Today we docked in Algoma Wisconsin which is a short bus ride from Green Bay. While our destination was Green Bay and the field of the Green Bay Packers, we were greeted by some wonderful people in Algoma. A small town in Wisconsin but very welcoming.

We arrived at Lambaue Field. I have never met more enthuastic tour guides that passionately believed in what they were talking about. All our guides were long time Packers fans and believed in the team. What a story about how they were created and how they operate.

One unique aspect of the Packers is their ownership structure. The team is owned by shareholders, making it the only publicly owned franchise in the NFL. This community-based ownership model has helped foster a strong bond between the team and its fans, who are known for their unwavering loyalty.

he Green Bay Packers were founded on August 11, 1919, by Earl “Curly” Lambeau and George Calhoun. Lambeau, a former high school football star who played for Notre Dame, convinced his employer, the Indian Packing Company, to sponsor the team and provide jerseys. The team was initially named after the company, leading to the iconic “Packers” name.

In 1921, the Packers joined the American Professional Football Association, which became the National Football League (NFL) in 1922. The early years were challenging, with the team struggling financially. However, strong local support and the leadership of Lambeau helped the team survive.

Under Curly Lambeau’s coaching, the Packers became one of the NFL’s dominant teams in the 1920s and 1930s. The team won its first NFL Championship in 1929, followed by titles in 1930 and 1931. Lambeau’s innovative offensive strategies, including the use of the forward pass, were key to their success.

The Packers added three more championships during the 1930s, winning in 1936, 1939, and 1944. By the end of Lambeau’s tenure in 1949, the Packers had established themselves as one of the most successful teams in the NFL, with six championships.

The fortunes of the Packers changed dramatically when Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach and general manager in 1959. Lombardi instilled a winning culture, emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. His leadership transformed the Packers into a powerhouse.

Under Lombardi, the Packers won five NFL Championships in seven years, including the first two Super Bowls (1966 and 1967). Lombardi’s Packers featured Hall of Famers like Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, and Ray Nitschke. Lombardi’s legacy was so profound that the Super Bowl trophy was named the “Lombardi Trophy” in his honor.

We toured the stadium, so the club seating area, the boxes, and we got to walk out onto the field and hear about the best loved field in the NFL. It is interesting that “Dome” is a four letter word here and the
Cleveland Browns want a dome so bad that they are willing to move from downtown to get it.

Tomorrow is Mackinac Island and a visit with Bishop Bob