Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers! This stadium and team has one of the richest histories of all of NFL history. It was the very first stadium built exclusively for a NFL franchise. Though it was originally called 'City Stadium' until 1965 after the death of the much beloved founder of the Packers Curly Lambeau it was renamed.
Curly Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun founded the team in 1919. Lambeau played for the Packers in their early years and was the coach until 1949. Curly Lambeau led the Packers to six NFL Championships during his tenure.
Also known as the 'Frozen Tundra'
The nickname of 'Frozen Tundra' was first spawned by the infamous NFL Championship game in 1967 between the Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. Bill Woodson in his narration, coined the phrase 'frozen tundra' during the NFL Championship game in 1967 which also became known as the 'Ice Bowl'. The famous game was played in temperatures as low as -13F along with high winds.
The Lambeau Leap
No article about Lambeau Field would be complete without a mention of the 'Lambeau Leap'! LeRoy Butler was the first to do the leap into the arms of adoring fans after he scored a touchdown during a game in 1993. Robert Brooks, another fan favorite became known for his leaps into the stands as well. Many teams have tried to imitate the Lambeau Leap and some have even attempted a 'leap' of their own in Lambeau Field itself! Faithful fans were disturbed by this and was the talk of many talk radio and news/sports shows in the week before and after the incident with Cincinnati Bengals player Chad Ochocino. To be fair, Ochocino did ask the fans before he did it the week before the game. With mixed reviews he did do the 'leap' into the arms of Bengal fans.
The Fans-Cheeseheads
You can't talk about Green Bay Packers without a quick mention of 'cheeseheads'either! Cheeseheads (or Wisconsinites) love their Packers! Packers fans are known throughout the league as the most loyal of all the NFL franchises. No doubt you have seen the many 'cheeseheads' in the stands of a Packers game! President Obama recently atuographed a cheesehead the secret service confiscated at a speech and it was recently donated to a local museum. The fans appreciate the rich history of Lambeau Field with football greats as Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Jerry Kramer, Reggie white, Ray Nitschke, Jim Taylor, Bret Favre, and many others who have graced the field and guided the team to victory.
Packers Products
Packer products are always in high demand due to the nature of Packers fans. Maybe because the Packers are the only publicly owned team in the NFL the fans feel such fierce loyalty to 'their' team and indeed it is their team! The fans literally own the team through the last stock sale in 1997/98 where fans bought stock and raised raised over $24 million, money used for the Lambeau Field redevelopment project. Throughout the year one can see Packers products in WI and elsewhere on hats, coats, clothing, etc, even tractors bear the logo of the Green and Gold! During the holidays Packers products are always in high demand and many homes wake up to gifts bearing the Green Bay Packers logo under their tree on Christmas morning. Lambeau Field is always a hot product and the perfect gift for any Packers fan. This renowned stadium in art is a unique way to show your loyalty to the rich history of the Green Bay Packers. Many are already familiar with sports artist Andy Goralski and his many pieces depicting football greats such as Brett Favre, John Elway, Walter Payton and many more. Goralski has recently released his new piece titled "From Leather to Legendary" which illustrates the days of yesteryear with Curly Lambeau's Acme Packers in front of the newly renovated Lambeau Field. This fine are limited edition would be the icing on the cake for any Packers fan under the tree this Christmas, Father's/Mother's Day or birthday and would make a great addition in their sports room.
Football and Wisconsin
The legendary Lambeau Field is an important part of Wisconsin history and has defined what football is really about. The teams change over the years but Lambeau Field and its unique history will stand as a testament of fan loyalty. Should you wish to purchase season tickets for the Green Bay Packers you may want to put your name in now because the tickets are sold out for about the next 35 years or so! That is how loyal Packers fans are to the team and to the history of Lambeau Field!
Go Packers Go!
S. Nica is an avid football fan particularly the Green Bay Packers! A collector of fine art sports prints. See ' From Leather to Legendary ' by sports artist Andy Goralski. The original Acme Packers with Curly Lambeau and the newly renovated Lambeau Field rising in the mist can be viewed at coleengoralski.com
