Editing Vince Lombardi

{{short description|American football coach (1913–1970)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
|name=Vince Lombardi
|image= Vince Lombardi (1913-1970) in 1964 Crop.jpg
|caption= Lombardi in 1964
|position=
|birth_date={{Birth date|1913|6|11}}
|birth_place=[[Brooklyn|Brooklyn, New York]], U.S.
|death_date={{Death date and age|1970|9|3|1913|6|11}}
|death_place=[[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
|high_school=[[St. Francis Preparatory School|St. Francis Prep]]
|college=[[Fordham Rams football|Fordham]]
|undraftedyear=1937
|pastteams=
* [[Wilmington Clippers]] (1937)
* [[American Association (American football)|Brooklyn Eagles]] (1938)                      
|pastcoaching=
* [[Salesianum School]] (1937) <br />Assistant
* [[St. Cecilia High School (New Jersey)|St. Cecilia HS (NJ)]] (1939–1941)<br />Assistant
* St. Cecilia HS (NJ) (1942–1946)<br />Head coach
* [[Fordham Rams football|Fordham]] (1947–1948)<br />Assistant
* [[Army Black Knights football|Army]] (1949–1953)<br />Assistant
* [[New York Giants]] ({{NFL Year|1954|1958}})<br />Offensive coordinator
* [[Green Bay Packers]] ({{NFL Year|1959|1967}})<br />Head coach & general manager
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|1969}})<br />Head coach & executive vice president
|highlights=
* 2× [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl I|I]], [[Super Bowl II|II]])
* 5× [[NFL champion]] ([[1961 NFL Championship Game|1961]], [[1962 NFL Championship Game|1962]], [[1965 NFL Championship Game|1965]], [[1966 NFL Championship Game|1966]], [[1967 NFL Championship Game|1967]])
* 2× [[National Football League Coach of the Year Award|NFL Coach of the Year]] (1959, 1961)
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[National Football Foundation Distinguished American Award|NFF Distinguished American Award]] (1970)
* [[Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame]]
* [[Washington Commanders#Ring of Fame|Washington Redskins Ring of Fame]]
|statlabel1=Win–loss record
|statvalue1=96–34–6
|statlabel2=Winning percentage
|statvalue2=73.8%
|statlabel3=Playoff record
|statvalue3=9–1
|statlabel4=Overall record
|statvalue4=105–35–6
|pfrcoach={{#property:P6836}}
|pfrexec = LombVi0
|HOF={{#property:P6930}}
}}

'''Vincent Thomas Lombardi''' ({{IPAc-en|l|əm|ˈ|b|ɑːr|d|i}} {{respell|ləm|BAR|dee}}; June 11, 1913 – September 3, 1970) was an American professional [[American football|football]] [[Head Coach|coach]] and executive in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). Lombardi is considered by many to be among the greatest coaches and leaders in American sports.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2013 |title=Countdown - No. 1: Vince Lombardi |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/greatestcoach1/greatest-coaches-nfl-history-vince-lombardi |access-date=March 21, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321203300/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/greatestcoach1/greatest-coaches-nfl-history-vince-lombardi |url-status=live }}</ref> He is best known as the head coach of the [[Green Bay Packers]] during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight and five total [[NFL Championships]] in seven years, in addition to winning the first two [[Super Bowls]] at the conclusion of the [[1966 NFL season|1966]] and [[1967 NFL season|1967 NFL]] seasons.

Lombardi began his coaching career as an assistant and later as head coach at [[St. Cecilia High School (New Jersey)|St. Cecilia High School]] in [[Englewood, New Jersey]]. He was assistant coach at [[Fordham University]] where he coached with [[Jim Lansing]]. He also coached for the [[United States Military Academy]] and the [[New York Giants]] before serving as head coach and general manager for the Packers from [[1959 Green Bay Packers season|1959]] to [[1967 Green Bay Packers season|1967]] and the [[Washington Redskins]] from [[1969 Washington Redskins season|1969]] until dying from [[cancer]] during the 1970 preseason.

Lombardi never had a losing season as head coach in the NFL, compiling a regular-season winning percentage of 73.8% (96–34–6) and 90% (9–1) in the postseason for an overall record of 105 wins, 35 losses and 6 ties in the NFL.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=132&tab=Stats |title=Hall of Famers » VINCE LOMBARDI |publisher=Profootballhof.com |access-date=April 29, 2013 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924124631/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=132&tab=Stats |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was enshrined in the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], and the NFL [[Super Bowl]] trophy was [[Vince Lombardi Trophy|named in his honor]].

== Early life ==
Lombardi was born on June 11, 1913, in the [[Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn|Sheepshead Bay]] neighborhood of [[Brooklyn]] to Enrico "Harry" Lombardi (1889–1971) and Matilda "Mattie" Izzo (1891–1972), both from Southern Italy.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=21}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=17}} Harry's mother and father, Vincenzo and Michelina, emigrated from [[Salerno]], [[Italy]].{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=20}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=23}} Mattie's father and mother, Anthony and Loretta, emigrated from [[Vietri di Potenza]], [[Basilicata]].{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=21}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=17}} Harry had three siblings{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=21}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=23}} and Matilda had twelve.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=21}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=17}} Vince was the oldest of five children, including Madeleine, Harold, Claire and Joe.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=17}}{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=22}} Both the Lombardi and Izzo clans settled entirely in Sheepshead Bay.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=21}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=25}}

[[File:St Marks RCC Jerome Av 2609 E19 jeh.jpg|thumb|left|200px|St. Mark Catholic Church, where Lombardi served as an altar boy in his childhood]]
Anthony opened up a barber shop in Sheepshead Bay before the turn of the century.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=21}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=17}} At about the time of Lombardi's birth, Harry and his brother, Eddie, opened a butcher shop in the [[Meatpacking District, Manhattan|Meatpacking District]] of Manhattan.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=21}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=16}} Throughout the [[Great Depression]], Harry's shop did well and his family prospered.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|pp=21, 23}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=24}} Lombardi grew up in an ethnically diverse, middle-class neighborhood.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|pp=21–22}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=16–17}}

Church attendance was mandatory for the Lombardis on Sundays.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=25}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=20}} Mass would be followed with an equally compulsory few hours of dinner with extended family members, friends and local clergy.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=24}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=18}} Lombardi himself was an [[altar server|altar boy]] at St. Mark Catholic Church.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=25}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=20}} Outside their local neighborhood, the Lombardi children were subject to the rampant ethnic discrimination that existed at the time against Italian immigrants and their descendants.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|pp=24–25}} As a child, Lombardi helped his father at his meat cutting business, but grew to hate it.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=23}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=23–24}} At the age of 12 he started playing in an uncoached but organized football league in Sheepshead Bay.<!-- AOS? -->{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=20}}<!--This looks to be from Heinz' notes, the fact that he calls offensive plays is not notable to me -->

=== High school ===
Lombardi graduated from the eighth grade at age 15 in 1928.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=25}}{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=26}}<ref group="note">O'Brien incorrectly implies he graduated in 1929 from eighth grade which is completely refuted by Maraniss and O'Brien's date of 1928 makes no sense. O'Brien, on page 28, writes he left after three years there when he left after four.</ref> He then enrolled in the [[Cathedral Preparatory Seminary (Queens)|Cathedral Preparatory Seminary]], a division of [[Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception]] in Brooklyn, a six-year secondary program to become a [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[priest]].{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=25}}{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=26}} At Cathedral, he played on the school's baseball and basketball teams,{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|pp=27–28}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=26}} but his performance was hindered by his poor athleticism and eyesight.<!-- AOS? --><!-- O'Brien says he did poorly in both sports but does not attribute it to anything on page 27 and 28. This may need revisiting. -->{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=20}} Against school rules, he continued to play football off-campus throughout his studies at Cathedral.<!-- AOS? -->{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=27}} After completing four years at Cathedral he decided not to pursue the priesthood.<!-- AOS? -->{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=27}} He enrolled at [[St. Francis Preparatory School#History|St. Francis Preparatory]] high school for the fall of 1932.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=29}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=28}}<ref group="note">His stint at seminary school would cost him one year of his academic life as he would be, generally speaking, repeating his senior year of high school in order to obtain a high school diploma.</ref><!--He needed a H.S. diploma. There was no [[General Educational Development#History of the GED Testing Program]]--> There he became a Charter Member of [[Omega Gamma Delta]] fraternity.<!-- AOS? check:Who's Who in America. Who Was Who, Volume V --><ref name="omega">{{cite web|title=Prominent Alumni of The Omega Gamma Delta Fraternity|url=http://omegagammadeltafraternity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=35|access-date=April 8, 2011|archive-date=February 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215023227/http://omegagammadeltafraternity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=35|url-status=live}}</ref> His performance as a fullback on the Terriers' football team earned him a position on the virtual All-City football team.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=31}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=29, 30}}

=== Fordham University ===
In 1933, Lombardi received a [[Fordham Rams football|football]] scholarship<ref name="hbo">{{cite web|title=About Lombardi|url=http://www.hbo.com/sports/lombardi/index.html#/sports/lombardi/synopsis.html|website=HBO|access-date=December 22, 2010|archive-date=December 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212025148/http://www.hbo.com/sports/lombardi/index.html#/sports/lombardi/synopsis.html|url-status=live}}</ref> to Fordham University{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=31}} in the [[Bronx]] to play for the Fordham Rams and Coach [[Jim Crowley]], who was one of the [[Four Horsemen (football)|Four Horsemen]] of [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]] in the 1920s. During his freshman year, Lombardi proved to be an aggressive and spirited player on the football field.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=37}} Prior to the beginning of his sophomore year, Lombardi was projected to start games at the tackle position. Lombardi was only 5'8" and about 180&nbsp;pounds and was classified as undersized for the position.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=38}}

