Titletown History of the Green Bay Packers

Vince Lombardi Era

The Packers, having become one of the top teams in the league were the first to get a feel of what it meant to be Super Bowl champions. But it was all due to the brilliance of former New York Giants assistant, Vince Lombardi. Lombardi was hired as the Packers’ head coach and general manager in 1959 and further cemented the team’s legacy by winning the first and second Super Bowls. He built a formidable roster featuring the poised Bart Starr and the explosive Paul Hornung on offense and the ferocious Ray Nitschke on defense.

These players knew the weight of the crest they fought for and were always ready to battle whether the conditions were favorable or not. Take the Ice Bowl for example—the coldest NFL game in history. This legendary NFL Championship matchup between the Packers and the Dallas Cowboys saw temperatures drop to 13 degrees below zero at game time. Admittedly, low temperatures weren’t exactly strange to Green Bay, but the temperature at the Ice Bowl was nothing like they had ever experienced before. During the game, the Packers took an early 14-0 lead, which wasn’t too surprising.

But suddenly, they found themselves on the losing side of the proceedings with 4:50 left in the game. Out of ideas and out of time, the Packers needed something special. With seconds left, Starr delivered, diving over the goal line for a stunning victory. As Lombardi put it, “We gambled and we won.”

Following Lombardi’s passing from cancer on September 3, 1970, the NFL honored his legacy by renaming the Super Bowl trophy the Vince Lombardi Trophy, a tribute to his incredible success with the Packers. Even before his death, Green Bay recognized his impact, renaming Highland Avenue to Lombardi Avenue in 1968, forever linking his name to Lambeau Field’s address at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

Return to Glory

The Packers endured a rather quiet 25 years after their Super Bowl in 1967. But they were back at it in 1992 when they acquired Brett Favre from the Atlanta Falcons. Favre did exactly what he was brought in to do, helping the team finish the season with a 9-7 record. The addition of Reggie White to the roster the following season gave the Packers the completeness they once knew. Winning became a culture at Green Bay once again.

In the 1996 season, Favre and White catapulted the Packers to the number one spot in offense and defense rankings respectively. The Packers rapidly climbed up the pecking order of basically everything, finishing the season with an impressive 13-3 record. The San Francisco 49ers were no match for them in the playoffs nor were the Carolina Panthers in the Conference championship. Facing a New England Patriots side that had legendary rusher Curtis Martin in it was never going to be easy but the Packers were more than equal to the task.

In 2008, the Packers traded Favre to the New York Jets for a conditional pick in the 2009 draft. But losing Favre didn’t take away their fighting spirit. Aaron Rodgers took over as starting quarterback and threw for 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns in just his first year as a starter. In 2010, the Packers’ 10-6 record was enough to make the NFC playoffs. In the NFC championship, they faced a familiar foe—the Chicago Bears. The two teams have a long history, making their rivalry one of the most intense in NFL history. However, this was only their second meeting in a playoff match.

The Packers undid the Bears and went on to Super Bowl XLV where they took down the Pittsburgh Steelers. History was made as the Packers became the first No. 6 seed from the NFC to win a Super Bowl.

A Legacy that Lives On

Although the Packers have never won a championship since 2010, their legacy continues to speak volumes. Transcending football, the Packers have become a symbol of resilience and deep-rooted tradition. They stand as the only community-owned, non-profit professional sports team in the United States and the sole survivor of the small-town teams that once thrived in the NFL’s early years.

Their loyal fanbase, often referred to as “Cheeseheads” also sets them apart. No matter how the team performs, every Packers game in Green Bay—preseason, regular season, or playoffs—has sold out since 1960. Despite playing in the NFL’s smallest TV market, the Packers continue to rank among the league’s most popular and well-supported teams. Even in extreme weather conditions as seen in the Ice Bowl, the Cheeseheads’ commitment has never been questioned.

Team Achievements