Vince Lombardi
coaching abilities. Vince held the first of his notoriously intense training camps to gear up for the 1959 season. "Dancing is a contact sport," he told the Packers, "Football is a hitting sport." Vince expected obedience, dedication and 110% effort from each man, but he also made a promise to them: if they obeyed his rules and used his method, they would be a championship team.
Three years later, that promise became a reality. At Lambeau Field in Green Bay on December 31, 1961, Vince watched proudly as the Packers defeated the New York Giants 37-0 for the National Football League championship.
Despite long hours and fierce competition, Vince never put forth anything but his best effort. Just as he drilled his men to be the paramount players in professional football, he challenged himself. Vince constantly looked to implement new plays and game strategies, even changing his players' jersey numbers before a game to confuse George "Papa Bear" Hallas' and his Chicago Bears. The Packer's offensive line became so powerful, their run was dubbed the "Green Bay Sweep."
In 1967, after nine phenomenal winning seasons with the Packers, Vince decided to retire as head coach (though he would still act as general manager). The Packers had dominated professional football under his direction, collecting six division titles, five NFL championships, two Super Bowls (I and II) and acquiring a record of 98-30-4. They had become the stick by which all other teams were measured.
After less than a year, however, Vince realized that he still wanted to coach. He accepted the head coaching position for the Washington Redskins in 1969. During that season, Vince kept what had become the Lombardi tradition and led the Redskins to their first winning record in 14 years. In January of 1970, his professional coaching record stood at a remarkable 105-35-6, unmarred by a losing season, and the NFL named him their acclaimed "1960s Man of the Decade."
Unfortunately, Vince would never have the opportunity to lead another team to the Super Bowl. He was diagnosed with intestinal cancer and died on September 3, 1970. Over 3,500 people attended his funeral (the news was filled with stories about fans who drove cross-country to be there), and tough football players cried openly. United States President Richard Nixon, who had telegrammed Vince get well wishes while he was ill, sent another telegram of condolence to Marie signed "The People." Vince was buried at Mount Olivett Cemetery, in Middletown, New Jersey.
Vince helped the men he coached succeed to the furthest of their abilities. He brought them pride and victory, and his legacy of perseverance, hard work and dedication has made him one of the most admired and well respected coaches in history.