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Green Bay Packers: Who makes team’s Mount Rushmore?

By Kyle Hoffenbecker

GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 1: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers stands on the field during the game against the Seattle Seahawks on January 1, 2006 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won 23-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 1: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers stands on the field during the game against the Seattle Seahawks on January 1, 2006 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won 23-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 11: A general view of Lambeau Field prior to a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks on December 11, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 11: A general view of Lambeau Field prior to a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks on December 11, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Curly Lambeau, Founder/Player/Coach (1919-49)

If it wasn’t for Curly Lambeau, there would be no Green Bay Packers. That alone is enough for him to be on the Packers’ Mount Rushmore. He did way more than found the Packers. Lambeau played a vital role as a player and coach for the first 30 years of the franchise. His determination for a football team in Green Bay, WI set up what we get to witness today.

The team faced bankruptcy on multiple occasions in the early years. Many would have given up on the dream and moved on. Lambeau was determined to keep the team afloat. He lead the team to their first six NFL championships including a stretch of three in a row from 1929-31.

For his dedication and sacrifice to Green Bay football, New City Stadium was renamed Lambeau Field to honor the late legend.

Vince Lombardi, Coach/General Manager (1959-68)

While Vince Lombardi was only with the team about a third of the amount of time Curly Lambeau was, you can argue that he made as much of an impact Lambeau made. Before Lombardi joined the team, the Packers were horrendous. Despite already having multiple future Hall of Famers on the team, the team finished with an abysmal 1-10-1 record, the worst in franchise history.

With his football philosophy (and the Packers Sweep,) Lombardi turned around the franchise in just a few seasons. By 1960, the team was back in the NFL championship game. That season saw Lombardi’s only loss in a championship game with the Packers. After all was said and done, Lombardi coached the team to five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls.

His legacy lives on multiple ways today. The Super Bowl trophy is named after him, the road Lambeau Field lives on is named after him, and a local Green Bay middle school features the Lombardi name. Overall, Lombardi brought the team back from mediocrity. The 1960s is still considered one of the best eras in team history. It was all thanks to the legendary head coach.

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