Vincent Thomas Lombardi (June 11, 1913 – September 3, 1970) was an American football coach, and executive in the National Football League (NFL).
His playing as a fullback on the Terriers' football team earned him a spot on the virtual All-City football team. === Fordham University === In 1933, Lombardi received a football scholarship to Fordham University in the Bronx to play for the Fordham Rams and Coach Jim Crowley, who was one of the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame in the 1920s.
206 at age 15 in 1928.
He led the Packers to three consecutive NFL championships — in 1965, 1966, and 1967 — a feat accomplished only once before in the history of the league, by Curly Lambeau, co-founder of the Packers, who coached the team to their first three straight NFL Championships in 1929, 1930, and 1931.
He led the Packers to three consecutive NFL championships — in 1965, 1966, and 1967 — a feat accomplished only once before in the history of the league, by Curly Lambeau, co-founder of the Packers, who coached the team to their first three straight NFL Championships in 1929, 1930, and 1931.
He led the Packers to three consecutive NFL championships — in 1965, 1966, and 1967 — a feat accomplished only once before in the history of the league, by Curly Lambeau, co-founder of the Packers, who coached the team to their first three straight NFL Championships in 1929, 1930, and 1931.
Francis Preparatory high school for the fall of 1932.
His playing as a fullback on the Terriers' football team earned him a spot on the virtual All-City football team. === Fordham University === In 1933, Lombardi received a football scholarship to Fordham University in the Bronx to play for the Fordham Rams and Coach Jim Crowley, who was one of the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame in the 1920s.
Lombardi died the following year, but he was credited to have "truly changed the culture in that one unforgettable season in 1969," laying the foundation for Washington's early 1970s success under another Hall of Fame caliber coach in George Allen. == Personal life == === Family === In the fall of 1934, Lombardi's roommate Jim Lawlor introduced him to his cousin's relative, Marie Planitz.
Lombardi was only 5'8" and about 180 pounds and was classified as undersized for the position. In his senior year of 1936, he was the right guard in the Seven Blocks of Granite, a nickname given by a Fordham University publicist to the Fordham University football team's offensive front line.
The loss destroyed all hopes of Fordham playing in the Rose Bowl and taught Lombardi a lesson he would never forget — never to underestimate your opponent. === Early career === Lombardi graduated from Fordham University on June 16, 1937.
With his father's strong support, he enrolled in Fordham Law School in September 1938.
Cecilia High School === In 1939, Lombardi wanted to marry his girlfriend, Marie Planitz, but he deferred at his father's insistence because he needed a steady job to support himself and a family; he would marry Marie the following year.
In 1939, Lombardi accepted an assistant coaching job at St.
Lombardi and Marie wed, nonetheless, on August 31, 1940. Marie's first pregnancy resulted in a miscarriage.
In addition to coaching, Lombardi, age 26, also taught Latin, chemistry, and physics for an annual salary of under $1,000. Andy Palau left for Fordham in 1942 and Lombardi became the head coach at St.
Their son, Vincent Henry Lombardi (Vince Jr.), was born in 1942, and their daughter Susan followed five years later in 1947. Lombardi's perfectionism, authoritarian nature and temper, instilled in his wife a masterful ability to verbally assault and demean Lombardi when he verbally abused her.
his wife's drinking." When Lombardi became head coach of football in 1942, he would lead his team to Sunday Mass before each home game.
Lombardi obtained a series of deferments: his first was a 2-A due to his teaching occupation; in 1943, he obtained a second deferment due to parenthood (3-A); and his final deferment was labelled a 4-A and given in 1944. ===Religion=== The three constants throughout Lombardi's life were his Catholic faith, his family and football.
Every Packers home game—preseason, regular season and playoffs—has been sold out ever since. ==== 1960–1966 ==== In his second year in 1960, Green Bay won the NFL Western Conference for the first time since 1944.
Lombardi obtained a series of deferments: his first was a 2-A due to his teaching occupation; in 1943, he obtained a second deferment due to parenthood (3-A); and his final deferment was labelled a 4-A and given in 1944. ===Religion=== The three constants throughout Lombardi's life were his Catholic faith, his family and football.
