CURLY LAMBEAU

(Coach ,Green Bay Packers)
Dec. 11, 1938

 

As the second quarter ended in the championship game between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants, Curly Lambeau was contemplating what to tell his players.

He knew this would be one of the most important chalk talks of his coaching career. With the Packers losing 16-14, the players would look to him for a revised game plan. Coming up with the right strategy, adjustments, and motivating words could turn the halftime deficit into a victory.

Incredibly, through his numskullery, Lambeau never did give that crucial talk. He was so lost in thought on his way to the locker room that he ended up lost in the stadium.

Lingering behind his players, Lambeau somehow made a wrong

Curly Lambeua

turn under the Polo Grounds. He opened the door to what he thought was the clubhouse and wound up out on the street. Before he realized his error, the door slammed shut behind him and he was locked out.

The coach frantically pounded on the door to no avail, then raced to the nearest gate. But the guard refused to let him in. "If you're the coach, what are you doing out here on the sidewalk?" the guard asked snidely.

Swearing a blue streak, Lambeau hustled off to another gate. But no amount of pleading, cajoling, or threatening could get him past the next guard, who shoved him away with the sarcastic refrain, "Yeah, sure, and I'm the King of England."

Meanwhile, back in the locker room, the Packers were wondering what had happened to their coach. Back then, teams didn't have the cadre of assistants that today's clubs have. As the halftime minutes elapsed, the perplexed players couldn't agree on a revised game plan.

Unbeknownst to them, their angry, red-faced coach had now charged into the main gate, only to be stopped once again. Spewing the vilest language of his life at the top of his lungs, Lambeau attracted a big crowd, including some reporters.

The scribes immediately recognized Lambeau and convinced the guards that he was indeed the Green Bay coach. By the time he reached the locker room, the second half was about to begin. Without Lambeau's crucial halftime instructions, the Packers faltered in the last 2 quarters and lost 23-17.

 

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