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Vince Lombardi

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Vince Lombardi
File:Vince Lombardi.png
Personal information
Born:(1913-06-11)June 11, 1913
Brooklyn, New York
Died:September 3, 1970(1970-09-03) (aged 57)
Washington, D.C.
Career information
College:Fordham
Position:Head Coach/General Manager
Career history
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Win-Loss Record:96-34-6
Winning %:.738
Games:136
Coaching stats at PFR

Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi (June 11, 1913– September 3, 1970) was an American football coach. He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to four straight league championships, including winning the first two [Super Bowls] following the 1966 and 1967 NFL seasons. The National Football League's Super Bowl trophy is named in his honor. He was enshrined in the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

Lombardi played football at St. Francis Preparatory School, and later Fordham University. He began coaching as an assistant and later as a head coach at St. Cecilia High School. He would later become an assistant coach at Fordham University, the U.S. Military Academy, and the New York Giants before becoming a head coach for the Green Bay Packers from 1959–67 and the Washington Redskins in 1969. He never had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL, compiling an impressive Regular Season winning percentage of 73.8% and 90% in the Post Season. Lombardi is one of the most quoted coaches and figureheads in America, known for his hard-nosed, paternalistic style and relentless pursuit of victory, that have inspired coaching philosophy, books, movies, Broadway plays and documentaries.

Early years

Lombardi was born in Brooklyn to Enrico "Harry" Lombardi and Matilda "Mattie" Izzo on June 11, 1913.[1][2] Harry's mother and father, Vincenzo and Michelina emigrated from Salerno, Italy.[3][4] Mattie's father and mother, Anthony and Loretta, emigrated from an area several miles east of Salerno.[1][2] Henry had three siblings[1][4] and Matilda had twelve siblings.[1][2] Vince would be the oldest of five children, Madeleine, Harold, Claire, and Joe.[2][5] The entire Lombardi and Izzo clan settled in Sheepshead Bay.[1][6]

Matilda's father, Anthony, opened up a barber shop in Sheepshead Bay prior to the turn of the century.[1][2] At about the time of Lombardi's birth, Harry, and his brother, Eddie, opened a butcher shop in the Meatpacking District.[1][7] Throughout the Great Depression, Harry's shop did well and his family prospered.[8][9] Lombardi grew up in an ethnically-diverse, middle-class neighborhood.[10][11]

Church attendance was mandatory for the Lombardi family on Sundays.[12][13] Service would be followed with an equally compulsory few hours of dinner with friends, extended family members, and local clergy.[14][15] He was an altar boy at St. Mark's Catholic Church.[12][13] Outside of their local neighborhood, the Lombardi children were subject to the rampant racism that existed at the time against Italian immigrants.[16] As a child, Vince Lombardi helped his father at his meat cutting business, but Vince grew to hate doing so.[17][18] At the age of 12 he started playing in an uncoached, Sheepshead Bay, organized football league.[13]

High School

Lombardi graduated the eighth grade at P.S. 206 at age 15 in 1928.[6][19] He then matriculated with the Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception, a six-year secondary program to become a Catholic priest.[6][19] At Cathedral, he played on the school's baseball and basketball teams,[20][21] but his performance was hindered by his poor athleticism and eyesight.[13] Against school rules, he continued to play football off-campus throughout his studies at Cathedral.[22] After completing four years at Cathedral he decided not to pursue the priesthood.[22] He enrolled at St. Francis Preparatory high school for the fall of 1932.[23][24] There he became a Charter Member of Omega Gamma Delta fraternity.[25] His play on Prep's football teamed earned him a spot on the virtual All-City football team.[26][27]

Fordham University

In 1933, Lombardi accepted a football scholarship[28] to Fordham University[29] in the Bronx to play for the Fordham Rams and Coach Jim Crowley, one of the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame in the 1920s. During his freshman year, Lombardi proved to be an aggressive and spirited player on the football field.[30] Prior to the start of his sophomore year, Lombardi was projected as a starter at tackle. Lombardi was undersized for the position (5'8" and about 180 lb.)[31]

In his senior year (1936), he became the right guard in the Seven Blocks of Granite,[32] a nickname given to the Fordham University football team's offensive front line[33] by Fordham University publicist Timothy Sylvester Cohane.[34] In a game against Pitt, Lombardi suffered a severe gash inside his mouth and had several teeth knocked out.[35] Afterward, he missed almost the entire game until he was called in on defense for a successful goal line stand that preserved a 0-0 tie.[citation needed] The Rams went 5-0-2[citation needed] before losing in the final game of the season, 7-6, to a weak NYU team. The loss destroyed all hopes of Fordham playing in the Rose Bowl and the loss taught Vince a lesson he would never forget—never underestimate your opponent.[36]