In his senior year of 1936, he was the right guard in the [[Seven Blocks of Granite]],{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=225}} a nickname given by a Fordham University publicist to the Fordham University football team's offensive front line.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=49}}<ref group="note">The Seven Blocks of Granite of the 1936 line were Leo Paquin, Johnny 'Tarzan' Druze, Alex Franklin Wojciechowicz, Ed 'Devil Doll' Franco, Al 'Ali Baba' Babartsky, Natty Pierce, and Vince Lombardi.</ref>{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=58, 59}} In a game against [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Pitt]], he suffered a severe gash inside his mouth and had several teeth knocked out.{{sfn|Gruver|1998|p=36}} He missed most of the remainder of the game, until he was called in on defense for a successful goal-line stand that preserved a scoreless tie. The Rams were 5–0–2<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordhamsports.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/ford/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/History|title=Fordham University Official Athletic Site<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=fordhamsports.com|access-date=April 25, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720152539/http://www.fordhamsports.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/ford/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/History|archive-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref> before losing in the final game of the season, 7–6, to [[NYU Violets|NYU]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Green Bay Packers Legend of the Past: Vince Lombardi (Part I)|url=http://www.sportsmedia101.com/greenbaypackers/2013/07/25/green-bay-packers-legend-of-the-past-vince-lombardi-part-i/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824021206/http://www.sportsmedia101.com/greenbaypackers/2013/07/25/green-bay-packers-legend-of-the-past-vince-lombardi-part-i/|archive-date=August 24, 2013}}</ref> The loss destroyed all hopes of Fordham playing in the [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose Bowl]] and taught Lombardi a lesson he would never forget&nbsp;— to never underestimate your opponent.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=46}}

=== Early career ===
Lombardi graduated from Fordham University on June 16, 1937.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=48}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=66}} The nation was still plagued by the Great Depression, so there were few career opportunities for the young Lombardi and for the next two years, he showed no discernible career path or ambition. He tried to play semi-professional football with the [[Wilmington Clippers]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vince Lombardi hired as Packers coach |url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/vince-lombardi-hired-as-packers-coach |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307212158/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/vince-lombardi-hired-as-packers-coach |archive-date=March 7, 2010 |access-date=September 23, 2015 |website=History.com}}</ref> of the [[American Association (American football)|American Association]] and worked as a debt collector for a collection agency, but those efforts very quickly proved to be failures. With his father's strong support, he enrolled in [[Fordham Law School]] in September 1938. Although he did not fail any classes, he believed his grades were so poor that he dropped out after one semester.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=49}} Later in life, he would explain to others that he was close to graduating, but his desire to start and support a family forced him to leave law school and get a job.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|pp=49–50}} He also joined the Brooklyn Eagles.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

== Coaching career ==
=== St. Cecilia High School ===
In 1939, Lombardi wanted to marry his girlfriend, Marie Planitz,{{sfn|Flynn|1976|pp=19, 29}} but he deferred at his father's insistence because he needed a steady job to support himself and a family; he married Marie the following year.{{sfn|Flynn|1976|p=19}} In 1939, Lombardi accepted an assistant coaching job at [[St. Cecilia High School (New Jersey)|St. Cecilia]], a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] high school in [[Englewood, New Jersey#Historical notes|Englewood, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northjersey.com/community/religion/030111_Englewoods_St_Cecilia_school_to_close.html|title=Englewood's St. Cecilia school to close|publisher=Bergen County Record|access-date=March 29, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927033631/http://www.northjersey.com/community/religion/030111_Englewoods_St_Cecilia_school_to_close.html|archive-date=September 27, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vincelombardi.com/about.html|title=About|publisher=Vince Lombardi|access-date=February 7, 2011|archive-date=February 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215024949/http://www.vincelombardi.com/about.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was offered the position by the school's new head coach, Lombardi's former Fordham teammate, quarterback Andy Palau. Palau had just inherited the head coaching position from another Fordham teammate, Nat Pierce (left guard), who had accepted an assistant coach's job back at Fordham. In addition to coaching, Lombardi, age 26, taught Latin, chemistry, and physics for an annual salary of under $1,000.{{sfn|Wiebusch|1971|p=61}}<ref group="note">{{harvnb|Maraniss|1999}} lists his starting salary as $1,700, pg. 70, and {{harvnb|O'Brien|1987}} lists it as $1,000, pg. 51. Wiebusch's source is a quote from Father Tim Moore.</ref>

In 1942, Andy Palau left St. Cecilia's for another position at Fordham, and Lombardi became the head coach at St. Cecilia's. He stayed a total of eight years, five as head coach. In 1943, St. Cecilia's was recognized as the top high school football team in the nation, in large part because of their victory over [[Brooklyn Prep]], a [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] school considered one of the best teams in the eastern United States. Brooklyn Prep that season was led by senior [[Joe Paterno]], who, like Lombardi, was to rise to legendary status in football. Lombardi won six state private school championships (NJISAA - New Jersey Independent Schools Athletic Association),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklynprep.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208&Itemid=328|title=Paterno legend traces back to prep roots|publisher=The Brooklyn Prep Alumni Association|access-date=May 22, 2012|archive-date=December 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223628/http://www.brooklynprep.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208&Itemid=328|url-status=live}}</ref> and became the president of the [[Bergen County, New Jersey|Bergen County]] Coaches' Association.{{sfn|Flynn|1976|p=30}}

=== Fordham ===
In 1947, Lombardi became the coach of freshman teams in football and [[basketball]] at his alma mater, [[Fordham Rams|Fordham University]]. The following year, he was an assistant coach for the [[1948 Fordham Rams football team|varsity football team]] under head coach [[Ed Danowski]], but he was arguably the ''de facto'' head coach.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=94, 95}}

=== West Point ===
Following the 1948 season, Lombardi accepted an assistant coaching job at the [[United States Military Academy|U.S. Military Academy]] at West Point, a position that greatly influenced his future philosophy and system of coaching. He was offensive line coach{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=96, 99}} under head coach [[Earl Blaik|Earl "Colonel Red" Blaik]]. "As integral as religion was to [Lombardi's] sense of self, it was not until he reached West Point and combined his spiritual discipline with Blaik's military discipline that his coaching persona began to take its mature form."{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=101}} Blaik's emphasis on execution{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=100}} became a trademark of Lombardi's coaching style.{{sfn|MacCambridge|2004|p=291}} Lombardi coached at West Point for five seasons, with varying results. The [[1949 Army Cadets football team|1949]] and [[1950 Army Cadets football team|1950 season]]s were successful, but the [[1951 Army Cadets football team|1951]] and [[1952 Army Cadets football team|1952 season]]s were not, due to the aftermath of a cadet cheating scandal (a violation of the [[Cadet Honor Code]]{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=129}}) which was uncovered in spring 1951. By order of the Superintendent, 43 of the 45 members of the varsity football team were discharged from the academy as a result of the scandal.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=131}} "Decades later, looking back on his rise, Lombardi came to regard ..." Blaik's decision not to resign "... as a pivotal moment in his [own] career" — it taught him ''perseverance''. Blaik himself was and remains a highly controversial figure, in Army football and academic history.{{Sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=136}} After the 1951 and 1952 seasons, not much was expected from the [[1953 Army Cadets football team|1953]] team as it had also lost six players due to academic misconduct. The 1953 team, however, did achieve a 7–1–1 record, as Lombardi had a bigger role than ever in coaching the team.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=147}} Following these five seasons at  Army, Lombardi accepted an assistant coaching position with the [[New York Giants]].

=== New York Giants ===
At age 41 in [[1954 NFL season|1954]], Lombardi began his NFL career with the [[1954 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]. He accepted a job that later became known as the [[offensive coordinator]] position under new head coach [[Jim Lee Howell]].{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=154}} The Giants had finished the [[1953 New York Giants season|previous]] season under 23-year coach [[Steve Owen (American football)|Steve Owen]] with a 3–9 record. By his third season in [[1956 New York Giants season|1956]], Lombardi, along with the [[defensive coordinator]], former All-Pro cornerback turned coach [[Tom Landry]], turned the squad into a championship team, defeating the [[1956 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] 47–7 for the [[1956 NFL Championship Game|league title]]. "Howell readily acknowledged the talents of Lombardi and Landry, and joked self-deprecatingly, that his main function was to make sure the footballs had air in them."{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=160}} At points in his tenure as an assistant coach at West Point, and as an assistant coach with the Giants, Lombardi worried that he was unable to land a head coaching job due to prejudice against his Italian heritage,{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=146, 165}} especially with respect to Southern colleges.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=104}} Howell wrote numerous recommendations for Lombardi to aid him in obtaining a head coaching position. Lombardi applied for head coaching positions at [[Wake Forest Demon Deacons football|Wake Forest]],{{sfn|Claerbaut|2004|p=106}} [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]], and other universities and, in some cases, never received a reply.{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=104}} In New York, Lombardi introduced the strategy of [[zone blocking|rule blocking]] to the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thereadoptional.com/vince-lombardi/|title=Vince Lombardi – The Read Optional|access-date=March 4, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308195034/https://thereadoptional.com/vince-lombardi/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In rule blocking, the offensive lineman would block an area, and not necessarily a particular defensive player, as was the norm up to that time.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=156}} The running back was then expected to run towards any hole that was created. Lombardi referred to this as ''running to daylight''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.packers.com/news/lombardi-invented-philosophy-run-to-daylight-5057044?campaign=sf:fanshare:facebook |title=Lombardi invented philosophy 'Run to Daylight' |website=www.packers.com |language=en-US |access-date=April 3, 2019}}</ref>

