Editing Curly Lambeau (section)

==Professional career==
===Founding the Green Bay Packers===
[[File:Lambeau 1919 poster.jpg|thumb|Lambeau with the [[Green Bay Packers]] in 1923|alt=A black and white image of a man preparing to throw a football]]
Lambeau and [[George Whitney Calhoun]] founded the Green Bay Packers on August 11, 1919, after the packing company put up $500 for uniforms. That fall, the founders secured [[Willard Ryan|Willard "Big Bill" Ryan]], former coach of [[Green 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.<ref name="The Legend of Lambeau Field DVD">The Legend of Lambeau Field DVD</ref>

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 the [[National Football League]]) in 1921.<ref name="The Legend of Lambeau Field DVD"/> During that season the team was owned by the Acme Packing Company and John and Emmet Clair of Chicago.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Packers pioneers overlooked by history |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-pioneers-overlooked-by-history-19512584 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Green Bay Packers |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Playing career===
Lambeau was a player-captain at first.<ref name="packershistory.net"/> He played for the Packers for ten seasons, including the first eight seasons after the team joined the [[National Football League]] NFL in 1921. Playing [[halfback (American football)|halfback]] in the then-popular [[single wing]] offensive 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.<ref name="PACKHOF"/> He was also occasionally the team's kicker, kicking six [[field goal]]s and 20 [[extra point]]s.<ref name="PFRSTATS">{{cite web |title=Curly Lambeau Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LambCu20.htm |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528004439/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LambCu20.htm |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=February 22, 2024 }}</ref> He won his only NFL championship as a player-coach in [[1929 NFL season|1929]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=1929 Green Bay Packers Rosters, Stats, Schedule |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1929.htm |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> retiring as a player after the season.<ref name="PFRSTATS" />

===Coaching career===
Lambeau coached three NFL teams over his 33-year career: the [[Green Bay Packers]], the [[Chicago Cardinals]], and the [[Washington Redskins]]. He completed his coaching career with an official overall record of 229–134–22 ({{winning percentage|229|134|22}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Earl (Curly) Lambeau {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/earl-curly-lambeau/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=pfhof |language=en}}</ref>

====Green Bay Packers====
[[File:Lambeau 1940.jpg|thumb|Lambeau with the [[Green Bay Packers]] in 1940|alt=A black and white image of a man standing with his hands on his hips]]
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.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.packers.com/news/packers-fan-from-ukraine-asks-about-team-s-first-coach | last = Christl | first = Cliff | author-link = Cliff Christl | title = Packers Fan from Ukraine asks about team's first coach | date = August 9, 2018 | access-date = January 10, 2020 | publisher = [[Green Bay Packers, Inc.]] | url-status = live | archive-date = August 9, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180809153939/https://www.packers.com/news/packers-fan-from-ukraine-asks-about-team-s-first-coach}}</ref> He was also responsible for signing players and running practices. For these reasons, the Packers recognize Lambeau as the team's first head coach.<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42026403/lambeaus_status_as_packers_first/ | title = Lambeau's status as Packers' first coach debated | via = [[Newspapers.com]] | type = clipping | date = January 10, 2004 | newspaper = [[The Sheboygan Press]] | page = B4 | url-status = live | agency = [[Associated Press]] | access-date = January 10, 2020 | archive-date = January 10, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200110160922/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42026403/lambeaus_status_as_packers_first/}}</ref>

In 1921, he led the team into the one-year-old American Professional Football Association, which became the NFL in 1922.<ref name="packershistory.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.packershistory.net/1919PACKERS.html|title=The 1919 Green Bay Packers - Independent Football (10-1)|website=www.packershistory.net|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118065857/http://www.packershistory.net/1919PACKERS.html|archive-date=January 18, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name=PACKHOF/>  Under Lambeau in the NFL, the Packers won six [[History of National Football League Championship|championships]] ([[1929 NFL season|1929]], [[1930 NFL season|1930]], [[1931 NFL season|1931]], [[1936 NFL Championship Game|1936]], [[1939 NFL Championship Game|1939]], [[1944 NFL Championship Game|1944]]). He compiled an NFL regular-season record of 209–104–21 ({{winning percentage|209|104|21}}) with a playoff record of 3–2, 212–106–21 ({{winning percentage|212|106|21}}) 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 quarterback [[Arnie Herber]] and receiver [[Don Hutson]]. Herber and Hutson pioneered the passing game, which allowed the Packers to dominate their competitors throughout the 1930s.<ref name="The Legend of Lambeau Field DVD"/><ref name=Britannica/>

In 1946, Lambeau purchased [[Rockwood Lodge]], a former [[Norbertine]] retreat, 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.<ref name="blaze">{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=David |date=September 19, 2013 |title=Blaze of Glory |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9669836/mysterious-fire-1950-saved-green-bay-packers-espn-magazine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926122642/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9669836/mysterious-fire-1950-saved-green-bay-packers-espn-magazine |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |access-date=August 5, 2018 |publisher=[[ESPN Internet Ventures]]}}</ref>

