Earl Louis"Curly"Lambeau(April 9, 1898 – June 1, 1965) was an American professionalfootballplayer and coach in theNational Football League(NFL). Lambeau, along with his friend and fellowGreen Bay, Wisconsin,nativeGeorge Whitney Calhoun,founded theGreen Bay Packersin 1919. He served as team captain in the team's first year before becoming player-coach in 1920. As a player, Lambeau lined up as ahalfback,which in the early years of the NFL was the premier position. He was the team's primary runner and passer, accounting for 35 touchdowns (eight as a rusher, three as a receiver, and 24 as a passer) in 77 games. He won his only NFL championship as a player in 1929.
 Lambeau atNotre Damein 1918 | |||
| No. 1, 14, 42, 20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Halfback | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Born: | April 9, 1898 Green Bay, Wisconsin,U.S. | ||
| Died: | June 1, 1965(aged 67) Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin,U.S. | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: |
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| College: | Notre Dame | ||
| Career history | |||
| As a player: | |||
| As a coach: | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
| Head coaching record | |||
| Regular season: | 226–132–22 (.624) | ||
| Postseason: | 3–2 (.600) | ||
| Career: | 229–134–22 (.623) | ||
| Recordat Pro Football Reference | |||
| StatsatPro Football Reference | |||
From 1920 to 1949, Lambeau was the head coach and general manager of the Packers, with near-total control over the team's day-to-day operations. He led his team to over 200 wins and six NFL championships, including three straight from 1929 to 1931. He is tied with rivalGeorge Halasof theChicago BearsandBill Belichickof theNew England Patriotsof having the most NFL championships by a coach. Lambeau also coached eight players who went on to be elected into thePro Football Hall of Fame.With players such as quarterbackArnie Herberand split endDon Hutson,his teams revolutionized the use of the passing game in football. After a falling-out with the Packers' board of directors, Lambeau left the Packers to coach theChicago CardinalsandWashington Redskins,each for two seasons, before retiring in 1953.
For his accomplishments, Lambeau has been widely recognized and honored. He was named to theNFL 1920s All-Decade Teamas one of the top halfbacks in the league's first decade of existence. He was an inaugural inductee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963 and theGreen Bay Packers Hall of Famein 1970 in recognition for his role as founder, player, and coach of the Packers. Two months after his death in 1965, the Packers home stadium, which is still in use today, was renamedLambeau Fieldin his honor.
Early life and college
editCurly Lambeau was born April 9, 1898, inGreen Bay, Wisconsin,[1]to Marcelin Lambeau and Mary LaTour, both ofBelgiandescent.[2]Lambeau attendedGreen Bay East High School,where he was identified as a standout athlete.[3]He played for the football team all four years of high school and was named captain in 1917 as a senior.[3][4]Green Bay Press-GazettesportswriterGeorge Whitney Calhounnoted in September 1917 that Lambeau was trying out for theUniversity of Wisconsinfreshmen football team as "one of the best gridiron prospects that has ever been turned out of a high school".[5]However, Lambeau never ended up enrolling at Wisconsin.
After graduating from high school, he worked for his father in the construction business and participated in different local football teams.[6]In 1918, Lambeau attended theUniversity of Notre Dameand played for legendary college coachKnute Rockne,making theNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballteam's varsity squad. However a severe case oftonsillitisforced him to miss the 1919 spring semester.[7]He never returned to Notre Dame. After a long recovery fromtonsillitis,Lambeau went to work as a shipping clerk at theIndian Packing Companyfor $250 a month.[8]
Professional career
editFounding the Green Bay Packers
edit
Lambeau andGeorge Whitney Calhounfounded the Green Bay Packers on August 11, 1919, after the packing company put up $500 for uniforms. That fall, the founders securedWillard "Big Bill" Ryan,former coach ofGreen Bay West High School,to coach the team. The team's name reportedly was offered to Curly by his girlfriend Agnes Aylward after a pickup game; Curly had wanted to call the team "The Green Bay Indians" to respect Indian Packing's purchase of uniforms for the team; so Agnes simply blurted, "Well, for heaven's sake, Curly, why don't you just call them the Green Bay Packers!" The team's naming rights were sold to the Acme Packing Company, and the team remained Packers.[9]
The Packers initially played teams from Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. However, the success of the team in 1919 and 1920 quickly led to its joining of the American Professional Football Association (now called theNational Football League) in 1921.[9]During that season the team was owned by the Acme Packing Company and John and Emmet Clair of Chicago.