=== Green Bay Packers ===
==== 1959 ====<!-- Temporary Section -->
The [[Green Bay Packers]], with six future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Famers]] on the roster in [[1958 Green Bay Packers season|1958]],{{sfn|Claerbaut|2004|p=86}}<ref group="note">The five future hall of famers were [[Forrest Gregg]], [[Jim Taylor (fullback)|Jim Taylor]], [[Paul Hornung]], [[Ray Nitschke]], [[Bart Starr]], and [[Jerry Kramer]].</ref> finished at 1–10–1 under head coach [[Ray McLean]],{{sfn|Claerbaut|2004|p=86}} the worst record in Packers history.{{sfn|Eisenberg|2009|p=33}} The players were dispirited,{{sfn|Phillips|2001|p=28}} the Packers shareholders were disheartened, and the [[Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]] community was enraged. The angst in Green Bay extended to the NFL as a whole, as the financial viability and the very existence of the Green Bay Packer franchise were in jeopardy. On February 2,  [[1959 Green Bay Packers season|1959]], following intense lobbying on Lombardi's behalf by [[Jack Vainisi]], the team's personnel director, Lombardi accepted the position of head coach and [[General manager (American football)|general manager]] of the Packers.<ref name=pnvlhcgm>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bh8aAAAAIBAJ&pg=6945%2C3786870 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |last=Johnson |first=Chuck |title=Packers name Vince Lombardi head coach, general manager |date=January 29, 1959 |page=11, part 2 |access-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519043811/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bh8aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rCUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6945,3786870 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=recwmdcld>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9TEoAAAAIBAJ&pg=2271%2C1715341 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |last=Johnson |first=Chuck |title=Lombardi reception warm, despite cold |date=February 3, 1959 |page=14, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.packers.com/history/hall-of-famers/lombardi-vince.html|title=Vince Lombardi – Class of 1971|publisher=Green Bay Packers, Inc.|access-date=May 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505024015/http://www.packers.com/history/hall-of-famers/lombardi-vince.html|archive-date=May 5, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> He demanded and gained full control over the football operations of the community-owned franchise, leaving no doubt of this when he told the franchise's executive committee, "I want it understood that I am in complete command here."<ref name=Guilbrandsen>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PpXQ19EQMzcC&q=I+want+it+understood+that+I+am+in+complete+command+Lombardi&pg=PA70|title=Green Bay Packers: The Complete Illustrated History – Third Edition|author1=Don Guilbrandsen|publisher=[[Voyageur Press]]|date=2011|isbn=978-1616731489}}</ref>

Lombardi's assertion of "complete command" applied to the players as well. For his first training camp, he instituted harsh regimens and demanded absolute dedication and effort from his players. The Packers immediately improved in [[1959 Green Bay Packers season|1959]] to 7–5, and rookie head coach Lombardi was named [[National Football League Coach of the Year Award|Coach of the Year]].{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=230}} The fans appreciated what Lombardi was trying to do and responded by purchasing all the tickets for every home game during the [[1960 Green Bay Packers season|1960 season]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thereadoptional.com/the-men-who-made-the-game-vince-lombardi-619c33d1e5a2 |title=The Men Who Made The Game: Vince Lombardi |last=Connolly |first=Oliver |date=May 29, 2015 |website=The Read Optional |access-date=April 3, 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Every Packers home game—preseason, regular season and playoffs—has been sold out ever since then.

==== 1960–1966 ====
In Lombardi's second year in [[1960 Green Bay Packers season|1960]], Green Bay won the [[NFL|NFL Western Conference]] for the first time since [[1944 Green Bay Packers season|1944]]. This victory, along with his well-known religious convictions,{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=260, 303}} led the Green Bay community to anoint Lombardi with the nickname "The Pope".{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=260, 303}} Lombardi led the [[1960 Green Bay Packers season|Packers]] to the {{nfly|1960}} [[1960 NFL Championship Game|Championship Game]] against the [[1960 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]. Before the championship game, Lombardi met with [[Wellington Mara]] and advised him that he would not take the Giants' head coaching job, which was initially offered after the end of the [[1959 New York Giants season|1959 season]].{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=266, 268}} In the final play of the game, in a drive that would have won it, the Packers were stopped a few yards from the goal line. Lombardi had suffered his first and only championship game loss. After the game, and after the press corps had left the locker room, Lombardi told his team, "This will never happen again. You will never lose another championship."{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=265}} In later years as coach of the Packers, Lombardi made it a point to admonish his running backs that if they failed to score from one yard out, he would consider it a personal affront to him and he would seek retribution.{{sfn|Kramer|Schapp|2006|p=58}} He coached the Packers to win their next nine post-season games, a record streak not matched or broken until [[Bill Belichick]] won ten straight from [[2002 New England Patriots season|2002]] to [[2006 New England Patriots season|2006]] with [[New England Patriots|New England]].<ref name="patriots.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.patriots.com/|title=Official Website of the New England Patriots|website=patriots.com|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=September 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910235344/http://www.patriots.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Packers defeated the Giants for the NFL title in [[1961 NFL Championship Game|1961]] (37–0 in Green Bay) and [[1962 NFL Championship Game|1962]] (16–7 at [[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee Stadium]]), marking the first two of their five titles in Lombardi's seven years. After the 1962 championship victory, [[President of the United States|President]] [[John F. Kennedy]] called Lombardi and asked him if he would "come back to Army and coach again". Kennedy received Lombardi's tacit refusal of the request.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=299}} His only other post-season loss occurred to the [[1964 St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) season|St. Louis Cardinals]] in the third-place [[Playoff Bowl]] after the [[1964 Green Bay Packers season|1964 season]] (officially classified as an exhibition game).{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=362}}

Including postseason but excluding exhibition games, Lombardi compiled a 105–35–6 (.740) record as head coach, and never suffered a losing season.<ref name="prod.static.packers.clubs.nfl.com">{{cite web|url=http://prod.static.packers.clubs.nfl.com/assets/docs/2010mediaguide_records.pdf#page=19|title=Green Bay Packer Media Guide|website=nfl.com|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126102232/http://prod.static.packers.clubs.nfl.com/assets/docs/2010mediaguide_records.pdf#page=19|url-status=dead}}</ref> He led the Packers to [[Three-peat|three consecutive]] NFL championships&nbsp;— in [[1965 NFL Championship Game|1965]], [[1966 NFL Championship Game|1966]], and [[1967 NFL Championship Game|1967]]&nbsp;— a feat accomplished only once before in the history of the league, by [[Curly Lambeau]], co-founder of the Packers, who coached the team to their first three straight NFL Championships in [[1929 Green Bay Packers season|1929]], [[1930 Green Bay Packers season|1930]], and [[1931 Green Bay Packers season|1931]]. At the conclusion of the 1966 and 1967 seasons, Lombardi's Packers won the [[Super Bowl I|first]] [[Super Bowl II|two]] [[Super Bowls]],{{sfn|Day|Iyer|Boswell|2009}}<ref name="go.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=list/bestnflcoaches|title=ESPN.com: Page 2 : The greatest NFL coaches ever|website=go.com|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=November 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130174507/https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=list/bestnflcoaches|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Davis|2005|p=417}} for championships in five of seven seasons.{{sfn|MacCambridge|2004|p=306}}

==== Packers Sweep ====
{{Main|Packers sweep}}
As coach of the Packers, Lombardi converted [[1956 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Notre Dame]] quarterback and [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Paul Hornung]] to a full-time [[halfback (American football)|halfback]]. Lombardi also designed a play for fullback [[Jim Taylor (fullback)|Jim Taylor]]: both guards, [[Jerry Kramer]] and [[Fuzzy Thurston]], pulled to the outside and blocked downfield while Taylor would "run to daylight"&nbsp;— i.e., wherever the defenders weren't. This was a play that he had originally developed with the Giants for [[Frank Gifford]]. It soon became known as the [[Packers sweep]] (or Lombardi sweep), though Lombardi openly admitted it was based on an old [[single wing]] concept.<ref>{{cite book|title=Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League|author1=Bob Newhardt Carroll|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|date=1997|isbn=9780062701701|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/totalfootballoff00carr}}</ref>

