Sad News in Packerville

Former Green Bay Packer Max McGee, the first National League Football player to score a touchdown in a Super Bowl, died today. The police department in Deephaven, Minn., where McGee lived, confirmed McGee's death and said it would be issuing a statement soon providing details. Minneapolis television station KARE reported that McGee died late this afternoon following an accident at his home in Deephaven, which is 15 miles southwest of Minneapolis. Police were called to his home around 5:20 p.m. on a report of an unconscious man who had fallen off the roof, the station reported. Emergency crews arrived and performed CPR on McGee but their efforts were not successful and he was pronounced dead, the station said.

McGee played as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers from 1954 to 1967. He helped his team capture two Super Bowl wins and five NFL championships. He scored the first touchdown in Super Bowl history. Later, McGee became the color commentator for radio broadcasts of Packers football games. McGee also co-founded the popular restaurant chain “Chi-Chis.” McGee was 75 years old and is survived by his wife, Denise, four children and numerous grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.





Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Hornung in the Training Room

Today’s blog entry, being produced straight from the brand new Packerville laptop, is a fine photo of long time Packers’ trainer Bud Jorgensen wrapping halfback Paul Hornung’s right ankle before a workout in July 1964.

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette archives

Bart Starr Day, 1970

The blog posting for today is an image of Packers’ great quarterback Bart Starr acknowledging tributes given in his honor during “Bart Starr Day” on October 18, 1970. The ceremony was held during halftime of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field. Green Bay lost that game, 31-21. Starr would continue playing for the team through 1971.

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette archives

Tailgating in the Olden Days

Today’s blog image is from the mid-Sixties, showing how tailgating has changed a bit since then. Most noticeable is the attire that folks wear to Packer games. The original caption for this photo reads: “The Packer Picnic Club tailgates before the September 13, 1964, opener against the Chicago Bears. From left, are George and Betsy Yonan of Chicago and Mr. and Mrs. James Kimberly, formerly of Neenah. The club, made up largely of prominent people from Appleton, Neenah and Menasha, had rented tailgating space for 65 cars across from City Stadium since its opening in 1957.”

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette archives

The Man Behind the “G” Logo

For today’s blog entry, we have a photo of long time Packers’ equipment man “Dad” Braisher, shown here working on players’ helmets during training camp in 1968. Braisher was the one who designed the now infamous “G” logo that appeared on the team’s helmets for the first time in 1961.

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette archives

The Packer Band — 1963

Today we present another photo of the Green Bay Packers band, which was in existence until 1996. This image is from 1963, the year the Packers lost only two games — both to the Chicago Bears. The Bears went on to win the NFL championship over the New York Giants.

“Packerville” will be on break until Monday due to out-of-town travel. See you next week.

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette archives

The Packer Band

After two days of recovery from the Sunday night loss to the Bears, we're back with yet another image from the Green Bay Press-Gazette's collection of historical photos. Today's caption reads: “Wilner Burke directs the Packer Band before the game against the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 27, 1978. Tracing its roots to old City Stadium, the Packer Band was a familiar sight — and sound — before and during games at Lambeau Field through the 1996 season.”

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette archives

Post-Bear Game Therapy

For those of us who watched tonight as the Packers self-destructed against the Chicago Bears, we offer a couple of images from the past when such an ugly outcome was not the case:


The original caption for this photo reads: “New coach Vince Lombardi is carried off the field by his players after the Packers beat the Chicago Bears 9-6 in the season opener at City Stadium on September 27, 1959. Closest to Lombardi, from left, are Max McGee (#85), Bobby Dillon (#44), Bill Quinlan (#83), Lew Carpenter (#33), Don McIlhenny (#42) and Paul Hornung (#5). Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette archives


In this photo, “Packers’ halfback Paul Hornung (5) heads upfield during a 49-0 victory over the Chicago Bears at City Stadium on September 30, 1962. One Packers lineman blocks Bears defensive back J.C. Caroline (#25), and guard Jerry Kramer (#64) stops Bears defensive tackle Maury Youmans (#82). Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette archives

Hornung Scores

Today brings the last installment of our series on the 1961 championship game. The original caption to this photo reads: “Packers halfback Paul Hornung (#5) darts into the open, past the outstretched hand of Giants linebacker Cliff Livingston (#89) on his way to the end zone to score on a 6-yard run in the second quarter of the NFL championship game at City Stadium on Dec. 31, 1961. Wide receiver Boyd Dowler (#86) is about to put the last necessary block on Giants defensive back Joe Morrison (#40) at the goal line.

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette archives

1961 Champ Game Fans

Today we have another photo taken during the ’61 championship game at City Stadium, only this time the camera is turned towards the fans rather than the action on the field. The original photo caption reads: “A Packers fan holds up a sign with the phrase “Giant Meat” during the NFL championship game against the New York Giants at City Stadium on Dec. 31, 1961.”

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette archives