Fansided
Fansided

The Greatest Villain In the History of All 32 NFL Teams

By Erik Lambert

of the New York Jets of the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on November 22, 2007 in Irving, Texas
of the New York Jets of the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on November 22, 2007 in Irving, Texas /
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Future Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach of the Green Bay Packers Vince Lombardi poses here as a student at Fordham University circa the mid-1930s. (Photo by Fordham University/Getty Images)
Future Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach of the Green Bay Packers Vince Lombardi poses here as a student at Fordham University circa the mid-1930s. (Photo by Fordham University/Getty Images) /

New York Giants

31. . HC. Green Bay Packers. Vince Lombardi . 23. player

First class franchises need a first class villain. So how about one of the greatest coaches in NFL history for the New York Giants? Vince Lombardi is a tale of what-ifs and revenge. From 1954 to 1958, he was the offensive coordinator for the Giants and helped them to win the NFL championship in 1956. By 1959 though most felt he was past due to get a team of his own.

Looked down on by many for his Italian heritage, the Green Bay Packers proved the beneficiaries. Desperate for a proven coach who knew how to win, they made Lombardi both their head coach and GM. His impact was instantaneous. Tragically for the Giants, this would become their undoing as the 1961 and 1962 seasons would prove.

Both times they would reach the NFL championship game. Both times it would be the Lombardi Packers waiting and both times New York was run off the field. In those two meetings, Green Bay outscored the Giants 53-7. All told Lombardi went 5-1 in his career against his former team. It makes one wonder how different things could’ve been had they promoted him instead.

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