The Wearing Of the Green (and Gold)

So Close... The NFL's "Evolution" Commercial

2012-02-06T16:42:00.019-05:00

The NFL's highly-touted safety commercial made its debut in the during the Super Bowl, backed with a very cool website.

It encapsulates the history of the NFL, and its safety innovations, by following a punt return that runs forward through the decades from the sport's early days to the modern era.

If you haven't seen it, YouTube can oblige:

The Packers make two appearances in the commercial, once on offense and once on defense.

The first appearance spans the 1940s:

That's an actor playing Hall of Famer and Packer legend Tony Canadeo with the ball. Nicknamed the "Gray Ghost" for his prematurely graying hair, Canedeo joined the Packers in 1941, and played through 1952, making him a perfect pick to run with the ball through this decade.

He's wearing Curly Lambeau's classic blue and gold uniform, with the shoulder yoke.

The camera tracks "Canadeo" and booms up, giving us a great look at his uniform.

Anybody notice the problem yet? The shoulder yoke is a bit pointy at the end, but that's forgivable. The inaccuracy I'm looking at is much larger. Think about it. and we'll come back to it in a few minutes.

As he runs towards the end of the decade, the leather helmet falls away to reveal a plastic shell (adopted by the Packers in 1950).

It sprouts a chinstrap, and away we go into the dawn of the 1950s. CUT TO: a ground-level shot of the Gray Ghost as he runs into, and over, a Philadelphia defender.

Note the green stripe on his gold helmet. Our runner puts his hand to the dirt to steady himself, and when he takes his next step, it's a new era and a new player, as Canadeo is replaced with a Los Angeles Ram.

And there we have it, the latest appearance of the Lambeau-era Green Bay Packers on the screen.

It's a clever commercial, but how accurate is it in terms of the Blue and Gold? The answer is: fairly, but not completely. Did you notice the historical error in Canadeo's uniform?

If not, I'll give you a clue: stripes.

Lambeau's 1940s uniform never included stripes on the gold pants.

Note also the rounded end on the shoulder yoke.

Now let's look at the second uniform, the plastic-helmeted 1950s-era blue, gold and green.

I don't know that the Packers ever wore these pants in the post-Lambeau era, but I'm not quite so comfortable saying "never" as the 1950s were such a back and forth, mix-and-match era in Green Bay's history.

I am pretty confident that they wore the green-striped gold lid with their blue uniform tops (but perhaps not those tops; Curly's solid-blue alternate (introduced in 1949) definitely saw occasional use in the following seasons, but I'm not sure about the gold yokes.

So there you have it. Two Packer uniforms, one from the 1940s and one from the 1950s, each with a generally decent sense of authenticity that misses a few details. Really, guys, you could have just called me.

Next up, we'll take a look at the second Packer appearance in this commercial, featuring defense, green jerseys and a very frustrated Coach Lombardi.

The Future's So Bright, Part II

2012-02-06T13:25:00.009-05:00

Before the Super Bowl, we learned that the Giants' regular metallic-sheen helmets were going to be replaced by a custom paint job from Oregon-based Hydro Graphics Inc., Nike's go-to subcontractor for custom helmet finishes.

The move was reportedly motivated by problems maintaining the metallic-blue finish over the course of a game:

The Giants staff has been actively seeking out ways of improving the performance and durability of their helmet coatings for quite some time and were interested in how the HGI HydroSkin® technology might be able to help them.

If that was the intention, HGI fumbled.

The finishes looked great at the beginning of the game. I've been a fan of the Giants' helmet since it was unveiled in 2000, and in the beginning it appeared as though HGI got it just right.

Deep royal blue with metallic flake. Perfect.

As the game went on, the repeated impacts started to show.

On many players, particularly Manning and his receivers, the helmets continued to shine:

Linemen and other players who sustained repeated impacts throughout the game, however, were another matter. HGI's vaunted finsh showed every scrape and chip:

Whatever problems the Giants were having with their helmets before, surely they weren't this bad.

I guess this means we won't be seeing new metallic Packer helmets anytime soon. Back to the drawing board.

MVP!

2012-02-05T11:28:00.009-05:00

In a landslide, Aaron Rodgers has been named the National Football League's Most Valuable Player for 2011.

The award was presented to him in during the NFL's new television award show, the "NFL Honors", broadcast from Indianapolis the night before the big game.

This show was the NFL's attempt to bring its regular-season awards into the Super Bowl marketing machine, with a touch of Hollywood glamour provided by host Alec Baldwin.

The league similarly tried to fold the Pro Bowl into the Super Bowl buildup two years ago by scheduling it in the Super Bowl city during the bye week between league championship games and the Super Bowl. The new location didn't last—the game was returned to its traditional Hawai'i location the following year—but the new date has remained.

Personally, I think this is an inspired move by the NFL. In previous years, the MVP was announced on Super Bowl Sunday, but by incorporating all major awards into a televised special the night before it enhances and elevates what was already a monster TV event.

While this individual award might be scant comfort for Packer fans still smarting from the playoff loss to the Giants, there is still merchandise to be bought.

Within minutes of the trophy presentation, I received this email from the Packers Pro Shop:

They sure don't waste much time. Packer backers hungry for a little postseason glory will have to satisfy themselves with these:

The new trophy design is interesting, but that's a subject for another time. Until then, enjoy your moment in the spotlight, Aaron, and hopefully next year when you travel to the New Orleans for the Super Bowl you'll have to bring your uniform along.

The Future's So Bright. Well, Sparkly.

2012-02-02T10:39:00.008-05:00

Hydro Graphics Inc., the people behind those super-shiny commemorative helmets given to the Jaguars' former owners, will have a hand in the Super Bowl.

HGI HydroSkin® Technology Adds Finishing Touch to New York Giants Helmets

While every football fan around the country has been making plans for watching the Super Bowl this weekend, HGI has been busy working on supporting one of the teams that is playing in the game: the New York Giants.

The New York Giants project has actually been in the works since early October 2011 when HGI was approached by the Giants staff regarding the HGI HydroSkin® technology. The Giants staff has been actively seeking out ways of improving the performance and durability of their helmet coatings for quite some time and were interested in how the HGI HydroSkin® technology might be able to help them.

Although HGI would have loved to add some spice to the Giants traditional blue helmet, our charter at this time was to match the existing Giants blue helmet using HGI HydroSkin® technology to improve the durability of the final finish to the helmets.

We at HGI are extremely excited to be working with the Giants and supporting one of the teams that will be playing in the 2012 Super Bowl. And although the helmets HGI finally provided to the Giants were not a visual update, we are confident that this is only beginning for future opportunities.

I'm certainly glad that the Giants aren't willing to let them "add some spice".

HGI has given us a peek at the process of applying the "HydroSkin® technology", posting these photos on its Facebook page:

I don't watch enough Giants games to realize that they've been having problems with the durability of their helmet finishes. I will watch this one, however, so it should be interesting to see what HGI can do.

If successful, the Packers might well use this technology to reproduce the pearlized finish they've worn since 2001.

A Super Bowl Ad Worth Watching

2012-01-30T22:33:00.006-05:00

National Football League

The N.F.L.'s Super Bowl commercial includes an actor portraying the Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, whose career was cut short by knee injuries.

The New York Times is reporting that the NFL will be running a commercial on player safety during the third quarter of the upcoming Super Bowl.

The concept sounds interesting:

The commercial, directed by Peter Berg — who created the TV program “Friday Night Lights” — will be shown during the final commercial break of the third quarter. It uses one long kick return as a way to take viewers through the evolution of the game’s rules and equipment, from the sport’s beginnings on a muddy field in Canton, Ohio, when players wore no helmets or pads, to the present in a brightly lighted Soldier Field.

At one point, a leather helmet peels back to reveal a more modern one made of plastic. Later, a player grabs an opponent’s face mask, a violation of current rules.

Only the most devoted fan would recognize all the references. The flying wedge, a blocking technique that is believed to have made its debut in 1892 but was banned soon after, is shown briefly in the opening seconds. Near the end, a horse-collar tackle, only recently forbidden, is featured.

But nobody, particularly the casual fan at whom the commercial is primarily aimed, will miss its closing message, delivered by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis: “Here’s to making the next century safer and more exciting. Forever forward. Forever football.”

I'm a little uneasy making Ray Lewis a spokesman for anything related to saving lives, but that's beside the point.

There's also been some criticism leveled at the NFL that, after years of ignoring the problem, it took lawsuits for them to actually address it. And that's very fair, but again a little beside the point. Yes, they waited too long to address the problems inherent in the game. But they are addressing them, even if reluctantly. And the fact that they feel compelled to spend their valuable Super Bowl face time on this is a huge step forward. You may recall that last year they ran a much less hard-hitting ad, if you'll pardon the pun.

I'm intrigued to see the ad. Even if that screenshot's the closest our Packers will get to the game this year. The re-created mid-1960s uniforms look pretty good, although I'll have to check those 5's.

The Gloves are Off

2012-01-28T11:46:00.005-05:00

Nike's first NFL product has been unveiled; "Vapor Jet" gloves. When a player crosses his hands just so, the pattern combines to form his team's logo. Very popular among players who like to mug for the cameras.

This concept isn't exactly new; Nike has produced these for their college programs for the last few years:

Today Nike posted photos to its Facebook page with a Packers version and one for each of the League's 32 teams under the heading "Pro Bowl 2012".

The meaningless Pro Bowl is one thing, but I don't think we should expect to see these in an actual game; they seem tailor-made for a 15-yard Unsportsmanlike Conduct flag. The NFL isn't too keen on the use of props in celebrations.

UPDATED 1/30/2012: Greg Jennings wore these gloves in the Pro Bowl, and made the first hand-shout in NFL game history, albeit the exhibition game.

Jerry Kramer's Rings

2012-01-24T09:43:00.006-05:00

Last week, the Packers tweeted this photo:

A photo of all 5 of Jerry Kramer's #Packers championship rings -1961, '62, '65, Super Bowls I & II:

But wait — I thought the Packers didn't issue championship rings to players in 1962. Didn't players receive watches instead?

Let's look at the photo a little more closely.

A very impressive collection.

Okay. The four on the right are easy. Looking at those four from middle finger to pinky, we have the 1965 championship ring, then the two Super Bowl rings, 1967 over 1966, then finally the 1961 ring.

It's the ring on his index finger that's at issue, the one they're calling a "1962 ring". Here it is, a little closer still:

Ah, mystery solved.

That's not a championship ring; it's a Packers Hall of Fame ring, given to him upon his induction in 1975. Compare it with Ray Nitschke's Class of '78 ring, sold by Heritage Auctions last April:

Heritage Auctions

Easy mistake, since PHoF rings are so seldom seen.

So far as I know, no player was issued a ring following the 1962 World Championship. But I'd love to see Mr. Kramer's watch.

(h/t: David van der Steen)

The "Majik Man"

2012-01-20T10:32:00.015-05:00

Sports Illustrated is currently running a photo gallery of 1980s sports posters. Packers fans of a certain age will recognize this one:

Photo: Courtesy of the Costacos Brothers
and Adam Shopkorn, New York

Ah, yes. Don Majkowski. All-Pro quarterback out of Virginia, most remembered these days for being the Packers' version of Wally Pipp.

Majkowski was injured during the first quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1992, and his backup came in to lead a comback 24-23 win in the final seconds of the game. The Majik Man never got his job back, as that former backup went on to start the next 253 Packer games (and a handful for some other teams we won't mention).

Majkowski was a good quarterback—he was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2005—he just wasn't Brett Favre.

Although you can barely see his Packers jersey under that shredded cutaway coat, Majkowski played during the "silkscreen era" of the 1980s/early 1990s. You can see it more clearly in this photo:

Sewn-on tackle-twill numbers wouldn't return to a Packer uniform until the blue and gold 1994 throwbacks (and for good with the 1995 home and road jerseys).

Majkowski is also notable for his uniform number. When he first started with the Packers in 1987, he was issued Paul Hornung's #5.

In his second season, Majkowski changed to #7, which he would wear for the remainder of his time in Green Bay. He explained the number switch this way:

People kept asking me how it feels to wear Paul Hornung's number. I kept hearing that, and I realized the impact Hornung had. I wanted to wear a number people could remember me for."

That helps date the poster to 1988 or later.

Note also Dad Braisher's "G" logo on the sleeve - that was part of Forrest Gregg's 1984 uniform overhaul.

The "Majik Man" poster is part of a gallery exhibition:

On January 21, Country Club and Mondrian in Los Angeles is opening its "For the Kids" exhibit, which will feature the classic sports posters of John and Tock Costacos. The brothers were originally sports T-shirt manufacturers, but started a side business creating "fantasy" sports posters that gave professional sports heroes a larger-than-life look and appeal.

I certainly remember this poster. I didn't have it on my wall, but plenty of my friends did.

"The Men of Old Green Bay" - January, 1936

2012-01-19T15:29:00.009-05:00

This picture of the 1935 Green Bay Packers club was published in the San Francisco Examiner on January 17, 1936.

BIG PACKERS—Here are the men of old Green Bay, Wisconsin, who will open Sunday's K.C. charity football encounter at Kezar Stadium against the Pacific Coast All Stars.

LARGE LINE—Perhaps they don't show it here, but these fellows in forward wall are hefty. Left to right: Gantenbein, Schwammel, Evans, Svendsen, Michalske, Hubbard, Rose.

CLEVER BACKS—Dark haired fellow on left is Arnold Herber, great passer. The blond is Hank Bruder, blocking quarter. Next, Clarke Hinkle, full, and George Sauer, left half.

Fine looking men, one and all. Don Hutson, having just finished his rookie season, is notably absent from the picture, but there is at least one other unidentified Packer in the background (wearing #12), so perhaps Don made the trip but not the Examiner's sports page.

1935, you may remember, was the first season of Curly Lambeau's brief two-year foray into green uniforms.

As the caption notes, the Packers were in San Francisco for an post-season exhibition game at Kezar Stadium.

These games were part vacation and part goodwill tour, spreading the popularity of pro football across the country. Lambeau also used them as an opportunity to scout college players, particuarly at bowl games.

The Packers would make another California trip the following year, during which they filmed the "Pete Smith Specialties" short film Pigskin Champions.

Get 'Em Next Year

2012-01-16T21:43:00.002-05:00

Well, I guess we can stop the comparisons with the 1962 Packers.

That was painful. What a crushing loss, and what a miserable end to a spectacular season.

Guess we won't have as much to talk about as we did, say, a year ago. But never fear, we can close the book on 2011 and still have ninety-two other seasons to talk about. Lots of good Packer history to occupy us as we wait for the 2012 campaign to start.

On a housekeeping note, PackersUniforms.com should soon be re-directed to this very page. Just as soon as Lycos gets around to processing the transfer. And the next step in the evolution of this database and blog will be complete.

Return of the Database

2012-01-11T14:34:00.005-05:00

Many of you have noticed that we've been having problems with the original Green Bay Packers Uniform Database, dead links and trouble with the domain name.

That should all be over now; I have moved the Database to this very blog; click on the "Uniform Timeline" link at right to access the chronological timeline of Packer uniforms. "Main Blog" will bring you back here.

The domain name PackersUniforms.com should point to this blog soon, if I can get Lycos to release my own darn property to me.

