The Green Bay Packers, with six future Hall of Famers on the roster in 1958, finished at 1–10–1 under head coach Ray McLean, the worst record in Packer history. The players were dispirited, the Packer shareholders were disheartened, and the Green Bay community was enraged. The angst in Green Bay extended to the National Football League as a whole, as the financial viability and the very existence of the Green Bay Packer franchise were in jeopardy. On February 2, 1959, Vince Lombardi, the offensive coordinator of the New York Giants, accepted the position of head coach and general manager of the Green Bay Packers. Lombardi created punishing training regimens and expected absolute dedication and effort from his players. The Packers were an immediate improvement in 1959 at 7–5, and rookie head coach Lombardi was named Coach of the Year. The fans appreciated what Lombardi was trying to do and responded by selling out every game for the 1960 season. Every Packers home game—preseason, regular season and playoffs—has been sold out ever since.

Presented is a Lombardi signature on a Green Bay Packers check, dated November 13, 1959, his first year with the organization. Lombardi has signed his name “Vincent Lombardi” in blue pen on the signature line of the check from the Packers “Pay Roll Account” at the Kellogg Citizens National Bank in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The check is made payable to “William D. Quinlan” – “Wild Bill” was a starting defensive end for the Packers.  This item has been encapsulated and authenticated by PSA/DNA (81881501) and the signature is graded AUTHENTIC.

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