Packed History Lombardi’s Shadow Still Covers The Pack

Mike Holmgren likes to tool around Green Bay on a motorcycle, and was spotted the other day riding one in this Super Bowl city.

“It looks cool,” the coach of the Packers explained. “You know, the chicks and everything. The one here, I got to play with the siren.”

What would Vince Lombardi think about that? Not much, probably.

Lombardi wasn’t exactly the motorcycle type. He wore a fedora and left the helmets for the players. He preferred an overcoat instead of a leather jacket. He was a man for his time and of his time. And some people think, 27 years after he died, Lombardi’s time might be right now.

The coach has become a hot property, due in no small measure to the success of the Packers. There are T-shirts emblazoned with Lombardi homilies, Nike TV spots with actor Jerry Stiller portraying the gap-toothed coach, mugs with his picture, all sorts of paraphernalia. CMG Worldwide has licensed the use of the coach’s name to 35 companies, and sales are expected to exceed $20 million.

Lombardi’s legacy is all over Green Bay. There is a Lombardi Avenue, and a Lombardi Middle School. Walk into Lambeau Field and you can almost hear the coach, preaching his sermons.

Under Lombardi, Green Bay won five NFL championships including the first two Super Bowls. After he left, the Packers spent three decades trying to recreate his success.

Holmgren pays homage to the Lombardi heritage. There are honorary captains from that era for each home game, and the old Packers are frequently around the new ones.

“What the Lombardi era has meant to the league and Green Bay should never be put to rest,” Holmgren said. “That will be a part of football as long as we play the game.”

Sometimes Holmgren even sounds like Lombardi.

He gives quarterback Brett Favre the option to audible out of any play sent in from the sidelines. “It better work, though,” he said.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: THE LEGACY Green Bay Packer coaches since Vince Lombardi.

Phil Bengston 1968-1970 20-21-1 (.488)

Dan Devine 1971-1974 25-28-4 (.474)

Bart Starr 1975-1983 53-77-3 (.410)

Forrest Gregg 1984-1987 25-37-1 (.405)

Lindy Infante 1988-1991 24-40-0 (.375)

Mike Holmgren 1992-present 51-29-0 (.638) SOURCES: Green Bay Packers and Associated Press