A Jersey Shortage?

2012-01-10T11:18:00.006-05:00

Nike's impending takeover of the league-wide uniform contract is starting to impact retailers, who are running out of Reebok jerseys to sell:

NFL jersey switch may make Packers favorites tough to find

Green Bay Packers fans look over jerseys last week at the Packers Pro Shop inside Lambeau Field. A combination of factors, from the recent NFL labor dispute to Reebok's expiring contract with the league, could cause a shortage of popular jerseys. (Gannett Wisconsin Media)

Written by
Richard Ryman
Gannett Wisconsin Media

GREEN BAY — Popular Green Bay Packers jerseys are going to be scarce over the next three months. Then they're going to be more expensive.

The NFL's decision to change suppliers from Reebok to Nike, combined with the Packers' nationwide popularity, is depleting inventories of merchandise, especially jerseys.

"I think all of us that sell Packers merchandise are experiencing the same challenges," said Kate Hogan, director of retail operations for the Packers. "We bought heavy going in and we bought a lot of jerseys. We are not going to be able to sustain it much longer."

Reebok's 10-year contract to supply NFLapparel is ending. In April, Nike and several other new vendors will take over. As a result, retailers say, Reebok ordered conservatively going into the season. The company's plans also were affected by the NFL lockout, which still was in effect when buying decisions were made.

"Everybody knew coming in it was going to be a tough year for all merchandise," said Brian Swallow, senior vice president of strategy and business development for Fanatics, an online retailer.

"It's very tough being a vendor and retailer. You have to prognosticate, sometimes a year in advance. That being said, in your lame duck year you are going to be very conservative."

The most popular teams will experience the worst shortages, and the Packers are breaking all sorts of popularity records this year, from on-field performance to stock sales to merchandise sales.

"It's absolutely a great brand, winning team, a lot of press coverage nationally," Hogan said. "Even I did not predict we'd be doing the level (of sales) we are."

Sheri Tanner, owner of the Jersey Store, 1931 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon, said her business is up more than 50 percent this year with at least two home games remaining. Fanatics said its sales of Packers merchandise was up 170 percent through mid-December.

Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews jerseys were the most popular sold through November by NFLShop .com, according to the NFL, and Packers merchandise led all team sales at the NFL's online store.

Emptying shelves

Shelves, real and virtual, are getting bare.

"What we have on the site is what's available. When it's gone, it's gone," Swallow said.

Mike Walters, manager of The Jersey Store, said his shop is buying what it can find and contracting for some exclusive custom pieces, though they will miss the sales they could have offered, particularly of sweatshirts and jackets.

"It's a nice problem to have, everything flying off the shelves," he said.

Hogan said adult jerseys, Sideline gear and some other goods cannot be restocked. Women's apparel, long-sleeve T-shirts and certain colors, such as gold, are also in short supply, but children's jerseys are plentiful.

Custom-made playoff apparel, however, will be available as always because it is not made until needed.

Joanna Hunter, manager of corporate communications for the NFL, said in an email that NFLShop.com may be able to take up some slack.

"No, we are not concerned. NFLShop.com can supplement other retailers' offerings so fans can get the gear they are seeking," Hunter wrote.

Nonetheless, Hogan and Tanner recommended fans who plan on buying do it soon. "If there is a jersey they want, they should buy it now. We have some inventory left," Hogan said. "Whether from us or anybody else, they should do it now."

Nike will raise prices when it introduces its lineup in April, Walters said.

The cheapest Nike jersey will be $100, up from $75. Authentic Jerseys will be $250, a $60 to $75 increase for Packers fans.

The price increase is not unprecedented. Walters said that 10 years ago Reebok spruced up the jerseys and raised the price from $45 to $60.

He said Nike is promising its jerseys will be snazzy. "We haven't been able to see it. They tell me it's a great jersey, that it's a lot better than what's in the marketplace now," he said.

With the new contracts, Nike will produce a narrower range of products than Reebok. Other venders, such as Forty Seven Brand and New ERA will provide new items, and others, such as VF Imagewear and G3, will continue to provide merchandise under renewed contracts, Hogan said.

Walters said the new arrangement will be better for retailers and fans.

"What it brings back for us is more variety in the marketplace," he said.

Packers' popularity

The Internet is boosting Packers' merchandise sales nationwide, Hogan said. Wisconsin residents continue to purchase the most items from the Packers Pro Shop, but buyers come from all 50 states as well as several countries.

The Packers are working to increase Internet sales. The organization has a good email list, and it has a great brand, but the Pro Shop has to be competitive and deliver on service and product, Hogan said.

"You still have to do the work. If you just sat back, it wouldn't come to you," she said.

Fanatics actually sells more Packers items to non-Wisconsin residents than residents, who account for about 14 percent of sales, Swallow said."I think the angle is who really is America's team," he said. "The Packers have just been resilient. It's a testament to how Packers fans are loyal and passionate about that team."

For local retailers, Tanner said in-person sales can be affected by the makeup of people attending the games. Playoff game crowds are often different than regular season. She said this year's Christmas Day turnout was more like a playoff game, because there were a lot of people who don't normally attend. That meant more sales and a further depletion of stock.

"It was unbelievable. We were overwhelmed," she said.

Hogan said shoppers might have to adjust expectations, buying road jerseys instead of home jerseys, for example.

Couple interesting takeaways from this article:

The cost of replica jerseys will be going up. Unfortunate, but not surprising.
Nike is promising its jerseys will be "snazzy"? "Better than what's in the marketplace now"?
"Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews jerseys were the most popular sold through November by NFLShop .com, according to the NFL, and Packers merchandise led all team sales at the NFL's online store." I'm also glad to see that the Packers are leading the, ahem, pack in merchandise sales across the board.

"Go! You Packers Go!"

2012-01-07T09:56:00.005-05:00

Eric Karll's marvelous fight song "Go! You Packers Go!", written for the Packers in 1931, has been re-recorded for a 21st-century audience. Green Bay-based Madera Music, under the name "Curly's Curmudgeon Band", has recorded a brand-new recording of the gridiron classic for its 80th birthday.

"Go! You Packers Go!" is now available from Amazon and iTunes.

I'm not a huge fan of the B-side, a lo-fi cover by James Kocian, but the primary recording is wonderful. It begins with a instrumental rendition of the song performed by a nine-piece band, and then repeats the entire song with Karll's vocals. They get bonus points for the original lyric "On, you blue and gold to glory/Win this game the same old story".

Eric Karll was a jingle writer in Milwaukee when he composed the fight song, the first for a pro football team (preceding Washington's "Hail to the Redskins" by at least six years). His lyrics were snappy:

Hail, hail, the gang's all here to yell for you,
And keep you going in your winning ways,
Hail, hail, the gang's all here to tell you too,
That win or lose, we'll always sing your praises Packers;

Go, you Packers, go and get 'em,
Go, you fighting fools upset 'em,
Smash their line with all your might,
A touchdown, Packers,
Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight!
On, you Blue and Gold, to glory,
Win this game the same old story,
Fight, you Packers,
Fight, and bring the bacon home to Old Green Bay.

First printings of the sheet music featured the 1930 World Championship team, and a rare picture of Curly Lambeau in uniform.

1930 was the second and final year of the small circular numbers; by 1931 the Packers had returned to plain blue jerseys.

The song itself takes up the next three pages.

On the back, Green Bay's famous Lumberjack Band.

Later printings, such as this one from the mid-1950s, featured an arial photo of City Stadium on the cover.

This is only the second commercial recording of "Go! You Packers Go!" of which I am aware. The first was on a 1961 album called National Football League Marching Songs. "Officially sanctioned by the NFL" (according to the cover), the album featured conductor/composer Bernie Green conducting a group with the impressive-sounding name of the "National Football League Marching Band".

The album featured the fight song for thirteen of the league's fourteen teams, rounded out with "Hooray for Mr. Football." The expansion Minnesota Vikings, then in their freshman season, weren't included in the fun; the album was recorded in July of 1960, after the Minnesota franchise was awarded but before it had been given a name, much less a fight song.

Each track is introduced by a star player. "Go! You Packers Go!" was the fifth track on side two, and featured an introduction by none other than Bart Starr.

Although the album is long since out of print (and largely forgotten, as is "the National Football League Marching Band"), it turns up on eBay every now and then, both in original LP and bootleg CD formats. All fourteen tracks are also available on the blog of Jersey City's independent community radio station WFMU.

Wikipedia claims that Lawrence Welk also recorded a version of the song (and owned the rights at one point), but I haven't been able to locate it. As much as I wouldd love that to be true, I'm inclined to believe that's yet another example of Wikipediac nonsense.

Go download it, buy the CD and support Curly's Curmudgeon Band. Show them how much we love our Packers' rich history. Maybe next we could convince them to record a version of the 1936 Milwaukee Brewer anthem, "Our Team's Leading the Hit Parade".

Then play it loud and yell for the Packers, keep them going in their winning ways!

Getting the Message Across

2012-01-05T10:10:00.001-05:00

My brother sent me this photo of today's page in his 2012 Green Bay Packers Desk Calendar:

Now if they would only tell the NFL...

A New Gold Standard?

2012-01-03T12:53:00.002-05:00

Last Sunday, at Jacksonville's last game of the season, outgoing owners Wayne and Delores Weaver were given gold-plated helmets from the team as a thank-you for bringing the Jaguars to town twenty years ago.

The helmets were created for the team by Hydro Graphics Inc., the Portland-based custom painting company responsible for the chrome Nike helmets worn by the Oregon Ducks in the 2012 Rose Bowl.

But don't hold that against them.

The helmets themselves are interesting. This might be the wave of the future, as Nike prepares to assume the league-wide uniform contract.

The mirror finish is a little much for me, but I rather like the muted effect on the back bumper.

So, is this something we could ever see the Packers doing? We already know that Nike has some (perhaps) minor changes in store for the Pack when they take over the uniforms, so it's not impossible that the Packers. The helmet finish has already been altered at least once, when the Packers moved to the current metallic "pearlized" sheen in 2001. This could be the next step in their aesthetic evolution.

Okay, that's a "collectible" mini-helmet from a couple years ago. Maybe it wouldn't have to look as garish as all that. Perhaps something closer to the new Notre Dame helmets, which were designed to mimic the famous Golden Dome.

If a paint company can match Notre Dame's administration building, surely they could come up with a pretty good approximation of the Packers' shade of athletic gold. Perhaps in a satin finish, like this gold-plated saxophone:

That color's not too far off.

We can only wonder what Nike might have in store for us.

Photo Gallery: The Ice Bowl

2011-12-30T11:00:00.000-05:00

AP Photo

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Don Meredith (17), white jersey at center, falls back on top of a Green Bay Packers player as players chase a fumble during the NFL Championship game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc., on Dec. 31, 1967.

The 1967 NFL Championship Game, determining the winner of the NFL crown and representative to the second Super Bowl, was held 44 years ago tomorrow, on December 31, 1967.

Today, the game is much better known by its sobriquet "The Ice Bowl" for the treacherously cold conditions under which it was played. Gametime tempuratures were down as low as -15°F with a wind chill measured at 48 below zero. This was also one of the brief period (1966-69) when because of the AFL/NFL rivalry the NFL title game didn't also decide the "World Championship."

NFL.com has a mavelous photo gallery of the game up now.

We begin with this shot of Coach Lombardi, taken four days before the game as he shows reporters the elaborate $80,000 system of heating coils embedded in the playing surface to ensure that conditions stayed optimal for football.

AP Photo/Paul Shane

Packer Coach Vince Lombardi explains how the Green Bay stadium "electric blanket" is keeping the playing surface soft for Sunday's NFL championship game against Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 28, 1967 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Buried electric heating cables provide the heat.

Unfortunately for Coach Lombardi, and the players, the system famously failed on the day, resulting in a frozen, rocky surface.

National Football League

Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr in a action in a 21-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys in a NFC Championship game on December 31, 1967 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

In many of these photos, you can clearly see the full stirrups under the Packers' low whites.

For the record, and just because its such a common mistake, Mr. Starr is wearing them the correct way; big hole goes in the back.

Here's The Coach himself, prowling the sidelines in his camel-hair coat and cleats. I love the white detailing around the opening of cleats from this period. I wonder if it was merely decorative, or served some sort of purpose?

Of course, no Ice Bowl retrospective would be complete without John Biever's iconic photo of Bart Starr sneaking in for a touchdown at the end of the game.

Another (albeit well-known) facet of the game is that was reportedly the only time this particular style of pennant was sold at Lambeau Field.

MEARS

Because of their provenance, and the Ice Bowl's hold on football fans' imaginations, the pennants draw a pretty good price at auction. This autographed example sold for over $800 at MEARS last January.

Seasons 'G'reetings from the 1970s

2011-12-21T06:20:00.001-05:00

This holiday card was sent to Packers staff members sometime in the 1970s.

MEARS

The cover features a seasonally-colored rendering of Lambeau Field. Presuming that the stadium actually resembled this rendering at the time, the drawing helps us date the card, as the stadium bowl was completely enclosed beginning with the 1970 season.

I love using Dad Braisher's "G" logo in the greeting.

On the inside, an elegant script mark and helmet graphic.

Season's Greetings to all, from The Wearing of the Green and Gold!

Scrapbook: Super Bowl I Gallery

2011-12-14T10:51:00.007-05:00

In advance of this weekend's game in Kansas City, the Press-Gazette is currently running a photo gallery of Super Bowl I, the first meeting between the clubs.

Press-Gazette archives

From left, Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, left, and tackle Bob Skoronski watch during the AFL-NFL Championship Game (Super Bowl I) against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Jan. 15, 1967.

Seems strange to see the Coach in shirt sleeves, doesn't it? Especially short sleeves. I always picture him in a camel-hair coat.

Press-Gazette archives

Wisconsin Gov. Warren Knowles and Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi celebrate in the locker room after Green Bay's 35-14 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFL-NFL Championship Game (Super Bowl I) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Jan. 15, 1967.

There it is - the first Super Bowl trophy, years before it would receive its name.

This is an unusually static shot of Max McGee, who had a pretty good case for MVP of the game.

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Packers tight end Marv Fleming (81) makes a catch against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFL-NFL Championship Game (Super Bowl I) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Jan. 15, 1967. Packers receiver Max McGee (85) stands at right.

You can just make out the stenciled numbers on the back of McGee's helmet:

The constant thread in these photos is the fields of empty seats in the background. I know that much has been written about the small crowd in attendance that day, but sheesh:

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Packers return man Donny Anderson heads upfield against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFL-NFL Championship Game (Super Bowl I) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Jan. 15, 1967. Chiefs linebacker Smokey Stover (35) is at left and Chiefs linebacker Bud Abell (52) is on the ground at right.

Auction Gold - Jim Taylor's 1960s travel blazer

2011-12-12T09:54:00.000-05:00

The current Leland's auction brings us another look at Packers history, this time the blazer worn by Hall of Fame fullback Jim Taylor on team trips.

