Let us just start by saying GO PACK GO!!! It is an understatement to say that I(Tyler) bleed green and gold. Troy was given no choice and has started to bleed the same, haha.
Now for a little history lesson…
Lambeau Field AKA the Frozen Tundra is in Green Bay, Wisconsin and is the home field of the NFL team, the Green Bay Packers. The stadium opened in 1957 and is named after its founder, player, and former head coach, Curly Lambeau. FUN FACT – Lambeau Field is the oldest NFL stadium that has had the same team continuously. Why is this stadium known as the Frozen Tundra? Well, the Packers played a championship game in December of 1967 and the temperature reached -13 degrees. For those of you that do not know we beat the Dallas Cowboys in that Ice Bowl. The turf is now heated so it will not actually freeze in winter months.
So, how did the Packers come to be?
Also known as the Acme Packers, the team was sponsored by the Indian Packing Company in 1919. At the time, Curly Lambeau was employed by the company. In 1920, the Acme Packing Company bought out the Indian Packing Company, hence Acme Packers. Over time, Curly Lambeau went from playing the sport to coaching the team. The then Acme Packers appeared to be a completely different team than they are today. Back in the Acme days, the team’s uniforms were navy blue and gold, however, today they are green and gold. Fun Fact #2 – Curly Lambeau’s alma mater was Notre Dame, so it is thought to be that this is why the colors originated as blue and gold. Today the Packers are publicly owned by their fans, and they are the only publicly owned franchise in the NFL.
Today, Lambeau Field is home to 81,441 seats and a 376,000 square foot Atrium full of dining, entertainment, retail, and history. If you come for a game, you can expect to hear the tunnels echoing “GO PACK GO! “and see the players do the historic Lambeau Leap. For those of you that don’t know, this staple touchdown move first started in 1993 when LeRoy Butler jumped into the stands after a fumble return for a touchdown against the Raiders. It has become so iconic to the Packers that the NFL grandfathered this move into the rule book permitting it to continue even after it banned excessive celebrations in 2000. There is a statue commemorating this celebration outside the field, where you can do your very own Lambeau Leap. The End Zone walls are roughly six feet two inches in height, but lucky for you the statue is a shortened version so even if you don’t have the jumps, you should be able to participate in the party!
At Lambeau, you will see six numbers immortalized on the field. There are retired numbers to commemorate some of the Green Bay Packers greats…
#3 – Tony Canadeo – A halfback who played on the team from 1941 to 1952. Fun Fact – he missed most of the 1944 and 1945 season due to being in the Army and being deployed during World War II. Canadeo was smaller than most NFL players, but was known as one of the hardest to tackle. He was crafty in that he was able to play both offensive and defensive positions.
#4 – Brett Favre – A Quarterback on the Packers from 1992- to 2007. Brett is arguably the best quarterback in NFL history. Starting his career on the Atlanta Falcons for one year in 1991, he moved to the Packers, and stayed there until his transition to the Jets in 2008 for one year, lastly retiring on Minnesota Vikings (CRINGE!) in 2010. In his tenure he has 321 consecutive starts, 70,000 yards 10,000 passes, 6,000 completions, 500 touchdowns, and 200 wins. Favre’s strategic knack for scanning the field and not being afraid to get tackled himself, is unlike any other quarterback we have witnessed.
#14 – Don Huston – An End on the Packers from 1935 to 1945 and then an assistant coach from 1944 to 1948, Don led the Packers to four championship games. Huston’s legacy is recognized by many, and he is remembered for creating many of the modern pass routes used in the NFL today.
#15 – Bart Starr – A Quarterback from 1956 to 1971 turned coach from 1972 to 1983, Bart lived his entire life in the Packers limelight. He led the Packers to a their first two Superbowl victories and was named MVP for both wins.
#66 – Ray Nitschke – A linebacker from 1958 to 1972, Ray spent his entire career with the Packers. He played a pivotal role in winning the team’s first two Superbowl’s alongside Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr.
#92 – Reggie White – A defensive end on the Packers from 1993 to 1998, White created a record for most sacks…totaling a whopping 68.5. Today Clay Matthews III lies in first, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila in second, and White in third. White was known as a team leader with a great attitude and deep love for the game.
Not only does this NFC North division team have some great players in their history, the Green Bay Packers also have more championships than any other team in the NFL. Here is a glimpse into their history and why one of Lambeau’s many names is Titletown USA…
They have been league champions a record 13 times with four Super Bowl wins.
~ Superbowl I – 1966 V Kansas City Chiefs
~ Superbowl II – 1967 V Oakland Raiders
~ Superbowl XXXI – 1996 V New England Patriots
~ Superbowl XLV – 2010 V Pittsburgh Steelers
You may or may not know, even the Super Bowl trophy has ties to the Packers. The seven-pound Tiffany & Company hunk of silver is named the Lombardi Trophy. Vince Lombardi was an American football coach, best known for coaching the Packers from 1959 – 1968. He never had a losing season in his entire history, with more games won than lost each season. It was decided that the championship trophy would honor the first coach to bring an NFL team to the Super Bowl. After Vince’s unexpected passing due to cancer, the World Championship Trophy was named Lombardi Trophy. As previously mentioned, Vince Lombardi led the Packers to their first two Super Bowl wins. These two Super Bowls were also the first two in NFL’s history. Not only was Vince undoubtedly the best coach in NFL’s history, he was also a leader filled with incredibly motivational words. Some of his best quotations are:
~ “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”
~ “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.”
~ “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”
~ “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
~ “Football is like life – it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, and respect for authority.”
~Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
Win or lose, the Packers are a great team to support filled with tons of stories, skilled players, and an overwhelming sense of pride. Even if you are not a fan, the team brings so much history to the sport. We encourage everyone to check out the 3rd biggest stadium and feel the largest team backing in any sport!
We know the Bears still suck,
TnT