Early career

On June 16, 1937, Vince graduated from Fordham University.[37][38] The economic times of the Great Depression offered him little opportunities for a career. For the next two years he showed no discernible career path or ambition. He tried his hand at semi-professional football and as a debt collector but those efforts proved to be failures very quickly. With his father's strong support he enrolled in Fordham Law school in September, 1938. Although he did not fail any classes, he believed his grades were so terrible that he dropped out after one semester.[39] Later in life, he would explain to others that he was close to graduating but his desire to start, and support, a family forced him to leave law school and get a job.[40]

Coaching career

St. Cecilia High School

By 1939, Lombardi wanted to marry his girlfriend, Marie Planitz,[41] but, at his father's insistence, he needed a steady job to support himself and a family.[42] In 1939, Lombardi accepted an assistant coaching job at St. Cecilia (which closed in 1986),[43] a Catholic high school in Englewood, New Jersey.[44] He was offered the position by the school's new head coach, Lombardi's former Fordham teammate, quarterback Andy Palau. Palau had just taken over the head coaching position from another Fordham teammate, Nat Pierce (left guard), who had accepted an assistant coach's job back at Fordham. In addition to coaching, Lombardi, age 26, also taught Latin, chemistry, and physics for an annual salary of under $1,000 at the high school.[45] Andy Palau left for Fordham in 1942 and Lombardi became the head coach at St. Cecilia. Lombardi stayed a total of eight years (five as head coach, and in 1943 was recognized as the top football team in the nation.[citation needed]

At St. Cecilia, Lombardi became the President of the Bergen County Coach's Association.[46]

Fordham University

In 1947, Lombardi became the coach of freshman teams in football and basketball at Fordham University. The following year he served as an assistant coach for Fordham's varsity football team, but he was arguably the de facto head coach.[47]

West Point

Following the 1948 football season, Lombardi accepted an assistant's job, at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a position that would greatly influence his future coaching style. Lombardi served as offensive line coach[48] under legendary head coach Colonel Red Blaik. "As integral as religion was to his (Lombardi's) sense of self, it was not until he reached West Point and combined his spiritual discipline with Blaik's military discipline that his coaching persona began to take its mature form."[49] Blaik's emphasis on execution[50] would become a trademark of Lombardi's coaching.[51] Lombardi coached at West Point for five seasons, with varying results. The 1949, 1950, and 1953 seasons were successful. But the 1951 and 1952 seasons were not successful due to the aftermath of a cadet cribbing scandal (a violation of the Cadet Honor Code[52]) which was revealed in the spring of 1951. As a result, 43 of 45 members of the varsity football team were discharged by administrative order.[53] "Decades later, looking back on his rise, Lombardi came to regard..." Blaik's decision not to resign "...as a pivotal moment in his [own] career" - it taught him 'perseverance.'[54] Following these five seasons at Army, Lombardi accepted an assistant coaching position with the NFL's New York Giants.

New York Giants

In 1954, Lombardi, age 41, began his NFL career with the New York Giants. He accepted a job that would later become known as the offensive coordinator position under new head coach Jim Lee Howell.[55] The Giants had finished the previous season, under 23-year coach Steve Owen, with a 3–9 record. By the third season, 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 for the league title in 1956. "Howell readily acknowledged the talents of Lombardi and Landry, and joked self-deprecatingly, that his main function was to make sure the footballs had air in them."[56] At points in his tenure as an assistant coach at West Point, and as an assistant coach with the Giants, Lombardi worried that he was unable to land a head coaching job due to prejudice against his Italian heritage,[57] especially with respect to Southern colleges.[58] Howell wrote numerous recommendations for Lombardi to aid Vince in obtaining a head coaching position. Lombardi applied for head coaching positions at Wake Forest,[59] Notre Dame and other universities and, in some cases, never received a reply.[58] In New York, Lombardi introduced the strategy of rule blocking to the NFL.[citation needed] In rule blocking, the offensive lineman would block an area, and not necessarily a particular defensive player, as was the norm up to that time.[60] The running back then was expected to run toward any hole that was created. Lombardi referred to this as running to daylight.

Green Bay Packers

First year

For the 1958 NFL season, the Packers, with five future hall of famers playing on the team,[61] finished with a record of 1-10-1,[61] the worst in Packer history.[62] The players were dispirited,[63] the Packer shareholders were disheartened, and the Green Bay community was enraged. The angst in Green Bay extended to the NFL, at large, as the financial viability of the Green Bay Packer franchise existence was in jeopardy.

On February 2, 1959, Vince Lombardi accepted the position of head coach and general manager of the Green Bay Packers.

