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Green Bay Packers: Vince Lombardi Era Legend Passes Away at Age 82

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 9:08 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers are one of, if not the most, storied franchises in the history of sports, let alone the NFL. And while fans love current players, the Vince Lombardi era Packers still hold a special place in the hearts of fans, even 60+ years after they donned the Green and Gold.

But as time passes by, there are fewer and fewer of these legends remaining. And, unfortunately, Tuesday brought new of another legend who had passed away.

Green Bay Packers Legend Steve Wright Passed Away at the Age of 82

Per the team’s website, Steve Wright, who played for the Packers from 1964-1967, winning three titles with Green Bay, passed away in an assisted living facility in Georgia. He was 82.

“While Wright played in relative obscurity during his four seasons in Green Bay and also at his other four NFL stops, he was the model for what is now the Walter Payton Man of the Year trophy. The trophy’s sculpture was created in Wright’s likeness and it hasn’t changed,” the Packers website said.

As one can see from the quote above, Wright is immortalized in NFL history as the model for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Trophy. While he is not the play whom the award is named after, his demeanor and community contributions during his playing career influenced the league to use his likeness, even before Payton came into the NFL.

Wright was drafted by the Packers in the fifth round of the 1964 NFL Draft. He never missed a game for Green Bay, playing in all 14 games in each of his four seasons with the organization. Following his tenure with the Packers, Wright played for the New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Interestingly, Wright was drafted by the New York Jets in the AFL Draft in the same year he was selected by the Packers in the NFL Draft. And even though New York offered him a virtual blank check to sign with them, he chose to play in the NFL because it was Green Bay (and Lombardi) who wanted him.