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THE PACKERS STORYCOMMUNITYADMIN. &COACHESVETERANSDRAFT &FREE AGENTS2012 REVIEWPACKERSSTORYLAMBEAUFIELDMISC.THE FIRST GAMEThe Packers played independently from 1919-20. Afterjoining the American Professional Football Association(renamed NFL in 1922), they played their first official leaguegame Oct. 23, 1921, a 7-6 win over the Minneapolis Marinesat Green Bay’s Hagemeister Park.With about six minutes left in the fourth quarter, theMarines muffed Cub Buck’s punt, and Dave Hayes recoveredat the Minneapolis 35. Three plays later, with the crowdchanting “Throw a forward,” Curly Lambeau hit Buff Wagnerfor 18 yards. The franchise’s first completion, the play set upArt Schmael’s 4-yard touchdown run. Lambeau’s extra point,with Buck holding, gave the Packers their first win.Minneapolis . . . . . . . .6 0 0 0 — 6Green Bay . . . . . . . . . .0 0 0 7 — 7Starting Lineup—LE Bill DuMoe, LT Cub Buck, LG JamesCook, C Fee Klaus, RG Sammy Powers, RT Jab Murray, REDave Hayes, QB Adolph Kliebhan, LHB Grover Malone,RHB Buff Wagner, FB Art Schmaehl.Others who played—G Joe Carey, B Lynn Howard, B CurlyLambeau, E Lyle Wheeler, G Milt Wilson.PACKERS FIRSTSGame, Win—Sunday, Oct. 23, 1921, 7-6 victory overMinneapolis Marines, Hagemeister Park, Green Bay.Loss—Oct. 30, 1921, 13-3 decision to Rock IslandIndependents, Hagemeister Park.Forward Pass—Curly Lambeau, incomplete, intended forLyle “Cowboy” Wheeler, vs. Minneapolis, Oct. 23, 1921.Reception—Buff Wagner, from Curly Lambeau, 18 yards, vs.Minneapolis, Oct. 23, 1921.Touchdown—Fullback Art Schmaehl, 4-yard run, vs.Minneapolis, Oct. 23, 1921.Touchdown Pass/Reception—Curly Lambeau to BillDuMoe, 35 yards (fake kick) vs. Hammond Pros, Nov. 13,1921, Hagemeister Park.Field-Goal Attempt—Curly Lambeau, good fromapproximately 25 yards (drop kick), vs. Rock IslandIndependents, Oct. 30, 1921, Hagemeister Park.Point After Touchdown—Curly Lambeau with Cub Buckholding, vs. Minneapolis, Oct. 23, 1921, Hagemeister Park.After Hutson’s retirement, Packer fortunes again declined. Thedisastrous pro football war, between the NFL and the new All-AmericaFootball Conference, brought on another financial crisis after the 1949season. From 1946-48, the financially strapped Packers lost two oftheir three No. 1 draft choices to the AAFC, unable to bid with the rivalleague. Desperate for new income, the Packers held an old-timers’game and intra-squad scrimmage on Thanksgiving Day, 1949, andraised $50,000.In the midst of the turbulent times, Lambeau lost an internal powerstruggle – which ultimately began when he used $25,000 to purchaseRockwood Lodge for training camp. Lambeau resigned, Jan. 31,1950, ending his 31-year run in Green Bay, to become the ChicagoCardinals’ head coach.RONZANI REGIMETo replace Lambeau, the Packers hired Gene Ronzani of the Bears,the most significant step in yet another major reorganization andrebuilding effort. Nearly $125,000 was raised in a giant 1950 stocksale all over the state. Under Ronzani, Green Bay’s best season was1952; the Packers were in the thick of the title chase until the season’slast weeks. In 1953, the team played erratic ball and Ronzani resignedwith two games remaining.Before he departed, though, Ronzani hired Jack Vainisi as fulltimetalent scout. Vainisi would receive credit for discovering thesix Packers Hall of Famers drafted from 1953-58: C Jim Ringo, TForrest Gregg, QB Bart Starr, HB Paul Hornung, FB Jim Taylor andLB Ray Nitschke.BLACKBOURN TAKES OVERThe Packers overhauled their front office and coaching staff in1954, hiring Verne Lewellen, all-time Packers great, attorney and businessman,as