Lombardi created punishing training regimens and expected absolute dedication and effort from his players. The 1959 Packers were an immediate improvement, finishing at 7-5. Rookie head coach Lombardi was named Coach of the Year.[64]

Second year

In his second year, Green Bay won the NFL Western Conference for the first time since 1944. This victory, along with his well-known religious convictions[citation needed] led the Green Bay community to anointing him with the nickname the Pope.[65] Lombardi led the Packers to the 1960 NFL Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Prior to 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.[66] In the final play of the game, in a drive that would have won it, the Packers were stopped a few yards from the goal line.[citation needed] Lombardi had suffered his first and last, championship game loss. After the game, and after the press corps had left the locker room, Lombardi told his team, "This will never happen again. You will never lose another championship."[67] In later years as coach of the Packers, Lombardi made it a point to admonish his running backs that if they failed to score from one yard out, then he would consider it a personal affront to him and he would seek retribution.[68]

Lombardi would coach the Packers to win their next 9 post-season games, a record streak not matched or broken until Bill Belichick won 10 in a row from 2002 to 2006.[69] The Packers would defeat 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 9 years. After the 1962 championship win, President John F. Kennedy called Lombardi and asked him if he would 'come back to Army and coach again'; Kennedy received Lombardi's tacit denial of the request.[70] His only other post-season loss occurred to the St. Louis Cardinals in the Playoff Bowl (3rd place game) after the 1964 season (officially classified as an exhibition game).[71]

Including postseason but excluding exhibition games, Lombardi went on to accomplish a 105–35–6 (.740 winning percent) record as head coach, and he never suffered a losing season.[72] 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, 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 teams would also go on to win the first two Super Bowls, solidifying his place as, arguably, the greatest coach in football history.[73][74][75] Lombardi coached the Green Bay Packers to complete championships in five of 7 seasons.[76]

The Lombardi Sweep

As coach of the Packers, Lombardi converted Notre Dame quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung to a full-time halfback. Lombardi designed a play for Hornung based on an old single wing concept—both guards pulled to the outside and blocked downfield while Hornung would "run to daylight" -- i.e., wherever the defenders weren't. This was a play that he had originally developed with the Giants for Gifford that would become famous as the "Lombardi sweep" or "Packer power sweep."

1967 Season

The Ice Bowl
Main article: NFL Championship Game, 1967

Lombardi's Packers hosted the Dallas Cowboys in Green Bay on December 31, 1967 in the NFL Championship Game of 1967.[77] This became known as the Ice Bowl because of the -13F gametime temperature. With 16 seconds left in the game and down by 3 points, the Packers called their final time-out. It was 3rd and goal on the Dallas 2 foot line.[78] In the huddle, with the game on the line, Starr asked Kramer whether he can get enough traction on the icy turf for a wedge play and Kramer responded with an unequivocal yes.[79] Quarterback Bart Starr came over to Lombardi on the sidelines to discuss the last play and told him he wanted to run a 31 wedge, but with him keeping the ball. Lombardi told Starr to 'Run it! And let's get the hell out of here.' Lombardi was asked by Pat Peppler what play Starr would call, to which Lombardi replied, 'Damned if I know.'[80] Starr returned to the huddle and called a Brown right 31 Wedge,[81] but with him keeping the ball.[82][83] At the snap of the ball, Kramer blocked Jethro Pugh low and Ken Bowman hit Pugh high as Starr followed them into the end zone for the Packer lead and eventual victory.

In a post-game interviewing, Kramer refuted the criticism Lombardi had taken in articles in magazines during the year that portrayed Lombardi as a cruel, vicious tyrant to say that he was a very wonderful person whom the entire team respected and loved.[84]

Washington Redskins

Lombardi stepped down as head coach of the Packers following the 1967 NFL season, staying on as the team's general manager for 1968. He handed off the head coaching position to Phil Bengtson, a longtime assistant, but the Packers finished at 6–7–1 and out of the four team NFL playoffs. A restless Lombardi returned to coaching in 1969 with the Washington Redskins, where he broke a string of 14 losing seasons. The 'Skins would finish with a record of 7–5–2, significant for a number of reasons. Lombardi discovered that rookie running back Larry Brown was deaf in one ear, something that had escaped his parents, schoolteachers, and previous coaches. Lombardi had observed Brown's habit of tilting his head in one direction when listening to signals being called, and walked behind him during drills and said "Larry." When Brown did not answer, the coach asked him to take a hearing exam. Brown was fitted with a hearing aid, and with this correction he would enjoy a successful NFL career.

Lombardi got quarterback Sonny Jurgensen, one of the league's premier forward passers, into the best condition he could. He coaxed former All-Pro linebacker Sam Huff out of retirement. He even changed the team's uniform design to reflect that of the Packers, with gold and white trim along the jersey biceps, and later a gold helmet with an "R" inside a circle, similar to the famous Green Bay "G" monogram. The foundation Lombardi laid was the groundwork for Washington's early 1970s success under former L.A. Rams Coach George Allen. Lombardi had brought a winning attitude to the Nation's Capital, in the same year that the nearby University of Maryland had hired Lefty Driesell to coach basketball and the hapless expansion Washington Senators named Ted Williams as manager and led the club to its only winning record in Washington (86–76). It marked a renaissance in sports interest in America's most transient of cities. However, Lombardi would never get to see the fruit of his labor in the nation's capital, for he died on September 3, 1970.

