Ex-Packers coach McCarthy bids team adieu

Fired shortly after Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals, former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to the team he coached for most of the past 13 seasons.

On Wednesday, he got his chance. Interim coach Joe Philbin allowed McCarthy back into Lambeau Field to speak to the team, and the players bid him farewell with a standing ovation.

“He held it together as much as you can,” thirdyear defensive tackle Kenny Clark said on Thursday. “It was emotional. It was emotional for all of us. Mike came in, and we were surprised he was even coming in. Seeing him, gave him a round of applause and thanked him. He was emotional about it, we were all emotional about it.”

Linebacker Clay Matthews spent all 10 NFL seasons with McCarthy.

“I was happy to see him,” Matthews said. “Obviously, first thing’s first, you understand that this is a business and not many people get that opportunity. For him to invest the past 13 years in this team, has given his heart and soul to us, to have that kind of closure, it was great of the organization.

“I know we really enjoyed it. I’m sure he did from a closure standpoint. Obviously, we gave him the respect he deserved and sending him off with some final words.”

The Packers enter Sunday’s home game against the Atlanta Falcons having lost five of the past six games to tumble to 4-7-1. Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, who were only 2-9 at the time, sealed McCarthy’s fate.

Less than three hours after the game ended, the team announced McCarthy’s firing.

Wednesday’s return provided some closure.

“Mike came by the office, I think Tuesday we all saw him as a staff, which was great,” Philbin said. “Then we talked, and he wanted an opportunity to speak with the team. I was 100 percent, fully supportive of that, and he did a fantastic job talking to the team.

“Not just about football and winning football games, but his passion. His passion for the game, his love for the players was clearly evident. I’m sure it was emotional for him and everybody in the room. It was awesome. I thought he did a great job.”