Lot 814: 1960s JIM TAYLOR GREEN BAY PACKERS WORN TRAVEL BLAZER

Hall of Fame fullback Jim Taylor spent nine of his 10 pro seasons with the Green Bay Packers, and he wore this official team travel blazer during his later years, as per the edict by legendary coach Vince Lombardi, who insisted his players look dapper on all road trips. It is signed in silver ink on the front, with "HOF 1976" under his name. The black jacket features the '60s-style Packers logo depicting the runner in front of the state of Wisconsin. There are three front buttons featuring the NFL crest. A button on each sleeve has the same logo. The inside lining shows a 3" x 3" patch that reads "McDelmas Official National Football League." The blazer is in EX overall condition.

The details are amazing, beginning with the chest patch featuring a version of the "Holstein Heisman" logo enclosed in the outline of the NFL shield logo.

The "29" or "24" appears to have been written on with a marker. I'm not sure what it means; Taylor always wore #31.

The buttons proudly display the NFL shield, and the interior label also features the league's branding.

Travel blazers are an underappreciated segment of the team's design. I'd love to learn more.

Taking Stock, Part II (UPDATED)

2011-12-06T09:06:00.011-05:00

At 8 o'clock this morning, Central Standard Time, shares in the Packers went on sale.

In a press conference this morning, Mark Murphy, the Packers' president and chief executive officer, posed with copies of the four previous certificates.

Packers.com

Vice president of finance Paul Baniel then gave us our first look at the new stock certificates:

File/Press-Gazette

Packers.com

Overall, a fantastic design.

I particularly love the sublimated picture of Lambeau Field in the background. This is a great choice. Lambeau Field is inseparable from the team, a symbol of its connection to the fanbase. I loved that the Packers included a rendering on the Super Bowl XLV ring, itself a callback to the 1965 World Championship rings.

In my review of previous stock certificates, I wondered if the Packers were going to replace the photo-negative logo with Dad Braisher's classic (if subsequently tweaked) logo. I'm pleased to see that they have.

I also like the collection of old Packers logos along the bottom, but they jump right from 1921 to 1950, ignoring some blue-and-gold beauties from the 1940s. With all respect to Mr. Murphy, it's hardly "every one of the logos that the Packers have utilized over (their) history." I understand that this late-1940s wordmark might not have made the cut:

Certainly this mid-1940s beauty, used during the Packers' sixth World Championship, would have merited inclusion.

Shame that Curly Lambeau's æsthetic contributions are largely absent from this little gallery of Packers history. Other than that omission, it's a sharp design.

UPDATE 12/7/2011: There's a small-but-crucial detail that I didn't notice until now. Check out the lower-left corner:

Yep. There it is:

Est. 1919

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! Obviously I'm not the only one who cares about this.

Nice to see that the Packers themselves remember, even if the League sometimes forgets.

1962 Team Photo

2011-12-04T10:16:00.001-05:00

The 1962 Packers, widely regarded as Lombardi's strongest team, finished their season 14-1, including the championship game against the Giants. They have been getting significant attention in recent weeks, as the 2011 Packers' winning streak brings their dominance to the minds of sportswriters and fans alike.

Many points of interest in this promotional photo, from Dad Braisher and Bud Jorgensen (here misspelled "Jorgenson") to the coaches in their "GB" caps.

There's also a numerical oddity, as cornerback Jesse Whittenton is wearing an older jersey with mis-matched numbers.

We've seen this before, with players wearing 1959 jerseys in a 1960 game. But my research indicates that the 1960 sans-serif numbers were only issued in that single season, which would mean the jersey Whittenton is wearing in the team photo is two years old.

Taking Stock (UPDATED)

2011-12-02T14:12:00.034-05:00

The new stock sale is official, and the Packers have announced the first details. Beginning on December 6, the team will be offering 250,000 shares at $250 apiece.

If you weren't able to take advantage of the 1997 offering, this is your chance to put one of these beauties on the wall:

The upcoming issuance is the fifth stock sale in Packer history. In addition to the 1997 offering, stock was sold in 1923, 1935 and 1950.

The Packers first hit on the idea of selling stock as a means of rescuing the team from very precarious financial straits. Head coach and co-founder Curly Lambeau joined with Dr. W. Webber Kelly, grocery man Lee Joannes, attorney Gerald Clifford and A.B. Turnbull, publisher of the Green Bay Press-Gazette in dedicating themselves to raising money for the club, spending so much time with their hands out that they became known collectively as "The Hungry Five". Not just content with seeking donatations, they hit upon the idea of converting the team into a publicly-held, non-profit corporation. 1,000 shares were sold at $5 apiece in conjunction with at least six season tickets.

That first stock certificate was a fairly generic corporate design.

Saved in the short-term, the Packers managed to stave off disaster for a decade before financial problems caught up with them and forced a second sale. In 1935 another sale was held, and $110,000 was raised to help the club. That stock certificate also employed a standard template .

Collection of Don Sipes

As part of the sale the team re-organized with a new corporate name, reflected on the certificate.

This second sale was enough to keep the Packers afloat, but the NFL's smallest market would again be plagued by financial troubles in the late 1940s, and after a series of fundraising drives the Packers still found themselves in need of the cash infusion only a stock sale had brought them. This third sale, in 1950, also helped give the Packers a new start. Curly Lambeau had been forced out, giving the franchise a new head coach for the first time in its history. The team also had a new colorful graphic design, and for the first time the Packers' stock certificates were customized to match:

These certificates featured the team's brand-new wordmark, the team's name superimposed on a football and flanked by goalposts. The Packers raised $118,000 at $25 per share, money the team would need during the lean years ahead.

It was nearly a half-century before the Packers would authorize another stock offering.

This fourth stock sale couldn't have more different circumstances than the previous three. Instead of coming from hunger, the Packers were flush at the very top of the NFL. Instead of needing funds to keep the doors open, the Packers were instead raising money to fund a massive renovation and expansion of Lambeau Field.

Coming on the heels of a Super Bowl win (and immediately before a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance), the Packers raised more than $24 million towards the 2003 renovation. Although 105,989 new shareholders joined the ranks of NFL owners, 279,090 shares remained unsold, and those unsold shares form the basis of the current offering.

I wonder if the new certificates will have the same design as the previous version, or if they'll take the opportunity to tweak it. I've never liked the photo-negative green-on-white Packers logo, not even when they put it on the side of Lambeau Field in the 1990s:

Aside from being less visually pleasing, there's just no reason to have the inverted coloring. Braisher's classic logo, white "G" in green oval surrounded by gold, works as well on a white certificate as it does the team's gold helmets. Maybe the 2011 certificates can fix this æsthetic wrong.

Although those five men could not have known it at the time, the creative solution they devised not only saved the Packers in 1923 but also laid the foundations for a prosperous and successful future, ensuring that the Packers would remain in the NFL, and in Green Bay, long after every other small-town team had either folded or moved to a larger market.

The legacy of the Hungry Five lives on, every glorious autumnal Sunday in old Green Bay. If you haven't joined that legacy yet, your chance begins on December 6th.

UPDATE 12/6/2011: Here is is, and she's a beauty:

A great design. They have indeed replaced the photo-negative logo, and I'm partial to the sublimated photo of Lambeau Field in the background.

Here's the full series, from 1923 through today:

(h/t: Mark Schneider of GLORY DAYS Sports Pub in LaCrosse, WI)

Auction Gold - 1940s Larry Craig Jersey

2011-12-01T14:59:00.002-05:00

The current Lelands Auction features this game-worn beauty:

Lot 753: 1940s LARRY CRAIG GREEN BAY PACKERS GAME WORN JERSEY

Back before Aaron Rodgers was leading the Packers to Super Bowl titles, Hall of Fame running back and defensive back Larry Craig guided Green Bay to two NFL championships, perhaps while sporting this very game-worn jersey from the 1940s. 100% original and in great condition, the uniform bears Craig's number 54 on the front and back in gold while an O'Shea Knitting Mill tag is in the collar. There's a Size 44 tag sewn inside the crotch piece. There's nice use and evidence of several team repairs. In short, this is one of the nicest vintage football jerseys that you will ever lay eyes on. A six-time All-Pro, Craig holds the dubious distinction of being one of the first two players fined by the NFL league office for fighting.

Another fine look at Lambeau's classic uniform. Like most examples from this era, the jersey buttons at the crotch. Note also that the yoke extends lower on the back than it does on the jersey's front, and the larger back numbers.

Like other examples we've seen, this was manufactured by O'Shea Knitting Mills in Chicago.

Craig played for the Packers from 1939-49. This jersey fits neatly in that window. And, as the auction description mentions, he was one of the first two players fined by the league for fighting. In the fourth quarter of a game in 1941, he got into what the Milwaukee Journal called "a couple of fist fights" with halfback Henry Soar of the New York Football Giants. Those fight fights cost the men $25 each.

Bidding on this jersey opened at $2,000 and continues through December 16, 2011 at 9:00 PM EST. This would be the centerpiece of some lucky Packer fan's collection.

UPDATED 10/17/2011: The hammer price for this jersey was $9,189.94. Including bidder's premium, that means a final sale price of $10,981.98.

Packers at Lions, Thanksgiving Day 1961

2011-11-24T09:54:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Fifty years ago, the Packers journeyed to Detroit to meet the Lions in what was then a traditional meeting of the two teams every Thanksgiving.

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15) throws the ball against the Detroit Lions with protection from tackle Bob Skoronski (76) and guard Forrest Gregg (75) at Tiger Stadium in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 1961. Gregg and a teammate are blocking Lions defensive tackle Alex Karras (71). Packers halfback Paul Hornung (5) is at lower left.

I love those early-60s numbers:

Press-Gazette archives

Detroit Lions kick returner Howard Cassady (40) tries to evade Green Bay Packers cover man Elijah Pitts (22) at Tiger Stadium in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 1961. Also in on the play are, from left, the Packers' Ken Iman (53), Ray Nitschke (66), Henry Jordan (74) and Lew Carpenter (33) and the Lions' Dick Mils (67).

There's Vince on the sidelines, looking slightly damp. Also note the blue sideline capes.

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, second from left, shouts instructions to fullback Jim Taylor (31) on the sideline during the game against the Detroit Lions at Tiger Stadium in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 1961.

The Packers won that game 17-9. Let's hope for a similarly favorable outcome today!

From the Mailbag: 1958 Topps Photo Mystery?

2011-11-15T15:31:00.008-05:00

Reader Tom Vivian sends in this mystery:

Tonight on Topps Archives auctions, the attached picture was posted, it is a picture of long-time Packers receiver Billy Howton, it is listed as being from 1958, but it could be from 1956 or 1957 as well.

I was curious about the stadium structure behind it, which appears to be an all-rock structure with concrete steps for seats.

There is a high school stadium similar to this one in Monterey CA (near where I live), and I have not seen too many others like it.

This one is somewhat different though than the one in Monterey, because this one appears to be built from the ground up where as the one in Monterey is cut in to the side of a hill.

I am wondering if you know where this site is or was.

What I do know is that the Green Bay Packers training camp has been at St.Norbert's College since 1958.

There are a lot of other Packers photos that I believe were probably taken at St.Norbert's and there is no structure like this pictured anywhere.

However, from 1954 thru 57, the Packers trained at UW-Stevens Point, so I am wondering if this is possibly an old stadium from there.

I recognize the gorgeous 1950s uniform Howton's wearing, of course, but am at a loss about the surroundings.

These pictures were often taken at Training Camp, so Wisconsin State University-Stevens Point, as it was known at the time, might be a possibility, but I've never been.

What do you say? Does anybody recognize the structure?

Special Delivery

2011-11-12T13:53:00.006-05:00

The Minnesota Vikings, in what is looking like a last-ditch attempt to get their new suburban stadium built, produced this commerical and distributed it amongst state legislators.

As much as I hate those Nordic ne'er-do-wells, I'd hate even more to see them in Los Angeles. Somehow the Black & Blue Division wouldn't be the same without a little purple.

On the positive side, now we know what was in Marcellus Wallace's briefcase.

Tell you the truth, I've long suspected.

1944 World Champions!

2011-11-10T12:19:00.001-05:00

This jubilent scene captures the Packers backstage in the Polo Grounds immediately after beating the New York Giants, 14-7, to capture the 1944 World Championship. This was the sixth and last of Lambeau's titles, and after 1939 the second championship game won in Lambeau's distinctive gold-yoked uniforms.

That smile on Curly's face wouldn't last long; his struggles with the team's board of directors were already building to a head. Five years later Curly Lambeau, the Packers' co-founder and only head coach would be out, resigning ahead of a dismissal.

1991 Photo Gallery - Packers v. Vikings

2011-11-09T15:07:00.009-05:00

The Green Bay Press-Gazette's current gallery chronicles a Packers v. Vikings game in 1991. Not only is it a peek into the longstanding NFC North rivalry, but also at the Packers' home uniforms of the time.

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Packers tight end Jackie Harris (80) celebrates his 1-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on Nov. 17, 1991. Packers tackle Tony Mandarich (77) and running back Vince Workman (46) are at right. The Packers lost 35-21.

One significant difference between these jerseys and the modern version is the number construction. These numbers are silkscreened on.

Press-Gazette archives

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Carl Lee (39) and Green Bay Packers receiver Perry Kemp (81) fight for the ball during the second quarter at Lambeau Field on Nov. 17, 1991.

Here's a closer look at the silscreened numbers:

The Packers would use silkscreened numbers through the 1994 season, although the NFL 75th Anniversary throwback uniforms from that season featured tackle-twill numbers. Tackle-twill was added to the Packers' regular green and white jerseys beginning in 1995.

There's that single gold sock stripe again.

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Packers return men Charles Wilson (88) and Vai Sikahema (45) await a kickoff from the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.

I'm also struck by the chopped sleeves; by this point, some players had already begun having their jersey sleeves customized for a tighter fit, effectively reducing Vince Lombardi's five sleeve stripes to three (a change the Packers would make team-wide in 1997).

Some players took it even farther:

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Packers receiver Sterling Sharpe (84) gets up after making a catch against Minnesota Vikings defensive backs Solomon Wilcots (41) and Todd Scott (39) at Lambeau Field on Nov. 17, 1991. In the background are, from left, Packers guard Ron Hallstrom (65), quarterback Mike Tomczak (18) and tackle Louis Cheek.

Hallstrom appears to have cropped the sleeve stripes off altogether. In the same photo, we can see players with five sleeve stripes, three and none. No wonder the Packers felt they had to take action; the uniforms were threatening to become anything but.

I Can't Even See the Ribbon

2011-11-07T14:09:00.000-05:00

Yep, this is where we've come.

Following up on the NFL's annual "pink alert" event, the NFL has unveiled these ribbon logos as part of an annual "Salute to Service" campaign that will occur each November, around Veterans Day.

No word yet if this ribbon logo will be worn on the helmets, as the pink ribbons were, or as a jersey patch like the 9/11 tribute logo. The Packers managed to avoid that last one due to their Thursday night game, but hosting the Monday Night Football game after Veterans Day means that they'll be front-and-center for this one.

It also seems ironic to me that the yellow ribbon, for decades the symbol for military support, is apparently insufficient. We now need digi-camo. But then again, a yellow ribbon is much harder to copyright.

Yes, this is in a good cause. They're all good causes. But I'm definitely well along with "good cause" fatigue. At this rate, we'll have a designated cause for every month of the season, with the NFL shield prominently displayed everywhere. It seems very self-serving and self-aggrandizing.

Uh, Oh: Fear the Swoosh?