Personal

Family life

Lawlor introduced Lombardi to his cousin, Marie Planitz. Marie became enamored with Lombardi, and when Marie announced her yearning to marry him, her father told her that he did not want his daughter marrying an Italian,[85] a prejudice against his heritage he would face more than once in his life.[86][87] Lombardi and Marie were married on August 31, 1940.[88]

Marie tragically lost her first child with Lombardi, not long after their wedding. The 'terrible effect' this had on Marie caused her to turn to "heavy drinking",[89] a problem she would deal with on more than one occasion in her life.[90] On April 27, 1942, their son Vincent Harold Lombardi (Vince Jr.) was born[91] and on February 13, 1947, their daughter Susan was born.[92]

"He seemed preoccupied with football even on their honeymoon, and cut it short to get back to Englewood...'I wasn't married to him more than one week' she later related, 'when I said to myself, Marie Planitz, you've made the greatest mistake of your life.'"[93] Lombardi's perfectionism,[73][94] authoritarian nature[95] and temper,[93] quickly instilled in Marie the belief that she would have to verbally fight back.[96] Marie developed a masterful ability to verbally assault and demean Lombardi,[35][97] as well as retort Lombardi's insults.[98]

Football was both a positive and negative impact on Lombardi's and Marie's relationship. After his inaugural season with the Packers, Marie attended all the away games of the Packers.[99] Marie loved the traveling,[99] the special treatment,[98] and the shopping.[98] Marie realized that Lombardi was striving to his full potential - as she had always wanted him to.[100] It increased her self-worth that he became publicly acclaimed.[101] She enjoyed the social pageantry his celebrated status produced.[102] Marie thought their relationship was fine, except when football was involved, but football was a continual presence in Lombardi's life.[103]

Lombardi's tirades were a common occurrence in his home.[104] Neither Marie,[105] Vince Jr.,[106] nor Susan[107] were immune from his yelling. When Lombardi had not lost his temper and was not raving, he would be reticent[108] and aloof from his immediate family.[98] "Vincent and Susan were sometimes puzzled by how talkative their father could be with other people, how cuddly he was with other kids, in contrast to the way he acted at home."[109] In the latter stages of his life, Lombardi worried that he had been a terrible father.

Religion

The three constants throughout Lombardi's life were sports, particularly football, family and religion.[110] His father was a daily communicant throughout his life[111] and his mother's favorite picture of him as a child was on his Confirmation.[13] When Lombardi was 12, on Easter Sunday while serving as an altar boy, "...amid the color and pageantry scarlet and white vestments, golden cross, scepters, the wafers and wine, body and blood, ...that the inspiration came to him that he should become a priest...",[112] which when his mother, Matty, got wind of, she bragged about it to her neighbors.[21] Lombardi attended mass on a daily basis throughout his life.[113] In later years, he told friends, being a football coach allowed him to be a "father figure and leader...like a priest...but did not force him to repress his emotions."[114]

During his tenure at St. Cecilia, Lombardi attended mass every day and "prayed for calm and control: of his temper and..." his wife's drinking.[96] When Lombardi became head coach of football in 1942, he would lead his team to Sunday mass before each home game.[115] At St. Cecilia, Lombardi shared an office with Father Tim Moore wherein it was not unusual for Lombardi to interrupt a conversation and request to go to Confession and which Father Tim would oblige him right in the office.[116] During his stay at Green Bay, Lombardi once emerged from his office and appeared before his secretary, Ruth McKloskey, wearing "...all these priest robes on, and he had a miter with a tassel, everything."[117] Each day on his way to work for the Green Bay Packers, Lombardi would stop at St. Willebrord and "offer a prayer in case of unexpected death: 'My God, if I am to die today, or suddenly at any time, I wish to receive this Communion as my viaticum...'."[118] On the morning of the dedication of Lombardi Avenue, Lombardi remarked, to his 37 member entourage, he was pleased to have gotten them all up to attend morning mass.[119] Lombardi was also a 4th degree in the Catholic fraternity the Knights of Columbus.[citation needed]

Unprejudiced nature

In 1960, on at least one team, a color barrier still existed in the NFL.[120][121] But Jack Vainisi, the Scouting Director for the Packers,[72] and Lombardi were determined "to ignore the prejudices then prevalent in most NFL front office in their search for the most talented players."[122] Lombardi explained his views by saying that he "...viewed his players as neither black nor white, but Packer green."[123] Among professional football head coaches, Lombardi's view on discrimination was not de rigueur in the midst of the American civil rights movement.[124]

