Lombardi's name synonymous with Green Bay

GREEN BAY (WITI) -- After dropping off the kids at Lombardi Middle School, head down Lombardi Avenue to check out the statue of Vince Lombardi at Lambeau Field.

While there, swing by a replica of his office in the Packers Hall of Fame.

Among all the awards, commendations and keys to several cities behind glass display cases, there’s even a board game called 'Vince Lombardi's Game.'

Vince Lombardi would have turned 100 years old Tuesday. Lombardi died in 1970 at the age of 57, one year after leaving the Packers to coach the Washington Redskins.

Considering Lombardi's impact during his ten years with the Green Bay Packers – winning five world championships – no doubt he earned a spot in the Packers history books.

"During the Lambeau years, I mean they won six NFL championships,” explained Cliff Christl of the famous former Packer and coach Curly Lambeau. “But even then, they were always in trouble, there was always a question of survival. They had to win to revive that franchise and Lombardi did that."

Christl was a long-time Packers beat writer and is a local expert in Packers history.

Christl says though he wasn't able to cover Lombardi's Packers as a reporter, as a Packers fan growing up in Green Bay, the man's personality was undeniable.

"I don't know that in the history of mankind, there have been too many, larger than life personalities as big as his," said Christl.

Lombardi’s name is synonymous with hard work.

Have trouble showing up late? Lombardi had an app for that – it was called a watch. No fancy smart phones or alarms. If you knew how to set your watch and tell time, you’d set it fifteen minutes ahead.

More than a coach

"I got up this morning and a couple tears came to my eyes to think that I just didn't have enough time to spend with him," recalled Sue Lombardi, Vince Lombardi’s daughter.

At Titletown Brewing Company, Sue reminisced about her time with her father. Sue says he was a strict man – especially when it came to curfews.

"My ball players have to be in at 11 - you'll be in at 11!” said Sue, mimicking her father’s low voice. “Anything after 11 means nothing but trouble!"

While football may have been his job, Sue says golf was his passion.

"He liked to chase that little white ball a lot,” she remembered. “So, any chance, like a day like today, we wouldn't see him."

And obviously, Titletown wouldn't be Titletown if it weren't for its titles; and by no accident they are named after you know who.

Soon, there will be another Lombardi-named item you can add to the list. Titletown Brewery in Green Bay is partnering up with Vince Lombardi's grandson John Lombardi to produce the "Lombardi Lager." The hope is to have it ready to drink by this fall.