“It was almost like a death camp-” Throwback to some of the best moments of Vince Lombardi at Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers‘ celebrated its late head coach Vince Lombardi birthday recently. The team tweeted a video with some of Lombardi’s iconic moments during his nine years at the Packers. They honored the man who led them to five NFL championships and two Super Bowl wins.

Vince Lombardi training camp was known as a death camp

The homage video opens with Lombardi training his players on the field like a drill sergeant He is seen motivating his players to push themselves to their limits. Jerry Kramer, former Packers’ Guard who has played under the coach, joked that Lombardi’s training camp was like a death camp.

Kramer was referring to the high standards that Lombardi set for his players, on and off the field. One of Lombardi’s popular belief was that winning was not everything; it was the only thing. He believed that the coming second was not an option. Kramer added that in one way or another, Lombardi got to every player with his motivational speeches.

As the video progresses, there is footage of Lombardi on the field, interacting with the player and telling them precisely what to do. At one point, we can see an exasperated Lombardi losing his cool. His exacting standards and demand for perseverance are what took the Green Bay Packers to become champions.

In the tribute video, David Robinson, former Packers’ Linebacker, said that Lombardi and his no-nonsense motivational speech had the power to fire up the players. He further added that the inflection in Lombardi’s voice would inspire most of the players to give their 100%.

Former Green Bay Packers’ linebacker praising Vince Lombardi

Citing his example, Robinson said that if Vince Lombardi had told him to get the quarterback standing behind a steel door, he would do everything it took to get the job done — even if it meant breaking the door.

When Vince Lombardi joined the Green Bay Packers in 1959, the team was losing. But the legendary football coach turned their fate around by pushing players to work hard and persevere. His strategy eventually paid off as he shaped a team of champions and led them to several victories.

Lombardi died in 1970, but his work ethic and dedication to the game still defines professional football. In 1971, the Super Bowl Trophy was named after Lombardi to honor his legendary contribution to the game.