Playing career
editLambeau was a player-captain at first.[10]He played for the Packers for ten seasons, including the first eight seasons after the team joined theNational Football LeagueNFL in 1921. Playinghalfbackin the then-popularsingle wingoffensive formation, he was both the primary runner and passer. Lambeau threw 24 touchdown passes, rushed for eight touchdowns, and caught three touchdowns in 77 games. Lambeau was the first Packer to throw a pass, throw a touchdown pass, and make a field goal in Green Bay Packer franchise history.[7]He was also occasionally the team's kicker, kicking sixfield goalsand 20extra points.[11]He won his only NFL championship as a player-coach in1929,retiring as a player after the season.
Coaching career
editLambeau coached three NFL teams over his 33-year career: theGreen Bay Packers,theChicago Cardinals,and theWashington Redskins.He completed his coaching career with an official overall record of 229–134–22 (.623).
Green Bay Packers
edit
Ryan left the Packers after only one season, and Lambeau became player-coach. However, during the team's first season, Lambeau, as team captain, handled many of the duties associated with a head coach in modern times. In the early days of pro football, the head coach was not allowed to talk to the players during the game. Thus, Lambeau was the team's on-field leader during games, including play calling.[12]He was also responsible for signing players and running practices. For these reasons, the Packers recognize Lambeau as the team's first head coach.[13]
In 1921, he led the team into the one-year-old American Professional Football Association, which became the NFL in 1922.[10]After retiring as a player in 1929, he remained as head coach and general manager until 1949. For the better part of that time, he had near-complete control over the team's day-to-day operations and represented the Packers at owners' meetings.
Before joining the NFL, the Packers achieved an overall 19–2–1 record in 1919 and 1920.[7]Under Lambeau in the NFL, the Packers won sixchampionships(1929,1930,1931,1936,1939,1944). He compiled an NFL regular-season record of 209–104–21 (.657) with a playoff record of 3–2, 212–106–21 (.656) overall. Lambeau is still far and away the winningest coach in Packers history. His 104 losses are also the most by a Packers head coach.
The Packers' most successful period came in the 1930s, thanks to the additions of quarterbackArnie Herberand receiverDon Hutson.Herber and Hutson pioneered the passing game, which allowed the Packers to dominate their competitors throughout the 1930s.[9][1]
In 1946, Lambeau purchasedRockwood Lodge,a formerNorbertineretreat, creating the first self-contained training facility in professional football. The purchase was controversial among the Packers' board of directors, many of whom balked at the $32,000 purchase price and $8,000 Lambeau spent on renovations, and some members of the financial committee almost resigned in protest.
Lambeau's players also grew to hate the facility, partly because they were severely battered by the brick-hard limestone under the fields. On some days, Lambeau had to move practices to fields nearCity Stadiumdue to the severe beating his players took at the Lodge.[14]
At the same time, the Packers began noticeably slipping on the field after Hutson's retirement in 1945. Still, the Packers remained competitive until1948,when they suffered their first losing season since1933,and only the second losing season in franchise history.[15]The bottom fell out in1949,when the Packers won only two games, at the time, their worst season ever.[16]This was at least in part due to Lambeau's refusal to abandon theNotre Dame Boxthat he had learned during his brief time in South Bend; the Packers continued to run this variation of thesingle winglong after most teams began running theT formation.[14]
The Packers were also suffering financially, mainly due to the Rockwood Lodge purchase. Early in the 1949 season, Lambeau largely turned over control of the team to his assistants to devote his attention to the team's financial situation, but even reducing the payroll and his own salary were not enough to stanch the bleeding: by the end of the season, the Packers were on what seemed to be an irreversible slide toward bankruptcy. Desperate for cash, Lambeau found investors willing to invest funds into the team on the condition that it abolished its then-uniquepublic ownership structure.This proposal was considered rank heresy in Green Bay, and led to rumors that the NFL was using the pending merger with theAll-America Football Conferenceas leverage to force Lambeau to relocate the Packers to the West Coast or shut down the team.