An interracial relationship between one of the Packer rookies and a young woman was brought to the attention of Lombardi by Packer veterans in his first training camp in Green Bay.[125] The next day at training camp he responded by warning his team that if any player exhibited prejudice, in any manner, then that player would be thrown off the team. Lombardi, who was vehemently opposed to Jim Crow discrimination, let it be known to all Green Bay establishments that if they did not accommodate his black players equally as well as his white players, then that business would be off-limits to the entire team.[126] 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.[127] In the all-white Oneida Golf and Riding Country club, of which Lombardi was a member, Lombardi demanded that he should be allowed to choose a Native American caddy, even when white caddies were available.[128] Lombardi's view on racial matters was a result of his religious faith and the prejudice he experienced as an Italian-American.[129]

Lombardi's unprejudiced attitude was not confined towards his players, nor was it confined to race or ethnicity, nor towards sexual orientation. Lombardi would have gay players at training camp and Lombardi would privately hope they would prove they deserved a spot on the team[130] At the Washington Redskins training camp in 1969, Ray Douglas McDonald was a gay player, with sub-par skills,[131] who was trying to make the Redskin roster again[citation needed], but this time with Lombardi as the Redskins' new head coach. Lombardi told running back coach, George Dickson,[132] 'I want you to get on McDonald and work on him and work on him - and if I hear one of you people make reference to his manhood you'll be out of here before your ass hits the ground.'[133] Lombardi's Catholic teachings, with respect to homosexuality, were subordinate to his nonprejudicial character.[130]

Illness and death

As early as 1967, Lombardi had been a sufferer of digestive tract problems, but he had refused his doctor's request for him to undergo a proctoscopic exam.[134] 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."[135] On July 27, Lombardi was readmitted to Georgetown and exploratory surgery found that the cancer was terminal.[136] Lombardi, with Marie at his side, received family, friends, clergy, players, and former players at his hospital bedside.[137] He received a phone call from President Nixon telling Lombardi that all of America was behind him - to which Lombardi replied that he would never give up his fight against his illness.[138] On his deathbed, Lombardi told Father Tim that he was not afraid to die, but that he regretted he could not have accomplished more in his life.[139] He died on September 3, 1970 at the age of 57.[140]

On September 7, the funeral was held at Manhattan's St. Patrick's Cathedral. Approximately, 1,500 people[141] lined Fifth Avenue and between 39th and 50th Street, Fifth Avenue was closed to traffic. Terence Cardinal Cooke delivered the eulogy. In attendance were team owners, Commissioner Pete Rozelle, past and present members of the Packers, Redskins, and Giants, former students from Saints, colleagues and players from West Point, and classmates from Fordham, including the remaining Blocks of Granite."[142] Vince Lombardi is buried next to his wife Marie and his parents Harry and Matilda, in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown Township, New Jersey.[143]

Legacy

Vince Lombardi became virtually synonymous with the NFL.[144][145] This began during his career: he was featured as the face of the NFL on the cover of Time on December 14, 1962 as part of the magazine's cover story on "The Sport of the '60s."

During Lombardi's illness, Marie had already sanctified Lombardi,[139] and after his death, Marie dwelt unceasingly, in the highest regard, on his life and accomplishments,[146][147] so much so that Vince Jr. accused his mother of over-exaggerating Lombardi's significance.[148] Susan, for all her misgivings about her relationship with her father while growing up, came to realize long after her father's death, that she had a truly wonderful childhood and upbringing, and she very much missed and loved him.[147] Vince Jr., like Susan, had his own conflicted views of his relationship with his father as late as 1976.[149] Using his father as a model, Vince Jr. would eventually become a paid speaker, and author of several books, on leadership.[150]

"Lombardi time" is the principle that one should arrive 10–15 minutes early,[151] or else be considered late.

Vince Jr. viewed an integral part of his father's success was in stressing effort more than on fixating on failures.[152]

Lombardi' infusion of the Green Bay Packers as one family, lacking any racial tensions, was one of the reasons the Packers were so successful on the football field.[153]

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".[154][155]

In 1973, the 1-hour[citation needed] Lombardi biographical TV drama "Legend in Granite" was released. It starred Ernest Borgnine as Vince, focusing mostly on his first 2 years as Packers head coach (1959–1960).[156] NFL Films and HBO produced a film about Lombardi which debuted Saturday, December 11, 2010.[157] A play entitled 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 production stars Dan Lauria as Lombardi and Judith Light as his wife, Marie. The play has received positive reviews, as has Lauria's performance.[158] ESPN Films has announced that they will be making a film chronicling Lombardi's years as coach for Green Bay, set to be released in February 2012. Robert De Niro has been reportedly signed to play Lombardi in the film.[159]

Honors

File:Super Bowl 29 Vince Lombardi trophy at 49ers Family Day 2009.JPG
A Vince Lombardi Trophy

