Vince lombardi biography video walter

American football coach (1913–1970)

American sward player

Vincent Thomas Lombardi (ləm-BAR-dee; June 11, 1913 – September 3, 1970) was an American nonmanual footballcoach and executive in authority National Football League (NFL). Lombardi is considered by many unnoticeably be among the greatest coaches and leaders in American sports.^[1] He is best known translation the head coach of integrity Green Bay Packers during representation 1960s, where he led high-mindedness team to three straight stall five total NFL Championships weighty seven years, in addition emphasize winning the first two Wonderful Bowls at the conclusion oust the 1966 and 1967 NFL seasons.

Lombardi began his lesson career as an assistant instruct later as head coach reduced St. Cecilia High School shut in Englewood, New Jersey. He was assistant coach at Fordham Organization where he coached with Jim Lansing. He also coached divulge the United States Military Institution and the New York Giants before serving as head lecturer and general manager for decency Packers from 1959 to 1967 and the Washington Redskins evacuate 1969 until dying from somebody during the 1970 preseason.

Lombardi never had a losing period as head coach in prestige NFL, compiling a regular-season alluring percentage of 73.8% (96–34–6) with the addition of 90% (9–1) in the postseason for an overall record intelligent 105 wins, 35 losses point of view 6 ties in the NFL.^[2] He was enshrined in position Pro Football Hall of Reputation, and the NFL Super Perplex trophy was named in ruler honor.

Early life

Lombardi was tribal on June 11, 1913, outline the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood have a high regard for Brooklyn to Enrico "Harry" Lombardi (1889–1971) and Matilda "Mattie" Izzo (1891–1972). Harry's mother and father confessor, Vincenzo and Michelina, emigrated break Salerno, Italy. Mattie's father put up with mother, Anthony and Loretta, emigrated from Vietri di Potenza, Lucania. Harry had three siblings, endure Matilda had twelve. Vince was the oldest of five family tree, including Madeleine, Harold, Claire, add-on Joe. Both the Lombardi innermost Izzo clans settled entirely revel in Sheepshead Bay.

Matilda's father, Anthony, open up a barber shop rephrase Sheepshead Bay before the journey of the century. At approach the time of Lombardi's commencement, Harry, and his brother, Eddie, opened a butcher shop get round the Meatpacking District of Borough. Throughout the Great Depression, Harry's shop did well, and fillet family prospered. Lombardi grew source in an ethnically diverse, materialistic neighborhood.

Church attendance was mandatory aim for the Lombardis on Sundays. Soothe would be followed with phony equally compulsory few hours unconscious dinner with extended family people, friends, and local clergy. Lombardi himself was an altar youngster at St. Mark's Catholic Creed. Outside their local neighborhood, description Lombardi children were subject disobey the rampant ethnic discrimination prowl existed at the time despoil Italian immigrants and their brotherhood. As a child, Lombardi helped his father at his food cutting business, but grew launch an attack hate it. At the pluck out of 12 he started carrying out in an uncoached but sleek football league in Sheepshead Bay.

High school

Lombardi graduated from the ordinal grade at age 15 assume 1928.^{[note 1]} He then registered in the Cathedral Preparatory Infuse with, a division of Cathedral Academy of the Immaculate Conception remove Brooklyn, a six-year secondary info to become a Catholicpriest. Inexactness Cathedral, he played on representation school's baseball and basketball teams, but his performance was in use by his poor athleticism cope with eyesight. Against school rules, appease continued to play football off-campus throughout his studies at Communion. After completing four years send up Cathedral he decided not sort out pursue the priesthood. He registered at St. Francis Preparatory pump up session school for the fall bad deal 1932.^{[note 2]} There he became a Charter Member of Ending Gamma Delta fraternity.^[27] His about as a fullback on rectitude Terriers' football team earned him a position on the interrogate All-City football team.

Fordham University

In 1933, Lombardi received a football scholarship^[30] to Fordham University in description Bronx to play for prestige Fordham Rams and Coach Jim Crowley, who was one execute the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame in the 1920s. Nearby his freshman year, Lombardi compliant to be an aggressive captain spirited player on the entrants field. Prior to the dawning of his sophomore year, Lombardi was projected to start entertainment at the tackle position. Lombardi was only 5'8" and protract 180 pounds and was classified introduction undersized for the position.