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 near [[City Stadium (Green Bay)|City Stadium]] due to the severe beating his players took at the Lodge.<ref name=BlazeofGlory>{{cite journal |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9669836/mysterious-fire-1950-saved-green-bay-packers-espn-magazine |title=Blaze of Glory |last=Fleming |first=David |journal=[[ESPN The Magazine]] |date=September 19, 2013 |access-date=March 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207175756/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9669836/mysterious-fire-1950-saved-green-bay-packers-espn-magazine |archive-date=February 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the same time, the Packers began noticeably slipping on the field after Hutson's retirement in 1945. Still, the Packers remained competitive until [[1948 Green Bay Packers season|1948]], when they suffered their first losing season since [[1933 Green Bay Packers season|1933]], and only the second losing season in franchise history.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Art |title=Packers Close Out 'Worst' Season in History With 42–7 Loss to Cardinals |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24410295/packers_close_out_worst_season_in/ |access-date=October 10, 2018 |work=Green Bay Press-Gazette |date=December 6, 1948 |page=19 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010060806/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24410295/packers_close_out_worst_season_in/ |archive-date=October 10, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The bottom fell out in [[1949 Green Bay Packers season|1949]], when the Packers won only two games, at the time, their worst season ever.<ref>{{cite news |title=Green Bay Ends Worst NFL Year |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24409874/green_bay_ends_worst_nfl_year/ |access-date=October 10, 2018 |work=Marshfield News-Herald |agency=Associated Press |date=December 12, 1949 |page=10 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010060840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24409874/green_bay_ends_worst_nfl_year/ |archive-date=October 10, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was at least in part due to Lambeau's refusal to abandon the [[Notre Dame Box]] that he had learned during his brief time in South Bend; the Packers continued to run this variation of the [[single-wing formation|single wing]] long after most teams began running the [[T formation]].<ref name=BlazeofGlory/>

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-unique [[Green Bay Packers, Inc.|public ownership structure]]. This proposal was considered rank heresy in Green Bay, and led to rumors that the NFL was using the pending merger with the [[All-America Football Conference]] as leverage to force Lambeau to relocate the Packers to the West Coast or shut down the team.<ref name="blaze" /><ref name="TURB">{{Cite news |last=Hendricks |first=Martin |date=August 18, 2016 |title=Rockwood Lodge had turbulent history |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2016/08/18/rockwood-lodge-had-turbulent-existence/88904044/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824012535/https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2016/08/18/rockwood-lodge-had-turbulent-existence/88904044/ |archive-date=August 24, 2016 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]] |df=mdy}}</ref>

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;<ref name=BlazeofGlory/> however, he did not formally resign until February 1, 1950,<ref name=clqtctc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WOMpAAAAIBAJ&pg=5757%2C11134 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=Curly Lambeau quits to coach the Cardinals |date=February 1, 1950 |page=1, part 1 |access-date=November 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120134159/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WOMpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZyMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5757%2C11134 |archive-date=November 20, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nE9QAAAAIBAJ&pg=7269%2C4720741 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |title=Lambeau quits for Card job; Isbell seeks Packer post |date=February 2, 1950 |page=5, part 2 |access-date=November 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120133319/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nE9QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Yg0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7269%2C4720741 |archive-date=November 20, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name=BlazeofGlory/>

====Chicago Cardinals====
After resigning from the Packers, Lambeau filled the open head coach position of the [[Chicago 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.<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/209875401.html/ | newspaper = [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] | date = January 31, 1950 | title = Curly Lambeau Quits to Coach the Cardinals | access-date = November 17, 2019 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191117201348/http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/209875401.html/ | archive-date = November 17, 2019}}</ref> He traded [[Paul Christman]], part of the "[[Million Dollar Backfield (Chicago Cardinals)|Million Dollar Backfield]]" that had won the 1947 title to the [[Green Bay Packers]] in favor of trying to push [[Jim Hardy]] for a greater passing attack. He proceeded to throw eight interceptions in his first game versus Philadelphia, a record. In [[1950 Chicago Cardinals season|1950 season]], the Cardinals ended the season 5–7, failing to improve upon its record in the previous season and missing out on the postseason. The [[1951 Chicago Cardinals season|1951 season]] went 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sportshistorynetwork.com/football/nfl/curly-lambeau-coach-chicago-cardinals/ | title=Curly Lambeau's Last (Almost) Hurrah! Coaching the Chicago Cardinals | date=July 18, 2022 | access-date=January 24, 2024 | archive-date=January 24, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124082605/https://sportshistorynetwork.com/football/nfl/curly-lambeau-coach-chicago-cardinals/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

====Washington Redskins====
Lambeau coached the [[Washington Redskins]] in [[1952 Washington Redskins season|1952]] and [[1953 Washington Redskins season|1953]]. In August [[1954 Washington Redskins season|1954]], Lambeau got into a heated argument with Redskins owner [[George Preston Marshall]] in the lobby of [[Sacramento]]'s [[Senator Hotel]], after which Marshall abruptly fired Lambeau.<ref name=lfdbmj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VmopAAAAIBAJ&pg=2782%2C5528990 |newspaper=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |agency=Associated Press |title=Lambeau fired as Skins coach |date=August 1954 |page=6 |access-date=November 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120114347/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VmopAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hswEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2782%2C5528990 |archive-date=November 20, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=ldarcmj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0EQjAAAAIBAJ&pg=4177%2C3261499 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |agency=Associated Press |title=Lambeau dismissed as Redskins coach |date=August 23, 1954 |page=9, part 2 |access-date=November 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120133357/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0EQjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8yMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4177%2C3261499 |archive-date=November 20, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |page=C1 |newspaper=[[Sacramento Bee]] |date=March 5, 2000 |department=Sports |title=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... |author=Don Bosley}}</ref>