Head coaching record

Team Year Regular Season Post Season
Won Lost Ties Win Ratio Finish Won Lost Win % Result
GB 1959 7 5 0 .583 3rd (Tie) in NFL West - - - -
GB 1960 8 4 0 .667 1st in NFL West 0 1 .000 Lost to Philadelphia Eagles in NFL Championship
GB 1961 11 3 0 .786 1st in NFL West 1 0 1.000 Won NFL Championship
GB 1962 13 1 0 .929 1st in NFL West 1 0 1.000 Won NFL Championship
GB 1963 11 2 1 .846 2nd in NFL West - - - -
GB 1964 8 5 1 .615 2nd in NFL West - - - -
GB 1965 10 3 1 .769 1st in NFL West 2 0 1.000 Won NFL Championship
GB 1966 12 2 0 .847 1st in NFL West 2 0 1.000 Won Super Bowl I
GB 1967 9 4 1 .692 1st in NFL Central 3 0 1.000 Won Super Bowl II
GB Total 89 29 4 .754 9 1 .900
WAS 1969 7 5 2 .583 2nd in Eastern Capital - - - -
WAS Total 7 5 2 .583
Total 96 34 6 .738 9 1 .900

Sources:[72]

Books

Books written about him

  • Football's Greatest Coach: Vince Lombardi by Gene Schoor
  • The Lombardi Legacy: Thirty People who were Touched by Greatness by Royce Boyles and Dave Robinson
  • Coach: A Season With Lombardi by Tom Dowling
  • By Their Works: Profiles of Men of Faith Who Made a Difference by Stephen Singular

