Vincent Thomas Lombardi built a professional career defined by an unprecedented winning percentage in the National Football League. Spanning from his initial coaching role at St. Cecilia High School in 1939 to his final position with the Washington Redskins in 1970, he maintained a record that included five NFL championships and victories in the first two Super Bowls.
Formative Years in Brooklyn
Born in Brooklyn in 1913, Lombardi was the eldest of five children in an Italian-American family. He attended local schools, including Cathedral Preparatory Seminary and St. Francis Preparatory School. Although he initially considered the priesthood, he shifted his focus toward higher education and athletics, eventually enrolling at Fordham University in 1933 on a football scholarship.
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At Fordham, Lombardi played as a tackle before moving to right guard. He became a member of the Seven Blocks of Granite, a nickname assigned to the university's offensive front line. Following his graduation in 1937, he briefly pursued law school and semi-professional football with the Wilmington Clippers and Brooklyn Eagles before transitioning into a career in secondary education and coaching.
Professional Coaching Stints
Lombardi started his tenure in coaching at St. Cecilia High School in Englewood, New Jersey, where he taught Latin, chemistry, and physics. He later served as an assistant coach at Fordham and the United States Military Academy. His NFL experience included a tenure with the New York Giants before he accepted the role of head coach and general manager for the Green Bay Packers in 1959.
Legacy and Impact
During his nine-year period in Green Bay, Lombardi never recorded a losing season. He achieved a regular-season winning percentage of 73.8 percent and a 90 percent success rate in the postseason. Following his final season with the Washington Redskins, he died in 1970 at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He was later enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Fast facts
- Born: 1913, Brooklyn
- Died: 1970, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
- Education: Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, St. Francis Preparatory School, Fordham University
- NFL Championships: 5
- Super Bowl wins: 2
- Career postseason record: 9-1
- Posthumous honor: Pro Football Hall of Fame
- New Jersey Hall of Fame induction: 2008
Questions readers ask
Did Vince Lombardi ever have a losing season as an NFL head coach?
No. Lombardi never recorded a losing season throughout his career as an NFL head coach.
Where is Vince Lombardi buried?
He is buried in New Jersey.
