NFL teams as soccer teams? We did it with the MLB and now we are taking our popular series to another sport, the other Football! Once again our creative team wanted to give traditional teams of the NFL a soccer design, and this time we added a new element, taking NFL team logos and giving them a soccer crest makeover. First up is the Green Bay Packers, one of the NFL’s flagship teams!
The Green Bay Packers were founded in 1919 and they are the third-oldest franchise of the NFL. Another interesting fact is the Packers are the only non-profit, community-owned sports team in the United States. Considered a “small town” team the Packers are anything but small, the franchise is worth $2.6 billion, according to Forbes, and they have won a total of 13 league championships. Nine pre- Super Bowl titles and four Super Bowls.
When taking into account that history and fan passion we came up with two concepts we feel capture the Green Bay Packers. Our home jersey pays homage to the city of Green Bay, whose name comes from the color of the water and the away kit pays homage to Curly Lambeau, the founder of the team.
Green Bay Packers Home Soccer Jersey
The home jersey maintains the team’s traditional green and gold color design but applies a wave motion across the whole jersey. The city of Green Bay is named after Lake Michigan, and it is called Baie des Puants, “Bay of the Stinkers,” because ofgreen algae in the water thatcauses a smell. None the less the tones on the jersey make the waves stand out and gives the team a unique look.
At the bottom of the home jersey the team nickname “The Packs” is written. The Packers fans also have another unique nickname, The Cheeseheads, and this is because the state of Wisconsin historically produces more dairy products than any other state in the U.S.
Green Bay Packers Soccer Crest
When thinking of a soccer design for the Packers crest we took into account the team’s long history and what they represent to the NFL. The oval G was added in 1961 when Vince Lombardi asked an equipment manager to come up with a logo. The four stars which represent the four Super Bowls won by the Packersare across the crest at the top. In soccer, teams that win championships usually get allocated a star on their logos. It is common practice in teams like Boca Juniors of Argentina or MLS teams, they place silver stars over their crest for every MLS cup won.
Green Bay Packers Curly Lambeau inspired away jersey
The away jersey is inspired by Curly Lambeau, the founder of the Packers. He is forever honored by the franchise as his name graces the Packers home field. The story goes that Lambeau asked for funds for uniforms to his employer, the Indiana Packing Company. He was given $500 ( around $7,000 today) for uniforms and equipment on the condition that the team be named after its sponsor. The Green Bay Packers were born and in 1921 entered the American Professional Football Association, at the time the new pro football league.
On the chest, the “sponsor” Acme Packers, is on the jersey exactly the same way Lambeau printed the sponsor on the team jersey when the Packers began playing semi-professional Football. Sponsorship on jerseys is a common practice in soccer as some endorsement deals can be worth millions. MLS and NBA teams have adapted this and generate revenue as a result.
On the neck, the number 1 is present as a homage to Curly Lambeau. Lambeau used the jersey number during his playing career and it serves as an inspiration for players to know that their team founder was one of their own. Lambeau started with a dream and now that dream has produced one of the all-time great NFL franchises.
So what do you think? Did we do the Packers justice? It’s only the beginning, we have nine more to go!