The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame was the first hall of fame built to honor a single professional American football team. John P. Holloway, a Brown County administrator and arena director, and William L. Brault, a Green Bay restaurateur and Packers fan, co-founded the Packer Hall of Fame museum[1] in 1966. According to them, they got the idea after visitors to Green Bay would repeatedly ask about the Packers' storied history. Sensing opportunity, they went to Packers head coach Vince Lombardi, suggesting a Hall of Fame should be made to attract and educate tourists about the Packers and their history. Lombardi gave them his approval, and according to Brault, as he left his office, Lombardi called out to him, "Don't screw it up!"

Holloway also founded the Green Bay Area Visitor and Convention Bureau[2] in 1964 from which the original hall of fame began. The hall opened as a series of exhibits displayed in the lower concourse of the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena, although it was not a permanent residence, as the exhibits had to be removed each autumn to make room for the Green Bay Bobcats hockey team, which played its home games at the Arena. In 1967, the Packer Hall of Fame Association, a separate corporate entity from the team, was founded and annual induction banquets were subsequently launched in 1970. The Hall did not become a permanent site until 1976 when its new home, an addition to the Brown County Veterans Arena, was formally dedicated on April 3, 1976, by President Gerald R. Ford. Outside of the Hall of Fame was a 'Receiver Statue' that was dedicated to the invention of the Forward Pass.

Over the next 26 years, the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame encountered many expansions and renovations. In 2003, renovations to Lambeau Field provided a new home within the new Lambeau Field Atrium for the Hall. Packers legends Bart Starr and Ron Wolf rededicated the Hall on September 4, 2003.[3] The Hall contains a vast array of Packers memorabilia, a re-creation of Vince Lombardi's office, plaques representing each of the inductees and the Lombardi trophies from Green Bay's four Super Bowl wins.[4] As of 2019, the Packers Hall of Fame has inducted 162 people, 24 of whom have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The 2018 inductees were offensive tackle Mark Tauscher and kicker Ryan Longwell. The inductee for 2019 was General Manager Ted Thompson. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the newest additions were to be inducted at the 50th Annual Induction Banquet, which was set to be held on Saturday, April 18, 2020. Unfortunately, the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame, Inc. was unable to host that event, though the plan is to (finally) induct Al Harris and Charles Woodson in 2021.


