“Lombardi’s Legacy” on ESPN celebrates legendary NFL coach

Lombardi's Legacy

Lombardi’s Legacy on ESPN celebrates legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi in a one-hour special hosted by Chris Berman on Thursday, June 6. Joining Berman in studio is Mike Ditka and former Green Bay Packer Jerry Kramer. Packers legend Bart Starr is also scheduled to be interviewed. Press release from ESPN below:

Lombardi's Legacy

ESPN’s Lombardi’s Legacy Special to Air June 6

One-Hour Special Hosted by Chris Berman to Celebrate Legendary Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lombardi

ESPN will commemorate the coaching legacy and accomplishments of Vince Lombardi with a one-hour special entitled Lombardi’s Legacy hosted by Chris Berman on Thursday, June 6, at 9 p.m. ET. The program coincides with this month’s 100th anniversary of the National Football League coaching legend’s birth (June 11, 1913).

Berman will be joined in-studio by ESPN analyst and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka and former Green Bay Packers right guard Jerry Kramer, who played for Lombardi and helped lead the Packers to five NFL titles and wins in Super Bowls I and II.  Hall of Fame Packers quarterback Bart Starr is also scheduled to be interviewed.

An NFL Films-produced feature within the show will offer rare in-game audio of Lombardi coaching. Current and former NFL head coaches will also reflect on Lombardi’s legacy, discussing his indelible impact on the game of football more than 40 years since he last coached in the NFL. (Note: Lombardi’s Legacy will re-air on Tuesday, June 11 at 9 p.m. on ESPN2)

ESPN.com’s Countdown of 20 Greatest Coaches in NFL History Concludes June 11

In addition to Lombardi’s Legacy, ESPN is celebrating what would have been Lombardi’s 100th birthday this month by counting down the 20 greatest coaches in NFL history. The ESPN.com series started May 21 and concludes June 11 when the top-ranked NFL coach is unveiled. The list of the top 20 NFL coaches – currently at No. 12 with the unveiling of John Madden on Friday — is based on voting conducted by a panel of 22 ESPN hosts, analysts, television and radio commentators, and ESPN.com writers.

On television, the first of four Greatest Coaches in NFL History shows begin airing on ESPN on Tuesday, June 4, at 7 p.m. NFL Live’s Trey Wingo will host the 30-minute shows with analysts and former NFL coaches Herm Edwards and Eric Mangini. TV schedule:

Date Time (ET) Show Network
Tue, June 4 7 p.m. Greatest Coaches in NFL History (20-16) ESPN
Wed, June 5 7 p.m. Greatest Coaches in NFL History (15-11) ESPN
  7:30 p.m. Greatest Coaches in NFL History (10-6) ESPN
Thu, June 6 8:30 p.m. Greatest Coaches in NFL History (5-1) ESPN
  9 p.m. Lombardi’s Legacy ESPN
Tues, June 11 9 p.m. Lombardi’s Legacy (re-air) ESPN2

The Greatest Coaches in NFL History Countdown (updated thru May 31):

No. 20: Tony Dungy
No. 19: Mike Shanahan
No. 18: Sid Gillman
No. 17: Marv Levy
No. 16: Hank Stram
No. 15: Bud Grant
No. 14 Tom Coughlin
No. 13: Jimmy Johnson
No. 12: John Madden

Note: remaining coaches will be unveiled daily through June 11

Photo: Credit: Pro Football Hall of Fame

About Ryan Berenz 2166 Articles
Member of the Television Critics Association. Charter member of the Ancient and Mystic Society of No Homers. Squire of the Ancient & Benevolent Order of the Lynx, Lodge 49, Long Beach, Calif. Costco Wholesale Gold Star Member since 2011.