2011-11-04T10:09:00.009-04:00

We're starting to get the first reports that Nike's assumption of the NFL-wide uniform contract might impact our Packers' æsthetic.

Uni Watch ran this little item yesterday:

Disturbing note from Jordan Pope, who writes: "I work for a Nike team dealer in Washington and we received our sideline exclusives for Fall 2012 with what appears to be a notable change to the Green Bay Packers pants for next year. The green-white-green striping down the pant leg does not start at the top of the pant but rather farther down, at roughly the same spot as the scarlet stripe in Ohio State's Pro Combat uniforms." Ugh — I reeeealllly hope that's not a sign of things to come....

It was followed up by a comment from Simply Moono, who added this:

While not good news, I should clear the air here and say that it won’t be like 'Bama's AmPac pants from last year:

but more like the Florida Nike Pro Combat 2011 unis from their bowl game against Penn State (see #94 here).

The top of the stripe (as shown with #94) will start from the bottom of the belt chamber, but — for the most part — will still be a full stripe.

Also see: the new Nike Team Sports uniform builder. The "Three Color Stripe" option on the pants will give you a general visual, although I'm sure that the belt chamber won’t be that big.

Uni Watch prexy Paul Lukas gave us a screencap of the uniform builder website:

As might be expected, Paul himself had the best comment:

And now a simple question: WHY?

Answer: possibly just because they're Nike. A swoosh on the hip might not be sufficiently distinctive to brand the new uniforms as "theirs."

This might not be all bad, if the truncated stripe isn't too obvious. It could look like a simple belt loop. But now I find myself wondering what other changes Beaverton might have in mind for the Green and Gold.

I am still really hoping that they'll make the obvious fix to the Packers' sleeve stripe problem.

Don't Fear the Curse

2011-11-03T00:01:00.003-04:00

Aaron Rodgers has once again made the cover of Sports Illustrated, this time accompanied by his receivers.

This is the 37th time the Packers have been so honored.

Unlike some earlier covers, this will be featured on the national edition, not a local edition. It will be on newsstands everywhere except Missouri, who will instead receive a World Series cover.

The Infante Stripe, 1991

2011-11-02T11:39:00.008-04:00

The Green Bay Press-Gazette continues to come through with another great photo archive, this time from the dark days of 1991, as the Packers traveled to Atlanta to take on the Falcons.

The uniforms those Packers are wearing are virtually identical to those worn today, with two significant exceptions: the extra pre-1997 sleeve stripes; and the socks.

From 1988 through 1991 the Packers wore green socks with one gold ring. No matter how a player wore his socks, be it low whites or high white tape, the gold stripe sat almost right at the bottom of the green.

This single gold stripe was added by new head coach Lindy Infante in his first season in Green Bay. Infante, like other coaches before him, put his own stamp on the Pack's uniforms. Infante's stamp was a subtle one, but the sock stripe helps us date photos to his era.

The Press-Gazette also gives us a bonus shot of Infante on the sideline. Nice shirt.

His expression tells the story; the Packers went 4-12, and new General Manager Ron Wolf fired Infante at the end of the season. 1992 would see a series of major changes for the Packers — new head coach Mike Holmgren, new backup quarterback Brett Favre... and solid green socks.

1962 Photo Gallery

2011-11-01T14:07:00.009-04:00

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Packers fullback Jim Taylor heads upfield as guards Jerry Kramer (64) and Fuzzy Thurston (63) block Baltimore Colts cornerback Bobby Boyd (40) and defensive end Gino Marchetti (89) during a game at new City Stadium on Nov. 18, 1962. Colts defensive tackle Jim Colvin (75) is at right. The Packers won 17-13.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette continues its amazing series of photo galleries. Today's entry chronicles the 1962 Packers, the last Green Bay team to start a season 7-0 (the 1962 Packers stayed unbeaten until Thanksgiving, in what was then an annual Turkey Day match between the clubs, when they fell to the Lions 14-26).

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Packers halfback Paul Hornung (5) bursts into the end zone to score on a 7-yard touchdown run during the first quarter of Green Bay's 34-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings at new City Stadium on Sept. 16, 1962. His blockers include tackle Bob Skoronski (76) and guard Jerry Kramer (64), who's fending off Vikings linebacker Rip Hawkins (58). Hornung scored 28 of the Packers' 34 points, running for three touchdowns and kicking two field goals and four extra points.

I love the padding on that goalpost.

The details of the photos are outstanding. Check out the stenciled numbers on Nitschke's helmet and Bengston's blazer badge:

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Pazkers linebacker Ray Nitschke (66) and defensive tackle Dave Hanner (79) talk with defensive coach Phil Bengston on the sideline during the game against the Chicago Bears at new City Stadium on Sept. 30, 1962. The Packers won 49-0.

The æsthetic goodness doesn't end with the game photos, though. Here is a crossover between Wisconsin's two major league teams:

Press-Gazette archives

Even baseball's Milwaukee Braves got caught up in the excitement over the Green Bay Packers in 1962. The team sponsored this billboard in Green Bay and put up two dozen more just like it across Wisconsin. "We're proud of the Packers," Braves general manager John McHale said, "and we want to tell the state about it."

I particularly love this shot of "Dad" Braisher:

Press-Gazette archives

Equipment manager Dad Braisher adjusts a sign proclaiming the Green Bay Packers as "The Yankees of Football," in the team's locker room at new City Stadium in late December 1962.

Lombardi, as a native Gothamite, recognized the Yankees as the pinnacle of modern sport. He sought to replicate that dominance in Green Bay. He was ultimately successful, not only for his five world championships in nine years, but also in creating a team that forever defined the sport. Although everyone recognizes Lombardi's legacy in the trophy which bears his name, he left an impact on the game reaching farther than most realize, extending even to the uniforms of other clubs like the Saints, 49ers and Cowboys, which adopted his Braisher stripes in an attempt to capture a little of Lombardi's magic on the field.

Outstanding work by the Press-Gazette. Can't wait to see what else they have in their archives.

Happy Halloween (again)

2011-10-31T08:55:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween from the Green Bay Packers Uniform Database.

The story behind Ken Ruettgers and his jack o'lantern helmet here.

Carl Lidberg's 1929 Championship Watch

2011-10-22T15:35:00.004-04:00

An exceedingly rare Packers treasure has recently surfaced at auction.

MEARS is currently offering this 1929 pocket watch, awarded to fullback Carl "Cully" Lidberg to mark the Packers' first World Championship.

MEARS

The engraving on the back reads:

Carl Lidberg
Member Green Bay Packers
Football Team
National Champions 1929

We've seen on of these before, having previously dicussed Boob Darling's 1929 pocket watch, which fetched $9,560.00 at auction in 2006. What's remarkable, when comparing the two, is how different they are. Here they are side-by-side, Lidberg's on the left:

The two photographs may not be to scale, but even setting that aside we can see they are of a similar type but different style, and the engraving conveys the same information using different layouts. It speaks to the origins of this awards; instead of a mass-produced item designed and manufactured specifically for the team, these were probably pulled off a watch seller's display shelf, whatever he had available. I can't help but wonder what other variations might be out there.

Lidberg had a relatively short tenure with the Packers; he wore the Blue and Gold in 1926, 1929 and 1930. Those three years were eventful, though, and he was a member of Green Bay's first two championship clubs.

He appears in this 1929 team panoramic:

There he is, back row all the way on the right.

I've been following Packers memorabilia for twenty-five years, and this is on only the second 1929 World Champions pocket watch I've seen. It represents the beginning of the team's first glory period, and is a rare opportunity for a lucky Packers collector to own a piece of history.

Shoes Worth Their Weight in Gold (UPDATED)

2011-10-21T14:41:00.023-04:00

In my previous review of the Packers' 2011 throwbacks, I noted that Clay Matthews was wearing gold shoes that I hadn't seen before.

Well, it appears as though we might not ever see them again. Matthews told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he was fined $5,000 for them. Tom Silverstein reports:

LB Clay Matthews said in an interview with teammate Josh Sitton for the cable television show Rome is Burning that he had been fined $5,000 for wearing the wrong colored shoes Sunday against St. Louis.

The Packers wore their 1929 throwback jerseys that feature navy blue tops, brown helmets and tan pants. The shoes that come with the gear are dark brown.

Some players wore white shoes, but used black tape over them so that they were dark and didn't stand out.

Matthews, however, wore bright yellow shoes, which the NFL deemed as inappropriate and a violation of the league's dress code. In the interview with Sitton, Matthews read outloud the letter he received from the NFL.

It's like that CB Tramon Williams got fined as well. He also wore the bright yellow shoes on Sunday.

So perhaps Williams is the mystery player wearing gold cleats in the background of that photo.

Teams can designate themselves as black-shoe or white-shoe teams. Players can wear cleats with team colors added to them, but only to a certain percentage; they have to be predominantly white or black. The Packers had been a white-shoe club, but switched to black in 2008 to mark the beginning of the Aaron Rodgers era. Perhaps these cleats had too much gold in them; we'll see what else the NFL has to say.

Another interesting line from Silverstein's article:

The shoes that come with the gear are dark brown.

You wouldn't know it from game photos.

Looking at those photos, it sure looks as though most of the Packers were wearing their regular black shoes.

Kicker Mason Crosby was wearing his customary (mismatched) black cleats:

As was Jordy Nelson:

Looking at this photo of Charles Woodson and Desmond Bishop, Woodson seems to be wearing black Nikes (with gold laces!).

Bishop, on the other hand, is the only Packer I can clearly identify as wearing dark brown.

Bishop is also wearing those snazzy gold socks.

Obviously Clay Matthews wasn't the only one to customize his footwear, but he stepped far enough over the line to draw the League's notice. And good thing he did (from my perspective if not his) otherwise I never would have realized that the Packers had issued brown shoes for this uniform set.

UPDATED 10/25/11: From the comments, I am indebted to the reader who directed me to these photos of Greg Jennings and BJ Raji, clearly also wearing the brown shoes:

1965 World Championship Ring (Yellow Gold)

2011-10-20T11:12:00.002-04:00

Earlier this year, we took a look at a 1965 World Championship ring in 10K white gold, sold at auction by Sotheby's.

Heritage Auctions now offers us a look at the same ring in the yellow gold, with this exemplar up for auction:

Heritage Auctions

1965 NFL Championship Green Bay Packers "Jostens" Ring. Vince Lombardi's third NFL Championship as Green Bay Packers head coach was a memorable one. After failing to make it to the big game in the previous two seasons, the Hall of Fame head coach committed to the play that he basically perfected over the years, the Packers sweep. His team would stay dedicated to its hard-nosed rushing attack in the 1965 NFL Championship Game versus the Cleveland Browns, which would be league's first championship contest televised in color, and would later be recognized as Jim Brown's final game. Offered here is an absolutely sparkling 1965 championship ring, which represents Packers board member L. J. Kelly's contribution to that memorable team. The presented ring is an original Josten's replacement ring, which was issued to Kelly's family in 1994 after his original was misplaced. Copies of the Josten's paperwork, stating what the replacement cost would be, in addition to a copy of the invoice for the replacement are included. The "[size] 9 1/2" ring, consisting of 10k white gold, a green Tourmaline base stone and .50 ct round brilliant cut diamond in the center, was made to nearly the exact specifications as the original. "Kelly" is stamped on its left shank and the championship contest score on the right. This fabulous piece of Packers history exhibits Mint quality and is a rare chance to obtain a former team member's prized jewelry. Guide Value or Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000.

Heritage Auctions

I am grateful, as always, to Heritage for their fantastic auction photos. They are an invaluable help in chronicling the Packers' history.

Heritage Auctions

Here's that view of Lambeau Field again:

Heritage Auctions

It's my favorite design element on this ring, and I'm very glad that the Packers repeated it for their Super Bowl XLV rings.

The auction description reads "10k white gold", but the photos appear to indicate otherwise.

Heritage Auctions

Although the style appears to be identical to the original rings, as a replacement this can't tell us about the metals offered at the time.

I wonder if any yellow gold rings were issued in 1966? We'll have to see if any others appear in the public eye.

Taking on the Badgers, 1924

2011-10-19T11:41:00.007-04:00

(cross-posted with BorchertField.com)

Eighty-seven years ago today, on October 19, 1924, the Packers welcomed their intrastate rivals the Milwaukee Badgers to City Stadium.

This program from that game comes from the current Heritage Auction:

Heritage Auctions

1924 Green Bay Packers vs. Milwaukee Badgers Program - Only Known Example! Up until only a few years ago, no Green Bay Packers 1924 one-sheet program was known in the hobby. However, on a typical day at a popular "Titletown" antique shop, that day turned into an important collectible discovery when a small handful of of early 1920's programs walked through the door, and that missing piece of Packers history made an unprecedented appearance. Offered here is an original 8.75x11.5" program, issued by the "Green Bay Football Corporation" for the October 19, 1924 meeting between the Packers and Milwaukee Badgers. The game ended in a 17-0 victory for the home team Green Bay squad at Bellevue Park, in front of a typical crowd of approximately 4,000-5,000. This amazing gridiron treasure exhibits EX quality, with minor folds throughout. Its front displays both teams' rosters, including important names such as Lambeau, Buck and Lewellen, while the program also displays an advertisement for the Packers' Northwest Championship future meeting versus the Minneapolis Marines. A remarkable piece, which we are sure even the most discerning Packers collectors have yet to see. Guide Value or Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000.

An outstanding piece.

I'm intrigued not only because it's a rare look at the 1920s Packers, but also because of the glimpse it offers of the Badgers, the Cream City's short-lived entry in the young National Football League.

There's also the added interest of the "Championship of Northwest". What other teams might have been involved in that race? There were several teams representing "northwestern" states by the 1924 NFL's standards. Minnesota had the Marines and the Duluth Kellys. Wisconsin had four teams in the league at the time; the Packers, Badgers, Racine Legion and Kenosha Maroons. Then there were the two Chicago teams, the Rock Island (Illinois) Independents, the Hammond Pros in Chicago's Indiana suburbs and any number of local semi-pro or independent teams that could have wanted in on the action.

The Thin Blue (and Gold) Line

2011-10-17T13:51:00.011-04:00

Another year, another "Acme Packers" throwback.

This season, it was a convincing victory over the winless St. Louis Rams. Aaron Rodgers had a lot to smile about this Sunday, and it wasn't just the comfortable pants. The Packers are defending their thirteenth World Championship in style, from the 6-0 start to the "re-created 1929 uniforms".

Unlike last year's overcast affair, the sun broke through yesterday, allowing the navy and gold to pop in the bright light.

Although this was an October game, we were spared the official NFL pink accessories. I don't remember seeing Clay Matthews in the gold-trimmed cleats before.

And who's that wearing a similar pair in the background?

Shame that the Rams didn't wear their white pants; awful lot of navy blue on the field.

Just like last year, the coaches also got in on the act.

Nice, but I'm not a fan of the "AP" logo the Packers created last year for this throwback. It's neither period-authentic nor a great design.

The Packers didn't use a logo at all during this period, except for the gold "ACME PACKERS" wordmark on their navy jerseys. I understand that the Packers probably don't consider that sufficiently merchandisable (although couldn't they have at least used a sans-serif font?), but if they're going to create a logo I'd rather they use something like the old-school football helmet from this cap:

Am I Blue, 2011 Edition

2011-10-14T06:52:00.002-04:00

This weekend, the Packers will dig out their throwbacks, now called the "re-created 1929 uniforms", against the Rams.

