He never had a losing season as a head football coach. While a student at Fordham University, he played defensive guard. Later, he coached at Fordham.
Still later, he coached at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, as Assistant Coach to Earl "Colonel Red" Blaik. Later yet, he coached for the New York Giants, the Green Bay Packers, and the Washington Redskins.
But, who was this man? Aside from being one of the most successful coaches in the history of American football, this man was a very colorful character, an astute observer and a solid thinker. One thing was sure. He never forgot to take care of the fundamentals.
The season before he became head coach, the Green Bay Packers had won only one game. Ever observant, this man had concluded that the team had oriented itself around making the flashy play.
True, the players were some of the best athletes in the world. True, some were the highest paid athletes of their day. But they had made the common mistake of thinking that the fundamentals would take care of themselves. This coach knew that before this team could expect to be a winning team, he would have to reprogram the players' thinking.
On the first pre-season meeting, the coach picked up a football in one hand and gathered his team in front of him. For several seconds, he silently looked the players over. Then, holding the football up, he said, "Gentlemen, this is a football." In those five simple words, this coach clearly demonstrated that he was going to make sure every member of the team knew he would be going back to the basics.
The players responded and the Green Bay Packers became renowned, not for brilliant plays, but for flawless execution of the fundamentals of football. At the beginning of each season, this coach gave the same 5-word speech.
Under his leadership, the Packers collected six division titles, five NFL championships, two Super Bowls, and acquired a record of 98-30-4. He died September 3, 1970 at age 57 after a short bout with cancer. His combined record: 105-35-6.
The Superbowl Trophy, which represents the highest achievement in professional football, was renamed in this man's honor. But, who was this man?
It is not without good reason that the trophy is named "The Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy" after Vincent Thomas Lombardi.
Still later, he coached at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, as Assistant Coach to Earl "Colonel Red" Blaik. Later yet, he coached for the New York Giants, the Green Bay Packers, and the Washington Redskins.
But, who was this man? Aside from being one of the most successful coaches in the history of American football, this man was a very colorful character, an astute observer and a solid thinker. One thing was sure. He never forgot to take care of the fundamentals.
The season before he became head coach, the Green Bay Packers had won only one game. Ever observant, this man had concluded that the team had oriented itself around making the flashy play.
True, the players were some of the best athletes in the world. True, some were the highest paid athletes of their day. But they had made the common mistake of thinking that the fundamentals would take care of themselves. This coach knew that before this team could expect to be a winning team, he would have to reprogram the players' thinking.
On the first pre-season meeting, the coach picked up a football in one hand and gathered his team in front of him. For several seconds, he silently looked the players over. Then, holding the football up, he said, "Gentlemen, this is a football." In those five simple words, this coach clearly demonstrated that he was going to make sure every member of the team knew he would be going back to the basics.
The players responded and the Green Bay Packers became renowned, not for brilliant plays, but for flawless execution of the fundamentals of football. At the beginning of each season, this coach gave the same 5-word speech.
Under his leadership, the Packers collected six division titles, five NFL championships, two Super Bowls, and acquired a record of 98-30-4. He died September 3, 1970 at age 57 after a short bout with cancer. His combined record: 105-35-6.
The Superbowl Trophy, which represents the highest achievement in professional football, was renamed in this man's honor. But, who was this man?
It is not without good reason that the trophy is named "The Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy" after Vincent Thomas Lombardi.
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