The Green Bay Packers are one of
the most successful franchises in sports history. Despite serious
financial problems in the early years, the Packers survived and have now
earned more championships (13) than any other National Football League
team. Green Bay is the only franchise to win three consecutive titles
twice, and 20 players who spent the majority of their careers with the
Packers are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1919, Earl "Curly"
Lambeau used the financial backing of the Indian Packaging Company to
organize a professional football team, and the club joined the NFL in
1921. The Packers captured league crowns in three straight seasons
beginning in 1929, thanks to the efforts of stars such as Johnny Blood,
Lavie Dilweg, Cal Hubbard, Verne Lewellen and Mike Michalske. Coach
Lambeau led Green Bay to three more titles in 1936, 1939 and 1944, with
Arnie Harber, Clarke Hinkle and Don Hutson providing the heroics. In
1959, Vince Lombardi took over a squad that had won only once the
previous season and produced five championship teams in nine years,
adding two Super Bowl victories. Among the most memorable triumphs from
the 1960s era - featuring Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Jerry Kramer, Ray
Nitschke, Willie Wood and many others - were a 37-0 pounding of the New
York Giants in the 1961 NFL championship game and a 21-17 decision over
Dallas in the 1967 "Ice Bowl" that led to a second consecutive Super
Bowl victory. The Green and Gold returned to the top in the 1990s under
coach Mike Holmgren, advancing to two Super Bowls and winning Super Bowl
XXXI 35-21 over New England with catalysts such as Brett Favre and
Reggie White. Behind the efforts of Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings,
Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews, Green Bay earned a Wild Card berth in
2010, won three road playoff games and defeated Pittsburgh 31-25 in
Super Bowl XLV. The Packers continue to honor their rich heritage in
front of throngs of adoring fans at Lambeau Field. The Highland Mint
produces a vast array of products licensed by NFL.
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