This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2014
Following the 1958 season, the Green Bay Packers were the laughingstock of football. Teams threatened to send misbehaving players to Green Bay which was dubbed the Siberia of the NFL.
The Packers brass got together and hired a longtime assistant, Vince Lombardi who paid immediate dividends. During his first press conference, Lombardi uttered these words which would be the impetus for The Glory Years - "I've never been associated with a loser and don't intend to now."
In 1959 the Packers improved from 1-10-1 to 7-5 under the watchful eye of first year coach Lombardi. In '60 the Pack fell just short in the championship contest at Franklin Field against Philadelphia. The Packers returned to their glorious roots when they won their first title since 1944 in a 37-0 whitewashing of the Giants in '61.
The following members of Lombardi's 1961 regime signed this tan pigskin in felt tip ink: Phil Bengston, Norb Hecker, Red Cochran, Lombardi, Bill Austin, Ken Iman, Emlen Tunnell, Jim Ringo, Norm Masters, Forrest Gregg, Tom Moore, Herb Adderley, Bill Forester, Nelson Toburen, Henry Jordan, Ron Kostelnik, Bart Starr, Gary Knaflec, Lee Folkins, Dave Hanner, Dan Currie, Willie Davis, Max McGee, Boyd Dowler, Ben Davidson, Jesse Whittenton, Willie Wood, Elijah Pitts, Ed Sutton, Bob Skoronski, Fuzzy Thurston, Lew Carpenter, John Roach, Ron Kramer, Tom Bettis, John Symank, Paul Hornung, Bud Jordenson, Jim Taylor, Jerry Kramer, Hank Gremminger, Ray Nitschke and two more.
"Green Bay Packers 1961 World Champs N.Y. - 0 G.B. - 37" is carefully crafted on an entire panel in green ink. (64R0136)
(JSA Auction Letter)