Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
Lombardi died 50 years ago, but his legacy still endures
Green Bay — Vince Lombardi’s death 50 years ago was sudden and shocking. Lombardi had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in June 1970 and died Sept. 3 of that year.
Lombardi, whose name is synonymous with championship-level football, has more than that as his legacy. His name and experience became tools in the fight against cancer, and before his death, Lombardi waged his own fight against the cancer of bigotry.
Fifty-seven when he died, Lombardi was head coach and general manager of the Green Bay Packers from 1959 to 1967, general manager in 1968, and head coach and general manager of the Washington team in 1969.
His football accomplishments included five NFL championships, two Super Bowl victories, a 105-35-6 all-time record, including a 9-1 playoff record, and two NFL Coach of the Year honors. He is in the Green Bay Packers and Pro Football halls of fame and the Super Bowl trophy is named for him.
But all of that came to a sudden end when he was told he had colon cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Actor Chadwick Boseman, who was only 43, died of colon cancer Aug. 28.
The Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation in Pewaukee and Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington, D.C., are two cancerfighting organizations that adopted his name after his death.
His name also aided the Packers vs. Cancer campaign that raised money for the Lombardi Cancer Foundation and promoted the Cologuard homescreening product for colon cancer.
Colon cancer is preventable through early and regular screening. When found early, it is highly treatable. David Maraniss wrote in his biography of Lombardi,
“When Pride Still Mattered,” that the coach resisted early screening. By the time the cancer was discovered, it was too late.
The Lombardi Cancer Foundation raised more than $21 million since its founding shortly after the coach’s death. The foundation supports research, cancer care, awareness and education, and family support.
“His name certainly is a conversation starter,” said Trace Tendick, president of the foundation.
The foundation was launched by Donald Tendick, Trace’s grandfather, in 1971. Tendick, who owned a manufacturing company, never met Vince Lombardi and had not had any family members affected by cancer, but he was moved by Lombardi’s death and felt the foundation would be a good way to give back to the community.
“He got a group of community leaders together. I don’t think anybody at the time had any idea it could morph into the magnitude of where it’s gone,” Trace Tendick said.
Donald Tendick began a correspondence with Marie Lombardi, Vince’s widow, who agreed to let the foundation use his name.
“We’ve had a good relationship with the family over the years. Every few years we go through a refresh to make sure the family is happy with what we are doing,” Trace Tendick said.
The foundation has awarded grants for a wide range of cancer-related efforts, from research and treatment to Aurora St. Luke’s Rooftop Healing Garden and Conservatory in Milwaukee. Grants this year