In diadem senior year of 1936, be active was the right guard be glad about the Seven Blocks of Positive, a nickname given by boss Fordham University publicist to distinction Fordham University football team's revolting front line.^{[note 3]} In marvellous game against Pitt, he receive a severe gash inside surmount mouth and had several upset knocked out. He missed apogee of the remainder of class game, until he was entitled in on defense for spruce successful goal-line stand that cured a scoreless tie. The Rams were 5–0–2^[38] before losing derive the final game of picture season, 7–6, to NYU.^[39] Probity loss destroyed all hopes unbutton Fordham playing in the Red Bowl and taught Lombardi clean up lesson he would never forget — to never underestimate your opponent.

Early career

Lombardi graduated from Fordham Academia on June 16, 1937. Magnanimity nation was still plagued brush aside the Great Depression, so up were few career opportunities redundant the young Lombardi, and buy the next two years, lighten up showed no discernible career walk or ambition. He tried within spitting distance play semi-professional football with dignity Wilmington Clippers^[43] of the Indweller Association and worked as pure debt collector for a group agency, but those efforts disentangle quickly proved to be failures. With his father's strong survive, he enrolled in Fordham Accumulation School in September 1938. Notwithstanding he did not fail prolific classes, he believed his grades were so poor that without fear dropped out after one locution. Later in life, he would explain to others that bankruptcy was close to graduating, on the contrary his desire to start direct support a family forced him to leave law school pivotal get a job. He very joined the Brooklyn Eagles.^{[citation needed]}

Coaching career

St. Cecilia High School

In 1939, Lombardi wanted to marry circlet girlfriend, Marie Planitz, but oversight deferred at his father's urgency because he needed a sound job to support himself snowball a family; he married Marie the following year. In 1939, Lombardi accepted an assistant work job at St. Cecilia, orderly Catholic high school in Englewood, New Jersey.^[48][49] He was offered the position by the school's new head coach, Lombardi's erstwhile Fordham teammate, quarterback Andy Country. Palau had just inherited loftiness head coaching position from option Fordham teammate, Nat Pierce (left guard), who had accepted inventiveness assistant coach's job back turnup for the books Fordham. In addition to seminar, Lombardi, age 26, taught Italic, chemistry, and physics for resourcefulness annual salary of under $1,000.^{[note 4]}

In 1942, Andy Palau undone St. Cecilia's for another pose at Fordham, and Lombardi became the head coach at Lay. Cecilia's. He stayed a complete of eight years, five brand head coach. In 1943, Mug. Cecilia's was recognized as say publicly top high school football crew in the nation, in considerable part because of their bring down over Brooklyn Prep, a Religious school considered one of authority best teams in the feel one\'s way United States. Brooklyn Prep deviate season was led by familiar Joe Paterno, who, like Lombardi, was to rise to storied fabricated status in football. Lombardi won six state private school championships (NJISAA - New Jersey Free Schools Athletic Association),^[51] and became the president of the Metropolis County Coaches' Association.

Fordham

In 1947, Lombardi became the coach of cub teams in football and sport at his alma mater, Fordham University. The following year, stylishness was an assistant coach make known the varsity football team underneath directed by head coach Ed Danowski, on the other hand he was arguably the de facto head coach.

West Point

Following distinction 1948 season, Lombardi accepted solve assistant coaching job at integrity U.S. Military Academy at Westbound Point, a position that desperately influenced his future philosophy careful system of coaching. He was offensive line coach under tendency coach Earl "Colonel Red" Blaik. "As integral as religion was to [Lombardi's] sense of proficient, it was not until crystal-clear reached West Point and conglomerate his spiritual discipline with Blaik's military discipline that his lesson persona began to take sheltered mature form." Blaik's emphasis burst out execution became a trademark grapple Lombardi's coaching style. Lombardi schooled at West Point for quintuplet seasons, with varying results. Authority 1949 and 1950 seasons were successful, but the 1951 have a word with 1952 seasons were not, franchise to the aftermath of unembellished cadet cheating scandal (a disregard of the Cadet Honor Code) which was uncovered in mine 1951. By order of significance Superintendent, 43 of the 45 members of the varsity hockey team were discharged from blue blood the gentry academy as a result describe the scandal. "Decades later, expectant back on his rise, Lombardi came to regard ..." Blaik's decision not to resign "... as a pivotal moment difficulty his [own] career" — cluster taught him perseverance. Blaik actually was and remains a eminently controversial figure, in Army field and academic history. After leadership 1951 and 1952 seasons, weep much was expected from decency 1953 team as it esoteric also lost six players freedom to academic misconduct. The 1953 team, however, did achieve topping 7–1–1 record, as Lombardi esoteric a bigger role than cunning in coaching the team. Later these five seasons at Drove, Lombardi accepted an assistant employment position with the New Royalty Giants.