===== Ice Bowl =====
{{main|1967 NFL Championship Game}}
In [[1967 Green Bay Packers season|1967]], Lombardi's Packers hosted the [[1967 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] in [[Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]] on December 31 in the [[1967 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship Game]], a rematch of the previous season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/endofcentury/s/games/nfl.html|title=ESPN.com – ENDOFCENTURY – The NFL's greatest games|publisher=Espn.go.com|access-date=February 7, 2011|archive-date=October 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009170116/http://www.espn.com/endofcentury/s/games/nfl.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This became known as the "Ice Bowl" because of the {{convert|−13|F}} game-time temperature. Lombardi had a heating coil underneath the field but on this day it was not functioning. Some people believe that he turned it off on purpose. With 16 seconds left in the game and down by three points, the Packers called their final time-out. It was 3rd and goal on the Dallas two-foot line.{{sfn|Gruver|1998|p=203}} In the huddle, with the game on the line, [[quarterback]] [[Bart Starr]] asked Kramer whether he could get enough traction on the icy turf for a wedge play and Kramer responded with an unequivocal yes.{{sfn|Gruver|1998|p=202}} Starr came over to Lombardi on the sidelines to discuss the last play and told him he wanted to run a 31 wedge, but with him keeping the ball. Lombardi, having had enough of the bitter cold, told Starr to 'Run it! And let's get the hell out of here!' Lombardi was asked by [[Pat Peppler]] what play Starr would call, to which Lombardi replied, 'Damned if I know.'{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=424}} Starr returned to the huddle and called a Brown right 31 Wedge,{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=414}} but with him keeping the ball.{{sfn|Claerbaut|2004|p=229}}{{sfn|Kramer|Schapp|2006|p=210}} Kramer blocked [[Jethro Pugh]] low and [[Ken Bowman]] hit Pugh high as Starr followed them into the end zone for the Packer lead and gained victory.<ref>{{cite news |last1=D'Amato |first1=Gary |title=The Ice Bowl, 50 years later: An oral history of the Packers-Cowboys 1967 NFL Championship Game |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2017/12/28/ice-bowl-50-years-later-oral-history-packers-cowboys-1967-nfl-championship-game/962212001/ |access-date=September 2, 2020 |work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] |date=December 28, 2017 |quote=... Starr (15) sneaks into the end zone for the winning touchdown...... Bowman and Kramer executed a double-team block on Pugh on the winning touchdown...}}</ref> Shortly after the victory in [[Super Bowl II]], Lombardi resigned as head coach of the Packers on February 1, 1968, continuing as general manager. He handed the head coaching position to [[Phil Bengtson]], a longtime assistant, but the Packers finished at 6–7–1 in the 1968 season and were out of the four-team [[1968 NFL playoffs|NFL playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1968.htm |title=1968 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403023238/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1968.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Washington Redskins ===
In February 1969, Lombardi was let out of his contract with the Packers to become the head coach and executive vice president of the [[Washington Redskins]].<ref name="RedskinsLegacy">{{cite web |title=Vince Lombardi's Enduring Redskins Legacy |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/vince-lombardi-s-enduring-redskins-legacy-10351640 |website=Commanders.com |access-date=12 June 2024 |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612201149/https://www.commanders.com/news/vince-lombardi-s-enduring-redskins-legacy-10351640 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/when-vince-lombardi-left-green-bay-for-washington-one-town-wept-the-other-cheered/2016/01/07/2c825474-b4b5-11e5-a76a-0b5145e8679a_story.html |title=When Vince Lombardi left Green Bay for Washington, one town wept. The other cheered. |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102174605/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/when-vince-lombardi-left-green-bay-for-washington-one-town-wept-the-other-cheered/2016/01/07/2c825474-b4b5-11e5-a76a-0b5145e8679a_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As with the Packers, Lombardi was given full control over football operations and a 5% stake in ownership.<ref name="RedskinsLegacy"/> The Redskins finished the [[1969 Washington Redskins season|1969 season]] at 7–5–2, their first winning record since [[1955 Washington Redskins season|1955]], but Lombardi died shortly before the start of the [[1970 Washington Redskins season|1970 season]].<ref name="RedskinsLegacy"/> Lombardi was credited with having changed the culture and laying the foundation for Washington's success in the 1970s under [[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]].<ref name="RedskinsLegacy"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Loverro |first1=Thom |title=Lombardi's one year changed Redskins forever |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/15/vince-lombardi-the-redskins-and-the-year-it-all-ch/ |publisher=[[The Washington Times]] |access-date=September 2, 2020 |date=December 15, 2016 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112021919/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/15/vince-lombardi-the-redskins-and-the-year-it-all-ch/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The greatness of Lombardi, Allen through the eyes of Larry Brown |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/nfl/the-greatness-of-lombardi-allen-through-the-eyes-of-larry-brown |website=SI.com |access-date=September 2, 2020 |language=en |date=May 9, 2016 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302151507/https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/nfl/the-greatness-of-lombardi-allen-through-the-eyes-of-larry-brown |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Personal life ==
=== Family ===
In 1934, Lombardi's roommate Jim Lawlor introduced him to his cousin's relative, Marie Planitz.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pin1cc5_ou4C&q=lombardi+lawlor+cousin&pg=PA18|title=Lombardi – An Illustrated Life|first=Chris|last=Havel|date=November 4, 2011|publisher=Krause Publications|access-date=April 25, 2017|via=Google Books|isbn=9781440218118}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> When Marie announced her ardent desire to marry Lombardi, her status-conscious stockbroker father did not like the idea of his daughter marrying the son of an Italian butcher from Brooklyn,{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=40-41}} a prejudice he would face more than once in his life.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=46–47, 106, 171, 251, 371}}{{sfn|Claerbaut|2004|pp=106–107}} Lombardi and Marie wed on August 31, 1940.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=74}}

{{blockquote|He seemed preoccupied with football even on their honeymoon, and cut it short to get back to Englewood&nbsp;... "I wasn't married to him more than one week", she later related, "when I said to myself, Marie Planitz, you've made the greatest mistake of your life."{{Sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=74}}}}

Marie's first pregnancy resulted in a [[miscarriage]]. This had a terrible effect on Marie and caused her to turn to [[Alcoholism|heavy drinking]],{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=75}} a problem she would encounter on more than one occasion in her life.{{Sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=87, 179, 236, 362, 450}} Their son, Vincent Henry Lombardi (Vince Jr.), was born in 1942{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=75, 76}} and their daughter Susan followed five years later in 1947.{{Sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=88, 89}}

Lombardi's perfectionism,{{Sfn|Day|Iyer|Boswell|2009}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=272}} authoritarian nature{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=27, 74, 208}} and temper,{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=74}} required Marie learn to defend herself when Lombardi verbally abused her.{{sfn|Gruver|1998|p=36}} His children were not immune from his yelling. When Lombardi had not lost his temper, he would often be reticent and aloof.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=231}}

Lombardi's grandson, [[Joe Lombardi (American football)|Joe Lombardi]], has served as an assistant coach in the [[National Football League|NFL]] since [[2006 NFL season|2006]]. Joe is currently the offensive coordinator for the [[Denver Broncos]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Joe Lombardi |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/team/coaches-roster/joe-lombardi |publisher=Denver Broncos |access-date=6 June 2024 |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915200525/https://www.denverbroncos.com/team/coaches-roster/joe-lombardi |url-status=live }}</ref>

===World War II deferments===
Though he was 28 years old when the United States entered World War II, Lombardi did not serve in the war. He obtained a series of deferments: his first was a 2-A due to his teaching occupation; in 1943, he obtained a second deferment due to parenthood (3-A); and his final deferment was labelled a 4-A (age) and given in April 1944.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999}}

===Religion===
The three constants throughout Lombardi's life were his Roman Catholic religion, his family, and football.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=19, 112, 179}} His father was a daily [[Mass (liturgy)|Communicant]] throughout his life{{sfn|O'Brien|1987|p=25}} and his mother's favorite picture of Vince as a child was on his [[Confirmation]].{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=20}} When Lombardi was 12, while serving as an altar boy on Easter Sunday, "...&nbsp;amid the color and pageantry scarlet and white vestments, golden cross, scepters, the wafers and wine, body and blood&nbsp;... the inspiration came to him that he should become a priest&nbsp;...",.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=20}} When his mother, Mattie, got wind of it she bragged about her son's plan to her neighbors.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=26}} Lombardi attended Mass on a daily basis throughout his life.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=20, 33}}

During his tenure at St. Cecilia, Lombardi attended Mass every day and "prayed for calm and control: of his temper and ... his wife's drinking". When Lombardi became head coach of football in 1942, he led his team to Sunday Mass before each home game.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=76, 77}} At St. Cecilia, Lombardi shared an office with Father Tim Moore wherein it was not unusual for Lombardi to interrupt a conversation and request to go to [[Confession (religion)|Confession]] and for which Father Tim obliged him right in the office.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=85, 86}}

During his stay at Green Bay, Lombardi once emerged from his office and appeared before his secretary, Ruth McKloskey, wearing "...&nbsp;all these priest robes on, and he had a [[mitre|miter]] with a [[tassel]], everything".{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=403}} Each day on his way to work for the Green Bay Packers, Lombardi would stop at [[St. Willebrord Catholic Church|St. Willebrord Church]] and "offer a prayer in case of unexpected death: 'My God, if I am to die today, or suddenly at any time, I wish to receive this Communion as my [[viaticum]]&nbsp;... '".{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=244}} He regularly attended Sunday Mass at Resurrection Church in the Allouez neighborhood of Green Bay's southeast side, always sitting with his wife in the middle of the ninth pew.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecompassnews.org/compass/2000-07-14/00cn0714pj2.htm|title=The Compass newspaper – Special Section: Priests' Jubilee|website=www.thecompassnews.org|access-date=April 1, 2016|archive-date=April 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419225224/http://www.thecompassnews.org/compass/2000-07-14/00cn0714pj2.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On the morning of the dedication of Lombardi Avenue, Lombardi remarked to his 37-member entourage that he was pleased to have gotten them all up to attend morning Mass.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=444}} Lombardi was a Fourth Degree in the [[Knights of Columbus]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Butler |first1=Andrew |title=Inspiring Knights in the NFL |url=https://www.kofc.org/en/news/releases/knights-on-the-gridiron.html |website=www.kofc.org |publisher=Knights of Columbus |access-date=September 2, 2020 |date=2019 |quote=A Fourth Degree Knight, Lombardi brought his Catholic players to Mass while on the road. |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713061529/https://www.kofc.org/en/news/releases/knights-on-the-gridiron.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Knights who shaped history |url=http://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/columbia/2020/february/knights-who-shaped-history.html |website=www.kofc.org |publisher=Knights of Columbus |language=en |date=2020 |quote=Lombardi joined Msgr. Basche Council 4505 in Green Bay, Wis., and later became a Fourth Degree Knight. |access-date=September 2, 2020 |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713001451/https://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/columbia/2020/february/knights-who-shaped-history.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Anti-discrimination philosophy ===
{{quote box
 |quote  = Vince Lombardi brought him ([[Bobby Mitchell]]) into the front office (in 1969), and he started doing scouting. They wanted the black guys to only scout the black schools, and Lombardi said "no. Bobby's going to scout ALL the schools, not just the black ones."
 |source = —[[Brig Owens]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aldridge |first=David |date=April 7, 2020 |title='Bobby was bigger than a Hall of Famer': the meaningful life of Bobby Mitchell |url=https://theathletic.com/1726515/2020/04/07/bobby-was-bigger-than-a-hall-of-famer-the-meaningful-life-of-bobby-mitchell/ |access-date=April 17, 2020 |website=The Athletic |archive-date=April 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410080244/https://theathletic.com/1726515/2020/04/07/bobby-was-bigger-than-a-hall-of-famer-the-meaningful-life-of-bobby-mitchell/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 
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In 1960, a [[racial segregation|color barrier]] still existed on at least [[1960 Washington Redskins season|one team]] in the NFL,{{sfn|Ross|1999|p=149}}{{sfn|Eisenberg|2009|p=81}} but Jack Vainisi, the [[Scout (sport)|Scouting Director]] for the Packers,<ref name="prod.static.packers.clubs.nfl.com" /> and Lombardi were determined "to ignore the prejudices then prevalent in most NFL front offices in their search for the most talented players".{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=237}} Lombardi explained his views by saying that he "...&nbsp;viewed his players as neither [[African American|black]] nor [[White American|white]], but Packer green".{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=240–241}}

Among professional football head coaches, in the midst of the [[civil rights movement]], Lombardi's anti-discrimination views were unusual.{{sfn|Phillips|2001|p=69}} When Lombardi joined the Packers, they only had one black player, [[Nate Borden]]. During his time as coach the team became fully integrated: by 1967 they had 13 black players, including [[All-Pro]]s [[Willie Davis (defensive end)|Willie Davis]], [[Willie Wood (American football)|Willie Wood]], [[Dave Robinson (American football)|Dave Robinson]], [[Herb Adderley]] and [[Bob Jeter]].<ref name=slate>{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2017/09/vince_lombardi_hated_protests_but_he_fought_for_racial_justice.html |title=Vince Lombardi Would Be Proud |last=Smith |first=Johnny |date=September 30, 2017 |website=[[slate.com|Slate]] |access-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-date=September 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930231105/http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2017/09/vince_lombardi_hated_protests_but_he_fought_for_racial_justice.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During his first training camp in Green Bay, Lombardi was notified by Packer veterans that an interracial relationship existed between one of the Packer rookies and a young woman.{{sfn|Eisenberg|2009|p=99}} The next day at training camp, Lombardi—who was vehemently opposed to [[Jim Crow Laws|Jim Crow]] discrimination and had a zero-tolerance policy towards racism—responded by warning his team that if any player exhibited prejudice in any manner, that specific player would be thrown off the team.