And, just like last year, the've given the front page of their website a blue-and-gold makeover.

I love these little touches.

"LOMBARDI" at the Rep Opens Tonight!

2011-10-11T16:15:00.007-04:00

Tonight, the Milwaukee Rep opens its production of Eric Simonson's LOMBARDI.

This postcard was sent to me by my stepfather, who's been a Rep subscriber for decades. I was thrilled to see that the card was designed by the New York-based designer Todd Edward Ivins, with whom I've had the privilege of working many times. He's been a scenic designer on many of my productions, and they've always been the better for his involvement.

I hope to have a report on the Rep's production soon. It runs through November 13, so those in driving distance of downtown Milwaukee should buy tickets now!

Our Own White Sox

2011-10-10T15:12:00.001-04:00

Watching the game against the Falcons on Sunday night, I noticed that Ryan Grant, James Starks and a few other Packers were wearing their white sanitary socks pulled up high, obscuring most of their green uniform socks.

Although these things drive me crazy in a "you shouldn't alter the uniform because it's supposed to be, you know, uniform" kind of way, I'm intrigued by the look, which effectively creates white socks to pair with the white jersey.

There was a time when this white-over-white look was standard; Vince Lombardi's original Packers uniform design in 1959. For that one season only, his first in Green Bay, Lombardi's players wore white socks on the road, with a green/gold/green/gold/green pattern to match that of the road jerseys.

There is a certain logic to this - the home socks were designed to match the home jersey sleeves, so why match the road socks to the road jersey sleeves?

Logic or no, the white road socks were among the first tweaks Lombardi made to his uniforms: starting in 1960, the Packers wore the same striped green socks with both jerseys.

That sock stripe pattern, echoing the sleeve stripes, lasted through the 1980 season. In 1981 the Packers moved to solid green socks which, apart from one brief period, they still wear today.

Except, of course, when players take it upon themselves to show a little high-white.

Sunday Night is Photoshoot Night

2011-10-07T23:19:00.006-04:00

NBC has posted images from its Sunday Night Football promo photoshoot.

The series includes some contemplative character shots:

The photographer also posed several of the Packers with a Lombardi trophy, making them look for all the world like proud new fathers posing with their babies:

Those green compression shirts look so much better than the white ones the Packers usually wear under their home jerseys.

And that photo of Rodgers at the top? Here's the original, with the photographer's studio backdrop:

Packer Alumni Association Ring

2011-10-06T10:25:00.011-04:00

Following on our earlier discussion of Packer award rings, Dale Christiansen sent me these pictures of a ring in his collection that I had never before seen.

This ring was issued by the Green Bay Packer Alumni Association.

The stone, although it appears black in these photos, is actually a very dark green.

This ring belonged to Robert Conrad, who was with the organization for nine years. The Packers list him as the Scouting Director from 1944-50 and Personnel Director from 1944-52.

I'd love to know what that "22" at the bottom refers to. Had Mr. Conrad been a player, I'd suspect that was a place for his jersey number.

I'd also love to know more about the background of this ring; we know when Mr. Conrad was with the team, but not when he joined the Alumni Association or when this ring was designed or issued.

The Alumni Association used to be very active in Green Bay. As early as 1951, it was helping the Packers organize a Reunion and Homecoming weekend, as seen in this letter sent to former Packer players in October of that year:

Among the Packer players who served at on the Association's Board of Directors was Packer Hall of Fame center Charley Brock.

In the mid-1950s Alumni Association hosted coaching clinics, when high school and college coaches could come and watch Bart Starr and Paul Hornung, among other Packers, run through their drills.

When Vince Lombardi was hired to coach the team in 1958, a somewhat-controversial move at the time, the Association issued a press release backing him wholeheartedly and hoping that "the Lombardi plan for resurgence will pay dividends; and that the thrill of good, sound and representative football will again be part of the everyday life of the citizens of Green Bay and Wisconsin."

Their prediction proved correct, of course, and the Packers embarked on a new golden age of football. The Alumni Association was very active in the 1960s, especially in the team's Golden Anniversary year of 1969.

To commemorate 50 years of pro football in Green Bay, the Alumni Association hosted a banquet and Homecoming weekend.

The agenda for the weekend was full, with a parade, cocktail party, brunch and ceremony on the field before the game.

I love the Willard Mullin-esque drawing of a 1940s player kicking the ball on their letterhead.

The Alumni Association had big plans for the fans in 1969 as well. They published a 72-page magazine celebrating Packer history.

Today, the Green Bay Packer Alumni Association keeps a pretty low public profile. If they were involved with the recent event honoring the 1961 team, it was strictly behind-the-scenes. Only the occassional donation to a charity auction tells us that the Alumni Association still exists, hopefully still meeting the needs of all former Packers.

In the Pink. Yes, Again.

2011-10-03T15:26:00.000-04:00

For the third year in a row, the Packers have joined other NFL teams in wearing pink accessories to raise breast cancer awareness.

Think I've already pretty much said all there is to say already, but I guess it deserves a mention again this year.

The Lombardi Impact

2011-10-02T12:58:00.002-04:00

Former Green Bay Packers linebacker Dave Robinson and author Royce Boyles have teamed up again to produce entitled The Lombardi Impact: Twenty People Who Were Brushed by Greatness.

This book is a follow-up to their similarly-titled 2002 book The Lombardi Legacy: Thirty People Who Were Touched by Greatness. Subtitles are apparently not their strong suit.

I was stuck by two things in the colorized photo on the cover.

First of all, Vince is wearing his gorgeous monogrammed "GB" cap.

But secondly, and more interestingly, it looks as though the players are wearing jerseys from the 1950s. The Northwestern stripes on the sleeves are the giveaway.

The helmet logos indicate that the picture was no earlier than the 1961 season. It would appear that the Packers were using jerseys from previous seasons in practice and/or training camp, and the artist who colored this photo either didn't know or didn't care.

White After Labor Day - 1939 Team Photo

2011-09-25T17:04:00.003-04:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, your World Champion 1939 Green Bay Packers, proudly posing in their alternate white jerseys.

Green Bay Press-Gazette archives

Back row (left to right): John Brennan (37); Frank Balazs (35); Harry Jacunski (48); Warren Kilbourne (58); Frank Steen (36); Tom Greenfield (56); Buford "Baby" Ray (44); Carl "Moose" Mulleneaux (19); Larry Buhler (52); Allen Moore (55); Don Hutson (14); Charles Schultz (60); Clarence Thompson (10); Assistant Coach Richard (Red) Smith.
Middle row: Coach Curly Lambeau; Larry Craig (54); Paul Kell (41); Clarke Hinkle (30); Milt Gantenbein (22); Arnie Herber (38); Earl Svendsen (53); Bill Lee (40); Cecil Isbell (17); Charles "Buckets" Goldenberg (43); Hank Bruder (5); Lee Mulleneaux (18); Russ Letlow (46); Paul (Tiny) Engebretsen (34).
Front row: Andy Uram (42); Charley Brock (29); Don Wilson (49); Herm Schneidman (51); Joe Laws (24); Clarence Thompson (50); Dick Zoll (57); Francis Twedell (62); Chester "Swede" Johnson (15); Dick Weisgerber (33); Pete Tinsley (21); John Biolo (32); Ed Jankowski (7).

This simple and elegant, with green numbers on a solid white jersey, formed the basis of the Packers' 2001 Thanksgiving throwbacks.

The Packers didn't get those throwbacks quite right, though. They used their standard block numbers, as seen here on Brett Favre as he munches down on postgame turducken:

Getty Images

The original uniform, as worn by Don Hutson, utilized a simpler number style.

Maple Leaf Productions, on the other hand, got the numbers right on their Packers uniform history plaque:

The Packers didn't have a #27 on the roster that year, but artist Tino Paolini borrowed Larry Buhler's 52 and Cecil Isbell's 17.

One more note on 1939; it wasn't only a white-and-green season. The Packers wore the whites in rotation with the era-defining gold-yoked blue jerseys. And on the biggest stage, the world championship game against the Giants, Curly's boys took the field at Wisconsin State Fair Park in their blues.

Although they were short-lived, I've always liked these white jerseys, certainly much more than the mismatched, overly-striped 1980s road jerseys they wear now. And in this age of disappearing sleeves, perhaps a simple design like this could make a comeback. Paired with the Packers' classic gold pants and helmets, I don't think even Emily Post would mind seeing these whites after Labor Day.

We Carry a Badge, Too.

2011-09-20T11:07:00.004-04:00

Not to be outdone by their Green Bay counterparts, some Ashwaubenon Public Safety officers are wearing their own badges commemorating the Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl win.

Nice idea, but doesn't quite work as well without the logo.

Remembering 9/11, Ten Years Later

2011-09-13T12:13:00.014-04:00

Perry Knotts / NFL.com

Because the Packers played their game on Thursday night, not Sunday, they missed out on the league-wide tribute to 9/11.

Like all league-wide events, the 9/11 remembrance event was accompanied by an official NFL event logo, and teams playing on the actual anniversary of the 9/11 attacks wore this patch on their jerseys:

(AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Most teams wore it over their heart, but the Steelers and Jets, who already have that real estate allocated for a team patch, wore the ribbon patch on the other side.

(AP Photo/Gail Burton)

This caused something of a traffic jam for the Jets, who wear a regular logo patch along with the league-approved captain's "C" patches.

(Elsa/Getty Images)

Coaches and other staff members wore a ribbon version of the logo.

(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

And, of course, the logo was slapped pretty much everywhere the NFL could think.

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

The Packers and Saints weren't the only ones who missed the event; none of the teams playing on Monday night — the Raiders, Broncos, Dolphins and Patriots — wore the ribbon on their uniforms.

Rather surprising, but perhaps it shouldn't be. Unfortunately, a few players (not to mention a certain NFL "merchandise partner") used the anniversary as an attempt to grab a little attention.

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

You stay classy.

Aside from those minor blips, this weekend was a fairly dignified remembrance of a very solemn memorial.

(Mitch Stringer-US PRESSWIRE)

Well, make that more or less dignified. Guess you can't have everything.

High 5 for Opening Day

2011-09-09T10:20:00.007-04:00

Last night, the NFL opened its 2011 season with a game hosted by the reigning World Champions at Lambeau Field.

As part of the pre-game ceremony, a legend from each team gathered on the field, hoisting their team's colors at the end of the tunnel.

And who was chosen to be the standard-bearer for the Green Bay Packers?

That's right, none other than Vince Lombardi's field general, Mister Bart Starr.

I couldn't help but notice the replica jersey he's wearing. See anything interesting?

His jersey features a straight-5, similar to those worn by the Packers in the late 1970s. Not that the replica goes back that far, but until recently it was not uncommon for teams to use stock fonts for replicas, regardless of what the teams actually use.

Then again, the "NFL EQUIPMENT" patch was added at the same time that Reebok overhauled its replica program, among other things standardizing the number fonts. So it's possibly an old replica with that patch added.

Starr wasn't the only Packers alum wearing a jersey. Former linebacker Chris Gizzi, who as an Air Force Academy graduate was a reservist in 2001, recreated his triumphant run onto the field before the first game after the 9/11 attacks.

His jersey has the correct numbering. That's what the NFL somewhat inauthentically refers to as an "authentic" jersey. It's similar in cut and construction to those the players wear on the field (save those players who wear Reebok's super-stretchy new shirts). The elastic cuffs are a dead giveaway.

I wonder if Gizzi's jersey was made specially for the occassion, while Starr (who is obviously more likely to need a Packers jersey with his name on it) is wearing an old one repurposed.

Here We Go

2011-09-08T09:46:00.004-04:00

Tonight, the Packers will run through the tunnel at Lambeau Field, and the 2011 season will start.

Although the tunnel was moved a few years ago as part of the stadium's renovations, the tradition of running through the tunnel from the locker room to the field remains a link between the players of today and the legends who have worn the green and gold going back to the 1950s.

These signs, among the last things a player would see before taking the field, were placed in what was then called (New) City Stadium by Vince Lombardi. He was an early adopter of inspirational posters, which he used to motivate his players and set the tone for the organization. Personally, I think the top one's a little wordy, but the bottom sign has a nice punch to it.

Go! You, Packers, Go! Beat the Saints, and bring the bacon home to old Green Bay!

Eat Your Wheaties, 2010 Edition

2011-09-07T23:49:00.000-04:00

General Mills has unveiled its Super Bowl XLV commemorative boxes. Since 1934, the Wheaties box has celebrated the most notable athletes of the day. This year, there are two. Aaron Rodgers graces the regular Wheaties cereal, and Clay Matthews is featured on the new Wheaties FUEL.

These will be available only in the state of Wisconsin, starting in about a month's time. Those outside of the Badger State will have to resort to local connections or eBay. Or you could buy them directly from the Packers Pro Shop ($69.95 each, including display case).

The player choice is interesting. Matthews and Rodgers are linked as symbols of the Super Bowl-winning team. One representative of the offense, one of the defense, similar to the Favre/White dynamic of the 1990s team.

The picture of the two of them standing on the platform, wearing white t-shirts and surrounded by falling confetti, is one of the defining images of Super Bowl XLV. It has been reproduced on any number of commemorative volumes.

So remember, Wisconsinites: eat your Wheaties!

When the Saints Came Marching In to Milwaukee (and Stumbled Out)

2011-09-06T11:27:00.005-04:00

In honor of the Packers' 2011 season opener against the Saints, the Green Bay Press-Gazette is running a photo gallery of the first meeting between the two teams, played at at Milwaukee County Stadium on November 17, 1968.

The expansion Saints had an interesting relationship with the Packers in their early days. Jim Taylor, frustrated with the increasing salaries given to each class of rookies, went to New Orleans in his final year seeking the money he knew Lombardi would never give him. Paul Hornung similarly tried to orchestrate a transfer to the new franchise, seeking television fame and fortune in a larger media market. He arranged for Saints coach Tom Fears to pick him up off the expansion draft list, a scheme foiled only by a diagnosis of cumulative spinal injuries that forced the Golden Boy's retirement from football altogether.

The Packers, in their first year under new head coach Phil Bengtson, were still wearing the "glory years" uniforms developed under Vince Lombardi.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Dave Robinson is about strip the ball from New Orleans Saints running back Don McCall during the first quarter at Milwaukee County Stadium on Nov. 17, 1968. Packers cornerback Herb Adderley (26) watches at right. The Packers won 29-7 in the first game between the teams.

After wearing Braisher stripes in their first season, the Saints wore an inverted white/black/white pattern in 1968.

Green Bay Packers safety Tom Brown (40) is about to pick up a fumble by New Orleans Saints running back Don McCall (36) and return it 22 yards for a touchdown at Milwaukee County Stadium on Nov. 17, 1968. Packers cornerback Herb Adderley (26) and defensive end Willie Davis (87) are on either side of McCall. Saints quarterback Karl Sweetan (14) watches from behind. Packers linebacker Ray Nitschke (66) is at right.