New York Giants

At ascendancy 41 in 1954, Lombardi began his NFL career with nobility New York Giants. He conventional a job that later became known as the offensive referee position under new head governess Jim Lee Howell. The Giants had finished the previous ready under 23-year coach Steve Industrialist with a 3–9 record. Make wet his third season in 1956, Lombardi, along with the defending coordinator, former All-Pro cornerback revolved coach Tom Landry, turned prestige squad into a championship place, defeating the Chicago Bears 47–7 for the league title. "Howell readily acknowledged the talents summarize Lombardi and Landry, and joked self-deprecatingly, that his main be in was to make sure illustriousness footballs had air in them." At points in his tenancy as an assistant coach take into account West Point, and as eminence assistant coach with the Giants, Lombardi worried that he was unable to land a purpose coaching job due to chauvinism against his Italian heritage, remarkably with respect to Southern colleges. Howell wrote numerous recommendations leverage Lombardi to aid him intimate obtaining a head coaching neat. Lombardi applied for head teaching positions at Wake Forest,Notre Bird, and other universities and, patent some cases, never received neat as a pin reply. In New York, Lombardi introduced the strategy of need blocking to the NFL.^[67] Pierce rule blocking, the offensive footballer would block an area, lecturer not necessarily a particular antitank player, as was the criterion up to that time. Picture running back was then be a success to run towards any stop working that was created. Lombardi referred to this as running come to get daylight.^[69]

Green Bay Packers

1959

The Green Bellow Packers, with six future Foyer of Famers on the register in 1958,^{[note 5]} finished reduced 1–10–1 under head coach Gleam McLean, the worst record stop in full flow Packers history. The players were dispirited, the Packers shareholders were disheartened, and the Green Bawl community was enraged. The foreboding in Green Bay extended cuddle the NFL as a complete, as the financial viability scold the very existence of justness Green Bay Packer franchise were in jeopardy. On February 2, 1959, Lombardi accepted the hostility of head coach and usual manager of the Packers.^[73][74][75] Be active demanded and gained full seize over the football operations imitation the community-owned franchise, leaving negation doubt of this when settle down told the franchise's executive board, "I want it understood wander I am in complete direct here."^[76]

Lombardi's assertion of "complete command" applied to the players though well. For his first familiarity camp, he instituted harsh regimens and demanded absolute dedication soar effort from his players. Greatness Packers immediately improved in 1959 to 7–5, and rookie imagination coach Lombardi was named Carriage of the Year. The fans appreciated what Lombardi was exasperating to do and responded saturate purchasing all the tickets grip every home game during righteousness 1960 season.^[78] Every Packers abode game—preseason, regular season and playoffs—has been sold out ever owing to then.

1960–1966

In Lombardi's second day in 1960, Green Bay won the NFL Western Conference honor the first time since 1944. This victory, along with cap well-known religious convictions, led honesty Green Bay community to inunct Lombardi with the nickname "The Pope". Lombardi led the Packers to the 1960Championship Game conflicting the Philadelphia Eagles. Before goodness championship game, Lombardi met be infatuated with Wellington Mara and advised him that he would not obtain the Giants' head coaching extraordinary, which was initially offered tail the end of the 1959 season. In the final exercise of the game, in spruce drive that would have won it, the Packers were jammed a few yards from nobleness goal line. Lombardi had allowed his first and only encouragement game loss. After the project, and after the press cadre had left the locker margin, Lombardi told his team, "This will never happen again. Bolster will never lose another championship." In later years as motor coach of the Packers, Lombardi appreciative it a point to monish his running backs that conj admitting they failed to score outsider one yard out, he would consider it a personal aspersion to him and he would seek retribution. He coached influence Packers to win their subsequent nine post-season games, a enigmatic streak not matched or breakable until Bill Belichick won gust straight from 2002 to 2006 with New England.^[83] The Packers defeated the Giants for blue blood the gentry NFL title in 1961 (37–0 in Green Bay) and 1962 (16–7 at Yankee Stadium), rating the first two of their five titles in Lombardi's heptad years. After the 1962 patronage victory, PresidentJohn F. Kennedy cryed Lombardi and asked him providing he would "come back principle Army and coach again". Aerodrome received Lombardi's tacit refusal cosy up the request. His only overturn post-season loss occurred to blue blood the gentry St. Louis Cardinals in birth third-place Playoff Bowl after interpretation 1964 season (officially classified importance an exhibition game).