Lombardi let it be known to all Green Bay establishments that if they did not accommodate his black and white players equally well, then that business would be off-limits to the entire team.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=241}} Before the start of the 1960 regular season, he instituted a policy that the Packers would only lodge in places that accepted all his players.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=241–242}} Lombardi also refused to assign hotel rooms to players based on their race: by 1967 the Packers were the only NFL team with such a policy.<ref name=slate />

Lombardi was a member of the all-white Oneida Golf and Riding [[Country Club]] in Green Bay, and he demanded that he should be allowed to choose a [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] [[caddie]], even if white caddies were available.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=242}} Lombardi's view on racial matters was a result of his religious faith and the ethnic prejudice that he had experienced as an [[Italian American|Italian-American]].{{sfn|Phillips|2001|p=70}}

While with the Redskins in 1969, at Lombardi's insistence and with the support of then-minority owner [[Jack Kent Cooke]], Hall of Fame wide receiver [[Bobby Mitchell]] joined the Redskins' front office, becoming the first [[African American]] to work in an NFL front office, and eventually becoming the NFL's first African American executive, working his way up to assistant general manager in 1981.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobby Mitchell, Pro Football Hall of Famer and pioneering Redskins star, dies at 84 |date=April 6, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128203133/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/bobby-mitchell-pro-football-hall-of-famer-and-pioneering-redskins-star-dies-at-84/2020/04/05/edc2a40e-77a2-11ea-b6ff-597f170df8f8_story.html |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |url-status=live |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/bobby-mitchell-pro-football-hall-of-famer-and-pioneering-redskins-star-dies-at-84/2020/04/05/edc2a40e-77a2-11ea-b6ff-597f170df8f8_story.html |access-date=April 17, 2023 }}</ref>

{{quote box
 |quote  = [[Henry Jordan|One Packer]] famously said that Lombardi "treats us all the same – like dogs." To the coach, there were no gay dogs or straight dogs; there were just Packers who had one goal: to play their best and win.
 |source = —Jim Buzinski, Outsports.com co-founder<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outsports.com/2012/6/19/4053258/gays-in-the-nfl-vince-lombardi-would-be-fine-with-it|title=Gays in the NFL: Vince Lombardi would be fine with it|date=June 19, 2012|website=outsports.com|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=September 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910220256/https://www.outsports.com/2012/6/19/4053258/gays-in-the-nfl-vince-lombardi-would-be-fine-with-it|url-status=live}}</ref> 
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Lombardi was known to be volatile and terse with players during practices and games, and he insisted on unconditional respect for everyone in his organization.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/5/7/4307998/vince-lombardi-packers-acceptance-gay-athletes |title=Vince Lombardi Was Ahead of His Time|date=May 7, 2013 |website=acmepackingcompany.com|access-date=April 25, 2017}}</ref> Lombardi demanded acceptance from players and coaches toward all people and was noted for his stance against [[homophobia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gawker.com/former-pro-football-player-reflects-on-brokeback-romanc-1506826397|title=Former Pro Football Player Reflects on ''Brokeback'' Romance with Teammate|first=Rich|last=Juzwiak|website=gawker.com|access-date=April 25, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130155456/http://gawker.com/former-pro-football-player-reflects-on-brokeback-romanc-1506826397|archive-date=November 30, 2016}}</ref> According to Lombardi biographer and [[Pulitzer Prize]]–winning writer [[David Maraniss]], if he caught a coach "discriminating against a player thought to be gay, he'd be fired".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scrippsmedia.com/wtmj/wi-sports/Anniversary-year-of-African-American-Packers-bold-historic-starting-lineup-statement-291901521.html |title=Anniversary year of African-American Packers' bold, historic statement|access-date=January 13, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090852/http://www.scrippsmedia.com/wtmj/wi-sports/Anniversary-year-of-African-American-Packers-bold-historic-starting-lineup-statement-291901521.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> Richard Nicholls, the lifelong partner of Lombardi's younger brother, Hal, stated, "Vin was always fair in how he treated everybody ... a great man who accepted people at face value for what they were, and didn't judge anybody. He just wanted you to do the job."<ref name="ESPN"/>

In Washington, Lombardi's assistant general manager David Slatterly was gay, as was PR director Joe Blair, who was described as Lombardi's "right-hand man".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/sports/2013-02-03/the-nfl-beat-lombardi-and-kopay/|title='The NFL Beat': Lombardi and Kopay|website=Austin Chronicle|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=April 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423172706/http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/sports/2013-02-03/the-nfl-beat-lombardi-and-kopay/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to his son Vince Lombardi Jr., "He saw everyone as equals, and I think having a gay brother (Hal) was a big factor in his approach ... I think my father would've felt, 'I hope I've created an atmosphere in the locker room where this would not be an issue at all. And if you do have an issue, the problem will be yours because my locker room will tolerate nothing but acceptance.{{'"}}<ref name="ESPN">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/9237535/vince-lombardi-proud-jason-collins|title=Ex-player: Lombardi championed gay rights|website=go.com|date=May 3, 2013|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211164247/http://www.espn.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/9237535/vince-lombardi-proud-jason-collins|url-status=live}}</ref>

Upon his arrival in Washington, Lombardi was aware of tight end [[Jerry Smith (tight end)|Jerry Smith]]'s sexual orientation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizen-times.com/story/sports/2014/02/10/45-years-ago-lombardi-accepted-a-gay-player/5381673/|title=45 years ago, Lombardi accepted a gay player|website=citizen-times.com|access-date=April 25, 2017}}</ref> "Lombardi protected and loved Jerry," said former teammate [[Dave Kopay]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/03/vince-lombardi-accepted-gay-players-on-his-team/|title=Vince Lombardi accepted gay players on his team|website=nbcsports.com|date=May 3, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2017}}</ref> Lombardi brought Smith into his office and told him that his sexual orientation would never be an issue as long as he was coaching the Redskins; Smith would be judged solely on his on-the-field performance and contribution to the team's success.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rightwisconsin.com/perspectives/would-vince-lombardi-have-drafted-a-gay-player-245172971.html |title=Would Vince Lombardi Have Drafted a Gay Player?|access-date=October 17, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225202737/http://www.rightwisconsin.com/perspectives/would-vince-lombardi-have-drafted-a-gay-player-245172971.html |archive-date=December 25, 2015 }}</ref> Under Lombardi's leadership Smith flourished, becoming an integral part of Lombardi's offense, and was voted a First Team All-Pro for the first time in his career, which was also Lombardi's only season as the Redskins head coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJe01.htm|title=Jerry Smith Stats - Pro-Football-Reference.com|website=pro-football-reference.com|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201050851/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJe01.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lombardi invited other gay players to training camp and would privately hope they would prove they could earn a spot on the team.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=344}} In Lombardi's first season with the Washington Redskins, he took interest in [[Ray McDonald (running back)|Ray McDonald]], a gay running back recruited to the team in 1967.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=}}{{page needed|date=May 2024}} McDonald had been handpicked by owner [[Edward Bennett Williams|Edward Bennet Williams]], but was a disappointment in his rookie year and spent most of the 1968 season on the bench with an injury.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Klemko |first=Robert |date=2017-06-23 |title=What happened to Ray McDonald, Washington's first-round draft pick in 1967? |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/06/23/ray-mcdonald-gay-washington-redskins-1967-nfl-draft |access-date=2024-05-09 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us |archive-date=April 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410190024/https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/06/23/ray-mcdonald-gay-washington-redskins-1967-nfl-draft |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=469}}  Lombardi told running back coach, [[George Dickson]],{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=468}} 'I want you to get on McDonald and work on him and work on him – and if I hear ''one'' of you people make reference to his manhood, you'll be out of here before your ass hits the ground.'{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=471}}

=== Politics ===
Although his wife was a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], Lombardi was a lifelong [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] with liberal views on [[civil rights]]: he supported [[John F. Kennedy]] in the [[1960 United States presidential election|1960 presidential election]], [[Robert F. Kennedy]] in the [[Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968|1968 primaries]], and was also a supporter of Wisconsin Senator [[Gaylord Nelson]].<ref name=slate /><ref name=wapo>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/04/06/donald-trump-got-almost-everything-about-vince-lombardi-totally-wrong/?tid=a_inl |title=BREAKING: Donald Trump doesn't really know much about Vince Lombardi |last=Cillizza |first=Chris |author-link=Chris Cillizza |date=April 6, 2016 |website=[[WashingtonPost.com]] |access-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-date=December 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216034739/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/04/06/donald-trump-got-almost-everything-about-vince-lombardi-totally-wrong/?tid=a_inl |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite this, during the 1960s he became uncomfortable with the burgeoning youth protest movements associated with the emerging [[Counterculture of the 1960s|counterculture]], such as the [[New Left]] and the [[Opposition to United States involvement in the Vietnam War|Anti-war movement]]. In a speech that he first delivered in February 1967 to the [[American Management Association]], he suggested that "everything has been done to strengthen the rights of the individual and at the same time weaken the rights of the church, weaken the rights of the state, and weaken the rights of all authority". Due to Lombardi's popularity, [[Richard Nixon]] once considered him as a possible running mate in the 1968 presidential election but dropped the idea upon learning about Lombardi's support for the Democratic Party.<ref name=slate /><ref name=wapo />