See also

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g O'Brien, 1987 pg. 21
  2. ^ a b c d e Maraniss, 1999 pg. 17
  3. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 20
  4. ^ a b Maraniss, 1999 pg. 23
  5. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 22
  6. ^ a b c Maraniss, 1999 pg. 25
  7. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 16
  8. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 21, 23
  9. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 24
  10. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 21-22
  11. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 16-17
  12. ^ a b O'Brien, 1987 pg. 25
  13. ^ a b c d e Maraniss, 1999 pg. 20
  14. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 24
  15. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 18
  16. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 24-25
  17. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 23
  18. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 23-24
  19. ^ a b O'Brien incorrectly implies he graduated in 1929 from eight grade which is completely refuted by Maraniss and O'Brien's date of 1928 makes no sense. Furthermore, O'Brien, on page 28, writes he left after three years there when he left after four. O'Brien, 1987 pg. 26 Cite error: The named reference "O'Brien, 1987 pg. 26" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  20. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 27-28
  21. ^ a b Maraniss, 1999 pg. 26
  22. ^ a b Maraniss, 1999 pg. 27
  23. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 29
  24. ^ His stint at seminary school would cost him one year of his academic life as he would be, generally speaking, repeating his senior year of high school in order to obtain a high school diploma. Maraniss, 1999 pg. 28
  25. ^ "Prominent Alumni of The Omega Gamma Delta Fraternity". Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  26. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 31
  27. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 29, 30
  28. ^ "About Lombardi". HBO. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  29. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 31
  30. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 37
  31. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 38
  32. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 225
  33. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 49
  34. ^ The Seven Blocks of Granite of the 1936 line were Leo Paquin, Johnny 'Tarzan' Druze, Alex Franklin Wojciechowicz, Ed 'Devil Doll' Franco, Al 'Ali Baba' Babartsky, Natty Pierce, and Vince Lombardi. Maraniss, 1999 pg. 58-59
  35. ^ a b Gruver, 1998 pg. 36
  36. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 46
  37. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 48
  38. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 66
  39. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 49
  40. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg. 49-50
  41. ^ Flynn, 1976 pg. 19, 29
  42. ^ Flynn, 1976 pg. 19
  43. ^ "Englewood's St. Cecilia school to close". Bergen County Record. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
  44. ^ "About". Vince Lombardi. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
  45. ^ Maraniss lists his starting salary as $1,700, pg. 70, and O'Brien lists it as $1,000, pg. 51. Wiebusch's source is a quote from Father Tim Moore. Wiebusch, 1971 pg. 61
  46. ^ Flynn, 1976 pg. 30
  47. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 94, 95
  48. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 96, 99
  49. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 101
  50. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 100
  51. ^ MacCambridge, 2004-2005 pg. 291
  52. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 129
  53. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 131
  54. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 136
  55. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 154
  56. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 160
  57. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 146, 165
  58. ^ a b O'Brien, 1987 pg. 104
  59. ^ Claerbaut, 2004 pg. 106
  60. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 156
  61. ^ a b The five future hall of famers were Forrest Gregg, Paul Hornung, Henry Jordan, Ray Nitschke, and Barti Starr Claerbaut, 2004 pg. 86 Cite error: The named reference "Claerbaut, 2004 pg. 86" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  62. ^ Eisenberg, 2009 pg. 33
  63. ^ Phillips, 2001 pg. 28
  64. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 230
  65. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 260, 303
  66. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 266,268
  67. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 265
  68. ^ Kramer, 2006 pg. 58
  69. ^ http://www.patriots.com/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=24129&pcid=89
  70. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 299
  71. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 362
  72. ^ a b c d http://prod.static.packers.clubs.nfl.com/assets/docs/2010mediaguide_records.pdf#page=19 Green Bay Packer Media Guide
  73. ^ a b Day, Paul (2009-08-03). "Sports' 50 greatest coaches". Sporting News. 233 (16): 32–45. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  74. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=list/bestnflcoaches
  75. ^ Davis, 2005 pg. 417
  76. ^ MacCambridge, 2004-2005 pg. 306
  77. ^ "ESPN.com - ENDOFCENTURY - The NFL's greatest games". Espn.go.com. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
  78. ^ Gruver, 1998 pg. 203
  79. ^ Gruver, 1998 pg. 202
  80. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 424
  81. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 414
  82. ^ Claerbaut, 2004 pg. 229
  83. ^ Kramer, 2006 pg. 210
  84. ^ Kramer, 2006 pg. 211-212
  85. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 40
  86. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 46-47, 106, 171, 251, 371
  87. ^ Claerbaut 2004 pg. 106-107
  88. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 74
  89. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 75
  90. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 87, 179, 236, 362, 450
  91. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 75, 76
  92. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 88, 89
  93. ^ a b Maraniss, 1999 pg. 74"
  94. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 272
  95. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 27, 74, 208
  96. ^ a b Maraniss, 1999 pg. 75"
  97. ^ Maraniss 1999, pg. 231
  98. ^ a b c d Maraniss, 1999 pg. 111
  99. ^ a b Maraniss, 1999 pg. 321
  100. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 201
  101. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 236
  102. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 475
  103. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 112
  104. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 234
  105. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 177
  106. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 363
  107. ^ Maraniss, 1999, pg. 234
  108. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 232
  109. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 113
  110. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 19, 112, 179
  111. ^ O'Brien, 1987 pg.25
  112. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 20"
  113. ^ Maraniss 1999, pg. 20, 33"
  114. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 71
  115. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 76,77
  116. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 85, 86
  117. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 403
  118. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 244
  119. ^ Maraniss, 1999, pg. 444
  120. ^ Ross, 1999 pg. 149
  121. ^ Eisenberg, 2009 pg. 81
  122. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 237
  123. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 240-241"
  124. ^ Phillips, 2001 pg. 69
  125. ^ Eisenberg, 2009 pg. 99
  126. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 241
  127. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 241-242
  128. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 242
  129. ^ Phillips, 2001 pg. 70
  130. ^ a b Maraniss, 1999 pg. 344
  131. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 469
  132. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 468
  133. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 471
  134. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 389
  135. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 488-489
  136. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 493
  137. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 493-498
  138. ^ http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=3119&st=lombardi&st1=#axzz1G1Nwjnr8
  139. ^ a b Maraniss, 1999 pg. 497
  140. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 498
  141. ^ Flynn, 1976 pg. 176
  142. ^ Honorary pallbearers included Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Willie Davis, Tony Canadeo, Wellington Mara, Dick Bourguignon, Edward Bennett Williams, and Marc Chubb. Maraniss, 1999 pg. 498-499
  143. ^ "Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown, Monmouth County, NJ - Lombardi". Distantcousin.com. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
  144. ^ Summerall and Levin, 2010 pg. 86
  145. ^ Davis, 2008 pg. 347
  146. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 502-503
  147. ^ a b http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2010/columns/story?id=6077292
  148. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 503
  149. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 503-504
  150. ^ http://vincelombardijr.com/index.php
  151. ^ "Sport: Vinnie, Vidi, Vici". TIME. 1962-12-21. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
  152. ^ Lombardi Jr., 2003
  153. ^ Levy, 2003 pg. 191
  154. ^ Maraniss, David. "Coach, Symbol, Savior". Page 2. ESPN.com. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  155. ^ Overman, Stephen J. (1999). ""Winning Isn't Everything, It's The Only Thing", the Origin, Attribution, and Influence of a Famous Football Quote" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  156. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186300/
  157. ^ "HBO to Air Documentary on Vince Lombardi". TVGuide.com.
  158. ^ Hague, Jim. "'Lombardi' on Broadway is a smash hit" "Tasty Tidbits" The Union City Reporter; October 24, 2010; Pages 12 & 13
  159. ^ Wolfey, Bob. "De Niro to portray Lombardi in ESPN film" JSOnline; March 9, 2010
  160. ^ "Vince Lombardi: A Coach for All Seasons". Fordham.edu. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
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  162. ^ Flynn, 1976 pg. 38
  163. ^ "Fordham University Official Athletic Site". Fordhamsports.com. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
  164. ^ "Player Bio: Vincent Lombardi - FORDHAM OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE". Fordhamsports.com. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
  165. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 444
  166. ^ Flynn, 1976 pg. 39
  167. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 459
  168. ^ http://lombardi.georgetown.edu/about/ataglance.html
  169. ^ Chiusano, Anthony (September–October 2010). "OBHS alumnus replaces long-time head football coach" (PDF). KnightLife. Old Bridge, New Jersey.
  170. ^ http://palisadespark.powermediallc.org/2010/09/30/football-is-back/
  171. ^ http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/20/K204/default.htm
  172. ^ http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/34/4/all_lombardifactbox_2011_1_28_bk.html
  173. ^ http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/cancer/experts/locations/default.aspx
  174. ^ http://www.fordham.edu/student_affairs/deans_of_students_an/student_handbooks/rose_hill_student_ha/division_of_student_/vincent_t_lombardi_m_70820.asp
  175. ^ Maraniss, 1999 pg. 499
  176. ^ http://www.rotarylombardiaward.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=9
  177. ^ Phillips 2001 pg. 184
  178. ^ http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/new_jersey_hall_of_fame_welcom.html
  179. ^ "Legendary Football Coaches: Vince Lombardi". Postalmuseum.si.edu. 1997-07-25. Retrieved 2011-02-07.