Lombardi won six championships, and became the president of the Bergen County Coaches' Association. === Fordham === In 1947, Lombardi became the coach of freshman teams in football and basketball at his alma mater, Fordham University.
Their son, Vincent Henry Lombardi (Vince Jr.), was born in 1942, and their daughter Susan followed five years later in 1947. Lombardi's perfectionism, authoritarian nature and temper, instilled in his wife a masterful ability to verbally assault and demean Lombardi when he verbally abused her.
The following year, he was an assistant coach for the varsity football team under head coach Ed Danowski, but he was arguably the de facto head coach. === West Point === Following the 1948 season, Lombardi accepted an assistant's job, at the U.S.
The 1949 and 1950 seasons were successful, but the 1951 and 1952 were not, due to the aftermath of a cadet cribbing scandal (a violation of the Cadet Honor Code) which was revealed in the spring of 1951.
The 1949 and 1950 seasons were successful, but the 1951 and 1952 were not, due to the aftermath of a cadet cribbing scandal (a violation of the Cadet Honor Code) which was revealed in the spring of 1951.
The 1949 and 1950 seasons were successful, but the 1951 and 1952 were not, due to the aftermath of a cadet cribbing scandal (a violation of the Cadet Honor Code) which was revealed in the spring of 1951.
After the seasons of 1951 and 1952 not much was expected from the 1953 team as it had also lost six players due to academic failure.
The 1949 and 1950 seasons were successful, but the 1951 and 1952 were not, due to the aftermath of a cadet cribbing scandal (a violation of the Cadet Honor Code) which was revealed in the spring of 1951.
After the seasons of 1951 and 1952 not much was expected from the 1953 team as it had also lost six players due to academic failure.
After the seasons of 1951 and 1952 not much was expected from the 1953 team as it had also lost six players due to academic failure.
The team of 1953 however did go on to be 7–1–1, as Lombardi had a bigger role than ever in coaching the team.
Following these five seasons at Army, Lombardi accepted an assistant coaching position with the New York Giants. === New York Giants === At age 41 in 1954, Lombardi began his NFL career with the New York Giants.
The Redskins finished at 7–5–2, their first winning record since the 1955 season.
By his third season in 1956, Lombardi, along with the defensive coordinator, former All-Pro cornerback turned coach Tom Landry, turned the squad into a championship team, defeating the Chicago Bears 47–7 for the league title.
Lombardi referred to this as running to daylight. === Green Bay Packers === ==== 1959 ==== The Green Bay Packers, with six future Hall of Famers on the roster in 1958, finished at 1–10–1 under head coach Ray McLean, the worst record in Packer history.
. Gifford, Frank and Richmond, Peter (2008), The Glory Game: How the 1958 NFL Championship Changed Football Forever.
Lombardi referred to this as running to daylight. === Green Bay Packers === ==== 1959 ==== The Green Bay Packers, with six future Hall of Famers on the roster in 1958, finished at 1–10–1 under head coach Ray McLean, the worst record in Packer history.
On February 2, 1959, Lombardi accepted the position of head coach and general manager of the Packers.
The Packers were an immediate improvement in 1959 at 7–5, and rookie head coach Lombardi was named Coach of the Year.
Before the championship game, Lombardi met with Wellington Mara and advised him that he would not take the Giants' head coaching job, which was initially offered after the end of the 1959 season.
He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight and five total NFL Championships in seven years, in addition to winning the first two Super Bowls at the conclusion of the 1966 and 1967 NFL seasons. Lombardi began his coaching career as an assistant and later as a head coach at St.
The fans appreciated what Lombardi was trying to do, and responded by selling out every game for the 1960 season.
Every Packers home game—preseason, regular season and playoffs—has been sold out ever since. ==== 1960–1966 ==== In his second year in 1960, Green Bay won the NFL Western Conference for the first time since 1944.
Before the start of the 1960 regular season, he instituted a policy that the Packers would only lodge in places that accepted all his players.
Kennedy in the 1960 presidential election, Robert F.
Despite this, during the 1960s he became uncomfortable with the burgeoning youth protest movements associated with the emerging counterculture, such as the New Left and the Anti-war movement.
The Packers defeated the Giants for the NFL title in 1961 (37–0 in Green Bay) and 1962 (16–7 at Yankee Stadium), marking the first two of their five titles in Lombardi's seven years.
