“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

“Success demands singleness of purpose.”

– Vince Lombardi

For the past 46 years, the first weekend of June has meant a great deal to the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. Green Bay Packers, both current and retired, show up to North Hills Country Club in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, in droves for one of the longest running two-day charity golf events in the country, and the proceeds go toward one of the most rewarding causes of our time: Cancer research and treatment.

As sportswriter Bud Lea wrote in 2009 in the Packer Plus, “This is all about helping thousands win battles that no longer serve as automatic defeats, the way they did 40 years ago.”

With the advancement of modern medicine, cancer is no longer a death sentence. It is a challenge to fight, and I am proud to say I have friends who have met that challenge, and won.

“The good Lord gave you a body that can stand most anything. It’s your mind you have to convince.”

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”

– Vince Lombardi

Packers and other celebrities take part in the Vince Lombardi Golf Classic every year to honor Green Bay’s legendary coach and to play their part in the fight against cancer, and the results have been staggering: The foundation donated $2.2 million to support cancer efforts at Aurora Health Care last year, and over $18 million since its inception in 1970.

You can play your part, too, by showing up Saturday, June 4 at North Hills Country Club to walk the course and follow the action. For just $10 per person, spectators can venture out and watch Green Bay Packers and other celebrities and participants play North Hills’ beautiful championship course. Celebrities this year include:

• Jarred Abbrederis (Green Bay Packer)
• Morton Anderson (2016 NFL Hall of Fame finalist)
• Jim Bakken (1970 All-Decades Team, retired kicker)
• Zeke Bratkowski (retired Green Bay Packer)
• Willie Buchanan (retired Green Bay Packer)
• Mason Crosby (Green Bay Packer, Chairman of Lombardi Golf Classic)
• John Crockett (Green Bay Packer)
• Paul Coffman (retired Green Bay Packer)
• Mark Chmura (retired Green Bay Packer)
• Lynn Dickey (retired Green Bay Packer)
• Gary Ellerson (retired Green Bay Packer)
• Kyler Fackrell (Green Bay Packer)
• Scott Henry (actor/comedian)
• Micah Hyde (Green Bay Packer)
• Chris Jackie (retired Green Bay Packer)
• Dan Jansen (Olympian)
• Greg Koch (retired Green Bay Packer)
• Jerry Kramer (retired Green Bay Packer)
• Ryan Longwell (retired Green Bay Packer)
• Rick Lovato (Green Bay Packer)
• Blake Martinez (Green Bay Packer)
• Tim Masthay (Green Bay Packer)
• Peter Mortell (Green Bay Packer)
• Justin Perillo (Green Bay Packer)
• Aaron Ripkowski (Green Bay Packer)
• Richard Rodgers (Green Bay Packer)
• Pat Richter (retired University of Wisconsin Athletics Director)
• Jake Ryan (Green Bay Packer)
• Ken Sanders (retired Milwaukee Brewer)
• Jan Stenerud (retired Green Bay Packer)
• Gorman Thomas (retired Milwaukee Brewer)
• Bob Uecker (Mr. Baseball, play-by-play announcer for Milwaukee Brewers)
• Greg Vaughn (retired Milwaukee Brewer)
• Josh Walker (Green Bay Packer)
• Ickey Woods (retired Cincinnati Bengal)
• Frank Winters (retired Green Bay Packer)

The Lombardi Golf Classic is always a fantastic time in a beautiful setting, and the purpose could not be more rewarding.

Lombardi’s name will endure forever as perhaps the greatest (and certainly most quoted) NFL head coach of all time, and through the Lombardi Cancer Foundation, Vince’s legacy will continue to help those inflicted by cancer to fight harder, and to improve their chances of defeating the terrible disease.

“After all the cheers have died down and the stadium is empty, after the headlines have been written, and after you are back in the quiet of your room and the championship ring has been placed on the dresser and after all the pomp and fanfare have faded, the enduring thing that is left is the dedication to doing with our lives the very best we can to make the world a better place in which to live.”

– Vince Lombardi