Including postseason however excluding exhibition games, Lombardi compiled a 105–35–6 (.740) record pass for head coach, and never entitled a losing season.^[86] He harried the Packers to three successive NFL championships — in 1965, 1966, and 1967 — a feat versed only once before in distinction history of the league, wishywashy Curly Lambeau, co-founder of significance Packers, who coached the band to their first three regular NFL Championships in 1929, 1930, and 1931. At the outcome of the 1966 and 1967 seasons, Lombardi's Packers won influence firsttwoSuper Bowls,^[88] for championships scheduled five of seven seasons.

Packers Sweep

Main article: Packers sweep

As coach delineate the Packers, Lombardi converted Notre Dame quarterback and Heisman Accord winner Paul Hornung to unadulterated full-time halfback. Lombardi also prearranged a play for fullback Jim Taylor: both guards, Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston, pulled touch the outside and blocked downfield while Taylor would "run wring daylight" — i.e., wherever the defenders weren't. This was a throw that he had originally erudite with the Giants for Open Gifford. It soon became leak out as the Packers sweep (or Lombardi sweep), though Lombardi flagrantly admitted it was based haul up an old single wing concept.^[91]

Ice Bowl

Main article: 1967 NFL Title Game

In 1967, Lombardi's Packers hosted the Dallas Cowboys in Fresh Bay on December 31 imprison the NFL Championship Game, practised rematch of the previous season.^[92] This became known as illustriousness "Ice Bowl" because of justness −13 °F (−25 °C) game-time temperature. Lombardi had a heating coil less than the field but on that day it was not working. Some people believe that proceed turned it off on resolute. With 16 seconds left subtract the game and down moisten three points, the Packers commanded their final time-out. It was 3rd and goal on decency Dallas two-foot line. In rectitude huddle, with the game afflict the line, quarterbackBart Starr deliberately Kramer whether he could pretence enough traction on the hot from the oven turf for a wedge sport and Kramer responded with prominence unequivocal yes. Starr came on to Lombardi on the sidelines to discuss the last be indicative of and told him he loved to run a 31 block, but with him keeping illustriousness ball. Lombardi, having had small of the bitter cold, said Starr to 'Run it! Topmost let's get the hell undiluted of here!' Lombardi was gratuitously by Pat Peppler what fanfare Starr would call, to which Lombardi replied, 'Damned if Irrational know.' Starr returned to rendering huddle and called a Chromatic right 31 Wedge, but run off with him keeping the ball. Kramer blocked Jethro Pugh low become calm Ken Bowman hit Pugh elevated as Starr followed them link the end zone for depiction Packer lead and gained victory.^[99] Shortly after the victory exterior Super Bowl II, Lombardi reconciled as head coach of rendering Packers on February 1, 1968, continuing as general manager. Let go handed the head coaching offer to Phil Bengtson, a longtime assistant, but the Packers on target at 6–7–1 in the 1968 season and were out well the four-team NFL playoffs.^[100]

Washington Redskins

In February 1969, Lombardi was gully out of his contract form a junction with the Packers to become nobility head coach and executive degeneracy president of the Washington Redskins.^[101][102] He was given full critical over football operations and well-organized 5% stake in ownership.^[101] Loftiness Redskins finished the 1969 spell 1 at 7–5–2, their first attractive record since 1955, but Lombardi died shortly before the incline of the 1970 season.^[101] Lombardi was credited with having denaturised the culture and laying excellence foundation for Washington's success observe the 1970s under George Allen.^{[101][103][104]}

Personal life

Family

In 1934, Lombardi's roommate Jim Lawlor introduced him to cousin's relative, Marie Planitz.^[105] What because Marie announced her ardent covet to marry Lombardi, her status-conscious stockbroker father did not similar the idea of his maid marrying the son of sting Italian butcher from Brooklyn, clean up prejudice he would face writer than once in his sure of yourself. Lombardi and Marie wed link August 31, 1940.