The Packers defeated the Giants for the NFL title in 1961 (37–0 in Green Bay) and 1962 (16–7 at Yankee Stadium), marking the first two of their five titles in Lombardi's seven years.
After the 1962 championship win, President John F.
Postage stamp first issued on July 25, 1997. == Head coaching record == The Packers played in the third-place Playoff Bowl in Miami after the 1963 and 1964 seasons;these are categorized as exhibition games. == Books == Run to Daylight! by Vince Lombardi with W.
Louis Cardinals in the third-place Playoff Bowl after the 1964 season (officially classified as an exhibition game). Including postseason but excluding exhibition games, Lombardi compiled a 105–35–6 (.740) record as head coach, and never suffered a losing season.
Postage stamp first issued on July 25, 1997. == Head coaching record == The Packers played in the third-place Playoff Bowl in Miami after the 1963 and 1964 seasons;these are categorized as exhibition games. == Books == Run to Daylight! by Vince Lombardi with W.
He led the Packers to three consecutive NFL championships — in 1965, 1966, and 1967 — a feat accomplished only once before in the history of the league, by Curly Lambeau, co-founder of the Packers, who coached the team to their first three straight NFL Championships in 1929, 1930, and 1931.
He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight and five total NFL Championships in seven years, in addition to winning the first two Super Bowls at the conclusion of the 1966 and 1967 NFL seasons. Lombardi began his coaching career as an assistant and later as a head coach at St.
He led the Packers to three consecutive NFL championships — in 1965, 1966, and 1967 — a feat accomplished only once before in the history of the league, by Curly Lambeau, co-founder of the Packers, who coached the team to their first three straight NFL Championships in 1929, 1930, and 1931.
At the conclusion of the 1966 and 1967 seasons, Lombardi's Packers won the first two Super Bowls, for championships in five of seven seasons. ==== Packers Sweep ==== As coach of the Packers, Lombardi converted Notre Dame quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung to a full-time [(American football)|halfback].
He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight and five total NFL Championships in seven years, in addition to winning the first two Super Bowls at the conclusion of the 1966 and 1967 NFL seasons. Lombardi began his coaching career as an assistant and later as a head coach at St.
He led the Packers to three consecutive NFL championships — in 1965, 1966, and 1967 — a feat accomplished only once before in the history of the league, by Curly Lambeau, co-founder of the Packers, who coached the team to their first three straight NFL Championships in 1929, 1930, and 1931.
At the conclusion of the 1966 and 1967 seasons, Lombardi's Packers won the first two Super Bowls, for championships in five of seven seasons. ==== Packers Sweep ==== As coach of the Packers, Lombardi converted Notre Dame quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung to a full-time [(American football)|halfback].
It soon became known as the Packers sweep (or Lombardi sweep), though Lombardi openly admitted it was based on an old single wing concept. ===== Ice Bowl ===== In 1967, Lombardi's Packers hosted the Dallas Cowboys in Green Bay on December 31 in the NFL Championship Game, a rematch of the previous season.
During his time as coach the team became fully integrated: by 1967 they had 13 black players, including All-Pros Willie Davis, Willie Wood, Dave Robinson, Herb Adderley and Bob Jeter. During his first training camp in Green Bay, Lombardi was notified by Packer veterans that an interracial relationship existed between one of the Packer rookies and a young woman.
Lombardi also refused to assign hotel rooms to players based on their race: by 1967 the Packers were the only team with such a policy. Lombardi was a member of the all-white Oneida Golf and Riding Country club in Green Bay, and he demanded that he should be allowed to choose a Native American caddie, even if white caddies were available.
In a speech that he first gave in February 1967 to the American Management Association, he suggested that "everything has been done to strengthen the rights of the individual and at the same time weaken the rights of the church, weaken the rights of the state, and weaken the rights of all authority".
Due to Lombardi's popularity, Richard Nixon once floated him as a running mate, but dropped the idea upon learning about his Democrat leanings. ==Illness and death== Lombardi had suffered from digestive tract problems as early as 1967, and he had refused his doctor's request to undergo a proctoscopic exam.
