3
Feb
2011
What does the “G” in the Packers logo stand for? Gullible (VIDEO)
Greatness or Green Bay ... what do you think?
FINAL UPDATE: The guys over at MidwestSportsFans.com were skeptical too, so they reached out to the Packers organization to verify Tiki’s claim … and this is what they found:
Update 2/6/11: The Packers’ Assistant Director of PR and Corporate Communications had the following to say: “There’s nothing in our history that suggests there’s any truth to this. The Packers Hall of Fame archivist said the same thing.”
So that should put an end to that debate.
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Media Day at the Super Bowl rarely delivers any real groundbreaking information, but with thousands of media personalities from all over the world on-hand looking for every angle imaginable, occasionally you find out something new and interesting. And here’s one I bet you didn’t know, courtesy of our old friend Tiki Barber.
According to this video report filed to Yahoo by Barber on Tuesday, the “G” in the Green Bay Packers logo actually stands for “greatness” … not “Green Bay”, like most of us probably assumed. Watch here as Tiki quizzes the Packers players on their team’s history as a ploy to deliver this surprising piece of info:
Cool, huh? The story has taken the internet by storm this week, with blogs and websites everywhere fascinated by this newfound bit of NFL trivia.
The only problem is, it probably isn’t true. In doing a little bit of research, there seems to be no legitimate source to back up Tiki’s claim anywhere online. Nothing from Brashier, who created the logo, and nothing on record from Lombardi … nothing from any reputable news source that suggests the “G” actually stands for “Greatness”. Every single reference to this on the web has shown up recently, and leads back to either Tiki or Wikipedia. And it’s not like there hasn’t been enough research and documentation of the Packers team history over the years. Were it true, we probably would have heard about this before now, don’t you think?
After doing some more digging, it appears that the Packers Wikipedia page was edited on July 7, 2010 to include the “Greatness” reference. In looking at the history of the user who made the change, you can see that the same person edited the Wikipedia page for the Minnesota Vikings on June 25 to read: “The Vikings have never won a Super Bowl, therefore, they suck!” So it’s clear that this guy is a Green Bay fan … and probably not the most credible source on the planet.
UPDATE: The guys over at PackersUniforms.com – who I would expect to be experts on the subject – are shooting down Tiki’s claim too. And we’re putting out the call. If anyone out there has any evidence that supports the idea that the “G” stands for Greatness, please post it in the comments section.
UPDATE #2: The Packers’ Wikipedia page has now been updated with Barber as the source of the “Greatness” reference, which would appear to be circular since he got it from Wikipedia in the first place. And if you look at the Wikipedia discussion of this entry, this “fact” is certainly still in dispute.
Some have suggested that it was originally Lombardi’s idea. And while I can easily envision Lombardi telling his players that the “G” on their helmets stands for “Greatness”, that was most likely a motivational tactic rather than a factual statement about the design of the logo. Without any more credible support, this could at best be categorized an urban myth.
11
Apr
2010
Tiki Barber continues to make great decisions
Tiki Barber with his wife, Ginny, and new girlfriend, Traci Johnson
Former New York Giant RB Tiki Barber has left his wife - who is 8 months pregnant … with twins – for a 23-year-old former NBC intern named Traci Lynn Johnson. Barber already has 2 sons (A.J., 7, and Chason, 6) with his wife Ginny, but moved out of their Manhattan home late last year to pursue his new flame.
According to various reports, Barber and Johnson have been sleeping together since at least 2008, and have increasingly been seen together in public in recent weeks/months. On Wednesday the Giants’ all-time leading rusher released this sterile statement:
“After 11 years of marriage, Ginny and I have decided to separate,” Barber said. “This decision was a painful one, but we are moving forward amicably and will continue to work together to raise our children with the love and dedication they have always known.”
Uh-huh.
Let’s face it, Barber has made a string of questionable decisions in the past few years. He retired from the NFL at the top of his game in 2006, just before the Giants went on to win SB XLII. Even worse, he did did so to become a correspondent for the Today Show, which has been a train wreck on just about every level. And in an effort to gain points as an analyst, Barber threw his former teammates and coaches under the bus, which has alienated him from even his biggest supporters within the Giants organization.
13
Sep
2009
Week 1 NFL Live Blog: Late Games
A classic NFC East rivalry resumes this afternoon at the Meadowlands
The early round of games are just finishing up, where we saw Adrian Peterson run wild for 180 yards and 3 TDs, Drew Brees throw for 6 TDs, Donovan McNabb leaving the game with broken ribs, and an absolutely CRAZY finish in Cincinatti, with the Broncos beating the Bengals on a last second 87-yd tipped-ball TD by Brandon Stokley.
There are only 3 late games this afternoon, with the Giants/Redskins the clear marquee match-up. Let’s face it, the 2 lame NFC West showdowns – Cardinals/49ers and Seahawks/Rams - are background noise to this old-school rivalry. Everyone wonders if the Giants can replace Plaxico Burress, and the Redskins hope Albert Haynesworth can help them slow down the NY running game.
We’ll continue to follow the action, and post our wildly insightful/humorous thoughts in the comments.
9
Jun
2009
Mixed Martial Arts is the new Jazzercise
FoxSports.com has a nice feature on Matt Leinart‘s off-season training regimen – and specifically, his recent Mixed Martial Arts training. Apparently Leinart is not interested in joining the UFC (like every other washed-up NFLer is doing these days), but rather he’s doing it to strengthen his mind and body, to give himself an edge in the NFL. Looks like he’s working hard … who knows, maybe he’ll even be able to beat out 38-year-old Kurt Warner someday.
The biggest revelation for me from this piece is that Jay Glazer is an MMA trainer, who also works with Jared Allen and other NFL players! That just blew me away. I thought he was just another out-of-shape shmuck reporter, but it turns out that not only does he train, but he regularly announces MMA matches, and has even fought himself! Wow. I’m genuinely impressed.
You think NFL Athletes are going to John Clayton and asking him for tips to increase their flexibility and quickness? Not likely, huh?
Your Tuesday Morning Links:
- Ex Giant Tiki Barber is a forgotten man at NBC [NY Daily News]. As a Giants fan, I can’t tell you how warm and fuzzy this story makes me feel
- Rodney Harrison just retired, and is already trying to make his mark as a broadcaster. Apparently Rodney thinks the game is turning into a “pansy sport” [Peter King's MMQB]:
“This is football in the National Football League. I hit a guy with my forearm in his throat or his chest area, and they’re trying to fine me. It’s football! [...] Football now is turning into a soft, pansy sport. This is not volleyball! This is not tennis! This is some of the biggest, fastest, strongest men in the world. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
