My Ryan Grant Blog

Whether you're a die-hard Packer fan from the days of Vince Lombardi or a newcomer learning about the current team, the latest book from Rob Reischel offers must-know facts and must-do suggestions to refresh or enhance your knowledge. What follows is an excerpt highlighting the incredible 1962 team.

Sept. 29, 2010 |(1) Comments

more photos

Rob Reischel has covered the Green Bay Packers for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Packer Plus magazine since 2001. Reischel has received 12 awards from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association for his writing and editing at News Publishing Co.

Reischel's book can be found at all major retailers or triumphbooks.com. Those interested in purchasing a signed copy can contact Reischel at robreischel@gmail.com.

Norm Masters still has the letter.

The one where Vince Lombardi expressed tremendous gratitude to his 1962 Green Bay Packers. Where the legendary coach thanked his team for their mental toughness, applauded their character and reminded them that there is no substitute for winning.

Then, in conclusion, Lombardi wrote that he was sending every player a color television.

"A color TV was big time back in those days," said Masters, an offensive tackle. "But really, that letter has meant a lot to me. I've used it many times in my life and I used so much of what coach Lombardi taught us."

Those 1962 Packers taught Lombardi a thing or two, as well. And of the 12 World Championships that have been won in Green Bay, those '62 Packers are widely regarded as the finest team in franchise history.

"That probably was the best year we had during the Glory Years," quarterback Bart Starr said. "Everything just kind of aligned right that season.

"We avoided injuries that season. It was our fourth year with Vince, so we all knew just what he wanted. And a lot of our core guys were in their prime. It was an incredible season."

Boy, was it ever.

The Packers went 13-1 during the regular season that year, the second-best winning percentage in team history. They defeated the New York Giants, 16-7, to win their second straight NFL Championship. And Green Bay outscored its opponents, 415-148, a margin of nearly 3-to-1.

Only a loss to Detroit on Thanksgiving stopped the Packers from achieving perfection.

"That was a great football team, probably the best of any we had there," safety Willie Wood said. "I look back now and it's incredible how close we were to going unbeaten. That was an incredible football team. There won't be many like that one again."

That's for sure.

Green Bay raced to a 10-0 start, and just two of those games were decided by single digits. After the Packers' loss in Detroit, they won their final three games - including road contests at San Francisco and the Los Angeles Rams - and won the Western Conference by two games over Detroit.

That set up a repeat of the 1961 NFL Championship, where the Packers defeated the New York Giants, 37-0. The game was played in brutal conditions at Yankee Stadium, with winds gusting to 40 miles per hour and a game-time temperature of 13 degrees.

But Green Bay beat both the Giants and the elements, 16-7. Ray Nitschke, the game's eventual MVP, had an interception and recovered two fumbles. Jim Taylor set a playoff record with 31 carries and a touchdown. And Jerry Kramer banged home three field goals. The Giants' only score came when they blocked a Max McGee punt for a touchdown.

"That team was incredible," said former tight Ron Kramer, who spent seven years in Green Bay "Everybody was in their prime, everybody had a great year."

And how.

Taylor bulldozed for 1,474 yards and 19 touchdowns that year, two marks that stood for 41 years before Ahman Green broke them in 2003. Starr had his best season yet, completing 62.5% of his throws and finishing with a 90.7 passer rating.

The dynamic pass catching duo of McGee and Boyd Dowler combined for 98 receptions, more than any pair of receivers in the Lombardi-era. And the offensive line of left tackle Bob Skoronski, left guard Fuzzy Thurston, center Jim Ringo, right guard Jerry Kramer and right tackle Forrest Gregg was unparalleled.

Individual defensive statistics from that time weren't kept. But the Packers' unit included future Hall of Famers in Nitschke, Wood, defensive end Willie Davis and cornerback Herb Adderley. That group allowed just 10.2 points per game and forced a remarkable 59 turnovers.

It's easy to see why Lombardi took the time to write a letter to everyone that played on that team.

"I'm one of the few guys who saved that letter," said Masters, who played with the Packers from 1957-'64 and lives in Detroit today. "Even Vince Lombardi Jr. asked me once where I got it and I said, 'Your Dad sent it out to the team.' It's really special to me."

Just like that 1962 team remains special to Green Bay's fans.

View the original article here