==Illness and death==
Lombardi had suffered from digestive tract problems as early as 1967 and he had refused his doctor's request to undergo a [[Proctoscopy|proctoscopic]] exam.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=389}} On June 24, 1970, Lombardi was admitted to [[MedStar Georgetown University Hospital|Georgetown University Hospital]] and tests "revealed [[anaplastic carcinoma]] in the [[rectum|rectal]] area of his [[Colon (anatomy)|colon]], a fast-growing malignant cancer in which the [[Cell (biology)|cells]] barely resemble their normal appearance".{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=488–489}} On July 27, Lombardi was readmitted to Georgetown and [[exploratory surgery]] found that the cancer was terminal.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=493}} Lombardi and Marie received family, friends, clergy, players and former players at his hospital bedside.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=493–498}} He received a phone call from [[President of the United States|President]] [[Richard Nixon|Nixon]] telling Lombardi that all of the U.S. was behind him, to which Lombardi replied that he would never give up his fight against his illness.<ref name="presidency.ucsb.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=3119&st=lombardi&st1=#axzz1G1Nwjnr8|title=Richard Nixon: Remarks to the 89th Annual International Meeting of the Knights of Columbus in New York City.|website=ucsb.edu|access-date=April 25, 2017}}</ref> On his deathbed, Lombardi told Father Tim that he was not afraid to die, but that he regretted he could not have accomplished more in his life.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=497}} Lombardi died in Washington, D.C. at 7:12&nbsp;a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 1970, surrounded by his wife, parents, both children and six grandchildren. He was 57.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=498}}

The funeral was held on September 7 at [[St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York|St. Patrick's Cathedral]] in [[Manhattan]]. Approximately 1,500 people{{sfn|Flynn|1976|p=176}} lined [[Fifth Avenue]], and the avenue was closed to traffic between 39th and 50th Street. [[Terence Cooke|Cardinal Terence Cooke]] preached the homily. In attendance were team officials, coaches [[Tom Landry]], [[Dick Nolan (American football)|Dick Nolan]], [[Weeb Ewbank]], [[Alex Webster (gridiron football)|Alex Webster]], [[Norm Van Brocklin]], [[Phil Bengtson]] and [[Bill Austin (American football, born 1928)|Bill Austin]], Commissioner [[Pete Rozelle]], past and present members of the Packers, Redskins, and Giants, broadcasters [[Ray Scott (sportscaster)|Ray Scott]] and [[Howard Cosell]], former students from Saints, colleagues and players from West Point (including Red Blaik), and classmates from [[Fordham University]], including the remaining [[Seven Blocks of Granite]].<ref group="note">Honorary pallbearers included [[Bart Starr]], [[Paul Hornung]], [[Willie Davis (defensive end)|Willie Davis]], [[Tony Canadeo]], [[Wellington Mara]], [[Dick Bourguignon]], [[Edward Bennett Williams]], and [[Marc Chubb]].</ref>{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=498–499}} Lombardi was interred in [[Mount Olivet Cemetery (Middletown)|Mount Olivet Cemetery]] in [[Middletown Township, New Jersey]]; before [[Super Bowl XLVIII]] was played at [[MetLife Stadium]] in New Jersey in 2014, the cemetery's superintendent sought to have the [[Vince Lombardi Trophy]] brought to his gravesite.<ref>Johnson, Brent. [https://www.nj.com/super-bowl/2014/01/report_bring_super_bowl_trophy_to_vince_lombardis_nj_grave.html "Report: Bring Super Bowl trophy to Vince Lombardi's NJ grave?"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], January 28, 2014. Accessed January 24, 2025. "Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown is about a 32-mile — or 40-minute — drive from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, the site where the Super Bowl will be played Sunday.... Such is the request of Ed Cardoza, the superintendent of the Monmouth County cemetery where legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi is buried, according to a report by the ''New York Daily News''."</ref>

==In popular culture==
In 1968, Lombardi starred in a half-hour motivational film titled ''[[Second Effort]]'', which has been called "The best-selling training film of all time".<ref name = Page2>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/page2/wash/s/2002/0305/1346027.html|title=Coach, Symbol, Savior|website=Page 2|publisher=ESPN.com|last=Maraniss|first=David|access-date=January 19, 2010}}</ref><ref name=PDF1>{{cite web|url=http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/FootballStudies/1999/FS0202h.pdf|title="Winning Isn't Everything, It's The Only Thing", the Origin, Attribution, and Influence of a Famous Football Quote|last=Overman|first=Stephen J.|year=1999|access-date=January 19, 2010|archive-date=May 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528073701/http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/FootballStudies/1999/FS0202h.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On December 14, 1973, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] aired ''Legend in Granite'' starring [[Ernest Borgnine]] as Vince. The biographical TV drama focused mostly on his first two seasons as Packers head coach (1959–1960).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186300/|title=Legend in Granite|date=December 14, 1973|access-date=April 25, 2017|via=IMDb|archive-date=February 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214033633/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186300/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A [[Rest area|service area]] on the [[New Jersey Turnpike]] dedicated to and named after Lombardi opened in 1974.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Phalon |first1=Richard |title=Lombardi Service Area Dedicated on Turnpike |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/02/06/archives/lombardi-service-area-dedicated-on-turnpike.html |access-date=September 2, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=February 6, 1974}}</ref>

The high school in the 1979 movie ''[[Rock 'n' Roll High School]]'' is named Vince Lombardi High School.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rock 'n' Roll High School synopsis and movie info |url=https://www.tribute.ca/movies/rock-n-roll-high-school/28323/ |website=Tribute.ca |publisher=[[Tribute (magazine)|Tribute]] |access-date=September 2, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rock 'n' Roll High School on iTunes |url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/movie/rock-n-roll-high-school/id1404619234 |website=iTunes Preview |date=August 24, 1979 |access-date=September 2, 2020 |language=en-ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rock 'N' Roll High School |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/rock-n-roll-high-school/review/116190/ |website=TVGuide.com |publisher=[[TV Guide]] |access-date=September 2, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010002034/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/rock-n-roll-high-school/review/116190/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1986, [[CHCH-DT|CHCH]] aired the TV movie ''Lombardi: I Am Not a Legend'' starring [[Robert Knuckle]] in the title role depicting Lombardi's life up until the NFL.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lombardi: I Am Not a Legend (1986)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0277103/combined|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=February 3, 2014|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324194129/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0277103/combined|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1996, [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] aired several commercials featuring [[Jerry Stiller]] as the ghost of Lombardi.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sandomir |first1=Richard |title=From a Loser's Father To a Legendary Winner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/14/sports/from-a-loser-s-father-to-a-legendary-winner.html |access-date=September 2, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=January 14, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Meinert |first1=Kendra |title=Jerry Stiller played Vince Lombardi for a series of Nike commercials in the '90s, including one shot at Al's Hamburger |url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/fans/2020/05/11/jerry-stillers-portrayal-legendary-packers-coach-vince-lombardi-nike-once-brought-him-als-hamburgers/3107623001/ |access-date=September 2, 2020 |work=[[Green Bay Press-Gazette]] |date=May 11, 2020}}</ref>

In 2005, ESPN produced ''[[Code Breakers (film)|Code Breakers]]'', depicting the West Point cheating scandal and its effect on the football program. Richard Zeppieri played then-Assistant Coach Lombardi.<ref>{{cite web|title=Code Breakers (2005) (TV)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463944/combined|publisher=Internet Movie Database|access-date=February 3, 2014|archive-date=December 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224063815/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463944/combined|url-status=live}}</ref>

A play titled ''[[Lombardi (play)|Lombardi]]'' opened on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York City in October 2010, following an out-of-town tryout at the Mahaiwe Theater in [[Great Barrington, Massachusetts]]. The production starred [[Dan Lauria]] as Lombardi and [[Judith Light]] as his wife, Marie. The play received positive reviews, as did Lauria's performance.<ref>Hague, Jim. "'Lombardi' on Broadway is a smash hit" "Tasty Tidbits" ''[[The Union City Reporter]]''; October 24, 2010; pg. 12–13</ref>