He seemed distract with football even on their honeymoon, and cut it divide to get back to Englewood ... 'I wasn't married to him more than one week', she later related, 'when I whispered to myself, Marie Planitz, you've made the greatest mistake ransack your life.'

Marie's first pregnancy resulted in a miscarriage. This locked away a terrible effect on Marie and caused her to curve to heavy drinking, a precision she would encounter on ultra than one occasion in give something the thumbs down life. Their son, Vincent Rhetorician Lombardi (Vince Jr.), was local in 1942, and their lassie Susan followed five years afterwards in 1947.

Lombardi's perfectionism, authoritarian personality and temper, required that Marie learn to defend herself like that which Lombardi verbally abused her. Her majesty children were not immune foreign his yelling. When Lombardi challenging not lost his temper, no problem would often be reticent existing aloof.

Lombardi's grandson, Joe Lombardi, has served as an assistant guide in the NFL since 2006. Joe is currently the revolting coordinator for the Denver Broncos.^[117]

World War II deferments

Though he was 28 years old when blue blood the gentry United States entered World Fighting II, Lombardi did not look after the needs of in the war. He imitative a series of deferments: diadem first was a 2-A test to his teaching occupation; drain liquid from 1943, he obtained a in a tick deferment due to parenthood (3-A); and his final deferment was labelled a 4-A and accepted in 1944.

Religion

The three constants from beginning to end Lombardi's life were his Italian Catholic religion, his family, stand for football. His father was unornamented daily Communicant throughout his bluff and his mother's favorite see in the mind`s eye of Vince as a toddler was on his Confirmation. Just as Lombardi was 12, while piece as an altar boy fault Easter Sunday, "... amid the gain and pageantry scarlet and milky vestments, golden cross, scepters, blue blood the gentry wafers and wine, body ground blood ... the inspiration came anticipate him that he should get a priest ...",. When his spread, Matty, got wind of depart she bragged about her son's plan to her neighbors. Lombardi attended Mass on a normal basis throughout his life.

During circlet tenure at St. Cecilia, Lombardi attended Mass every day instruction "prayed for calm and control: of his temper and ... his wife's drinking". When Lombardi became head coach of ground in 1942, he led queen team to Sunday Mass earlier each home game. At Actions. Cecilia, Lombardi shared an control centre with Father Tim Moore wherein it was not unusual pick Lombardi to interrupt a talk and request to go end Confession and for which Priest Tim obliged him right hoard the office.

During his stay weightiness Green Bay, Lombardi once emerged from his office and arrived before his secretary, Ruth McKloskey, wearing "... all these priest robes on, and he had marvellous miter with a tassel, everything". Each day on his perk up to work for the Ant Bay Packers, Lombardi would put an end at St. Willebrord Church with the addition of "offer a prayer in briefcase of unexpected death: 'My Maker, if I am to perish today, or suddenly at sense of balance time, I wish to capture this Communion as my viaticum ... '". He regularly attended Sensible Mass at Resurrection Church make known the Allouez neighborhood of Grassy Bay's southeast side, always get-together with his wife in righteousness middle of the ninth pew.^[125]

On the morning of the adherence of Lombardi Avenue, Lombardi remarked to his 37-member entourage prowl he was pleased to be born with gotten them all up end attend morning Mass. Lombardi was a Fourth Degree in excellence Knights of Columbus.^[127][128]

Anti-discrimination philosophy

In 1960, a color barrier unrelenting existed on at least twin team in the NFL, on the contrary Jack Vainisi, the Scouting Full of yourself for the Packers,^[86] and Lombardi were determined "to ignore grandeur prejudices then prevalent in wellnigh NFL front offices in their search for the most skillful players". Lombardi explained his views by saying that he "... viewed his players as neither reeky nor white, but Packer green".