Inductees

Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR
 *  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
The entrance to the Hall of Fame
The entrance to the Hall of Fame
Replica of Vince Lombardi's office at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
Replica of Vince Lombardi's office at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
Curly Lambeau
Curly Lambeau
Gerald Francis Clifford
Gerald Francis Clifford
Induction
year 		Inductee Position Years Notes
1970 Bernard "Boob" Darling C 1927–31
1970 Lavern Dilweg E 1927–34
1970 Jug Earp C 1922–32
1970 Cal Hubbard * OT 1929–33
1935
1970 Curly Lambeau * B / Coach 1919–49
1970 Verne Lewellen B 1924–32
1970 John McNally * B 1929–33
1935–36
1970 Mike Michalske * G 1929–35
1937
1972 Hank Bruder B 1931–39
1972 Milt Gantenbein E 1931–40
1972 Charles Goldenberg G / B 1933–45
1972 Arnie Herber * B 1930–40
1972 Clarke Hinkle * B 1932–41
1972 Don Hutson * E / DB 1935–45
1972 Cecil Isbell B 1938–42
1972 Joe Laws B 1934–45
1972 Russ Letlow G 1936–42
1946
1972 George Svendsen C / LB 1935–37
1940–41
1973 Charley Brock C / LB 1939–47
1973 Tony Canadeo * B 1941–44
1946–52
1973 HL "Whitey" Woodin G 1922–31
1973 Dick Wildung OT 1946–51
1953
1973 Andy Uram HB 1938–43
1973 Larry Craig B / E 1939–49
1973 Baby Ray OT 1938–48
1973 Bob Monnett B 1933–38
1973 Bob Forte B 1946–53
1973 Ted Fritsch B 1942–50
1974 Howie Ferguson FB 1953–58
1974 Al Carmichael RB 1953–58
1974 Bill Forester LB 1953–63
1974 Tobin Rote QB 1950–56
1974 Jim Ringo * C 1953–63
1974 Fred Cone FB / K 1951–57
1974 Bobby Dillon * DB 1952–59
1974 Dave Hanner DT 1952–64
1974 Billy Howton E 1952–58
1974 John Martinkovic E 1951–56
1975 Max McGee E 1954
1957–67
1975 Jim Taylor * FB 1958–66
1975 Fred Thurston G 1959–67
1975 Paul Hornung * HB / K 1957–62
1964–66
1975 Don Chandler K 1965–67
1975 Willie Davis * DE 1960–69
1975 Jerry Kramer * G / K 1958–68
1975 Ron Kramer TE 1957
1959–64
1975 Henry Jordan * DT 1959–69
1975 Vince Lombardi * Coach, Executive 1959–68
1976 Carl Jorgensen Trainer 1924–70 [m]
1976 Gary Knafelc E 1954–62
1976 Joseph "Red" Dunn B 1927–31
1976 Hank Gremminger DB 1956–65
1976 Bob Skoronski OT 1956
1959–68
1976 Jesse Whittenton DB 1958–64
1977 Willie Wood * S 1960–71
1977 Andrew B. Turnbull Executive 1923–27 [x]
1977 Howard "Cub" Buck OT 1921–25
1977 Bart Starr * QB 1956–71
1977 Forrest Gregg * OT 1956
1958–70
1977 Charlie Mathys B 1922–26
1978 Ray Nitschke * LB 1958–72
1978 Boyd Dowler WR 1959–69
1978 Paul "Tiny" Engebretsen G 1934–41
1978 Lon Evans G 1933–37
1978 George Whitney Calhoun Executive 1919–46 [f]
1979 Nate Barragar C 1931–32
1934–35
1979 Dominic Olejniczak Executive 1950–89 [q]
1979 Pete Tinsley G/LB 1938–39
1941–45
1979 Elijah Pitts RB 1961–69
1971
1979 Carroll Dale E 1965–72
1981 Lee Joannes Executive 1930–47 [l]
1981 Chester "Swede" Johnston RB 1931
1934–38
1981 Herb Adderley * DB 1961–69
1981 Ken Bowman C 1964–73
1982 Gale Gillingham G 1966–74
1976
1982 Dave Robinson * LB 1963–72
1982 Lou Brock B 1940–45
1982 Jack Vainisi Scout 1950–60 [y]