general manager. Reaching into the college ranks, GreenBay named Lisle Blackbourn, of Marquette University, its third coach.The Packers were 17-31 during Blackbourn’s four years (1954-57).On April 3, 1956, voters approved a referendum to fund constructionof a new stadium. The Packers dedicated the facility (renamedLambeau Field in 1965) on Sept. 29, 1957.508McLEAN MOVES UPLikable Ray “Scooter” McLean moved up from being an outstandingassistant coach to guide the destiny of the Packers for 1958.McLean resigned in December after a 1-10-1 record, the worst inPackers history, in his lone season as head coach.THE LOMBARDI ERAThe Packers took their time choosing a new coach after McLean’sresignation. Vainisi conducted Phase II of the 1959 draft by himself,as the team debated whether to hire a general manager as well as acoach, or one person for both positions. The search spanned fromthe CFL to the college ranks, and even included a GM applicationfrom Lambeau.On. Jan. 28, when team president DominicOlejniczak recommended to the committee a littleknownNew York Giants assistant, longtime committeemember John Torinus replied, “Who the hell is VinceLombardi?”The committee, and the world, quickly found out.Within hours after his arrival on Feb. 2, Lombarditold the committee, “I want it understood that I am inVainisi complete command here.” Two days later, the Packersofficially gave Lombardi both titles.In his first season, 1959, Lombardi went 7-5,winning unanimous Coach of the Year recognition.Then in 1960,the Packers capturedthe WesternDivision title,only to lose theOlejniczak NFL title gameat Philadelphia.However, Lombardi reboundedto win world championships in1961, ’62, ’65, ’66 and ’67.His teams finished no lowerthan second from 1960-67 andbecame the standard of footballexcellence. In nine years,Lombardi went 98-30-4 (.766),including 9-1 in the postseason,winning his final nine playoffgames.SOLID FOOTBALL, SHAKY FINANCES, 1922-35• Packers use two active Notre Dame players in non-leaguegame against Chicago Supremes after 1921 season. Upsetat teams using illegal players, league makes exampleof Packers, strips Green Bay of team (Jan. 28, 1922). NFLowners reinstate Packers at Canton league meeting, afterLambeau apologizes, pays $250 franchise fee, making himteam’s new owner.• Fearing weather would scare fans in 1922, team purchasesrain insurance for Oct. 8 Racine game; if official precipitationwas at least .1 inches, insurance would pay Racine’sguarantee; rained only .09 inches, game drew minimal attendance,and Packers were stuck with debt to opponent.• On Nov. 4, 1922, with team too poor for rain insuranceand fearing another sparse turnout for next day’s gamewith Columbus, Andrew Turnbull advances Lambeaufunds to pay guarantee, then after season recruits localbusinessmen, turns Packers into nonprofitcorporation in August 1923, and holds firststock sale, raising $5,000.• Small-town Packers gain national respect,defeating mighty Giants at Polo Grounds,7-0, Nov. 18, 1928.• Lambeau signs Johnny Blood, Cal Hubbardand Mike Michalske before 1929 season,wins three straight NFL titles (1929-31).Blood• Fan falls from bleachers, sues, court awards $5,000.Packers turn to their public-liability (mutual) insurancecompany, but it is a casualty of Great Depression; teamneeds additional $2,500 to settle with creditors.• Circuit court judge and Packers fan Henry Graass turnsteam into receivership of CPA Frank Jonet, Packers stockholderwho allows team to be reorganized from GreenBay Football Corporation to Green Bay Packers, Inc.• President Lee Joannes organizes 1935 stock drive, raises$15,000, pays off all debts.