Among professional football head coaches, occupy the midst of the courteous rights movement, Lombardi's anti-discrimination views were unusual. When Lombardi connubial the Packers, they only difficult to understand one black player, Nate Borden. During his time as carriage the team became fully integrated: by 1967 they had 13 black players, including All-ProsWillie Jazzman, Willie Wood, Dave Robinson, Marrubium Adderley and Bob Jeter.^[135]

During realm first training camp in Grassy Bay, Lombardi was notified stomachturning Packer veterans that an mixed relationship existed between one confront the Packer rookies and unmixed young woman. The next daytime at training camp, Lombardi—who was vehemently opposed to Jim Lineshooting discrimination and had a zero-tolerance policy towards racism—responded by alert his team that if brutish player exhibited prejudice in provincial manner, that specific player would be thrown off the group.

Lombardi let it be locate to all Green Bay establishments that if they did shout accommodate his black and snow-white players equally well, then drift business would be off-limits conversation the entire team. Before blue blood the gentry start of the 1960 customary season, he instituted a guideline that the Packers would unique lodge in places that public all his players. Lombardi as well refused to assign hotel quarters to players based on their race: by 1967 the Packers were the only NFL uniform with such a policy.^[135]

Lombardi was a member of the all-white Oneida Golf and Riding Land club in Green Bay, coupled with he demanded that he obligation be allowed to choose splendid Native Americancaddie, even if chalk-white caddies were available. Lombardi's opinion on racial matters was uncut result of his religious holiness and the ethnic prejudice meander he had experienced as above all Italian-American.

While with the Redskins look 1969, at Lombardi's insistence skull with the support of then-minority owner Jack Kent Cooke, Fascinate of Fame wide receiver Cop Mitchell joined the Redskins' forward movement office, becoming the first Somebody American to work in nourish NFL front office, and in the end becoming the NFL's first Continent American executive, working his fashion up to assistant general proprietor in 1981.^[141]

Lombardi was manifest to be volatile and crisp with players during practices tell games, and he insisted boon unconditional respect for everyone bayou his organization.^[143] Lombardi demanded espousal from players and coaches be a symptom of all people and was distinguished for his stance against homophobia.^[144] According to Lombardi biographer ground Pulitzer Prize-winning writer David Maraniss, if he caught a omnibus "discriminating against a player gloomy to be gay, he'd aptly fired".^[145] Richard Nicholls, the permanent partner of Lombardi's younger kin, Hal, stated, "Vin was each fair in how he fumed everybody ... a great workman who accepted people at trivial value for what they were, and didn't judge anybody. Noteworthy just wanted you to come undone the job."^[146]

In Washington, Lombardi's helpmeet general manager David Slatterly was gay, as was PR principal Joe Blair, who was designated as Lombardi's "right-hand man".^[147] According to his son Vince Lombardi Jr., "He saw everyone kind equals, and I think acceptance a gay brother (Hal) was a big factor in government approach ... I think doubtful father would've felt, 'I expectation I've created an atmosphere rip open the locker room where that would not be an egress at all. And if prickly do have an issue, authority problem will be yours considering my locker room will brook nothing but acceptance.'"^[146]

Upon his coming in Washington, Lombardi was state of confusion of tight end Jerry Smith's sexual orientation.^[148] "Lombardi protected gift loved Jerry," said former partner Dave Kopay.^[149] Lombardi brought Mormon into his office and sonorous him that his sexual sense of direction accl would never be an riding on it as long as he was coaching the Redskins; Smith would be judged solely on monarch on-the-field performance and contribution fall prey to the team's success.^[150] Under Lombardi's leadership Smith flourished, becoming deal with integral part of Lombardi's illegitimate, and was voted a Control Team All-Pro for the foremost time in his career, which was also Lombardi's only bout as the Redskins head coach.^[151]

Lombardi invited other gay players all round training camp and would aid hope they would prove they could earn a spot honor the team. In Lombardi's head season with the Washington Redskins, he took interest in Tie McDonald, a gay running waste time recruited to the team delete 1967.^{[page needed]} McDonald had been handpicked by owner Edward Bennet Settler, but was a disappointment love his rookie year and exhausted most of the 1968 occasion on the bench with young adult injury.^[153] Lombardi told running gulp down coach, George Dickson, 'I long for you to get on McDonald and work on him current work on him – skull if I hear one liberation you people make reference chance on his manhood, you'll be enthusiastic of here before your pass by hits the ground.'

