1980-1989 | Down But Not Out

“They had one good season in 1989, and that turned out to be a fluke!” - Cliff Christl
Legacy: 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers tells the remarkable story of the Packers, from the team’s humble beginnings to its centennial season.


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Keep up-to-date on all things Packers:

[MyKetoRecovery]

Bob Harlan doesn’t get the credit he rightly deserves. Many of his decisions made the Packers the crown jewel of the NFL again. Him toiling with the Packers he understood what the Packers could become. He is the biggest reason the franchise had a huge turnaround.

[ericthompson]

What's not mentioned is that Lynn Dickey became the first Packer to throw for 4, 000 yards in a season when he threw for 4, 458 yards in 1983 (which led the NFL that year and stood until 2011). Still ranks second all time in Packers' history for passing yards in a season. Dickey also led the NFL with 32 touchdown passes that year as well.

[johnholt]

Oct 17th 1983 I watched highlights the next Sunday on UK Channel 4 and that made me a Packers fan. I knew nothing about their storied history I just loved the incredible shootout game beating the Super Bowl Champions and the atmosphere of the crowd. One of the better decisions in my life. I really hope to pilgrimage to Lambeau one day soon.

[DanStrayer]

Man: 9 years. Bart had plenty of time.

[johngunderson]

I remember that Washington game. Stayed up with my dad to watch it.

[TheNBAfan]

I do think Bart was a helluva coach. The problem was he was a terrible drafter and deal maker. But it doesn’t change the fact that he was an amazing person and player.

[jpmnky]

The 1981, 1983, and 1989 NFL Drafts were loaded. Historically loaded. And GB blew it each and every time. It’s mind boggling in hindsight looking how badly they’d blown it every year in the draft. And the trades are a whole other matter. Crazy.

[russellst.martin]

Surprised they didn't mention Majkowski was MVP runner up in 89.

[michaellong]

I was in junior high when Bart got fired. I remember reading articles in SI that stated that the majority of Green Bay fans wanted Starr gone. They even had bumper stickers that read, "Bye-Bye Bart!"

[Lawomenshoops]

1980’s First Round Picks

1980 Bruce Clark. signed CFL. Came back and traded to Saints for 1983 1st rounder., used to select Tim Lewis
1981 Rich Campbell
1982 Ron Hallstrom. Part of the Jin Jefferson trade, Packers and SD swapped 1st rounders. SD traded pick to Saints who took Lindsay Scott with the Packers original pick.
1983. Packers picked traded to SD- they took Gary Anderson . Packers took Tim Lewis from the Bruce Clark trade.
1984 Alfonso Carrecker.
1985 Ken Ruettgers
1986 traded to SD for Mossy Cade. Terrible deal. Gerald Robinson picked with the Packers pick.
1987 Brett Fullwood
1988 Sterling Sharpe
1989 Tony Mandrich

[kylehehl]

In '89, I became a fan. But it was only seventeen, not twenty seven years since their last great season

[zxdeopl]

I was at County stadium on October 26, 1986 when they lost to the 49'er's 17-31, my dad an I went as part of a group from our park district. Our seat were right in front of the player, may be 5 row from the field.

[anthonybrooks]

The only thing I knew Rich Campbell for during his NFL career was being the signature sack of Howie Long's HOF career.

[mikesandoval]

Dude they traded away 8 first and second rd picks ??? That’s a prime example of why we do need an owner . Just ridiculous.

[jab]

Lloyd Eaton, their West Coast Scout, told Bob Harlan that it was a mistake (and that he couldn't play). Harlan asked him why he didn't say anything, and Eaton said that they didn't listen to him, anyway (they also had a scout throw a fit over Montana two years earlier, and Starr ignored him).

[redmustangredmustang]

The thing is the Bears from 84 to 91 had that run making the playoffs except in 89. The Bears were just a better team and the Packers weren't. There were some games they pulled out in 84 and that Butler kick in 87, but other than that, the Bears were just a better team. They had that one Super Bowl, but couldn't sustain that effort like the 49ers did with their players and had a better head coach in Bill Walsh and especially QB in Joe Montana. The Vikings made a run in the late 80's, but ran into roadblocks with the Redskins and 49ers. Again the Packers just couldn't draft well to keep up with the Bears and Vikings.

[XBC-GOTY]

The Packers of the 80s were better then the 70s and if they had a Defense in the 80s with their Great Offense they could’ve been a Dynasty and Loved the Replay Game Against the Bears in 1989

[lakebay]

At 29:37, you'll noticed #66 Lawrence Pfohl who later became wrestling legend "The Total Package" Lex Luger. This picture was taken circa 1982. Pfohl never played a down for the Packers due being on Injured Reserve nor is he on the Packers All-Time Roster. Also, #66 was retired in 1983 honoring Ray Nitschke who wore it from 1958 to 1972.

[redmustangredmustang]

Bart Starr just wasn't NFL coach material. He got all those years because of who he was. He got a long leash but the sad thing is they had Dickey who would have done great with another team, but basically wasted the talents of James Lofton and John Jefferson. The 89 Packers would have gone to the playoffs in any other year, but other teams had better divisional records so they lost out on those tie breakers. Sadly after 89 things just went down the toilet until Ron Wolf came along and got Holmgre and took a big chance on Favre. When Magic went down with that injury, it turned out that their fortunes would change for the better

[classicrockbeagle]

Lofton: "Lynn Dickey was the best quarterback I ever played with". Dude! Ever heard of Jim Kelly?