What's particularly interesting to me is not the on-field uniforms, which were identical to those the Packers had worn since 1965, but the post-game photos:

Green Bay Packers linebacker Fred Carr dresses after a 29-7 victory over the New Orleans Saints at Milwaukee County Stadium on Nov. 17, 1968.

Love the Miller High Life product placement on the lockers. Not uncommon to see during the Milwaukee Braves era, but it also extended to the Packers when they played in the Cream City.

My favorite photo is Bengtson talking with the press after the win.

Longtime readers will recognize Phil decked out in two sideline items we've covered before: his "GB" monogram cap and classic half-zip sideline jacket.

Looking pretty sharp there, Coach. And so were the Packers on that November day. Let's hope McCarthy's boys can pull out a similarly decisive victory as they start looking for their fourteenth World Championship.

Photo credit: Press-Gazette archives

Taking the "Mc"key, 1979

2011-09-03T16:04:00.002-04:00

Another item of note in the recent the Green Bay Press-Gazette Packers/Chiefs 1979 photo gallery is the Name on Back (NOB) worn by cornerback Mike McCoy, seen here trying to block Jan Stenerud's kick.

Press-Gazette archives

At the time, the team used one size letters with a space for the Gaelic prefix. The Packers haven't had a "Mc" on the roster since Mike McKenzie left in 2004, but at that time they used a small-cap "c" without a space to set it off. It's hard to find documentation, given McKenzie's singular hairstyle, but you can just about see it here:

Perhaps McCoy's space, like the distinctive number "5"s in use then, was standard from the uniform supplier of the day. There was a time when teams adapted their number styles to fit the manufacturers' catalogue, rather than the other way around.

High 5 from 1979

2011-09-02T12:02:00.002-04:00

With the Packers taking on Kansas City in the final preseason game of 2011, the Green Bay Press-Gazette is currently running a photo gallery featuring a preseason Packers/Chiefs matchup from 1979. I saw something in that gallery which piqued my interest.

In this photo, guard Derrel Gofourth (57), linebacker Rich Wingo (50) and center/future color commentator Larry McCarren (54) take the field:

Press-Gazette archives

Check out the right angle on those 5s, and contrast with the modern hooked numbers:

The Packers' hooked 5 goes all the way back to the Lombardi era:

Perhaps this straightened digit indicates a "house font" from their uniform supplier at the time. This was far more common in the 1960s, but doesn't seem all that unlikely in 1979.

Arts and Letter(head)s, Part IV

2011-09-01T12:42:00.000-04:00

This letter was sent on April 12, 1950 by former team president Lee Johannes to staff members working on the Packers' third stock drive, then in full swing.

Wisconsin Historical Society

DEAR FELLOW WORKER:

As you know I am layed up and haven't been able to get around as much as I would like to follow through on the Packer Drive, following the kick-off of our group at the Beaumont Hotel.

You have undoubtedly seen the score board that we have on the Court House lawn, and, of course, we want to keep old No. 14 moving up. In order to do that it is necessary that you complete your pledges and turn them into the Packer Ticket Office.

I sincerely hope that the "Special Commitee" will be able to complete its calls this week and have them all turned in so that when the general committee has their report meeting next Monday night we will be able to report that the Special Committee has completed their work. I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. If you have any problems you would like to discuss with me call my home De Pere 554.

Very truly yours,

Lee Johannes, Chairman
Packer Stock Drive

We've seen rough photocopies of this letterhead style before, but this is the first color example I've seen. I like the green and gold, with bold action graphics along the top.

Arts and Letter(head)s, Part III

2011-08-30T11:59:00.000-04:00

This sterling example of late-1940 Packers letterhead. It was sent on June 1, 1947 to returning players — in this case defensive tackle Ed Neal — along with the team's playbook.

In the purple ink of a hand-cranked mimeograph machine, head coach Curly Lambeau gives a quick overview of the playbook and invokes secrecy:

BY ALL MEANS DO NOT BE CARELESS IN HANDLING PLAYS. THEY ARE FOR YOUR EYES ONLY. TREAT ALL ADVANCE INFORMATION WITH CONFIDENCE.

The sheet's graphics are bold and clear, six decades later. The top of the letterhead features an unusual wordmark in the team's proud gold and blue.

Along the bottom, partially obscured by Curly's mimeographed signature, flags representing the team's six titles.

The Packers continued to use this style of letterhead even after Lambeau was forced out, as seen on this October 1950 letter from new coach Gene Ronzani to West Coast scout Clark Shaughnessy:

It also appears that the ever-thrifty Packers re-used the old Lambeau letterhead, either before the Ronzani version was delivered or simply to use up old stock. This letter was sent by chairman Lee Joannes on March 5, 1950, almost exactly one month after Ronzani took the reins, as part of a planning session for the team's upcoming stock sale:

Curly's name has been blocked out by a solid blue line:

An ignominious end to Lambeau's thirty years in charge, to be sure, but at least his successors were frugal.

Throwback Encore Confirmed

2011-08-26T11:01:00.004-04:00

Yep.

As we suspected, the Packers have confirmed that the 1929-style throwbacks will be making another appearance at Lambeau Field this season. This year, it will be October 16th against the Rams.

Personally, I'd rather not see them wear the navy-and-tan against a navy-and-metallic-gold team, but that's their choice. Maybe they'll outfit the Rams in their 1950s gold uniforms just to provide a little visual contrast.

Throwback Encore?

2011-08-25T23:57:00.004-04:00

The Packers Pro Shop has been restocked with 1929 throwback jerseys and merchandise; more reason to believe that they'll be wearing it again this season.

2010 Director Ring

2011-08-23T11:00:00.007-04:00

The Green Bay Press-Gazette recently ran a photo essay on St. Norbert College president Thomas Kunkel, a member of the Green Bay Packers' Board of Directors. He brought his Super Bowl XLV ring to a show-and-tell session at school, giving us our first good look at the directors' rings.

Unlike in 1996, the 2010 rings appear to be identical to those issued to players:

Jostens

On the one shank, the team name and Lombardi Trophy. Just like the player rings.

The other shank features Kunkel's name over a relief of Lambeau Field.

Pity we don't have a better view of this side; we can't see what's present under the stadium. McCarthy's ring says "HC", the players' rings have their number in a circle inspired by the throwback uniforms. What do they do for the directors?

The inside of the ring lists the path the Packers took through the playoffs, and the tribute to Charles Woodson's "One Thing" postgame speech following the win over the Bears in the NFC Championship game:

So it appears that the directors' ring is the same as that issued to the players and coaching staff. Maybe soon we'll get a better look at that one shank to know for sure.

(Photos courtesy of Scott Crevier, St. Norbert College)

I Carry a Badge

2011-08-16T11:30:00.017-04:00

Interesting news from the Green Bay Police Department:

GBPD

Green Bay police wear new Green Bay Packers-inspired badges

Officers sport Super-Bowl themed marks of honor

Some Green Bay police have begun sporting a slightly different look, courtesy of the city's championship football team.

A new badge bearing the Green Bay Packers logo began appearing this past week on some officers' uniforms. Gold lettering on the badge proclaims, "Green Bay Police" and "Super Bowl Champions, XLV." Smaller green letters remind people of the city's status as "Titletown, U.S.A."

Department leaders authorized the creation of the badge this year after the team won its fourth Super Bowl title. Officers may purchase the badges for use until next August. Officers also may elect to wear the department's traditional badge.

— Doug Schneider/Press-Gazette

Where are they going to put the badge number?

For comparison, the "traditional badge" is just that:

GBPD

I remember a special New Orleans Police Department badge commemorating Super Bowl XXXI. Those appear on the collectors' market from time to time; wonder when we'll see these new badges show up in private collections. Anyone know Wisconsin law on the legality of collecting police memorabilia?

UPDATE 10/19: The new badges have started to appear on GBPD officers, including those conducting gameday security checks at Lambeau Field:

Green and Gold Against the Browns, 1954 preseason

2011-08-15T14:45:00.004-04:00

This past weekend, the Packers launched the 2011 preseason game in Cleveland. To mark the occassion, the Green Bay Press-Gazette has posted a gallery of action shots from a preseason bout between the Packers and Browns at the original City Stadium on Aug. 21, 1954.

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Packers end Billy Howton (86) scores a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during a preseason game at old City Stadium on Aug. 21, 1954. Browns safety Ken Konz is at right. The Browns won 14-13.

The Packers are wearing green jerseys with metallic gold helmets, numbers and pants, while the Browns are dressed in a special preseason-only orange jersey with brown numbers. The result is a far cry from the color-vs.-white matchups we see today.

Press-Gazette archives

Two Green Bay Packers defenders get ready to lower the boom on a Cleveland Browns runner during a preseason game at old City Stadium on Aug. 21, 1954.

Press-Gazette archives

Green Bay Packers safety Bobby Dillon upends Cleveland Browns fullback Fred Morrison during a preseason game at old City Stadium on Aug. 21, 1954.

Good stuff.

The rest of the gallery is here.

The Green, Gold and White House - 2011 edition

2011-08-12T22:15:00.008-04:00

Today, the Packers made the next step on their World Championship tour; a stop at the White House.

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Gotta love somebody bringing a cheesehead to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

President Obama was in fine form, greeting his favorite team's rival:

"I'm just going to say it. This hurts a little bit. This is a hard thing for a Bears fan to do. It doesn't hurt as much as the NFC Championship game hurt, but it still hurts — you guys coming to my house to rub it in. What are you going to do — go to Ditka's house next?"

The Packers, as is customary, presented the President with a personalized jersey.

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

The NOB is a little awkward. Obama is usually associated with #44, but that one is in use by James Stark, so I guess they figured #1 was preferable.

This only adds to my contention that #1 should be retired. It's only ever been issued to one player; Curly Lambeau himself. The Packers could retire it, keeping it out of circulation and reserved it for first-round draft picks and heads of state.

Rodgers noted that Obama's green and gold jersey was unlikely to be prominently displayed in the White House.

"I'm not sure this one's going to make a wall or even a first storage unit. Might be in one of the backup storage units."

If a jersey is the standard gift, the Packers also brought something no other team could offer: one share of stock.

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

President Obama wasted no time exercising his responsibilities as a stockholder.

"If I'm a part owner, I think we should initiate a trade to send (Aaron) Rodgers down to the Bears."

At that point, Charles Woodson stepped up to the microphone and reminded the President he'd need to accumulate more shares before he could dictate trades.

I wonder who donated the share?

The President had one final thought for the Packers as they prepared to head to Cleveland for the first preseason game:

"Enjoy it while it lasts, because Bears fans have two dates circled on our calendars; September 25th and Sunday Night Football on Christmas Day.

And if you guys are on a roll by then, just keep in mind that there's only one person here who can ground all planes in and out of Green Bay — if he has to."

Canton's Trail Blazers

2011-08-08T09:35:00.006-04:00

The Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2011 was inducted at Canton over the weekend. It was notable not only for Shannon Sharpe's moving tribute to his brother (and reminder of what Sterling could have been had a neck injury not cut his career short), but for another detail that should interest us.

Gary A. Vasquez/NFL

The Hall of Fame has changed the patch worn on the inductees' distinctive golden blazers.

Prior to this season, the blazer featured the words "NFL Alumni", as seen on Dick LeBeau, one of last year's inductees:

Ben Liebenberg/NFL

Is this a sign that the Pro Football Hall of Fame might be moving away from its "NFL Hall of Fame" reputation? Or just a new exercise in branding to promote the Hall's logo? They might have removed the three letters, but the blazer patch still conspicuously borrows its shape from the NFL's shield.

These patch games made me wonder just when did the tradition of the golden jacket start, anyway? The charter enshrinees didn't wear them.

Members of the Class of 1963 — including four Packers (Johnny "Blood" McNally, Cal Hubbard, Don Hutson and Curly Lambeau) — pose with their busts in front of the newly-opened Hall of Fame building in Canton.

A quick perusal of the Hall of Fame's site indicates that the tradition of the golden blazer started in the late 1970s (the color might have given that away). This was a time when Lombardi's Packers started to take their place with the game's immortals. Bart Starr and Forrest Gregg were members of the Class of 1977, and when photographed holding their busts were wearing their own sportcoats.

Ray Nitschke follwed in 1978, clad in the now-familiar golden blazer.

Doesn't look as though they were terribly concerned about appearing too chummy with the league — his blazer patch is the NFL logo!

That design was short-lived, and the second class to wear golden blazers, including Johnny Unitas, had patches which read "NFL ALUMNI".

Previous enshrinees were either issued new jackets or new patches to wear to the ceremony, as seen on this jacket from Ray Nitschke's estate, auctioned off by Heritage earlier this year:

Heritage Auctions

The "ALUMNI" patch was worn through 1988. Here we see safety Willie Wood, class of 1989, with the new "Enshrinee" patch.

A patch change meant issuing new jackets to past enshrinees. It also appears that they lightened the jacket color from its original camel hair to a lighter shade about the same time. This Nitschke jacket was part of the same Heritage auction.

Heritage Auctions

So if previous inductees were issued new blazers to keep up with the Hall's fashion, it's strange to see Bruce Smith, class of 2009, wearing his old jacket to the weekend's festivities.

The Green, Gold and White House - 1997 edition

2011-07-31T15:06:00.003-04:00

Following up on the Packers' visit to President Obama, today we turn back the clock to May 27, 1997, the Packers last visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

William Jefferson Clinton welcomed the conquering heroes to the South Lawn with a smile and warm words.

"In a world where professional athletics, in sport after sports, seems more transient ... The Green Bay Packers are something special, unique, old-fashioned, and heartwarming."

President Clinton was recovering from surgery for a torn tendon in his knee, hence the cane.

Yep, that's backup quarterback Jim McMahaon in the back row, wearing his old Bears jersey. The '85 Bears' White House visit was cancelled after the shuttle Challenger explosion, and was never rescheduled. Since he didn't get to visit the President as a Bear, he thought his victorious Chicago team should be honored.

Although the custom of giving the Commander in Chief a personalized jersey had not yet become de rigueur, the boys from Green Bay didn't show up empty-handed. The Packers presented President Clinton with a game ball from Super Bowl XXXI and a very 1990s green and gold leather jacket.

We'll see what the 2011 Packers have for President Obama.

The Fight Goes On

2011-07-27T10:08:00.000-04:00

A host of new caps have hit the Packers Pro Shop, including the 2011 sideline caps. You too can wear the look that Rodgers and Company will be wearing on the bench:

Or maybe not. Not so good.

But that's not the worst of it. Reebok is chiming in again with this "Est. '21" fashion cap:

Come on, everyone, say it with me:

"The Packers weren't established in 1921."

Ugh. We're going to be fighting this battle for a while, I suspect. Maybe by the Centennial we can get the NFL to acknowledge the entirety of the Packers' history.

That'll Leave a Mark.

2011-07-18T17:02:00.000-04:00

Well, cornerback Sam Shields sure seems excited about the Super Bowl win.

Ouch. I think the less said about this, the better, although it should be noted that somebody took a little liberty with the ring design.

TMZ.com

There are some minor deviations from the actual ring — fourteen diamonds on the "G", not one for each of the thirteen World Championships — but the biggest is that the shank we can see should have the team's name on it, not his.