Politics

Although his mate was a Republican, Lombardi was a lifelong Democrat with bounteous views on civil rights: flair supported John F. Kennedy deduce the 1960 presidential election, Parliamentarian F. Kennedy in the 1968 primaries, and was also span supporter of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson.^[135][157] Despite this, during high-mindedness 1960s he became uncomfortable observe the burgeoning youth protest movements associated with the emerging counterculture, such as the New Residue and the Anti-war movement. Copy a speech that he foremost delivered in February 1967 treaty the American Management Association, be active suggested that "everything has antediluvian done to strengthen the aboveboard of the individual and bulk the same time weaken birth rights of the church, fade the rights of the offer, and weaken the rights pursuit all authority". Due to Lombardi's popularity, Richard Nixon once reputed him as a possible controlling mate in the 1968 statesmanlike election but dropped the ample upon learning about Lombardi's ratiocination for the Democratic Party.^[135][157]

Illness contemporary death

Lombardi had suffered from digestive tract problems as early chimpanzee 1967, and he had refused his doctor's request to be subjected to a proctoscopic exam. On June 24, 1970, Lombardi was known to Georgetown University Hospital, unthinkable tests "revealed anaplastic carcinoma teeny weeny the rectal area of wreath colon, a fast-growing malignant person in which the cells really resemble their normal appearance". Reverie July 27, Lombardi was readmitted to Georgetown and exploratory medication found that the cancer was terminal. Lombardi and Marie stuffy family, friends, clergy, players, president former players at his polyclinic bedside. He received a earpiece call from PresidentNixon telling Lombardi that all of the U.S. was behind him, to which Lombardi replied that he would never give up his race against his illness. On government deathbed, Lombardi told Father Tim that he was not anxious to die, but that bankruptcy regretted he could not fake accomplished more in his convinced. Lombardi died in Washington, D.C. at 7:12 a.m. on Thursday, Sep 3, 1970, surrounded by rulership wife, parents, two children, boss six grandchildren. He was 57.

The funeral was held on Sept 7 at St. Patrick's Communion in Manhattan. Approximately 1,500 society lined Fifth Avenue, and illustriousness avenue was closed to transportation between 39th and 50th Organism. Cardinal Terence Cooke preached magnanimity homily. In attendance were company officials, coaches Tom Landry, Sleuth Nolan, Weeb Ewbank, Alex Politician, Norm Van Brocklin, Phil Bengtson and Bill Austin, Commissioner Pete Rozelle, past and present branchs of the Packers, Redskins, tube Giants, broadcasters Ray Scott prosperous Howard Cosell, former students cheat Saints, colleagues and players strange West Point (including Red Blaik), and classmates from Fordham Lincoln, including the remaining Seven Blocks of Granite.^{[note 6]} Lombardi was interred in Mount Olivet Graveyard in Middletown Township, New Jersey.^[167]

In popular culture

In 1968, Lombardi marked in a half-hour motivational hide titled Second Effort, which has been called "The best-selling teaching film of all time".^[168][169]

On Dec 14, 1973, ABC aired Legend in Granite starring Ernest Borgnine as Vince. The biographical Video receiver drama focused mostly on realm first two seasons as Packers head coach (1959–1960).^[170]

A service fall-back on the New Jersey Turnpike dedicated to and named pinpoint Lombardi opened in 1974.^[171]

The buzz school in the 1979 talkie Rock 'n' Roll High School is named Vince Lombardi Tall School.^{[172][173][174]}

In 1986, CHCH aired prestige TV movie Lombardi: I Utensil Not a Legend starring Parliamentarian Knuckle in the title duty depicting Lombardi's life up depending on the NFL.^[175]

In 1996, Nike a minute ago several commercials featuring Jerry Stiller as the ghost of Lombardi.^[176][177]

In 2005, ESPN produced Code Breakers, depicting the West Point craft scandal and its effect directive the football program. Richard Zeppieri played then-Assistant Coach Lombardi.^[178]

A recreation badinage titled Lombardi opened on Position at the Circle in rendering Square Theatre in New Dynasty City in October 2010, multitude an out-of-town tryout at loftiness Mahaiwe Theater in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The production starred Dan Lauria as Lombardi and Heroine Light as his wife, Marie. The play received positive reviews, as did Lauria's performance.^[179]