[[NFL Films]] and [[HBO]] produced a [[Lombardi (film)|film]] about Lombardi that debuted Saturday, December 11, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/HBO-Air-Documentary-1019992.aspx|title=HBO to Air Documentary on Vince Lombardi|work=TV Guide |publisher=TVGuide.com|access-date=June 29, 2010|archive-date=October 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024123304/http://www.tvguide.com/News/HBO-Air-Documentary-1019992.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Honors ==
* In May 1967, Lombardi "...&nbsp;received Fordham's highest honor, the Insignis Medal&nbsp;...<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordham.edu/campus_resources/enewsroom/fordham_magazine/fordham_online/vince_lombardi_a_coa_26512.asp|title=Vince Lombardi: A Coach for All Seasons|publisher=Fordham.edu|access-date=February 7, 2011|archive-date=June 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620222805/http://www.fordham.edu/campus_resources/enewsroom/fordham_magazine/fordham_online/vince_lombardi_a_coa_26512.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> for being a great teacher"{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|pp=408–409}}
* On January 13, 1969, he was inducted into the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta|Knights of Malta]] at St. Patrick's.{{sfn|Flynn|1976|p=38}}
* In Italy, in the city of Castelgiorgio, the football field where the first World Championship Final of American Football was played is named after Vince Lombardi.
* Inducted into the Fordham University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1971<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordhamsports.com/hallfame/hall-of-fame.html|title=Fordham University Official Athletic Site|publisher=Fordhamsports.com|access-date=February 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310131301/http://www.fordhamsports.com/hallfame/hall-of-fame.html|archive-date=March 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordhamsports.com/genrel/lombardi_vincent00.html|title=Player Bio: Vincent Lombardi&nbsp;— Fordham Official Athletic Site|publisher=Fordhamsports.com|access-date=February 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720152805/http://www.fordhamsports.com/genrel/lombardi_vincent00.html|archive-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Vince Lombardi statue.jpg|thumb|right|Statue of Vince Lombardi at Lambeau Field.]]
* As part of the [[Lambeau Field]] renovation in 2003, a 14-foot statue of Lombardi (along with one for [[Curly Lambeau]]) now stands on a plaza outside the stadium.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garber |first1=Greg |title=Toughest NFL venues: No. 3, Frozen in time |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8480570/nfl-hot-read-best-home-field-advantage-no-3 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=September 2, 2020 |language=en |date=October 9, 2012 |archive-date=June 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612055836/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8480570/nfl-hot-read-best-home-field-advantage-no-3 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Meinert |first1=Kendra |title=Lambeau statues bring fans from far and wide |url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/fans/2016/06/24/lambeau-statues-bring-fans-far-and-wide/85528346/ |access-date=September 2, 2020 |work=Green Bay Press-Gazette |date=June 24, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lambeau, Lombardi Statues Installed At Lambeau Field |url=https://www.packers.com/news/lambeau-lombardi-statues-installed-at-lambeau-field-2474770 |website=www.packers.com |access-date=September 2, 2020 |date=August 21, 2003 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807102046/https://www.packers.com/news/lambeau-lombardi-statues-installed-at-lambeau-field-2474770 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* In 1968, Highland Avenue in Green Bay, home to the Packers' [[Lambeau Field]], was renamed Lombardi Avenue.{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=444}}
* In 1969, the [[Catholic Youth Organization]] (CYO) awarded Lombardi with the [[Jack Mara]] sportsman of the year.{{sfn|Flynn|1976|p=39}}{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=459}}
* The [[Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center|Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center]] at [[Georgetown University]] is named in his honor.<ref name="georgetown.edu">{{cite web|url=http://lombardi.georgetown.edu/about/ataglance.html|title=About|website=georgetown.edu|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=December 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210010141/http://lombardi.georgetown.edu/about/ataglance.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* One of the [[Green Bay Area Public School District|Green Bay School District]]'s public middle schools is named the ''Lombardi Middle School''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Imrie |first1=Robert |title=School Named After Vince Lombardi |url=https://apnews.com/b314a60116004a0523cf5920072bfd2d |access-date=September 2, 2020 |work=AP NEWS |date=January 21, 1998 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301075123/https://apnews.com/b314a60116004a0523cf5920072bfd2d |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lombardi Middle School |url=https://lombardi.gbaps.org/ |website=lombardi.gbaps.org |publisher=[[Green Bay Area Public School District]] |access-date=September 2, 2020 |archive-date=September 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906194823/https://lombardi.gbaps.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The football field at [[Old Bridge High School]] in [[Old Bridge, New Jersey]], is named ''Lombardi Field.''<ref>{{cite news|author=Chiusano, Anthony|title=OBHS alumnus replaces long-time head football coach|newspaper=KnightLife|location=Old Bridge, New Jersey|date=September–October 2010|url=http://www.oldbridgeadmin.org/files/filesystem/knightlife-fall.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208221925/http://www.oldbridgeadmin.org/files/filesystem/knightlife-fall.pdf|archive-date=December 8, 2013}}</ref> The football field in Palisades Park is also known as ''Lombardi Field''.<ref name="powermediallc.org">{{Cite web|url=http://palisadespark.powermediallc.org/2010/09/30/football-is-back/|title=Football is Back &#124; Palisades Park High School|date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507232229/http://palisadespark.powermediallc.org/2010/09/30/football-is-back/ |archive-date=May 7, 2011 }}</ref>
* A plaque dedication installed in 1974 in the sidewalk on a square (unofficially called Vince Lombardi Square) near Sheepshead Bay Road and East 14th Street in Brooklyn, New York.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Vince Lombardi — Brooklyn native — is a forgotten hero in his borough |first=Laura |last=Gottesdiener |newspaper=The Brooklyn Paper |date=January 25, 2011 |url=http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/34/4/all_lombardiplaque_2011_1_28_bk.html |archive-date=December 11, 2013 |access-date=May 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211045806/http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/34/4/all_lombardiplaque_2011_1_28_bk.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* There are two places in the [[Bensonhurst]] area, which are, or were, dedicated to Lombardi at one time: P.S. 204 Vince Lombardi Elementary School,<ref name="nyc.gov">{{cite web|url=http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/20/K204/default.htm|title=Welcome – P.S. 204 Vince Lombardi – K204 – New York City Department of Education|website=nyc.gov|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=September 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911065712/http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/20/K204/default.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and the entire Bensonhurst stretch of 16th Avenue was once dedicated by the City of New York as "Vince Lombardi Boulevard"<ref name="brooklynpaper.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/34/4/all_lombardifactbox_2011_1_28_bk.html|title=Vince Lombardi — a life|website=brooklynpaper.com|date=January 25, 2011|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702084613/http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/34/4/all_lombardifactbox_2011_1_28_bk.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The [[Vince Lombardi Park & Ride|Vince Lombardi Service Area and park-and-ride]] is the northernmost rest area on the [[New Jersey Turnpike]], at mileposts 116E on the Eastern Spur and 115.5W on the Western Spur. Outside the gift shop is a plaque about his life, which notes that he is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, [[Middletown Township, New Jersey#Notable residents|Middletown, New Jersey]].
* The Vincent T. Lombardi Council, No. 6552, [[Knights of Columbus]], in Middletown, NJ is named for him.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Vincent T. Lombardi Council 6552 |url=https://kofc6552.org/ |website=kofc6552.org |publisher=[[Knights of Columbus]] |access-date=September 2, 2020 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029234816/https://kofc6552.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* The Vince Lombardi Cancer clinic at [[Aurora Health Care]] is named after him.<ref name="aurorahealthcare.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/cancer/experts/locations/default.aspx|title=Vince Lombardi Cancer clinic website|website=aurorahealthcare.org|access-date=April 25, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722233859/http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/cancer/experts/locations/default.aspx|archive-date=July 22, 2010}}</ref>
* The Vincent T. Lombardi Center at [[Fordham University]] was named for the coach.<ref name="fordham.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.fordham.edu/student_affairs/deans_of_students_an/student_handbooks/rose_hill_student_ha/division_of_student_/vincent_t_lombardi_m_70820.asp|title=Fordham online information – Student Life – Deans of Students and Student Life|last=Fordham|website=fordham.edu|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=December 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210085044/http://www.fordham.edu/student_affairs/deans_of_students_an/student_handbooks/rose_hill_student_ha/division_of_student_/vincent_t_lombardi_m_70820.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In 1970, the NFL's Super Bowl Trophy was renamed the [[Vince Lombardi Trophy]]{{sfn|Maraniss|1999|p=499}}
* In 1970, the [[Rotary International|Rotary]] Club of Houston created the [[Lombardi Award]], which is given annually to the best college football [[American football positions|offensive]], or [[American football positions|defensive]], lineman or [[linebacker]].<ref name="rotarylombardiaward.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.rotarylombardiaward.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=9|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201162946/http://www.rotarylombardiaward.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=9|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2013|title=Rotary Lombardi Award|first=Maydrick|last=Arnaud|website=rotarylombardiaward.com|access-date=April 25, 2017}}</ref>
* In 1969, Lombardi received the [[Silver Buffalo Award]], the [[Scouting in Wisconsin|highest adult award]] given by the [[Boy Scouts of America]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Scouting magazine: List of Silver Buffalo recipients |url=https://scoutingmagazine.org/silverbuffalo/#:~:text=Lombardi |website=Scouting magazine |access-date=September 2, 2020 |date=June 9, 2020 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709072231/https://scoutingmagazine.org/silverbuffalo/#:~:text=Lombardi |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Lombardi was enshrined in the NFL's [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1971.{{sfn|Phillips|2001|p=184}}
* Lombardi was elected to the [[Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame]] in 1976.<ref name="prod.static.packers.clubs.nfl.com" />
* Lombardi is a member of the [[Washington Commanders#Ring of Fame|Ring of Fame]] of the [[Washington Commanders]] (formerly known as the Redskins).<ref>{{cite web |title=History Ring of Fame Table |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/history-ring-of-fame-table |website=Washington Commanders |access-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204061349/https://www.commanders.com/news/history-ring-of-fame-table |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Induction into the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1988<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.americanfootballassn.com/forms/2010HallofFameListing.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 28, 2011 |archive-date=January 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122083011/http://www.americanfootballassn.com/forms/2010HallofFameListing.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* In 2008, Lombardi is inducted into the ''[[New Jersey Hall of Fame]]''<ref name="nj.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2008/05/new_jersey_hall_of_fame_welcom.html|title=New Jersey Hall of Fame welcomes first-ever class|website=nj.com|date=May 5, 2008|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409071119/https://www.nj.com/news/2008/05/new_jersey_hall_of_fame_welcom.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Lombardi appeared on a U.S. [[Postage stamp]] first issued on July 25, 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/artofthestamp/subpage%20table%20images/artwork/athletics/Vince%20Lombardi/vincelambardi.htm|title=Legendary Football Coaches: Vince Lombardi|publisher=Postalmuseum.si.edu|date=July 25, 1997|access-date=February 7, 2011|archive-date=June 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616141051/http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/artofthestamp/SubPage%20table%20images/artwork/athletics/Vince%20Lombardi/vincelambardi.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Head coaching record ==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win ratio!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
![[1959 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]||[[1959 NFL season|1959]]
||7||5||0||.583||T-3rd in NFL West|| – || – || – || –
|- style="background:#fdd;"
![[1960 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]||[[1960 NFL season|1960]]
||8||4||0||.667||'''1st in NFL West'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || {{small|'''Lost to [[1960 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] in [[1960 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship]]'''}}
|- ! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1961 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]||[[1961 NFL season|1961]]
||11||3||0||.786||'''1st in NFL West'''|| 1 || 0 || 1.000 || {{small|'''Won [[1961 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship]]'''}}
|- ! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1962 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]||[[1962 NFL season|1962]]
||13||1||0||.929||'''1st in NFL West'''|| 1 || 0 || 1.000 || {{small|'''Won [[1962 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship]]'''}}
|-
![[1963 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]||[[1963 NFL season|1963]]
||11||2||1||.846||2nd in NFL West|| – || – || – || –
|-
![[1964 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]||[[1964 NFL season|1964]]
||8||5||1||.615||2nd in NFL West|| – || – || – || –
|- ! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1965 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]||[[1965 NFL season|1965]]
||10||3||1||.769||'''1st in NFL West'''|| 2 || 0 || 1.000 || {{small|'''Won [[1965 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship]]'''}}
|- ! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1966 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]||[[1966 NFL season|1966]]
||12||2||0||.847||'''1st in NFL West'''|| 2 || 0 || 1.000 || {{small|'''[[Super Bowl I]] champions'''}}
|- ! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1967 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]||[[1967 NFL season|1967]]
||9||4||1||.692||'''1st in NFL Central'''|| 3 || 0 || 1.000 || {{small|'''[[Super Bowl II]] champions'''}}
|-
! colspan="2"|GB Total||89||29||4||.754||||9||1||.900||5 NFL Championships, 6 conference titles,<br />in 9 seasons
|-
![[1969 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]||[[1969 NFL season|1969]]
||7||5||2||.583||2nd in Eastern Capital|| – || – || – || –
|-
! colspan="2"|WAS Total||7||5||2||.583||||||||||
|-
! colspan="2"|Total||96||34||6||.738||||9||1||.900||
|}
{{small|Source:}}<ref name="prod.static.packers.clubs.nfl.com" />
* The Packers played in the [[Third place playoff|third-place]] [[Playoff Bowl]] in [[Miami Orange Bowl|Miami]] after the 1963 and 1964 seasons; these are categorized as exhibition games.

