs. Packers game Thursday night. Not super-convenient for the Packerville, U.S.A. family, but it probably won’t happen again for a while. Of course, it’s going to be a special night for reasons other than the game at hand — QB Brett Favre’s number will be retired and unveiled on the stadium facade, directly behind our North end zone season ticket seats. And hopefully, all will go well and QB Bart Starr will be in attendance as planned.

The weather forecast is for rain all day on Thursday. It may or may not switch to sleet/snow during the game. We’ve got the proper attire and will remain dry and relatively warm regardless. But it may change or curtail the halftime Favre/Starr festivities. 

After a good night’s sleep in the Packerville/Green Bay World Headquarters following a Packers victory (our fingers are crossed), we’ll head back home to celebrate the Thanksgiving feast on Saturday. We hope all of our readers enjoy the holiday and settle down to watch the game in a more dry viewing place.

Lions at Packers

 

We’ve been trying to get to posting some images from last Sunday’s Packers vs. Lions game, but one thing after another got in the way. Like on Monday and Tuesday, we couldn’t stomach rehashing the loss yet. Then work got in the way, and finally last night we were starting, and the  power went out for three hours and fifteen minutes. Anyway, here we go... above we see fans tailgating on our walk to Lambeau. All weekend, Packers fans thought this would be the game that would stop the downward skid.

Fans crossing Ridge Road on the west side of the stadium. 

Our first glimpse of Lambeau’s field — right into the sun.

The fans slowly gather in the stands, watching the pre-game warm-ups. 

What it looks like as you enter the bowl from the stadium concourse. 

Down in the concourse, fans mill about — time to grab our traditional bratwurst.  

Out on the field, Lions’ QB Matthew Stafford shares some thoughts with Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers. 

An unidentified Lion also chats with Rodgers. 

Gone, but not forgotten... WR Jordy Nelson, out for the season with an ACL injury, is around all season and on the sideline during games. 

FOX Sports media personalities Erin Andrews and Troy Aikman meet on the field during the pre-game. 

Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers checks out his players before the game. 

K Mason Crosby (#2) and P Tim Masthay (#8) have a word with Special Teams Coach Ron Zook at midfield. 

Packers receivers enter the field for team warm-ups: WR Jared Abbrederis (#84), WR Randall Cobb (#18), and WR Jeff Janis (#83). Also seen is DB Micah Hyde (#33).  

Detroit players during pre-game warm-up. 

QB Aaron Rogers (#12) leads his teammates out for the team portion of pre-game warm-ups. 

Players come down to the north end zone.

   

During November, the NFL’s “Salute to Service” brings out military members with a giant field-sized flag. 

The coin toss. 

The opening kick-off. 

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) gestures signals to his offensive teammates. 

On an incredibly brightly sunlit field, RB James Starks (#44) runs left for some yardage. C Corey Linsley (#63) blocks for him on the way.

Another hand-off from QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) to RB James Starks (#44). 

K Mason Crosby kicks the game’s first field goal through the uprights. 

QB Matthew Stafford (#9) hands off to RB Joique Bell (#35). LB Julius Peppers (#56) looks to contain things on his side of the line.

A time-out offensive meeting on the Packers’ sideline. 

A look at the Packers’ entire sideline area. 

The Packers’ defense waits for the Lions’ offense during a time out. 

The crowd enjoys the sunshine on a great Autumn day. 

To the right of the Packers Radio Network booth, Packers’ CEO Mark Murphy (in white shirt and tie) watches his team with GM Ted Thompson (on the right side of the booth). 

The front of the Packers’ defense tries to nail down Lions’ RB Ameer Abdullah (#21). 

Detroit huddles up. 

QB Matthew Stafford looks for an open receiver. He found plenty all day. LB Clay Matthews (#52) is coming around the end to try and get a sack.

We like to see the Packers close up, but really only when they’re coming towards us to score. This view just means they’re stacked up against their own goal line.

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) looks to pass his way out of his own end of the field. 

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) under pressure, which seems to be commonplace nowadays. 

Here QB Rodgers (#12) tries to get a pass off accurately, with RB James Starks (#44) stepping on his left foot. 

QB Rodgers (#12) trying to throw in the other direction, with the Lions’ Devin Taylor bearing down on him. 

QB Aaron Rodgers looks up at the replay board while talking things over with his offense on the sideline. 

A new Lambeau Field crowd record — 78,528 paying customers. 

There’s a Detroit runner behind there somewhere. 

LB Joe Thomas (#48) has a clean shot at QB Mathew Stafford (#9), if he can get there in time. 

At halftime, former Packers’ GM Ron Wolf receives his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring. 

Wolf’s name and years in Green Bay are unveiled on the stadium facade as well. He joins all of the other names of Green Bay greats in Canton who are listed up there. 

The crowd gave Wolf a fine ovation for his work in Green Bay. He brought the “title” back to Titletown. 

Detroit’s RB Ameer Abdullah runs the second half kickoff 104 yards to the Green Bay one yard line. 

DT Mike Daniels (#76) tries to get QB Matthew Stafford but can’t, ultimately. 

P Tim Masthay (#8) gets off one of his nine kicks on the day.

Stafford hands off to Bell again. All of the Packers’ defenders eyes’ are upon him.

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) pitches out to RB James Starks (#44). 

QB Rodgers (#12) on the run again, seemingly under perpetual pursuit. 

Head Coach Mike McCarthy watches over his team as they make a valiant effort at a comeback. 

QB Rodgers (#12) trying to get the team down to within field goal range. 

The FOX broadcast booth as the game winds down. 

The Packers’ defense — having done all they can do — rest on the bench as the offense desperately tries to score. 

QB Rodgers (#12) acknowledges the crowd’s support, but asks for quiet. 

Even the scoreboard has to tell the crowd to quiet down. 

K Mason Crosby’s (#2) final kick fails as time runs out. 

The Packers have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. 

An unhappy crowd files out of Lambeau Field, wondering if this skid will ever end.