Green Bay Packers Timeline

(1919 - Present)

The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Founded in 1919 by Earl 'Curly' Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun, they joined the NFL in 1921 and became the league's third-oldest franchise. Unique among major professional sports teams, the Packers are community-owned by fans. The team has won 13 league championships, including four Super Bowls, and has featured legendary figures such as Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Brett Favre, and Aaron Rodgers. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Franchise Origins

Green Bay Packers founded by Curly Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun

Aug 11, 1919

Curly Lambeau, a star high school football player, and George Whitney Calhoun founded the Green Bay Packers with funding from Lambeau's employer, the Indian Packing Company. The team played its first season in 1919 against other Wisconsin clubs, laying the foundation for what would become the NFL's most storied franchise.

Image source: History of the Green Bay Packers

Packers join the American Professional Football Association

Aug 27, 1921

The Packers were granted a franchise in the American Professional Football Association, the forerunner of the National Football League, paying an entry fee of $50. They became one of the league's founding members, though they briefly lost their franchise that year before it was restored.

Image source: 1921 Green Bay Packers season

City Stadium renamed Lambeau Field in honor of Curly Lambeau

Sep 11, 1965

Following the death of founder Curly Lambeau in June 1965, Green Bay renamed City Stadium as Lambeau Field. The venue has become one of the most hallowed grounds in American sports, known for its passionate fans called 'Cheeseheads' and the 'Frozen Tundra.'

Image source: Lambeau Field

Packers celebrate 100th season and franchise centennial

Sep 9, 2018 - Dec 30, 2018

The Packers celebrated their 100th season, marking a century since Curly Lambeau and George Calhoun founded the club in 1919. As the NFL's only community-owned, non-profit team, Green Bay honored its unique heritage with year-long festivities.

Image source: 2018 Green Bay Packers season

Championships and Super Bowls

Packers win their first NFL championship

Dec 6, 1929

Under player-coach Curly Lambeau, the Packers posted a perfect 12–0–1 record to claim their first NFL championship. The title was determined by final standings, as no championship game existed at the time, and it began a run of three consecutive titles.

Packers win back-to-back-to-back championships (1930-1931)

Dec 14, 1930 - Dec 13, 1931

Green Bay captured consecutive NFL championships in 1930 and 1931, completing an unprecedented three-peat from 1929 through 1931. The feat established the small-town Packers as the NFL's first dynasty and remains one of the most remarkable runs in league history.

Image source: 1931 Green Bay Packers season

Packers win NFL Championship Game over Boston Redskins

Dec 13, 1936

Green Bay defeated the Boston Redskins 21–6 at New York's Polo Grounds to win its fourth NFL championship. It was the team's first title won via the newly instituted championship game format rather than by standings.

Image source: 1936 NFL Championship Game

Packers win NFL championship over Giants

Dec 10, 1939

The Packers beat the New York Giants 27–0 on a frozen field at Milwaukee's State Fair Park to claim their fifth NFL championship, capping a dominant season led by Don Hutson and Arnie Herber.

Image source: 1939 NFL Championship Game

Packers defeat Giants again for NFL title

Dec 8, 1944

Green Bay won its sixth NFL championship by defeating the New York Giants 14–7 at New York's Polo Grounds, securing the franchise's last title of the pre-Vince Lombardi era during World War II.

Image source: 1944 NFL Championship Game

Packers win 1965 NFL Championship over Browns

Jan 9, 1966

Led by Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung, the Packers defeated the Cleveland Browns 23–12 to win the 1965 NFL title, launching the greatest dynasty stretch in franchise history under Vince Lombardi.

Image source: 1965 NFL Championship Game

Packers win the first AFL-NFL World Championship (Super Bowl I)

Jan 15, 1967

Green Bay routed the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10 in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to win the first-ever AFL-NFL World Championship Game, later known as Super Bowl I. Bart Starr earned MVP honors as the Packers proved NFL superiority over the upstart AFL.

Image source: Super Bowl I

'Ice Bowl' — Packers win NFL Championship in brutal cold

Dec 31, 1967

Played at -13°F at Lambeau Field with wind chills near -48°F, the Ice Bowl saw the Packers drive down the field in the final seconds, scoring on Bart Starr's famous quarterback sneak behind Jerry Kramer and Ken Bowman to beat Dallas 21–17. It is considered one of the greatest games in NFL history.

Image source: 1967 NFL Championship Game

Packers win Super Bowl II in Lombardi's farewell game

Jan 14, 1968

The Packers crushed the Oakland Raiders 33–14 in Miami to win their second consecutive Super Bowl and fifth championship in seven years. It was Vince Lombardi's final game as Green Bay's head coach, cementing his legendary legacy.

Packers win Super Bowl XXXI over Patriots

Jan 26, 1997

Green Bay defeated the New England Patriots 35–21 in New Orleans to capture its 12th NFL championship and first Super Bowl since the Lombardi era. Desmond Howard returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown en route to MVP honors.

Image source: Super Bowl XXXI

Aaron Rodgers leads Packers to Super Bowl XLV victory

Feb 6, 2011

Aaron Rodgers threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns as the Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31–25 in Dallas, winning the franchise's 13th NFL championship and fourth Super Bowl. Rodgers was named Super Bowl MVP, cementing his emergence from Favre's shadow.