Sources

  • When Pride Still Mattered, A Life of Vince Lombardi, by David Maraniss, 1999, (ISBN 0-684-84418-4) ISBN 978-0-618-90499-0
  • Claerbaut, David (2004), Bart Starr: When Leadership Mattered, Lanham, MD.:Taylor Trade Publishing ISBN 1-58979-117-7
  • Davis, Jeff (2005), Papa Bear, the life and legacy of George Halas. New York:McGraw-Hill ISBN 0-07-146054-3
  • Davis, Jeff (2008), Rozelle: Czar of the NFL. New York:McGraw-Hill ISBN 0-07-159352-
  • Eisenberg, John (2009), That First Season:: How Vince Lombardi Took the Worst Team in the NFL and Set It on the Path to Glory. New York:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN
  • Flynn, George L. (1976), The Vince Lombardi Scrapbook. New York:Grosset and Dunlap New York ISBN 0-448-12401-7
  • Gruver, Edward (1998). The Ice Bowl:The Cold Truth About Football's Most Unforgettable Game. Ithaca, New York:McBooks Press, Inc. eISBN 1-59013-080-4
  • Kramer, Jerry, and Schapp, Dick (2006), Instant Replay, The Green Bay Diary of Jerry Kramer. New York:Doubleday ISBN ISBN 0385517459 ISBN ISBN 978-0385517454 (eISBN 978-0-307-48632-5)
  • Levy, Alan H. (2003). Tackling Jim Crow, Racial Segregation in Professional Football. Jefferson, North Carolina:McFarland and Co., Inc. ISBN ISBN 0-7864-1597-5
  • Lombardi Jr., Vince (2003), The Essential Vince Lombardi:Words & Wisdom to Motivate. New York:McGraw-Hill ISBN 0-07-139096-0
  • MacCambridge, Michael (2004, 2005), America's Game. New York:Anchor Books ISBN ISBN 978-0-307-48143-6
  • O'Brien, Michael (1987), Vince: A Personal Biography of Vince Lombardi. New York:William Morrow and Company, Inc. ISBN 0-688-07406-6
  • Phillips, Donald T. (2001), Run to Win. New York:St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 0-312-27298-7 (hc) ISBN 0-312-30308-4 (pbk)
  • Ross, Charles K. (1999), Outside the Lines: African Americans and the Integration of the National Football League. New York:New York Publishing Company. p. 149. ISBN 0-8147-7495-4
  • Summerall, Pat and Levin, Michael (2010), Giants:What I learned about life from Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry, Hoboken, NJ:John Wiley and Sons, Inc., (eISBN 978-0-470-90908-9)
  • Wiebusch, John (1971), Lombardi.. Chicago:Triumph Books, ISBN 1-572-43028-1

Further reading

  • Cavanaugh, Jack (2008), Giants Among Men. New York:Random House. eISBN ISBN 978-1-58836-697-9
  • Gifford, Frank and Richmond, Peter (2008), The Glory Game:How the 1958 NFL Championship Changed Football Forever. New York:Harper Collins eISBN ISBN 978-0-06-171659-1
  • Lombardi, Vince Jr. (2001), What It Takes to Be #1: Vince Lombardi on Leadership. New York:McGraw-Hill.
  • Lombardi, Vince Jr. (2003), The Lombardi Rules: 26 Lessons from Vince Lombardi:The World's Greatest Coach. New York:McGraw-Hill
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