Frederick C. Klein - For the Love of the Packers: An A-to-Z Primer for Packers Fans of All Ages

W hen asked to write the foreword for this book called For the Love of the Packers, I said Okay, Ill be happy to do it, but since for me the Packers are synonymous with Vince Lombardi, its him I want to write about.

For eight years, Vince Lombardi was the most important man in my life. I respected him as a coach, a leader, and, more importantly, as a friend. If I needed advice, I could talk to him. He was tougher on me than he was on most of the other players, but I needed that extra push.

I was very close to Lombardi, and the other players knew that. Whenever there was a problem on the team, the guys wanted me to go in and talk to him. They knew I could do this. But I never won an argument with him.

Lombardis years with the Packers are still among the greatest achievements in sports. Five NFL championships and victories in the first two Super Bowls are standards nobody else has reached. He is a legend, the best example of a winner we have in America. I loved every minute I spent with him. He was a very special man and it was a time in my life I will treasure forever.

For the Love of the Packers? Sure, theres a lot to love, and this wonderfully unique book includes much of it, but my special love will always be reserved for the man I consider to be the greatest coach in the history of the NFL.

Paul Hornung

A is for

Aldridge ,

An end with no bend.

When hed hit a runner hed

Put him on the mend.

Lionel Aldridge came to the Packers in 1963 from Utah State University. He went on to become a fixture in their defensive line for nine seasons, including the championship years of 1965, 1966, and 1967. He was known for his durability and for his ability to both stop the run and rush the passer. He missed only three regular-season games during his career in Green Bay.

B is for

Brown ,

Whose trademark was girth.

When he took the field

He rattled the earth.

Gilbert Brown was the prototypical nose tackle of the 1990s , a massive man who anchored the middle of the Packers defensive line. Nicknamed the Grave Digger for his dirt-shoveling charade after tackles, he was listed as weighing 345 pounds, but many people thought he was heavier. So famous was his eating prowess that a Green Bay restaurant featured the Gilbert Burger in his honor. It contained double everything except pickles, which he didnt like.

C is for

Canadeo ,

The Ghost with the most.

Give him the ball and

Hed find the goal post.

Tony Canadeo went to little Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, where he got the nickname the Gray Ghost of Gonzaga. Short but tough and elusive, he started variously at quarterback, running back, and defensive back in his 11 seasons with the Pack (19411944; 19461952). In 1949 he became the first Packer to rush for more than 1,000 yards. He registered 8,667 yards of total offense over his career.

D is for

Driver ;

This wheelman can steer.

When Brett looked downfield,

There was Don in the clear!

Donald Driver was a late-round draft choice out of Alcorn State University in 1999, but after settling into the pro game he became an NFL star and Brett Favres favorite pass receiver . Through 2007 the Houston, Texas, native was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and had exceeded the 1,000-yard receptions mark in five seasons. His 503 career catches put him third on the teams all-time list.

E is for

Earp ,

Not Wyatt but Jug.

At center for the Pack

He was a sparkplug.

Francis Louis Jug Earp was an athletic legend at Millikin University in Illinois, then starred in his 11 seasons in Green Bay (19221932). In the pros he played every line position, but mostly center. He is credited with inventing the modern center snap, where the crouching center, facing forward, hands the ball between his legs to the quarterback.

F is for

Favre ,

A Mississippi lad,

In each Packers outing

He gave all that he had.

Brett Favre , from Kiln, Mississippi, was the Packers offensive leader after taking over as starting quarterback in 1992 until his retirement after the 2007 season. His competitive spirit, durability, and all-out playing style made him the teams most popular player as well. Favre led the Packers to the Super Bowl XXXI championship in January 1997. At the time of his retirement, he held NFL career records for most passing yards (61,655), most completions (5,377), and most touchdown passes (442) , among others. His brilliant performance in leading the Pack to the 2007 NFC championship game, at age 38, earned him Sports Illustrated magazines Sportsman of the Year award.

G is for

Gregg ;

As a lineman, the best.

When his playing days ended

He took the coaching test.

Forrest Gregg spent 14 seasons with the Packers and was a starting offensive tackle on all five of their 1960s championship teams . Not big for his position at 250 pounds, he instead overcame foes with superior technique and game preparation. He did this so well that he was named to the All-NFL team eight straight times (19601967), and Vince Lombardi called him the finest player I ever coached. Gregg later turned to coaching himself, eventually holding the top job with the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Packers (19841987), and with his alma mater, Southern Methodist University.

H is for

Herber and Hutson ,

An aerial show.

They racked up big yardage

And made the score grow.

Green Bay native Arnie Herber was one of pro footballs first great long passers , and his throws helped usher in the modern passing game. He was a mainstay of the championship Pack teams of the 1930s. For much of that period his favorite receiver was end Don Hutson, the best pass catcher of the NFLs first 50 years. For many years the lean former University of Alabama star held the league record for touchdown receptions (99). More than 60 years after his 1945 retirement he still leads the team in career touchdowns (105) and stands third in catches (488) and yards gained receiving (7,991).

I is for Indian

A firm that packed meat.

Its $500 for jerseys

Began the Pack beat.

The Packers were formed in 1919 when young Earl Curly Lambeau persuaded his Green Bay employer, the Indian Packing Company, to sponsor a team. A year later the firm was sold to Acme Packing Company. It continued the relationship and the Packers name stuck. Direct commercial sponsorship of teams was common in the early years of pro football.

J is for Jordan ,

Who was good on the mat. Then he came to Green Bay And knocked running backs flat.