1983 Donny Anderson RB / P 1966–71
1983 Fred Carr LB 1968–77
1983 Fred Leicht Executive 1925–77 [o]
1984 F. N. Trowbridge, Sr. Executive 1950–81 [w]
1984 Dan Currie LB 1958–64
1984 Ed Jankowski B 1937–41
1984 Carl Mulleneaux E 1938–41
1945–46
1984 John Brockington RB 1971–77
1985 Phil Bengtson General Manager 1959–70
1985 Earl "Bud" Svendsen C / LB 1937
1939
1985 Bob Jeter DB 1963–70
1986 Irv Comp B 1943–49
1986 Lee Roy Caffey LB 1964–69
1986 Wilner Burke Director of the
Lumberjack Band 		1938–81 [e]
1987 Dr. E. S. Brusky Physician 1962–90 [d]
1987 Deral Teteak LB / G 1952–56
1987 Chester Marcol K 1972–80
1988 Bob Mann E 1950–54
1988 Lionel Aldridge DE 1963–71
1988 Jerry Atkinson Executive 1950–85 [a]
1989 Zeke Bratkowski QB 1963–68
1971
1989 Ron Kostelnik DT 1961–68
1991 Gerald Francis Clifford Attorney 1922–52 [g]
1991 Jan Stenerud * K 1980–83
1991 Harry Jacunski E 1939–44
1992 Al Schneider Supporter 1950s–1970s [t]
1992 Lynn Dickey QB 1977
1979–85
1992 Larry McCarren C 1973–84
1993 Art Daley Journalist 1942–2011 [i]
1993 Willie Buchanon CB 1972–78
1993 Johnnie Gray S 1975–83
1994 Paul Coffman TE 1978–85
1994 W. Webber Kelly Physician 1923–51 [n]
1994 Gerry Ellis FB 1980–86
1995 William Brault HoF Founder 1966–94 [c]
1996 John Anderson LB 1978–89
1996 Lee Remmel Executive 1940s–2015 [s]
1997 Red Cochran Coach/Scout 1959–66
1971–2004 		[h]
1997 Ezra Johnson DE 1977–87
1997 Travis Williams RB/KR 1967–70
1998 Ken Ellis CB 1970–75
1998 Mark Murphy S 1980–85
1987–91
1998 Robert J. Parins Executive 1982–89 [r]
1999 Tom Miller Executive 1956–88 [p]
1999 James Lofton * WR 1978–86
2000 Ron Wolf * Executive 1991–2001 [z]
2001 Johnny Holland LB 1987–93
2001 Ray Scott Sportscaster 1956–68 [u]
2002 Vernon Biever Photographer 1946–2010 [b]
2002 Sterling Sharpe WR 1988–94
2003 Mike Douglass LB 1978–85
2003 Jim Irwin Sportscaster 1969–98 [k]
2004 Bob Harlan Executive 1971–present [j]
2005 Edgar Bennett RB 1992–96
2005 Don Majkowski QB 1987–92
2006 Reggie White * DE 1993–98
2007 Robert Brooks WR 1992–98
2007 LeRoy Butler S 1990–2001
2008 Gilbert Brown DT 1993–99
2001–03
2008 Frank Winters C 1992–2002
2008 Al Treml Video director 1967–2001 [v]
2009 Dorsey Levens RB 1994–01
2009 Antonio Freeman WR 1995–01,03
2010 Mark Chmura TE 1992–99
2010 Marv Fleming TE 1963–69
2010 Greg Koch OT 1977–85
2011 William Henderson FB 1995–06
2011 Frank Jonet Executive 1919–51
2011 Marco Rivera G 1996–04
2012 Mike Holmgren Coach 1992–98
2013 Emil R. Fischer Contributor 1926–58 [aa]
2013 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila DE 2000–08 [bb]
2013 Chris Jacke K 1989–96
2014 Ahman Green RB 2000–06, 09
2014 Ken Ruettgers OT 1985–96
2015 Brett Favre * QB 1992–07
2016 Nick Collins  FS 2005–11
2016 Chad Clifton  OT 2000–11
2016 Russ Winnie  Broadcaster 1929–46
2017 Donald Driver  WR 1999–2012
2017 Mark Lee  CB 1980–90
2018 Ryan Longwell  K 1997–2005 [5]
2018 Mark Tauscher  OT 2000–10
2019 Ted Thompson General Manager 2005–2017
2021 Al Harris CB 2003–2010
2021 Charles Woodson CB 2006–2012