In response to these events, team officials offered him a revised contract that stripped him of nearly all control over non-football matters. Lambeau rejected this offer almost out of hand, effectively ending his 31-year tenure at the helm of the team he founded;[14]however, he did not formally resign until February 1, 1950,[17][18]seven days after his beloved Rockwood Lodge burned down in a fire that was presumed to be intentional, but had been caused by faulty electrical wiring. The insurance money relieved the Packers' financial woes at one stroke, and ensured they would stay in Green Bay.[14]
Chicago Cardinals
editAfter resigning from the Packers, Lambeau filled the open head coach position of theChicago Cardinals.In addition to the position of head coach, Lambeau also was named vice president and was given complete control of personnel choices–effectively giving him the same control over football matters that he'd had in Green Bay.[19]He tradedPaul Christman,part of the "Million Dollar Backfield"that had won the 1947 title to theGreen Bay Packersin favor of trying to pushJim Hardyfor a greater passing attack. He proceeded to throw eight interceptions in his first game versus Philadelphia, a record. In1950 season,the Cardinals ended the season 5–7, failing to improve upon its record in the previous season and missing out on the postseason. The1951 seasonwent even worse for Lambeau and the Cardinals; the team ended the season 3–9 and again failed to reach the postseason. He resigned after the tenth game while stating that “No man can do a satisfactory job if he constantly is harassed by front office second-guessing", while the Cardinals management publicly accused Lambeau of losing the trust of his coaches and players.[20]
Washington Redskins
editLambeau coached theWashington Redskinsin1952and1953.In August1954,Lambeau got into a heated argument with Redskins ownerGeorge Preston Marshallin the lobby ofSacramento'sSenator Hotel,after which Marshall abruptly fired Lambeau.[21][22][23]
Personal life
editLambeau was married three times: first to Marguerite Van Kessel from 1919 to 1934, ending in divorce with one son. His second wife, Susan Johnson, was a formerMiss California,and they were married from 1935 to 1940. He married Grace Garland in 1945 and was divorced in 1955. While a player-coach for the Packers, Lambeau also coached his alma mater Green Bay East High School's football team from 1919 to 1921, compiling a 14–4–3 record.[3]
Lambeau died on June 1, 1965, at age 67, inSturgeon Bay, Wisconsin,from a suddenheart attack.[24]While waiting for his girlfriend, Mary Jane Van Duyse, to get ready for a date, he stepped out of his new redCadillacconvertible and helped her father cut the grass and then collapsed. Mary Jane was the Green Bay Packers champion majorette, and was aPacker Golden Girl.[25][26]
Legacy
edit
Curly Lambeau was pivotal in establishing professional football inGreen Bay.With help from co-founder George Whitney Calhoun andThe Hungry Five,Lambeau helped keep the NFL in Green Bay and prevented the Packers from going bankrupt on multiple occasions.[27]Lambeau's impact on the Packers led to the team naming their current home stadium after him,Lambeau Field.The venue opened in1957as the secondCity Stadiumand was informally called "New" City Stadium for its first eight years.[28]Just two months after his death, the stadium was renamed Lambeau Field prior to the1965 Green Bay Packers seasonto honor his contributions as founder, player, and coach.[29][30]
Lambeau Field has become such an iconic facility that the Green Bay Packers and surrounding community have continued to remodel the stadium, instead of building a new one. This has made Lambeau Field the oldest continually operating NFL stadium.[31]The nameLambeauis so strongly tied to the stadium, that the Packers have not soldnaming rightsto the stadium, instead choosing to sell naming rights to the various entrance gates.[32]During the2003 renovation,the Packers erected a 14-foot (4.3 m) statue of Lambeau in front of the new Atrium entrance.[33]Lambeau Street, in Green Bay's Packerland Industrial Park, is also named in his honor.[34]
As a player and coach, Lambeau is credited with pioneering daily practices, theforward passin the NFL, implementing pass patterns, and having teams fly to road games.[7]He was a second-team All-Pro for three seasons (1922–1924) and was named to theNFL 1920s All-Decade Team.[citation needed]As one of the last player-coaches, he also led the Packers to over 200 wins, won six NFL Championships, and coached eight future Pro Football Hall of Fame players on the Packers.[citation needed]He became the first coach to lead an NFL team to three consecutive NFL Championships (1929–31), a feat that has only been matched once by Packers coachVince Lombardi(1965–67).[citation needed]For his contributions to football and athletics, Lambeau has been honored by multiple organizations. In 1961 he was elected to theWisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.He was part of the inaugural class ofPro Football Hall of Famein 1963, and the inaugural class of theGreen Bay Packers Hall of Famein 1970.[4]
Head coaching record