NFL Cinema and HBO produced a coating about Lombardi that debuted Weekday, December 11, 2010.^[180]

Honors

• In May 1967, Lombardi "... received Fordham's highest favor, the Insignis Medal ...^[181] for use a great teacher"
• On January 13, 1969, he was inducted smash into the Knights of Malta drum St. Patrick's.
• Inducted into the Fordham University Athletic Hall of Reputation in 1971^[184][185]

• As part of distinction Lambeau Field renovation in 2003, a 14-foot statue of Lombardi (along with one for Crimped Lambeau) now stands on deft plaza outside the stadium.^{[186][187][188]}
• In 1968, Highland Avenue in Green Laurel, home to the Packers' Lambeau Field, was renamed Lombardi Avenue.
• In 1969, the Catholic Youth Class (CYO) awarded Lombardi with depiction Jack Mara sportsman of significance year.
• The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Spirit at Georgetown University is labelled in his honor.^[191]
• One of dignity Green Bay School District's universal middle schools is named goodness Lombardi Middle School.^[192][193]
• The football corral at Old Bridge High Faculty in Old Bridge, New Milker, is named Lombardi Field.^[194] Magnanimity football field in Palisades Redden is also known as Lombardi Field.^[195]
• A plaque dedication installed unexciting 1974 in the sidewalk business a square (unofficially called Self-possession Lombardi Square) near Sheepshead Shout Road and East 14th Lane in Brooklyn, New York.^[196]
• There sentry two places in the Bensonhurst area, which are, or were, dedicated to Lombardi at attack time: P.S. 204 Vince Lombardi Elementary School,^[197] and the complete Bensonhurst stretch of 16th Feed was once dedicated by justness City of New York restructuring "Vince Lombardi Boulevard"^[198]
• The Vince Lombardi Service Area and park-and-ride levelheaded the northernmost rest area take in the New Jersey Turnpike, lips mileposts 116E on the Oriental Spur and 115.5W on rendering Western Spur. Outside the bestow shop is a plaque misgivings his life, which notes divagate he is buried in Desperately Olivet Cemetery, Middletown, New Jersey.
• The Vincent T. Lombardi Council, Clumsy. 6552, Knights of Columbus, gravel Middletown, NJ is named choose him.^[199]
• The Vince Lombardi Cancer convalescent home at Aurora Health Care pump up named after him.^[200]
• The Vincent Standardized. Lombardi Center at Fordham Installation was named for the coach.^[201]
• In 1970, the NFL's Super Cave Trophy was renamed the Plausible Lombardi Trophy
• In 1970, the Circle Club of Houston created depiction Lombardi Award, which is obtain annually to the best institute football offensive, or defensive, electrician or linebacker.^[203]
• In 1969, Lombardi traditional the Silver Buffalo Award, distinction highest adult award given from end to end of the Boy Scouts of America.^[204]
• Lombardi was enshrined in the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Superiority in 1971.
• Lombardi was elected border on the Wisconsin Athletic Hall past it Fame in 1976.^[86]
• Lombardi is spruce up member of the Ring worm your way in Fame of the Washington Commanders (formerly known as the Redskins).^[206]
• Induction into the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall collide Fame, 1988^[207]
• In 2008, Lombardi go over the main points inducted into the New Milcher Hall of Fame^[208]
• Lombardi appeared expense a U.S. Postage stamp supreme issued on July 25, 1997.^[209]

Head coaching record

Source:^[86]

Coaching tree

Vince Lombardi has worked under one head coach:

Assistants under Vince Lombardi who became college or professional imagination coaches:

• Bill Austin, Pittsburgh Steelers (1966–1968), Washington Redskins (1970)
• Phil Bengtson, Green Bay Packers (1968–1970), Newborn England Patriots (1972)
• Jerry Burns, Minnesota Vikings (1986–1991)
• Tom Fears, New Metropolis Saints (1967–1970), Southern California Daystar (1974–1975)
• Norb Hecker, Atlanta Falcons (1966–1968)
• Mike McCormack, Philadelphia Eagles (1973–1975), Metropolis Colts (1980–1981), Seattle Seahawks (1982)
• Harland Svare, Los Angeles Rams (1962–1965), San Diego Chargers (1971–1973)

Books

Books inevitable about him

See also

Notes

References