Image source: Super Bowl XLV

Legendary Players and Coaches

Don Hutson joins the Packers and revolutionizes the receiver position

Sep 22, 1935

Don Hutson, widely regarded as pro football's first great wide receiver, debuted for Green Bay. His speed, route-running, and hands transformed offensive football; he led the NFL in receiving eight times and set records that stood for decades.

Image source: Don Hutson

Vince Lombardi hired as head coach and general manager

Feb 2, 1959

Green Bay hired Vince Lombardi, previously an assistant with the New York Giants, as head coach and general manager. He inherited a team that had finished 1–10–1 in 1958 and immediately instilled a winning culture built on discipline and execution.

Image source: Vince Lombardi

Ray Nitschke anchors the famed 'Monsters' defense era

Oct 28, 1962

Hall of Fame middle linebacker Ray Nitschke anchored the Packers' punishing defenses throughout the Lombardi dynasty. His leadership and toughness defined the unit that shut down opponents in five championship victories across the 1960s.

Image source: Ray Nitschke

Bart Starr named MVP of the first two Super Bowls

Jan 15, 1967 - Jan 14, 1968

Quarterback Bart Starr was named Most Valuable Player of both Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II, becoming the only quarterback to lead his team to victory in the first two Super Bowls. A 17th-round draft pick, he embodied the precision of Lombardi's offense.

Image source: Bart Starr

Vince Lombardi retires as Packers head coach

Jan 31, 1968

After nine seasons, five NFL championships, and two Super Bowl wins, Vince Lombardi stepped down as head coach but remained general manager. His .758 winning percentage and transformative impact made him the standard by which all coaches are measured; the Super Bowl trophy now bears his name.

Vince Lombardi dies of cancer at age 57

Sep 3, 1970

Vince Lombardi died of colon cancer just weeks before the start of the 1970 NFL season. In tribute, the NFL renamed the Super Bowl trophy the Vince Lombardi Trophy, permanently linking the game's ultimate prize with his name.

Bart Starr returns as Packers head coach

Jan 26, 1975 - Dec 18, 1983

Green Bay brought back its legendary quarterback as head coach in 1975. Though his tenure produced modest results amid a long playoff drought, Starr's return symbolized the franchise's deep connection to its championship past.

Packers retire jersey numbers of Starr, Nitschke and Hornung

Jul 1985

The Packers honored their greatest legends by retiring the numbers of Bart Starr (#16), Ray Nitschke (#66), and Paul Hornung (#5). Green Bay remains unique among NFL teams for its tradition of retiring very few numbers, reserving the honor for its immortals.

Image source: Green Bay Packers

Packers retire jersey numbers of Starr, Nitschke and Hornung

Brett Favre wins three straight NFL MVP awards

Nov 1995 - Jan 1998

Quarterback Brett Favre became the first player in NFL history to win three consecutive Most Valuable Player awards (1995, 1996, 1997). His gunslinger style, durability, and charisma revitalized the franchise after decades of mediocrity.

Image source: Brett Favre

Brett Favre sets NFL record with 297 consecutive starts

Nov 21, 2010

Brett Favre's legendary iron-man streak reached 297 consecutive regular-season starts as a quarterback, an NFL record showcasing unmatched durability across nearly two decades. He had started every game since September 1992.

Brett Favre's number retired and Hall of Fame induction

Jul 18, 2015

Green Bay retired Brett Favre's No. 4 and inducted him into the team's Ring of Honor during a ceremony at Lambeau Field, followed by his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in Canton. The events healed wounds from his contentious departure years earlier.

Modern Era

Packers sign free agent Reggie White in landmark deal

Apr 6, 1993

In a stunning coup, defensive end Reggie White — the NFL's premier pass rusher — chose to sign with small-market Green Bay, citing his faith and belief in the organization. White's arrival signaled the Packers' return to relevance and helped attract other free agents.

Image source: Reggie White

Packers reach Super Bowl XXXII but lose to Broncos

Jan 25, 1998

Favored to repeat as champions, the Packers fell to John Elway's Denver Broncos 31–24 in San Diego, denying Green Bay back-to-back Super Bowls and ending the NFC's streak of Super Bowl dominance.

Image source: Super Bowl XXXII

Packers go 15–1 in record-setting regular season

Sep 8, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012

Behind MVP Aaron Rodgers' record-setting 122.5 passer rating, the Packers posted a 15–1 regular-season record, matching the best mark in NFL history. Their high-powered offense scored 560 points, though the dream season ended with a divisional-round playoff loss.

Image source: 2011 Green Bay Packers season

Packers reach NFC Championship Game under Matt LaFleur

Jan 19, 2020 - Jan 24, 2021

Under head coach Matt LaFleur, Green Bay reached back-to-back NFC Championship Games following the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Aaron Rodgers won his third MVP award in the 2020 season after throwing 48 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions, keeping the Packers perennial contenders.

Image source: 2020 Green Bay Packers season

Key Facts

The Green Bay Packers were founded on August 11, 1919, by Curly Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun, making them one of the oldest teams in professional football.
The Packers are the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team in the United States, with over 500,000 shareholders.
The team has won a record 13 NFL championships, including four Super Bowl victories (Super Bowls I, II, XXXI, and XLV).
Vince Lombardi led the Packers to five NFL championships between 1959 and 1967, and the Super Bowl trophy is named after him.
The Packers play their home games at Lambeau Field, opened in 1957, which is the longest continuously occupied stadium by an NFL team.

Source

This Green Bay Packers timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

Want a timeline like this one?

Generate yours with AI or build it from scratch, for free.

Try It for Free