The Packers have competed in the National Football League (NFL) since 1921, two years after their original founding by Curly Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun.
[1] They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) and play their home games at Lambeau Field in central Wisconsin.
[5] In those early years as head coach, Lambeau managed the football operations of the Packers, which included acquiring players, negotiating contracts and serving as a spokesperson.
[8][9][10] Lambeau held the general manager title until he left the Packers in 1949, after which it formally remained vacant for five years, although head coach Gene Ronzani had the power to sign players and served as the team's spokesperson.
[13][14] However, Lombardi's successors at the general manager position fell short of expectations, culminating with the Packers relieving Starr of his general manager duties in 1980; the title remained vacant for 12 years thereafter, with the responsibilities vested in other executive titles or head coaches, including future team president Bob Harlan, Tom Miller, Dick Corrick, Forrest Gregg and Tom Braatz.