Vince Lombardi

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Lombardi was born on June 11, 1913, in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn to Enrico 'Harry' Lombardi and Matilda 'Mattie' Izzo, both from Southern Italy. He was the oldest of four children. He attended Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception and later St. Francis Preparatory high school. He received a football scholarship to Fordham University, where he played as a right guard on the 1936 Seven Blocks of Granite line. After graduating in 1937, he worked briefly as a debt collector and enrolled in Fordham Law School but dropped out after one semester. He began his coaching career at St. Cecilia High School in Englewood, New Jersey, first as an assistant and later as head coach. He then coached at Fordham University and at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point under Earl Blaik. He served as head coach and general manager for the Green Bay Packers from 1959 to 1967 and the Washington Redskins from 1969 until his death from cancer during the 1970 preseason.

In Their Own Story

The biting wind of a December afternoon in Green Bay whipped across the frozen turf as the final seconds ticked away. The crowd, bundled in wool and leather, held its breath. Vince Lombardi stood on the sideline, his face stern yet calm, watching Bart Starr execute one last play. It wasn't just about winning; it was about proving that discipline could conquer chaos. As the whistle blew and the roar of thousands erupted, Lombardi didn't smile broadly; he simply nodded, knowing this victory was another brick in a fortress they were building together.

Reader's Guide

Lombardi's coaching philosophy emphasized execution, influenced by his time at West Point under Earl Blaik. He never had a losing season in the NFL. His Packers teams won three straight and five total NFL Championships, plus the first two Super Bowls. He is remembered as one of the greatest coaches in American sports.

Did You Know?

• Lombardi was an altar boy at St. Mark Catholic Church.
• He played fullback at St. Francis Preparatory and earned a position on the virtual All-City football team.
• He was part of the 1936 Seven Blocks of Granite offensive line at Fordham.
• He coached at St. Cecilia High School for eight years, winning five state private school championships.
• The NFL Super Bowl trophy is named in his honor.