Green Bay Packers History

The Green Bay Packers History began in 1919 when Curly Lambeau and George Calhoun met in the old Green Bay Press-Gazette building and organized a football team.

Curly Lambeau worked for the Indian Packing Company and they agreed to pay for the jerseys for the new team. This is how the team became the “Packers”.

In 1921, two packing plant officials decided to back Lambeau and obtain a franchise in the new national pro football league. However, the team had to be forfeited at the end of the year. Luckily, in 1922, Curly Lambeau was able to by back the team for $250.

Green Bay Packers History highlights:

1929 - Green Bay Packers won their first National League Championship

1935 - Don Hutson joined the team and helped the Packers win championships in 1936, 1939 and 1944.

1949 - Curly Lambeau resigned and became the Chicago Cardinals’ head coach.

1950 - Green Bay Packers stocks were sold publicly. This helped make sure the franchise was financial secure. It also had the Packers the only team in the National Football League that is owned by the fans!

1956 - Construction on a new stadium began.

1959 - Vince Lombardi became the Head Coach and General Manager. Lombardi’s Packers won world championships in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1967.

1965 - The stadium was renamed Lambeau Field.

1968 - Lombardi retired as the Head Coach and in 1969 he left the Packers to coach the Washington Redskins.

1968 – 1970 - Phil Bengtson became the Head Coach

1971 – 1974 – Dan Devine became the Head Coach

1975 – 1983 – Bart Starr accepted the role as the Packers Head Coach and General Manager.

1984 – 1987 Forrest Gregg because the Packers Head Coach

1988 – 1991 - Lindy Infante was the Head Coach

1991 – Packers President Bob Harlan hired Ron Wolf and gave him full football operations authority.

1992 - Ron Wolf hired Mike Holmgren as the Head Coach. Brett Favre was acquired by the Packers.

1996 - The Packers won their first NFL title since 1967.

1997 - The Packers made it to the Super Bowl but lost to the Denver Broncos.

1998 - Mike Holmgren left Green Bay for a Head Coach and General Manager job with the Seattle Seahawks.

1999 - 2000 - Ray Rhodes became the Head Coach but only lasted one season.

2001 - Mike Sherman got the Packers Head Coach job. Ron Wolf retired and Sherman was also given the GM role.

2005 - Bob Harlan named Ted Thompson general manager, with full authority over football decisions.

2006 - Mike McCarthy became the Packers Head Coach.

2007 - The Packers tied the franchise record for regular-season victories by going 13-3 with the youngest team in the NFL. They lost the NFC Championship Game at home to the New York Giants in the 3rd coldest game in NFL championship history. The temperature was -1 and the wind-chill was -23.

2008 - Brett Favre announced his retirement. Then he decided he did not want to retire. Now he's playing with the Jets!

As you can see the Green Bay Packers history is long and honorable. Fans in Green Bay and around the world are very proud of the Packers!