The Green Bay Packers made a special announcement regarding their throwback uniforms this season. By popular demand, the team will wear the 1950-1953 uniforms that fans found so appealing last season.
According to the team’s website: “The Green Bay Packers are set to once again wear their '50s Classic Uniforms this season, with the uniforms returning to Lambeau Field for the Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 16.
“The '50s Classic Uniform is inspired by the team’s uniforms from 1950-1953, which was the second time the team wore green and gold in its history. The uniforms are all green, with gold numbers and stripes, matching green pants with gold stripes and green socks.”
The 1950 Green Bay Packers finished the season 3-9 under the leadership of coach Gene Ronzani. The offense was led by rookie quarterback Tobin Rote, who threw seven touchdown passes and 24 interceptions. Tony Canadeo, 31, rushed 93 times for 247 yards and four touchdowns.
1951 brought no improvements in record, as the Packers finished 3-9 again. Rote improved a bit, though. He had 15 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions and was also the team’s leading rusher. He ran the ball 76 times for 523 yards and four touchdowns. The Packers’ leading receiver was Bob Mann who had 50 receptions for 696 yards and eight touchdowns.
The 1952 season was a drastic improvement. Green Bay finished 6-6, and Rote had a positive touchdown-to-interception ratio for the first time. He finished the season with 1,268 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in eight games. The team was sparked by rookie right end Billy Howton who set franchise rookie records that still stand. Howton hauled in 53 catches for 1,231 yards and 13 touchdowns that year. No Packers rookie pass-catcher has ever come close to those numbers.
1953 was a bit of a backward step. After starting 2-7-1, the Packers fired Ronzani. Hugh Devore and Ray McLean finished the season as co-coaches. The Packers went 0-2 under their leadership.
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