== Coaching tree==
Vince Lombardi worked under one head coach:
* [[Jim Lee Howell]], [[New York Giants]] (1954–1958)

Assistants under Vince Lombardi who became college or professional head coaches:
*[[Bill Austin (American football, born 1928)|Bill Austin]], [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] (1966–1968), [[Washington Redskins]] (1970)
*[[Phil Bengtson]], [[Green Bay Packers]] (1968–1970), [[New England Patriots]] (1972)
*[[Jerry Burns]], [[Minnesota Vikings]] (1986–1991)
*[[Tom Fears]], [[New Orleans Saints]] (1967–1970), [[Southern California Sun]] (1974–1975)
*[[Norb Hecker]], [[Atlanta Falcons]] (1966–1968)
*[[Mike McCormack (American football)|Mike McCormack]], [[Philadelphia Eagles]] (1973–1975), [[Baltimore Colts]] (1980–1981), [[Seattle Seahawks]] (1982)
*[[Harland Svare]], [[Los Angeles Rams]] (1962–1965), [[San Diego Chargers]] (1971–1973)

== {{anchor|Books}}Books ==
* ''Run to Daylight!'' by Vince Lombardi with [[W. C. Heinz]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lombardi |first1=Vince |last2=Heinz |first2=W. C. |title=Run to Daylight! |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nJVsAAAACAAJ |publisher=Prentice-Hall |access-date=September 2, 2020 |language=en |date=1963|isbn=9780137838523 }}</ref>

== {{anchor|Books written about him}}Books written about him ==

* ''[[Instant Replay (book)|Instant Replay, the Green Bay Diary of Jerry Kramer]]'' by [[Jerry Kramer]] and [[Dick Schaap]]{{sfn|Kramer|Schapp|2006}}
* ''Football's Greatest Coach: Vince Lombardi'' by [[Gene Schoor]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schoor |first1=Gene | author-link1 =Gene Schoor |title=Football's Greatest Coach: Vince Lombardi |date=1975 |publisher=Pocket Books |isbn=978-0-671-80130-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7fc5PAAACAAJ |access-date=September 2, 2020 |language=en }}</ref>
* ''The Lombardi Legacy: Thirty People who were Touched by Greatness'' by Royce Boyles and Dave Robinson<ref>{{cite book |last1=Robinson |first1=Richard David |title=The Lombardi Legacy: 30 Stories of Those Touched by Greatness |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=coISQgAACAAJ |publisher=Goose Creek Publishers | isbn = 9781596330214 |access-date=September 2, 2020 |language=en |date=December 2009}}</ref>
* ''Coach: A Season With Lombardi'' by Tom Dowling<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dowling |first1=Tom |title=Coach: A Season with Lombardi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ToSSnAEACAAJ |publisher=W W Norton & Company | isbn = 9780393331547 |access-date=September 2, 2020 |language=en |date=September 1970}}</ref>
* ''[[When Pride Still Mattered|When Pride Still Mattered : A Life Of Vince Lombardi]]'' by [[David Maraniss]]{{sfn|Maraniss|1999}}
* ''Vince'' by Michael O'Brien<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Riess |first1=Steven A. |title=Michael O'Brien. Vince: A Personal Biography of Vince Lombardi. New York: William Morrow. 1987. Pp. 457. $19.95 |url=https://academic.oup.com/ahr/article-abstract/94/2/550/69303 |journal=The American Historical Review |access-date=September 2, 2020 |pages=550 |language=en |doi=10.1086/ahr/94.2.550 |date=April 1, 1989 |volume=94 |issue=2 |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130024006/https://academic.oup.com/ahr/article-abstract/94/2/550/69303 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''Run to Win: Vince Lombardi on Coaching and Leadership'' by [[Donald T. Phillips]]{{sfn|Phillips|2001}}

== See also ==
* [[List of Knights of Columbus members#Sports and athletics|List of Knights of Columbus members]]
* [[List of NFL head coach wins leaders]]
* [[List of NFL head coaches by playoff record]]
* [[List of Super Bowl head coaches]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Sources ==
* {{Cite book |last=Claerbaut |first=David |year=2004 |title=Bart Starr: When Leadership Mattered |location=Lanham, MD |publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing |isbn=978-1-58979-117-6 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Jeff |year=2005 |title=Papa Bear, the life and legacy of George Halas |location=New York |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=978-0-07-146054-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/papabear00jeff }}
* {{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Jeff |year=2008 |title=Rozelle: Czar of the NFL |location=New York |publisher=McGraw-Hill |others=Foreword by Ernie Accorsi |isbn=978-0-07-159352-6 }}
* {{Cite journal|last1=Day|first1=Paul|last2=Iyer|first2=Vinnie|last3=Boswell|first3=James|title=Sports' 50 greatest coaches|journal=Sporting News |date=August 3, 2009 |volume=233|issue=16|pages=32–45}}
* {{Cite book |last=Eisenberg |first=John |year=2009 |title=That First Season: How Vince Lombardi Took the Worst Team in the NFL and Set It on the Path to Glory |location=New York |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company }}
* {{Cite book |last=Flynn |first=George L. |year=1976 |title=The Vince Lombardi Scrapbook |location=New York |publisher=Grosset and Dunlap New York |isbn=978-0-448-12401-8 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Gruver |first=Edward |year=1998 |title=The Ice Bowl: The Cold Truth About Football's Most Unforgettable Game |location=Ithaca, New York |publisher=McBooks Press, Inc. |isbn=978-1-59013-080-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/icebowlcoldtruth00gruv }}
* {{Cite book |last1=Kramer |first1=Jerry |last2=Schapp |first2=Dick |year=2006 |title=Instant Replay, The Green Bay Diary of Jerry Kramer |location=New York |publisher=Doubleday |isbn=978-0-385-51745-4 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/stealingyourlife00abag }}
* {{Cite book |last=Levy |first=Alan H. |year=2003 |title=Tackling Jim Crow, Racial Segregation in Professional Football |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |publisher=McFarland and Co., Inc |isbn=978-0-7864-1597-7 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Lombardi |first=Vince Jr. |year=2003 |title=The Essential Vince Lombardi: Words & Wisdom to Motivate |location=New York |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=978-0-07-139096-5 }}
* {{Cite book |last=MacCambridge |first=Michael |year=2004 |title=America's Game |location=New York |publisher=Anchor Books |isbn=978-0-307-48143-6 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Maraniss |first=David |year=1999 |title=When Pride Still Mattered, A Life of Vince Lombardi |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-0-618-90499-0 |title-link=When Pride Still Mattered }}
* {{Cite book |last=O'Brien |first=Michael |year=1987 |title=Vince: A Personal Biography of Vince Lombardi |location=New York |publisher=William Morrow and Company, Inc. |isbn=978-0-688-07406-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/vincepersonalbio0000obri }}
* {{Cite book |last=Phillips |first=Donald T. |year=2001 |title=Run to Win |location=New York |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |isbn=978-0-312-27298-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/runtowin00dona }}
* {{Cite book |last=Ross |first=Charles K. |year=1999 |title=Outside the Lines: African Americans and the Integration of the National Football League |location=New York |publisher=New York Publishing Company |isbn=978-0-8147-7495-3 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/outsidelinesafri0000ross }}
* {{Cite book |last1=Summerall |first1=Pat |last2=Levin |first2=Michael |year=2010 |title=Giants: What I learned about life from Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry |location=Hoboken, NJ |publisher=John Wiley and Sons, Inc |isbn=978-0-470-90908-9 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Wiebusch |first=John |year=1971 |title=Lombardi |location=Chicago |publisher=Triumph Books |isbn=978-1-57243-028-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/lombardi00triu }}

== Further reading ==
* Cavanaugh, Jack (2008), ''Giants Among Men''. New York: Random House. {{ISBN|978-1-58836-697-9}}.
* Gifford, Frank and Richmond, Peter (2008), ''The Glory Game: How the 1958 NFL Championship Changed Football Forever''. New York: HarperCollins. {{ISBN|978-0-06-171659-1}}.
* Lombardi, Vince Jr. (2001), ''What It Takes to Be #1: Vince Lombardi on Leadership''. New York: McGraw-Hill.
* Lombardi, Vince Jr. (2003), ''The Lombardi Rules: 26 Lessons from Vince Lombardi: The World's Greatest Coach''. New York: McGraw-Hill.

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Profootballhof|id=132|name=Vince Lombardi}}

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