The play received positive reviews, as did Lauria's performance. NFL Films and HBO produced a film about Lombardi that debuted Saturday, December 11, 2010. == Honors == In May 1967, Lombardi "... received Fordham's highest honor, the Insignis Medal ...
Kramer blocked Jethro Pugh low and Ken Bowman hit Pugh high as Starr followed them into the end zone for the Packer lead and assured victory. === Washington Redskins === Shortly after the win in Super Bowl II, Lombardi stepped down as head coach of the Packers on February 1, 1968, continuing as general manager.
Kennedy in the 1968 primaries, and was also a supporter of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson.
Lombardi was interred in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown Township, New Jersey. ==Popular culture== In 1968, Lombardi starred in a half-hour motivational film titled Second Effort, that has been called "The best-selling training film of all time". On December 14, 1973, ABC aired Legend in Granite starring Ernest Borgnine as Vince.
Lombardi died the following year, but he was credited to have "truly changed the culture in that one unforgettable season in 1969," laying the foundation for Washington's early 1970s success under another Hall of Fame caliber coach in George Allen. == Personal life == === Family === In the fall of 1934, Lombardi's roommate Jim Lawlor introduced him to his cousin's relative, Marie Planitz.
At the Washington Redskins training camp in 1969, Ray McDonald was a gay player, with sub-par skills, who was trying to make the Redskins roster again, but this time with Lombardi as the Redskins' new head coach.
for being a great teacher" On January 13, 1969, he was inducted into the Knights of Malta at St.
Vincent Thomas Lombardi (June 11, 1913 – September 3, 1970) was an American football coach, and executive in the National Football League (NFL).
Lombardi died the following year, but he was credited to have "truly changed the culture in that one unforgettable season in 1969," laying the foundation for Washington's early 1970s success under another Hall of Fame caliber coach in George Allen. == Personal life == === Family === In the fall of 1934, Lombardi's roommate Jim Lawlor introduced him to his cousin's relative, Marie Planitz.
On June 24, 1970, Lombardi was admitted to Georgetown University Hospital, and tests "revealed anaplastic carcinoma in the rectal area of his colon, a fast-growing malignant cancer in which the cells barely resemble their normal appearance." On July 27, Lombardi was readmitted to Georgetown and exploratory surgery found that the cancer was terminal.
on Thursday, September 3, 1970, surrounded by his wife, parents, two children, and six grandchildren.
Lombardi was interred in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown Township, New Jersey. ==Popular culture== In 1968, Lombardi starred in a half-hour motivational film titled Second Effort, that has been called "The best-selling training film of all time". On December 14, 1973, ABC aired Legend in Granite starring Ernest Borgnine as Vince.
The football field in Palisades Park is also known as Lombardi Field. A plaque dedication installed in 1974 in the sidewalk on a square (unofficially called Vince Lombardi Square) near Sheepshead Bay Road and East 14th Street in Brooklyn, New York. There are two places in the Bensonhurst area, which are, or were, dedicated to Lombardi at one time: P.S.
Postage stamp first issued on July 25, 1997. == Head coaching record == The Packers played in the third-place Playoff Bowl in Miami after the 1963 and 1964 seasons;these are categorized as exhibition games. == Books == Run to Daylight! by Vince Lombardi with W.
He coached the Packers to win their next nine post-season games, a record streak not matched or broken until Bill Belichick won ten straight from 2002 to 2006 with New England.
He coached the Packers to win their next nine post-season games, a record streak not matched or broken until Bill Belichick won ten straight from 2002 to 2006 with New England.
In the 2009 season, he helped lead the Saints to win the trophy bearing his grandfather's name, and Drew Brees to win a Super Bowl MVP award.
Richard Zeppieri played then-Assistant Coach Lombardi. A play titled Lombardi opened on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York City in October 2010, following an out-of-town tryout at the Mahaiwe Theater in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
The play received positive reviews, as did Lauria's performance. NFL Films and HBO produced a film about Lombardi that debuted Saturday, December 11, 2010. == Honors == In May 1967, Lombardi "... received Fordham's highest honor, the Insignis Medal ...
When Lombardi had not lost his temper, he would often be reticent and aloof. Lombardi's grandson, Joe Lombardi, was named the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in January 2014.
He was relieved of this position midway through the 2015 season.
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