edit| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| GB | 1921 | 3 | 2 | 1 | .600 | 6th in NFL | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1922 | 4 | 3 | 3 | .571 | 7th in NFL | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1923 | 7 | 2 | 1 | .778 | 3rd in NFL | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1924 | 7 | 4 | 0 | .636 | 6th in NFL | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1925 | 8 | 5 | 0 | .615 | 9th in NFL | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1926 | 7 | 3 | 3 | .700 | 5th in NFL | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1927 | 7 | 2 | 1 | .778 | 2nd in NFL | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1928 | 6 | 4 | 3 | .600 | 4th in NFL | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1929 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | 1st in NFL | – | – | – | NFL Champions |
| GB | 1930 | 10 | 3 | 1 | .769 | 1st in NFL | – | – | – | NFL Champions |
| GB | 1931 | 12 | 2 | 0 | .857 | 1st in NFL | – | – | – | NFL Champions |
| GB | 1932 | 10 | 3 | 1 | .769 | 2nd in NFL | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1933 | 5 | 7 | 1 | .417 | 3rd in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1934 | 7 | 6 | 0 | .538 | 3rd in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1935 | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | 2nd in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1936 | 10 | 1 | 1 | .909 | 1st in Western Division | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | Defeated theBoston Redskinsin1936 NFL Championship. |
| GB | 1937 | 7 | 4 | 0 | .636 | 2nd in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1938 | 8 | 3 | 0 | .727 | 1st in Western Division | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to theNew York Giantsin1938 NFL Championship. |
| GB | 1939 | 9 | 2 | 0 | .818 | 1st in Western Division | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | Defeated theNew York Giantsin1939 NFL Championship. |
| GB | 1940 | 6 | 4 | 1 | .600 | 2nd in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1941 | 10 | 1 | 0 | .919 | T-1st in Western Division | 0 | 1 | – | Lost to theChicago BearsinWestern Conference playoff game. |
| GB | 1942 | 8 | 2 | 1 | .800 | 2nd in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1943 | 7 | 2 | 1 | .778 | 2nd in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1944 | 8 | 2 | 0 | .800 | 1st in Western Division | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | Defeated theNew York Giantsin1944 NFL Championship. |
| GB | 1945 | 6 | 4 | 0 | .600 | 3rd in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1946 | 6 | 5 | 0 | .545 | 3rd in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1947 | 6 | 5 | 1 | .545 | 3rd in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1948 | 3 | 9 | 0 | .250 | 4th in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 1949 | 2 | 10 | 0 | .167 | 5th in Western Division | – | – | – | – |
| GB Total | 209 | 104 | 21 | .631 | 3 | 2 | .600 | |||
| CHI | 1950 | 5 | 7 | 0 | .417 | 5th in American Conference | – | – | – | – |
| CHI | 1951 | 2 | 8 | 0 | .200 | 5th in American Conference | – | – | – | – |
| CHI Total | 7 | 15 | 0 | .318 | – | – | – | |||
| WAS | 1952 | 4 | 8 | 0 | .333 | 5th in American Conference | – | – | – | – |
| WAS | 1953 | 6 | 5 | 1 | .545 | 3rd in American Conference | – | – | – | – |
| WAS Total | 10 | 13 | 1 | .435 | – | – | – | |||
| Total | 226 | 132 | 22 | .631 | 3 | 2 | .600 | |||
His record against non-NFL teams between1919and1925was 26–2–2.
See also
editReferences
editCitations
edit- ^ab"Curly Lambeau".Encyclopædia Britannica.May 29, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on August 3, 2018.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
- ^"Mrs. Mary L. Lambeau".Green Bay Press-Gazette.September 18, 1962. p. 22.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2019.RetrievedNovember 15,2019– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abcMink, Michael (September 3, 2014)."Curly Lambeau Passed The Test On The Way To NFL's Top".Investor's Business Daily.Archivedfrom the original on August 30, 2018.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
- ^abChristl, Cliff."Earl" Curly "Lambeau".Green Bay Packers, Inc.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2019.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
- ^Calhoun, George Whitney(September 29, 1917)."Cal's Comment".Green Bay Press-Gazette.p. 8.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2019.RetrievedNovember 15,2019– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^Christl, Cliff(May 4, 2017)."The story that was wrong on every count: Curly Lambeau's flirtation with the University of Wisconsin".Green Bay Packers, Inc.Archivedfrom the original on May 8, 2017.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
- ^abcd"Hall of Famers: Earl L. (Curly) Lambeau — Class of 1963".Green Bay Packers, Inc.Archived fromthe originalon May 24, 2017.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
- ^Povletich 2012,p. 4.
- ^abcThe Legend of Lambeau Field DVD
- ^ab"The 1919 Green Bay Packers - Independent Football (10-1)".www.packershistory.net.Archivedfrom the original on January 18, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 17,2017.
- ^"Curly Lambeau Stats".Pro-Football-Reference.com.Archivedfrom the original on August 4, 2018.RetrievedMarch 30,2018.
- ^Christl, Cliff(August 9, 2018)."Packers Fan from Ukraine asks about team's first coach".Green Bay Packers, Inc.Archivedfrom the original on August 9, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 10,2020.
