Vincent Lombardi was an American football coach who is best known for leading the Green Bay Packers to three consecutive World Championships, including the first two Super Bowls. He is remembered as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.
Personal and Family Life
Vincent Lombardi was born on June 11, 1913, in Brooklyn, New York. He married Marie Lombardi on August 31, 1940, and they had two children together, Vince Lombardi Jr. and Susan Lombardi. He was also a grandfather to Joe Lombardi and had a brother named Harold Lombardi.
Career Highlights
Lombardi was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1959 to 1967, where he achieved remarkable success and became a legendary figure in American football. After leaving the Packers, he briefly coached the Washington Redskins in 1969. He was inducted into the Fordham University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1971, in the inaugural class.
Death and Legacy
Vincent Lombardi passed away on September 3, 1970, in Washington, D.C., due to cancer. His contributions to football are celebrated, and his name lives on in various tributes, including the Vince Lombardi Trophy, awarded to the Super Bowl champion. The high school featured in the film “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” was named after him, solidifying his legacy in popular culture.
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Lion | 1968 | Vincent Lombardi |
| Citizen Brain: Feeding on American Democracy | 2005 | Vince |
| The NFL on CBS | 1956 | Self |