Green Bay Packers history is more extensive than most NFL teams. Packers fans are proud to know that their team is the third-oldest NFL franchise, established in 1919. They are now a part of the NFC North Division of the NFL, even though they started out as an independent football team and didn't join the NFL until 1921. Throughout Green Bay Packers history, they had many division changes, Packers started in the National Conference, then moved to the Western Conference in 1953, and then were divided into the Central Division of the Western Conference (confused yet) until 1969 when the AFL-NFL merger changed the leagues and made them a member of the NFC Central. Finally, in 2002, they were sent to the North Division as a part of the NFL changing teams around and re-doing divisions.
A unique aspect of the Green Bay Packers history is how the team ownership was structured. Packers are the only community owned, non-profit NFL team. They're also the only non-profit team of their kind in the world of professional sports across the United States. Green Bay Packers history began with their founding owners, Earl Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun, who were once high school rivals. Lambeau was given $500 for uniforms and equipment, and the team was to be named for the Indian Packing Company, who gave him the money to fund his team. Combining Green Bay with the Packing company, hence the name Green Bay Packers was born; this is an interesting aspect of Packers history considering it the oldest team name that is still being used.
In 1920, the Packers joined the new national pro football league, which survived only a year due to their financial problems. The next year, Lambeau acquired new funding, and the Green Bay Football Corporation was formed. The Packers immediately became a force to be reckoned with in professional football. A significant accomplishment in Green Bay Packers history is their 12 league championship wins, which is the most in NFL franchise history by any one team. Three of those championships are credited as Super Bowls. Making the NFL records book, the Green Bay Packers history includes three straight NFL titles, which they accomplished twice, in 1929, 1930, and 1931, and again in 1965, 1966, and 1967.
In the 1960s, Vince Lombardi accepted the coaching position and the team won five league championships during his era. In 1968, Lombardi became the General Manager, and Phil Bengtson was chosen as the next head coach. Lombardi then left Green Bay in 1969, became head coach of the Redskins, and then died in 1970. The Super Bowl trophy was named after Vince Lombardi and the road that goes by Lambeau Field in Green Bay was named after him to honor this legendary man. They had five winning seasons between 1968 and 1991, and appeared in the playoffs twice. They had five different head coaches and many changes in their roster, which may have been attributed to the lack of structure and poor drafting choices.
In 1992, the arrival of Brett Favre brought Green Bay Packers history into a new era. Brett Favre's numerous victories and triumphs, helped boost the sales of Packers tickets, memorabilia and merchandise. Favre started 271 consecutive games for the Packers, an NFL record that the Packers can add to their laundry list of accomplishments. After picking up Reggie White for defense, the team took off again. They have had several winning seasons, played in a numerous championship games and eventually made it to Super Bowl XXXI. They returned to Super Bowl XXXII, but ended up losing to John Elway and his Denver Broncos in a close game.
The Packers made history once again in the 2007 season, appearing in the NFC Championship game for the first time in 10 years. The sales of Packers memorabilia soared and especially those items related to their Super Bowl run. In addition, anything that Brett Favre contributed to, including Packers autographed items, was extremely popular among fans of all ages. One of the biggest controversy's in Green Bay Packers history unfolded in 2008, when Brett Favre retired, and then requested to be reinstated in that same year. His reinstatement was granted, but was then traded to the New York Jets. That season, the Packers came out with a 6-10 record, but despite those struggles, team supporters are still considered as some of the most loyal fans in the league.
A unique aspect of the Green Bay Packers history is how the team ownership was structured. Packers are the only community owned, non-profit NFL team. They're also the only non-profit team of their kind in the world of professional sports across the United States. Green Bay Packers history began with their founding owners, Earl Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun, who were once high school rivals. Lambeau was given $500 for uniforms and equipment, and the team was to be named for the Indian Packing Company, who gave him the money to fund his team. Combining Green Bay with the Packing company, hence the name Green Bay Packers was born; this is an interesting aspect of Packers history considering it the oldest team name that is still being used.
In 1920, the Packers joined the new national pro football league, which survived only a year due to their financial problems. The next year, Lambeau acquired new funding, and the Green Bay Football Corporation was formed. The Packers immediately became a force to be reckoned with in professional football. A significant accomplishment in Green Bay Packers history is their 12 league championship wins, which is the most in NFL franchise history by any one team. Three of those championships are credited as Super Bowls. Making the NFL records book, the Green Bay Packers history includes three straight NFL titles, which they accomplished twice, in 1929, 1930, and 1931, and again in 1965, 1966, and 1967.
In the 1960s, Vince Lombardi accepted the coaching position and the team won five league championships during his era. In 1968, Lombardi became the General Manager, and Phil Bengtson was chosen as the next head coach. Lombardi then left Green Bay in 1969, became head coach of the Redskins, and then died in 1970. The Super Bowl trophy was named after Vince Lombardi and the road that goes by Lambeau Field in Green Bay was named after him to honor this legendary man. They had five winning seasons between 1968 and 1991, and appeared in the playoffs twice. They had five different head coaches and many changes in their roster, which may have been attributed to the lack of structure and poor drafting choices.
In 1992, the arrival of Brett Favre brought Green Bay Packers history into a new era. Brett Favre's numerous victories and triumphs, helped boost the sales of Packers tickets, memorabilia and merchandise. Favre started 271 consecutive games for the Packers, an NFL record that the Packers can add to their laundry list of accomplishments. After picking up Reggie White for defense, the team took off again. They have had several winning seasons, played in a numerous championship games and eventually made it to Super Bowl XXXI. They returned to Super Bowl XXXII, but ended up losing to John Elway and his Denver Broncos in a close game.
The Packers made history once again in the 2007 season, appearing in the NFC Championship game for the first time in 10 years. The sales of Packers memorabilia soared and especially those items related to their Super Bowl run. In addition, anything that Brett Favre contributed to, including Packers autographed items, was extremely popular among fans of all ages. One of the biggest controversy's in Green Bay Packers history unfolded in 2008, when Brett Favre retired, and then requested to be reinstated in that same year. His reinstatement was granted, but was then traded to the New York Jets. That season, the Packers came out with a 6-10 record, but despite those struggles, team supporters are still considered as some of the most loyal fans in the league.
No comments:
Post a Comment