- ^"Lambeau's status as Packers' first coach debated".The Sheboygan Press(clipping).Associated Press.January 10, 2004. p. B4.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 10,2020– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abcdFleming, David (September 19, 2013)."Blaze of Glory".ESPN The Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on February 7, 2014.RetrievedMarch 21,2014.
- ^Daly, Art (December 6, 1948)."Packers Close Out 'Worst' Season in History With 42–7 Loss to Cardinals".Green Bay Press-Gazette.p. 19.Archivedfrom the original on October 10, 2018.RetrievedOctober 10,2018– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Green Bay Ends Worst NFL Year".Marshfield News-Herald.Associated Press. December 12, 1949. p. 10.Archivedfrom the original on October 10, 2018.RetrievedOctober 10,2018– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Curly Lambeau quits to coach the Cardinals".Milwaukee Journal.February 1, 1950. p. 1, part 1.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2015.RetrievedNovember 19,2015.
- ^"Lambeau quits for Card job; Isbell seeks Packer post".Milwaukee Sentinel.Associated Press. February 2, 1950. p. 5, part 2.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2015.RetrievedNovember 19,2015.
- ^"Curly Lambeau Quits to Coach the Cardinals".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.January 31, 1950.Archivedfrom the original on November 17, 2019.RetrievedNovember 17,2019.
- ^"Curly Lambeau's Last (Almost) Hurrah! Coaching the Chicago Cardinals".July 18, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on January 24, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 24,2024.
- ^"Lambeau fired as Skins coach".Daytona Beach Morning Journal.Associated Press. August 1954. p. 6.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2015.RetrievedNovember 19,2015.
- ^"Lambeau dismissed as Redskins coach".Milwaukee Journal.Associated Press. August 23, 1954. p. 9, part 2.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2015.RetrievedNovember 19,2015.
- ^Don Bosley (March 5, 2000). "Sacramento's Big 10: This Summer's U.S. Olympic Track And Field Trials Figures To Make Major News, But The City's History Is Filled With Momentous Sports Happenings. Here Is A List Of The Ones Our Panel Thought Mattered Most...". Sports.Sacramento Bee.p. C1.
- ^"Curly Lambeau, Founder of Packers, Dies At Age 67".La Crosse Tribune.Associated Press.June 2, 1965. p. 9.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2019.RetrievedNovember 15,2019– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Curly Lambeau is Stricken and Dies of a Heart Attack".Lawrence (Kansas) Daily Journal World.Associated Press. June 2, 1965. p. 18.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2015.RetrievedApril 4,2013.
- ^"Lambeau, Packer founder, dies; led club to 6 pro league titles".Milwaukee Journal.June 2, 1965. p. 19.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2015.RetrievedNovember 19,2015.
- ^Christl, Cliff(May 26, 2016)."The truth and myth about 'The Hungry Five'".Packers.com.Archivedfrom the original on August 1, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
- ^"Crowd of 32,132 fills Green Bay's new City Stadium, sees Packers upset Bears".Milwaukee Journal.September 30, 1957. p. 7-part 2.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2015.RetrievedNovember 19,2015.
- ^"Packer board backs Lambeau Field idea".Milwaukee Journal.UPI. August 3, 1965. p. 18-part 2.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2015.RetrievedNovember 19,2015.
- ^"'Lambeau Field' voted by council ".Milwaukee Sentinel.Associated Press. August 5, 1965. p. 3-part 2.Archivedfrom the original on May 10, 2016.RetrievedNovember 19,2015.
- ^"Expansion Planned for Lambeau".The New York Times.Associated Press.August 26, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2017.RetrievedJune 28,2013.
- ^Demovsky, Rob (July 28, 2015)."Packers president: 'No interest' in selling Lambeau naming rights".ESPN.com.RetrievedSeptember 27,2024.
- ^Statues Of Lambeau, Lombardi Unveiled (August 26, 2003)."Statues of Lambeau, Lombardi Unveiled".Packers.com.Archivedfrom the original on December 12, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 27,2024.
- ^McGinn, Bob (August 1, 2013)."Green Bay mayor struggling to find a street to rename for Mike McCarthy".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.RetrievedSeptember 27,2024.
Bibliography
edit- Povletich, William (2012).Green Bay Packers: Trials, Triumphs, and Tradition.Wisconsin Historical Society.ISBN9780870206030.RetrievedNovember 15,2019– viaGoogle Books.
External links
edit
Media related toCurly Lambeauat Wikimedia Commons