Jostens

1939 Championship Watch

2011-07-09T16:58:00.003-04:00

As we've seen, not all championships are celebrated with rings. From time to time the Packers have gaven watches to players as a reward for getting to the top of the mountain; first a pocket watch in 1929 and again a wristwatch in 1962.

This smart wristwatch commemorates the Packers' 1939 World Championship.

On the reverse, this inscription:

Bud Jorgensen
"PACKERS"
World Champions
1939

Carl "Bud" Jorgensen was a trainer and coach. He joined the Packers as an equipment manager in 1924 after graduating from Green Bay West High School. The way he told it, "I first got involved with the club because my dad worked for the railroad and he got me a pass so I could make a trip with the team. Pat Holland was the trainer and equipment man then. He wanted to hang it up, so Curly Lambeau said, 'Why don't you help Pat and learn the ropes so you can step in there?'"

That casual remark would begin an association with the Green Bay Packers that would last for nearly five decades.

Jorgensen worked his way up the Packer ladder. By 1939, when the Packers bested the Giants in the title game, Jorgensen was so instrumental to the club that the players voted him a half-share of the playoff money. He was only one of three non-players to be so honored; the other two were trainer David Woodward, Holland's successor, who received the other half-share, and assistant coach Richard "Red" Smith. Curly Lambeau himself was also offered a full share, but returned it to the pool.

Woodward died in Feburary of 1940, and Jorgensen took his place as head trainer, a position he would hold until the Dan Devine era. During his career, he missed only two games; one in 1929 for the birth of his son, and one in 1958 when his wife was recovering from major surgery.

Those two games aside, Jorgensen was a fixture in the training room and on the sidelines.

Press-Gazette archives

Jorgensen wraps halfback Paul Hornung's right ankle n the Packers' new training room, nicknamed the "White Room," before a workout in July 1964.

We can see Jorgensen in these two team photos, each one representing a championship team under his two Hall of Fame coaches:

Press-Gazette archives

Front row (left to right): Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg (43); Paul Duhart (42); Ben Starret (63); Pete Tinsley (21); Forrest McPherson (72); Larry Craig (54); Charley Brock(29); Lou Brock (16); Roy McKay 93); Joe Laws (24). Middle row: Trainer Carl (Bud) Jorgensen; William Kuusisto (45); Ray Wheba (17); Glen Sorenson (33); Bob Flowers (35); Harry Jacunski (48); Ted Fritsch (64); Don Perkins (23); Charles Tollefson (46); Joel Mason (7); Trainer Gust Seaburg. Back row: Coach Curly Lambeau; Don Hutson (14); Paul Berezney (47); Ade Schwammel (58); Irv Comp (51): Milburn (Tiny) Croft (75); Bob Kercher (18); Bob Kahler (8) Buford (Baby) Ray (44); Amadeo (Mike) Bucchianeri; Assistant Coach George (Brute) Trafton.

Press-Gazette archives

Front row (left to right): Dave Robinson (89); Don Chandler (34); Lionel Aldridge (82); Doug Hart (43); Hank Gremminger (46); Ron Kostelnik (77); Willie Wood (24); Herb Adderley (26); Bob Jeter (21); Marv Flemming (81). Second row: Trainer Carl (Bud) Jorgensen; Lloyd Voss (71); Carroll Dale (84); Bart Starr (15); Elijah Pitts (22); Bill Anderson (88); Zeke Bratkowski (12); Dan Grimm (67); Tom Moore (25); Bob Long (80); Tom Brown (40); Equipment manager Gerald (Dad) Braisher. Third row: Assistant trainer Domenic Gentile, Bill Curry (50); Tommy Crutcher (56); Junior Coffey (41); Henry Jordan (74); Jerry Kramer (64); Fred (Fuzzy) Thurston (63); Bob Skoronski (76); Willie Davis (87); Ray Nitschke (66); Assistant equipment manager Bob Noel. Back row: Allen Jacobs (35); Rich Marshall (70); Dennis Claridge (10); Ken Bowman (57); Boyd Dowler (86); Forrest Gregg (75); Steve Wright (72); Jim Taylor (31); Paul Hornung (5); Max McGee (85).

Jorgensen retired in 1971, and was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1976. His record of 47 contunuous seasons with the team still stands as a record today, as does his run of championships. Jorgensen was a part of eleven championship teams. For this, he undoubtedly received many mementos and awards, but I doubt any of them had the particular style of this 1939 wristwatch.

(h/t: Mark Schneider for the wristwatch photos)

The Hutson Jersey Resurfaces

2011-07-05T13:44:00.023-04:00

The 1940s Don Hutson jersey which sold for $60,000 in 2009 is back on the market.

It's part of the same upcoming Heritage Auction which will showcase Fuzzy Thurston's Super Bowl II ring.

From the auction listing:

Heritage Auctions

1937-45 Don Hutson Game Worn Green Bay Packers Jersey. One of the most influential players in the development of the modern game, Hutson was the first star wide receiver in NFL history, credited with authoring many of the pass routes still utilized today. His utter dominance of NFL flight paths during his eleven-season tenure comes into focus when considering the many records he continues to hold six and a half decades after his retirement. No other player has led the NFL more seasons than Hutson in receptions (8), passing yards gained (7), receiving touchdowns (5) or overall scoring (5). In the famous 1999 ranking of the 100 Greatest Football Players by The Sporting News, Hutson earned the number six spot, the highest position of any Green Bay Packers veteran.

This distinctive jersey style is the one most commonly associated with the pioneering pass catcher, utilized by the Packers franchise from 1937 through 1948. Hutson's retirement at the close of the 1945 season accounts for the possible range of this specific jersey's potential vintage, though the included letter of provenance would suggest the later years of that span. The handwritten page from the son of Packers equipment manager John Proski states, in part, "The enclosed Don Hutson jersey #14 Green Bay Packers jersey along with picture has been with me and my family since 1944 or ? It was given to me by Don on my 5th or 6th birthday when my dad would invite Packer players over for my birthday party."

Heritage Auctions

This dating presents the exciting possibility that Hutson may have worn this jersey in the historic 1944 NFL Championship game victory over the New York Giants at Yankee Stadium, where the Packers did indeed don these gold-shouldered navy blue beauties. The jersey exhibits solid use throughout with five team repairs clearly dating to Hutson's ownership, though we must note that the young Proski's letter admits some of the wear may be due to some of his own childhood backyard games. This later use may also account for the loss of the manufacturer's label on the amputated crotchpiece, though MEARS was able to match the material, style and collar to a Ken Keuper jersey which was supplied by the Shea Knitting Mills Co. of Chicago, IL. MEARS deducts three points for the loss of the tagging and the unrepaired holes, accounting for the final A7 rating.

The opportunity to own a genuine gamer from one of the great stars of the pre-war NFL might surface on two or three occasions in a hobby lifetime, and this is unquestionably the most important example to reach the public auction block in recent memory. In the football-mad town of Green Bay, where devotion to the team borders on religious zealotry, the jersey would be considered one of the franchise's most sacred artifacts. Letter of provenance from Joe Proski. LOA from MEARS, A7. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

The auction listing includes this photo of Hutson with fellow Packer legend Tony Canadeo.

Heritage Auctions

The closeup comes from the Packers' 1943 team photo:

I love this number style. There's something both solid and elegant about the straight block, maximizing the right angles in Hutson's famous #14.

Hutson is pictured wearing a jersey like this on the cover of the NFL's 1943 press book.

Looking at the auction listing, while "Hutson may have worn this jersey in the historic 1944 NFL Championship game victory over the New York Giants" (emphasis mine), I'm not sure I'd be willing to say that it's very likely that he did. I think the straight number font was phased out after the 1943 season. 1944 team photos clearly show a different number font, much more like the ones the Packers still wear today.

Unfortunately, decent photos of the 1944 Championship Game are rare, and surviving films are inconclusive. While it's not impossible that Hutson trotted out onto the field of the Polo Grounds for the biggest game of the year wearing an old jersey, the likelihood seems remote. Just one month before, as the Packers were preparing for their November 19 game against the Giants at the Polo Grounds, Hutson is seen wearing the new-for-'44 notched numbers.

I think it's far more likely that this jersey dates no later than 1943. Would make sense if it was in fact given to Joe Proski in 1944.

Regardless, it's a gorgeous-looking jersey, an example of the Packers' Lambeau-era iconic look.

Fuzzy's Loss is Somebody's Gain

2011-07-03T10:18:00.001-04:00

By now, most Packers fans know that Fuzzy Thurston's Super Bowl II ring is being auctioned off to satisfy part of a $1.7M debt.

Heritage Auctions, who is handling the auction, has released its auction preview.

Heritage Auctions

1967 Green Bay Packers Super Bowl II Championship Ring Presented to Frederick "Fuzzy" Thurston. It's often been theorized that Thurston's lack of Canton credentials is due only to the Hall of Fame's resistance toward enshrining yet another figure from a team featuring the most members in NFL history. But few would dispute that Fuzzy had been a leader both on the field and off of it during his nine seasons at Lambeau Field, paired with Jerry Kramer in the famed Packer Sweep, which beneficiary Paul Hornung decreed as "the best play in football" and Vince Lombardi called his "bread and butter."

Today Thurston remains one of the most beloved players ever to wear the green and gold, a man who epitomized Lombardi's mantras of teamwork and the unyielding pursuit of perfection. The hard-nosed guard did not abandon the city that embraced him after hanging up his cleats, opening a string of restaurants and taverns where he would hold court nightly, regaling patrons with tales of the Ice Bowl and his six World Championships.

Presented is the very ring he earned for his participation in the very last game of his career, likewise the final Championship claimed by the iconic Lombardi. The story of its current availability is a sad one, the sale mandated by the United States government due to an unpaid $1.7 million federal tax bill accrued by the popular Packer.

Heritage Auctions

The design is refreshingly elegant and understated compared to its recent Super Bowl XLV counterpart, the trio of diamonds on its face (1.50 carat weight total) representing the team's three consecutive Championships. They are set in a football-shaped green stone, edged by raised text reading "Green Bay Packers World Champions." The left shank announces the scores of the Ice Bowl (NFL Championship) and Super Bowl with crown imagery, a Packers helmet and the word "Challenge." Right shank announces "Thurston 63, NFL/AFL, Run to Win." Interior band is stamped "Jostens 10K," and measures to a size 13.25.

Heritage Auctions

One of the most important post-war Championship rings ever to be placed upon the public auction block, this Super Bowl II representation from a key figure in the team's ability to "Run to Win" should bring the most devoted Packers fans to the table. We expect a battle of wills that would make Lombardi himself proud.

They're right about this being a sad story. There's a certain movement amonst Packer fans for somebody — the team? — to buy it and return it to Fuzzy. Personally, I think the bigger shame is that this could have been taken care of for a fraction of that decades ago. It's also a shame because Thurston has nobody to blame but himself.

The action goes back to the chain of restaurants Fuzzy co-owned called "the Left Guard." The original location, in Menasha, was opened before the 1963 season. The restaurant was popular enough to be expanded into multiple locations, including Madison and Milwaukee.

The IRS action dates back to sometime betwee 1978 and 1980. The restaurant withheld taxes from its employees' paychecks but then failed to turn that money over to the IRS, landing the employees in trouble with the IRS and opening an IRS case against Fuzzy and his partners. His partners settled their obligations years ago, but Fuzzy kept fighting. Not the right move. And now it's come to this.

The bidding on this Super Bowl II ring opens on or about July 16th, and runs through August 4th.

2010 Season Ticket Holder Ring

2011-06-29T13:57:00.005-04:00

Here it is - the final men's ring from the 2010 World Championship Collection.

Available only to season ticketholders, this ring is almost identical to the shareholders ring. The bezel is of the same design, with only the three words "SEASON TICKET HOLDER" separating it.

The left shank is also identical to the shareholder ring, with the Super Bowl logo (including the Lombardi Trophy) under the team's stencil wordmark.

The right shank has a customizable name and the year above and below, with the words "GREEN BAY SEASON TICKET HOLDER" in place of the shareholder logo.

Very clunky.

Overall, I like these rings. I appreciate the fact that they incorporate yellow gold around the logo (as do the players' ring) where the fan rings do not.

I can't help but wish that these rings had incorporated Lambeau Field. That's one area in which the fan rings have a clear advantage over the "insider" rings. It would have especially helped this season ticket holders' ring.

Ring photo credit: Jostens

Video - Making the Super Bowl Rings

2011-06-24T11:01:00.001-04:00

Jostens has posted this video, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the rings.

2010 Fan Rings

2011-06-20T10:57:00.014-04:00

We've looked at the Super Bowl XLV player rings and shareholder rings, today we're going to take a look at the rings available to all fans.

The Packers are currently offering three options for men; the "Super Fan Ring", "Deluxe Fan Ring" and "Ultimate Fan Ring".

Super Fan Ring

The "Super Fan Ring" is the simplest and lowest-price of the three. No stones other than the green one behind the "G" logo.

The bezel is simple and bold.

The right shank features a customizable name over Lambeau Field. This is a different view of Lambeau Field than that on the players' ring, more of a profile.

The left shank displays the Super Bowl logo under an arched "TITLETOWN".

The Super Fan Ring starts at $249 for White Lustrium and goes to $1699 for 10k White Gold.

Deluxe Fan Ring

The next level up is called the "Deluxe Fan Ring."

The bezel is similar to the Super Fan Ring's, except with thirteen stones on the "G" (one for each World Championship) and two to each side, replacing the year.

Four stones for four Super Bowl victories?

The right shank is identical to that of the Super Fan Ring.

The left shank has the Super Bowl logo and the year.

The Deluxe Fan Ring is $299 for White Lustrium and cubic zirconia, topping out at $1999 for 10k white gold and diamonds.

Ultimate Fan Ring

The final of our three fan rings for men is the "Ultimate Fan Ring". It retains the same basic format as the other two, with the addition of more stones.

I get that the four stones are for the four Super Bowl wins, but if there's a meaning behind the other number it escapes me. Six above, six below. Twelve stones for the twelve titles before this one? Doesn't make much sense. Must be simply decorative.

The right shank is once again identical to the other two rings.

The left shank displays, once again, the Super Bowl logo and Lombardi Trophy under a straight "TITLETOWN" banner, surrounded by four stones.

As strange as the concept may seem, this one's officially overkill. We already have the four stones/four titles referenced on this ring. Jostens didn't seem to mind blank space on the shank on the other rings, why add them now? Perhaps they felt a need to "bling up" this one, to make it truly "Ultimate."

Pricing on the Ultimate Fan Ring begins at $299 and goes up to $1999.

I wonder how long these rings will be available for purchase. The Packers will be reigning World Champs for the next seven months; would Jostens keep them around as long as Christmas?

Ring photo credit: Jostens

Sneak Peek - 2010 Season Ticket Holder Ring

2011-06-19T14:42:00.000-04:00

I previously mentioned that the Packers Pro Shop sent me this ad for the Super Bowl XLV jewelry collection:

A similar email was forwarded to me by a friend who is lucky enough to be a season ticket holder.

Similar, but with a few key differences. In the upper- and lower-left corners, we have our first look at the Season Ticket Holders ring.

The bezel appears to be identical to that of the shareholder ring, with the inscription at the bottom naturally changed from "SHAREHOLDER" to "SEASON TICKET HOLDER".

