Thursday, January 3, 2013

1983 Photo Gallery - Packers v. Cardinals

The Press-Gazette continues to open its amazing photo archives. In honor of the upcoming playoff game against Minnesota, they have brought us this gallery from the Lambeau Field playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals on January 8, 1983.

Green Bay Packers receiver James Lofton (80) prepares to high-five receiver John Jefferson (80) after scoring on a 20-yard pass during the second quarter against the St. Louis Cardinals in an NFC first-round playoff game at Lambeau Field on Jan. 8, 1983. The Packers won 41-16. Press-Gazette archives
I'm most struck by the customized sleeve stripes everyone seems to be wearing. They've cut the sleeves down so far that Lombardi's original double-Braisher stripe pattern has been reduced to the single version the Packers adopted in 1997.

St. Louis Cardinals running back Ottis Anderson (32) is tackled by Green Bay Packers safety Maurice Harvey (23) during an NFC first-round playoff game at Lambeau Field on Jan. 8, 1983. From left are Packers defensive end Mike Butler (77), linebacker George Cumby (52), defensive end Ezra Johnson (90) and linebacker John Anderson (59). Cardinals guard Terry Stieve (68) is on the ground at right. The Packers won 41-16. Press-Gazette archives
This was during the era of silkscreen numbers, as you can see in this photo. Slightly different number font as well, straight and not the hooked 5 they wear today. Sewn-on numbers wouldn't be brought back to the Packers' greens until 1995.

Green Bay Packers linebacker George Cumby (52) looks out onto the field during an NFC first-round playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Lambeau Field on Jan. 8, 1983. The Packers won 41-16. Press-Gazette archives
And, of course, we need at least one shot of head coach Bart Starr.

Green Bay Packers coach Bart Starr, right, talks with St. Louis Cardinals coach Jim Hanifan after the Packers' 41-16 victory in an NFC first-round playoff game at Lambeau Field on Jan. 8, 1983. Press-Gazette archives
I love that jacket patch, with its single-bar gray facemask. The Packers had moved to green masks two years earlier, but there's something fitting about the old field general wearing an old-school image on the sideline.

Check out the rest of the gallery here.

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