Footnotes

  • a Atkinson was a businessman who, in 1950, helped lead a stock drive that helped keep the Packers financially stable. He also served on the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors from 1950 to 1985.[6]
  • b Biever has been the team photographer since 1946, having taken an estimated 150,000 photos over his career.[7]
  • c Brault founded the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1967, expanded it to its current location in 1976, and served as the Executive Director of the Hall of Fame from 1970 to 1994.[8]
  • d Brusky was a general practitioner who coordinated the teams medical care.[9]
  • e Burke was the Band Director for the Packers, arranging the pre-game and half-time shows, while also leading the official Green Bay Packers band.[10]
  • f Calhoun is credited with being the promoter of the Green Bay Packers during its early years. He was the secretary of the Packers, created the Dope Sheet, helped collect money in his hat during football games, and named the team the "Packers."[11]
  • g Clifford was the original Green Bay Football Club as a non-profit organization in 1923 and was the club's attorney from 1922 to 1952.[12]
  • h Cochran was the offensive backfield coach under Vince Lombardi and Dan Devine, while also serving as a scout from 1975 to 2004.[13]
  • i Daley was a journalist for the Green Bay Packers Press-Gazette who covered the Packers for more than 35 years.[14]
  • j Harlan started out as the Packers Assistant General Manager, serving in that role from 1971 to 1989. In 1990, he was elected as the President, leading the team to 13 consecutive winning seasons. Harlan is Chairman Emeritus of the Green Bay Packers.[15]
  • k Irwin worked for the Packers flagship radio station, broadcasting Packers games for 30 years.[16]
  • l Joannes was the team's first security and was elected president of the Packers in 1930, serving in that role until 1947.[17]
  • m From 1924 to 1940, Jorgensen served as the Packers equipment manager. After the death of Dave Woodard, he became the Packers trainer, serving that role until 1970. The 47 seasons of service is the longest continuous service by an employee of the Packers.[18]
  • n Kelly was the team physician, Packer's President in 1929, and an executive committee member for 28 years.[19]
  • o Leicht was a Packers Executive Committee Member for 52 years and was a key player in the building of City Stadium and Lambeau Field.[20]
  • p Miller was originally a player for the Packers, and came back to the organization as the Directory of Publicity and Sales Promotion. He later became an Assistant General Manager and finally became an Assistant to the President, finally retiring in 1988.[21]
  • q Olejniczak started out on the Packers Executive Committee, and was credited with helping to build City Stadium and hiring Vince Lombardi. In 1982, he became the first Chairman of the Board for the Packers.[22]
  • r Parins was the Packers President from 1982 to 1989, helping to improve and expand the Green Bay Packers facilities.[23]
  • s Remmel started out his career as a sports reporter, having worked with every head coach of the Packers in the team's history. Remmel joined the Packers organization as director of public relations from 1974–2004, and served as the team historian until 2007.[24]
  • t Schneider was the chair of the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce Sports Committee, a supporter of the Packers, and helped establish the Packers Hall of Fame.[25]
  • u Scott was the Packers TV broadcaster for the Packers, having called the championships teams of the 1960s.[26]
  • v Treml worked as the first video director for the Packers, in charge of editing game and practice video.[27]
  • w Trowbridge was the Green Bay Packers legal council, treasurer, and part of the Packers Executive Committee.[28]
  • x Turnbull was the Packers first President, helping to support the then small team. Turnbull was also part of The Hungry Five.[29]
  • y Vainisi was a talent scout for the Packers who was credited with setting up intricate information gathering systems on players and also scouting many of the future stars of the "Lombardi Era."[30]
  • z Wolf was the Packers Executive Vice President and General Manager. He is credited with bringing the Packers back to its winning ways. Wolf signed Mike Holmgren and traded for Brett Favre, a combination that led to many successful seasons.[31]
  • aa Fischer was a key contributor to the club's success and helped guide the team through several critical periods, including the NFL absorption of teams from the All-America Football Conference, Curly Lambeau's resignation in 1950 and the important stock sale that same year.[32]
  • bb As of January 22, 2013, Gbaja-Biamila was the Packers all-time leader in career sacks with 74.5.[32] He was surpassed on September 28, 2017 by Clay Matthews III. [33]

See also

References

General
Specific
  1. ^ Holloway, Dionne (July 20, 1967). "Hall of Fame?". Green Bay Press Gazette.
  2. ^ Holloway, Dionne (June 21, 1964). "Visitors Bureau Drums Up Business Important to Green Bay's Economy". Green Bay Press Gazette.
  3. ^ "Packers.com – Packers Hall of Fame". Packers.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  4. ^ "LambeauField.com – Hall of Fame". LambeauField.com. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  5. ^ "Packers Hall of Fame Induction Banquet". www.packers.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  6. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Jerry Atkinson". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Vernon Biever". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – William Brault". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Dr. E.S. (Gene) Brusky". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Wilner Burke". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – George Whitney Calhoun". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Gerald (Jerry) Clifford". PackersHallofFame.org. Archived from the original on May 16, 2010. Retrieved May 4, 2008.
  13. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – John "Red" Cochran". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Art Daley". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Robert "Bob" Harlan". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Jim Irwin". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Lee Joannes". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Carl (Bud) Jorgensen". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  19. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Dr. William Weber Kelly". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Fred Leicht". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Tom Miller". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  22. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Dominic Olejniczak". PackersHallofFame.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2008.
  23. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Robert Parins". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  24. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Lee Remmel". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  25. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Al Schneider". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  26. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Ray Scott". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  27. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Al Treml". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Fred N. Trowbridge Sr". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  29. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Andrew B. Turnbull". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  30. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Jack Vainisi". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  31. ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Ron Wolf". PackersHallofFame.org. Retrieved May 4, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  32. ^ a b "Gbaja-Biamila, Jacke to be inducted into Packers Hall of Fame". www.jsonline.com.
  33. ^ "Clay Matthews becomes Packers' all-time sacks leader". September 29, 2017.

Categories