I can't tell much about the shanks from this picture; they appear to be the same as the shareholder ring, with a name on one side and the Packers' stencil wordmark on the other.

I'm still hoping to get a good look at the shanks - if you have access, please drop me a line.

2010 Shareholder Ring

2011-06-18T14:12:00.003-04:00

We've seen the 2010 player World Championship rings, and now we have our first look at the shareholder rings.

The bezel looks good. Bold, clean, with "WORLD CHAMPIONS" and "SHAREHOLDER" surrounding the "G" logo. The stones are available in cubic zirconia or diamond.

On one shank, we have the Lombardi trophy under the classic Packers stencil wordmark.

This looks good. Similar to the player rings.

The second shank has a customizable name (up to 12 characters), the Shareholder logo and the year.

Here's where they lost me. It seems a shame to trade Lambeau Field for the shareholder logo. The logo, introduced a couple years ago, has always struck me as fairly pointless, and the "Est. 1923" is problematic. While it might be technically correct, in that 1923 was the year the Packers were re-formed as a public company, the Packers already use a different establishment date.

If the Packers really wanted an establishment date, 1919 is the best choice. For either 1921, the year the Packers joined the NFL, or 1923, the year of the first stock sale, "Since" would make more sense. Pet peeve of mine.

These rings start at $399 for White Lustrium^® and cubic zirconia, and go up to $2400 for 10k white gold and diamonds. They are available only to shareholders, and only through the Packers Pro Shop.

Ring photo credit: Jostens

Grab Your Little Slice of Glory

2011-06-17T08:21:00.003-04:00

Mere hours after the Packer players received their Super Bowl XLV rings, I received this email from the Packers Pro Shop.

Not wasting any time, are they?

More details to come.

Ring of Honor - the 2010 Super Bowl Rings

2011-06-16T21:59:00.015-04:00

Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette

Here they are - the Packers' World Championship rings!

Jostens

Here's how the team describes them:

The ring’s square crest is highlighted by the ‘G’ logo – gold on a green setting, of course – but the overwhelming sparkle of the diamond-dominant presentation shouldn’t distract from all it incorporates.

In each of the four corners of the crest, surrounding the ‘G,’ is a marquis-cut diamond, which is appropriately football-shaped, just like the one on top of the Vince Lombardi trophy. There are four of those for I, II, XXXI and XLV, the four trophies that will reside together forever in the team’s Hall of Fame.

The shape of the ‘G’ itself consists of 13 diamonds, one for each title dating back to 1929, and surrounding the entire crown are 92 diamonds, one for each year the Packers have been in existence.

That’s a lot cleverly depicted on the ring’s face, but that’s not the whole story. The sides, or flanks, of the ring continue the convergence of history with the present.

On the one side that’s personalized for each player with his last name, there’s both an impressively carved image of Lambeau Field – a tribute to the best venue and fans in the NFL – and the player’s jersey number. Each number is circled, just like those on the third jerseys introduced this past year that represent the attire of the first title team in ’29.

On the other side, underneath a logo-lettering of “PACKERS,” is a Lombardi Trophy, with the name of the iconic coach, the NFL shield, and an ‘XLV’ at the base, which captures both the specific game and a piece of its logo.

Together, the primary images on the two flanks can be interpreted as the Lombardi Trophy being brought back to its home, Lambeau Field, which was done two days after the Super Bowl victory in North Texas in front of more than 56,000 fans who braved sub-zero weather to share in the glory.

The inside of the ring is also engraved. On one side is a tribute to Charles Woodson's "One Thing" postgame speech following the win over the Bears in the NFC Championship game.

The other side shows the path the Packers took through the playoffs.

Jostens

To my knowledge, this is the first time that the interior was used as a design element instead of just for personalization. I really like both of these.

Although I may have a few quibbles with the design — Platinum? For a green and gold team? — on the whole, I think this is about the best bling will get.

Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette

I love the inclusion of Lambeau Field on the shank. I had been hoping that they would include this since I saw a similar treatment on the 1965 ring.

Jostens

The circled numbers are also a nice touch. Good to see that the Packers continue to remember and honor their pre-1966 history.

Outstanding. A worthy addition to the trophy case.

More on 1962

2011-06-14T11:19:00.001-04:00

Mark Schneider of GLORY DAYS Sports Pub in LaCrosse, WI, (and who is becoming a regular contributor to this page), offers some insight into the 1962 Championship watch and the mystery 1962 championship ring:

Chance- none of the players I know ever got 1962 rings and none of the Packers media or photos ever show a 1962 ring. There were 2 different color faces on the watch- black or white. I think Lew Anderson's ring was special order and probably not by the team.

A white-faced version? Sounds interesting.

Packerville, U.S.A.

I'm also very inclined to agree about the 1962 ring. The only one I've ever seen was the one we discussed before, owned by scout Lew Anderson.

Sotheby's

A one-off makes sense. It would perhaps indicate that Anderson joined the Packers after the 1961 season (when that ring was given to the players and staff), but I haven't been able to confirm that.

In any case, well done Mark. Thanks again!

1996 Shareholder Rings

2011-06-13T21:12:00.002-04:00

Reader Mark Schneider of GLORY DAYS Sports Pub in LaCrosse, WI, comes through with pictures of the rings offered to fans in 1997.

We start with a look at the stockholder rings.

(Mark Schneider)

The stockholder rings had the same shanks as those issued to team staff (including the Board of Directors).

It's also interesting to note that the rings were slightly changed before production - compare the Packers' "G" logo on the photo above with this example, sold at auction earlier this year.

(Hunt Auctions)

The prototypes feature a simple Packer "G" against a green stone, while the production ring proudly displays the full logo, complete with outline.

There was also a pendant version of the ring's bezel, as we've seen going back to the 1960s.

Mark also gives us a look at the "Official Fan Collection", available to all Packers fans everywhere.

(Mark Schneider)

Fans not lucky enough to own stock (this was a year before the most recent offering, which added 106,000 fans to the ownership ranks) were still able to buy their own ring. As with the stockholder rings, it was available in a Mens, Ladies and Pendant version. They also offered a charm bracelet that would make Cherry Starr proud.

The "fan collection" rings were priced at $500 and $550, respectively. The stockholder ring page doesn't have a price list, but Mark remembers them as being "$300 more" than the fan rings. Membership may have its privileges, but it's also pretty expensive.

Personally, I like the fan ring bezels better, with the full team name stamped out instead of just the nickname.

If jewelry wasn't your thing, the Packers still had collectibles for you, with a full line of keyrings, watches, wall hangings and desk ornaments.

(Mark Schneider)

It will be interesting to see how this compares with the upcoming "exclusive collections made for shareholders, season-ticket holders and fan collection".

The Packers' private ring ceremony is only three days away, so at least we'll see the players' ring design soon. As Mark notes:

Hopefully, they are sending brochures out for stockholder and fan Super Bowl XLV rings as we speak.

Can't wait.

Primary Colors

2011-06-07T09:44:00.017-04:00

Paul Lukas has an interesting article in today's Uni Watch. A reader has sent in the NFL's proposed rules for alternate uniforms:

A few days ago I received a note from reader Zach Smith. He sent along a PDF of what he said was an internal NFL memorandum that had been shown to him by a friend who works for the league. I've done a bit of checking and have confirmed to my satisfaction that the memorandum is legit.

Zach has asked that I not show the memo itself but says it's fine to describe and discuss its contents. His own description is a good place to start:
[The memo is about proposed] changes to the NFL's alternate uniform rules. As I'm fairly certain has been covered before, the rules currently allow teams to wear their alternate uniform twice in the regular season and once in the preseason, but the NFL is looking to tighten those restrictions.

Here’s what they're proposing:

• Alternate uniforms would be limited to two uses in the regular season (eliminating the preseason option).

• Alternate uniforms would only be used in Sunday-afternoon games (not prime-time or nationally televised games).

• Alternate uniforms would only be worn prior to the start of the "flexible scheduling" portion of the schedule, which begins in Week 10.

The rationale appears to be an attempt to "protect" the team's brands [specifically, the memo says that the increasing use of alternate uniforms could "potentially compromise a club's national brand equity" — PL], although given most of these third jerseys' popularity with teams and their fans, I tend to think the real reason is that the NFL doesn’t want a casual fan to turn on a Sunday/Monday night game and find the Jets wearing navy and gold and have no idea who's playing. An unfortunate change, in my opinion.
One small detail in the memorandum that Zach didn’t mention: The proposal would also limit alternate uniforms to games played in the United States.

I think these rules look pretty good, although they would seem to preclude the throwbacks commonly worn by the Lions and Cowboys on Thanksgiving. It may be, in Lukas's words, "typical NFL micromanaging," but I'd rather see the NFL's style than the free-for-all we have in baseball. Uniforms are the core of a team's branding.

If the NFL's motivation is to ensure that "a casual fan (doesn't) turn on a Sunday/Monday night game and find the Jets wearing navy and gold and have no idea who's playing," then I'm all for it. Good for them.

One could make a case that there is a time and place for things like alternate uniforms (even the ones created as marketing stunts). The larger stages, however, shouldn't be that time. Wear the funky alternates in front of your home fans, but when the nation's watching, wear your best look. If that's really your alternate, then adopt it as your primary.

Lukas also adds some insight to 2012 and beyond:

The real news here, it seems to me, is that the league's shift from Reebok to Nike isn’t going to bring any drastic changes. Even though this memo is just a proposal (Zach's source at the league isn’t sure whether it's been voted on or approved yet), its wording makes it pretty obvious that the NFL is way too conservative, way too committed to its core brand identities, to allow major tinkering by the swooshkateers. An NCAA-style parade of alt designs? Not gonna happen.

Which, incidentally, is exactly what I’ve been saying all along. People can make all the crazy-ass mock-ups they want, but the NFL is still gonna look like the NFL in 2012. Bank on it.

Agreed. As much as Nike has manhandled the college teams they outfit (with a few notable exceptions), their European soccer designs have been remarkably respectful of the teams' history. That's why I'm not terribly concerned about their taking over the league-wide uniform contract (not to mention that I'm still hoping Nike will solve the little uniform problem the Packers have struggled with in recent decades)

And again, if you're not reading Uni Watch every single day, you should be.

(h/t: Paul Lukas, Uni Watch)

Privacy, Please

2011-06-06T11:49:00.007-04:00

It was recently announced that the Packers' championship ring ceremony scheduled for Thursday, June 16, at the Lambeau Field Atrium will be a private affair, not open to the public. The 1997 ring ceremony, held at the Oneida Golf and Country Club, was also limited to the team.

This has understandably frustrated many Packers fans, but I don't have a problem with this decision.

This may be very easy for me to say, since I don't live close enough to even consider attending, but there has already been a public celebration, and there will undoubtedly be more. For this one night, the men and women of the organization deserve some time to celebrate their accomplishment outside of the public eye.

Arts and Letter(head)s, Part II

2011-06-05T11:31:00.003-04:00

This 1963 Packers letterhead and envelope recently sold at Heritage Auctions.

1963 Vince Lombardi Signed Letter, Thanking Hank Gremminger for Contributions in the 1962 Championship Game. "There is no substitute for victory." Not a bad way to close this significant letter, as Vince Lombardi did in his typical confident and proud style. Sent to Hank Gremminger on January 4, 1963, there are few Lombardi letters with content that can compare to this one, and the legendary coach signed it in pristine blue ball-point. Measuring at 8.5x11", this ultra-clean piece of Green Bay Packers letterhead exhibits two horizontal mail folds and is accompanied with its original envelope, which was sent to Gremminger's home in Dallas.

It's gorgeous, with the "Holstein Heisman" logo prominently featured.

This is from relatively early in Lombardi's tenure, before the stadium was expanded to include the team's offices. The return address is 349 South Washington Street, on the other side of the Fox River.

I particularly like the telephone number: HEmlock 2-4873.

The matching envelope reflects the same bold graphics.

This letter is valuable not only for its view of the team's æsthetics, but also by demonstrating Lombardi's relationship with his players.

Dear Hank & Shirley:

Words could never express my gratitude for your accomplishments of the past season. Our victory in the Championship Game was particularly pleasing since it meant so much to me personally.

I believe you realize now that success is much more difficult to live with than failure. I don't believe anyone realizes, except ourselves, the obstacles we had to face week after week. This, of course, made our season more gratifying.

I was extremely proud of our conduct during the Championship Game. We never lost our poise under what were very trying conditions. The Giants tried to intimidate us physically, but in the final analysis we were mentally tougher than they were and that same mental toughness made them crack.

Character is the perfectly educated will and you are men of character. Our greatest glory was not in falling, but in rising when we fell.

I hope you both enjoy the TV or stereo. Best wishes to you both and a very happy New Year. Remember, "There is no substiute for victory."

Sincerely,

Vince Lombardi
Head Coach and General Manager

A "TV or stereo"? Makes a nice bonus for the victors, on top of the championship watch or ring.

The graphics are priceless, from the team logo on the top to the rendering of New City Stadium (two years before it was renamed for Curly Lambeau).

The details are also revealing: apparently, the Coach didn't believe in throwing away old letterhead. The graphics proudly claim six World Championships (all Curly Lambeau's), the most recent being 1944.

It's not surprising that the recently-won 1962 title isn't represented, but the letterhead also omits the 1961 title. From the championships listed, this letterhead was evidently ordered between the time the Packers won the 1960 Conference Championship and the end of the following season.

Maybe the old letterhead was saved for "in-house" letters like this one, or maybe they just wanted to use up all the old stock.

In any case, this letter was worth $2,987.50 to the lucky bidder, and is priceless to those of us interested in the team's history.

(photo credit: Heritage Auctions)

1962 Championship Watch

2011-06-02T12:27:00.001-04:00

This picture of Lombardi-era Championship jewelry gives us an interesting look at the spoils of victory.

Packerville, U.S.A.

This picture was taken from a four-color booklet given to prospective free agents in 1985, encouraging them to consider playing in Green Bay. Filled with facts about the city being a wonderful place to live and play, the booklet leans very heavily on the great Packer tradition, including this great image of the trophies former Packers had earned in the past.

From left, the rings are from 1967 (Super Bowl II), 1961, 1966 (Super Bowl II) and 1965. The watch in the middle is from 1962.

But wait - a watch? Wasn't there a ring issued for the 1962 World Championship? We've seen one before, from the estate of scout Lew Anderson. It appears to be the same design as 1961.

Sotheby's

It's possible that the 1962 rings were issued to personnel who weren't on the previous year's team. I'm having a hard time establishing if Lew Anderson had been with the Packers in 1961.

If the '62 ring was the same as '61, then it would make sense that anyone who already had a ring would be given a watch instead. We know that Bart Starr was given a watch, not a ring, in 1962.

Watches as personal trophies were nothing new - the 1929 Packers, first to "bring the bacon back to old Green Bay", received pocket watches from the team.

(Heritage Auctions)

I love the design of the 1962 watch.

Packerville, U.S.A.

The single-bar helmet graphic is wonderful, even if they did manage to reverse the colors on the helmet logo.

So that sums up the Lombardi-era championship jewelry; a ring in 1961, a watch in 1962 (or a recycled '61 ring), rings again in 1965, 1966 and 1967. Plus an assortment of charms, tie clasps and cufflinks. Not a bad haul.