When Vince Lombardi was hired by the Packers, it marked the most important turning point in the history of the Packers.
A former NFL powerhouse, the Packers had been reduced to a laughing stock of the league by the end of the 1950’s. Gone were the glory days of the 1930’s and 1940’s. A series of losing seasons and bad coaches left the Packers at the bottom of the league by 1958.
And that’s when the fortunes of the Packers changed forever.
Vince Lombardi installed a belief in winning from the moment was hired as the Packers coach. By insisting on winning no matter what the cost, and embracing a total team effort to achieve the desired end result, Lombardi was able to turn the 1-10-1 1958 team into a respectable 7-5 record in 1959.
By 1960, the Packers were ready to begin their ascent back to NFL glory.
An 8-4 record at the end of the season saw them win the NFL Western Division, their first title of any kind since 1944.
Relying on the ground game tandem of Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung, the Packers ran their way to the second best offense in the NFL in 1960, averaging just under 28 points per game.
Their defense, led by Ray Nitschke, was just as tough, allowing a mere 17 points per game.
The Packers were back, and ready to take on the Philiadelphia Eagles in the NFL Championship Game.
A close contest throughout, the Packers held a 13-10 lead in the 4th quarter, in part due to an incredible 223 rushing yards. Although the Packers would eventually outgain the Eagles 401-296, they would eventually lose the game 17-13.
It would be the first-and only-playoff loss the Packers would experience under Vince Lombardi.
Lombardi told his team after the game they would never lose a championship game again. And he was 100% correct.
The Packers would go 9-0 in playoff games for the rest of Lombardi’s regime in Green Bay, winning 5 titles in the process.
Although the 1960 season would end in heartbreaking fashion, it was actually the dawning of a dynasty in Green Bay.
Please sit back and enjoy this video showcasing the 1960 NFL Championship between the Packers and Eagles (hint-turn your volume up).
When you are done watching, please head over to AllGBP.com and check out the latest installment of Surviving Sunday: Packers News, Notes and Links for the Football Deprived. It is a must read every Sunday during the off season.
Just think: two weeks from today the Packers Training Camp will be underway. Thank goodness. And there will finally be “real” football news to talk about.
Hope everyone has a great Sunday!
GO PACK GO!
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John Rehor is a writer at PackersTalk.com.
He can also be heard as one of the Co-Hosts of Cheesehead Radio. ---------------------
2 responses to “Green Bay Packers Flashback Sunday: The Dawning of a Dynasty”
Vince just had a real knack for motivation. He was as passionate coach who was able to bring out the best in his players.
He was the best there ever was, or ever will be.
So much more than a coach-a master psychologist, expert motivational speaker, and an excellent teacher.