Lombardi-Revenge was a Motivator

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LeonardRachiele
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Joined: Tue May 22, 2018 4:15 pm

Lombardi-Revenge was a Motivator

Post by LeonardRachiele »

One of the many reasons why Vince Lombardi was successful is that he always wanted to avenge a loss-and frequently did with an amazing pattern.

1960-The Eagles at Franklin Field defeated the upstart Packers in the title game 17 to 13.
1962-In an interconference game at Franklin Field during the season, the Packers struggled to a 49 to 0 win.  I wonder which team was best

1963-To open the season, the College All Stars defeated the Green Bay Packers 20 to 17.   Though only an exhibition, Vince Lombardi said this game, on national television, was the biggest embarrassment of his career.  During the season, the Packers committed seven turnovers in both losses to the Chicago Bears-10 to 3 at home and 26 to 7 at Wrigley Field.   The Packers finished 11-2-1 one game behind the first place Bears, who were 11-1-2.   Paul Hornung sat this season out due to gambling.

1964-Hornung returned and did his usual fine running but his place kicking was way off.  He made only a third of his field goals and missed about six extra points.  Green Bay's two losses to the Baltimore Colts told the story.

--at home Baltimore won 21 to 20.   Hornung missed five field goal and an extra point.
--at Baltimore, the Colts won 24 to 21. Hornung missed five field goals.

After the first game, Paul Hornung told Lombardi he felt like shooting himself.  "Go ahead" Lombardi said, "you'll miss"
The Packers finished second at 8-5-1.  They avenged the two losses to Chicago in the previous year by winning twice-23 to 12 at home and 17 to 3 at Chicago.

1965-This year it was Baltimore's turn to feel pressure from Lombardi.  During the season the Packers  defeated the Colts 20 to 17 at home and 42 to 27 at Baltimore.  Both teams finished at  at 10-3-1 setting up a Western Conference Playoff.  Since Green Bay had won twice in 1965, the game was on their turf.  In 1964, Green Bay lost two to Baltimore mainly from missed field goals.

Vince Lombardi acquired Don Chandler from the New York Giants rightfully relieving  Paul Hornung from placekicking.  The Packers were losing to the Colts 10 to 7 in fourth quarter.  Chandler tied the score sending the game into overtime.  There came his second field goal to win 13 to 10.

1966 and 1967-Memories of the 1963 loss to the All Star Loss stuck with Lombardi.  The Packers won 38 to 0 and 27 to 0.
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