The Year the Packers Came Back - by Joe Zagorski (Paperback)

About the Book

"The 1972 Green Bay Packers were not expected to challenge for a playoff spot, or even to top their four victories from the season before. The team lacked bona fide superstars. But the players were an eclectic group of over-achievers, 20 of whom were brand new to the team. Despite disheartening decisions by a questionable head coach, they gelled almost immediately and by season's end became the only Packers team throughout the 1970s to earn a division title. How they succeeded beyond all expectations is one of the great stories in pro football history"--

Book Synopsis

The 1972 Green Bay Packers were not expected to challenge for a playoff spot, or even to top their four victories from the season before. But the players were an eclectic group of over-achievers, 20 of whom were brand new to the team. Despite disheartening decisions by a questionable head coach, they gelled almost immediately and by season's end became the only Packers team throughout the 1970s to earn a division title. This book details how they succeeded beyond all expectations and tells one of the great stories in pro football history.

Review Quotes

"information packed and inherently interesting read...a must for the legions of Packer fans and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, community and academic library collections."-Midwest Book Review

"A well-developed recreation of that magical 1972 season.... His interviews with former players of the team along with the backgrounds of players, the coaching staff and each game gives readers an extraordinary detailed look at this team and its efforts in the 1972 season...spot on.... Whether you are a Packers fan or not, this book is a winner.... I highly recommend it for your football library."-Bob Swick, editor, Gridiron Greats

"Brought back many memories. I felt like I was back in the locker room!"-Bill Lueck, offensive guard, 1972 Green Bay Packers.

"Fascinating reading and a book that should be on the shelf of any fan of Packers history."-CheeseheadTV.com

"In pro football, everyone doesn't get to hoist a Super Bowl trophy. And in life, not all of us get to finish at the top of our profession or reach all of our goals. But there is some satisfaction in the journey.... We can thank the 1972 Packers for reminding us of that, and author Joe Zagorski for telling their story."-David Wilson, author, Growing Up with Football

"The 1972 Packers team needs to be remembered. Joe Zagorski's book represents a good first step forward in making sure that they are remembered."-former Green Bay head coach Mike Holmgren; "I've told people over the years that the magic of that team-the greatness of that team-was the oneness. It was just a wonderful team from that standpoint of oneness."-Green Bay's 1972 starting quarterback, Scott Hunter

"This is the way to write a book about one season."-Packers Century

"4 out of 5 stars...While it may seem a little surprising to write about a season in which the Packers won its division instead of one of the many championship seasons in Green Bay, it does make for good reading....written in a manner that describes each game during the regular season and playoffs in great detail...[F]ootball historians and Packers fans will enjoy this book."-The Guy Who Reviews Sports Books

About the Author

Former sportswriter Joe Zagorski has been a member of the Pro Football Researchers Association since the mid-1980s, and has written numerous articles for their monthly publication The Coffin Corner. He has also written articles for the internet site Pro Football Journal. He lives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.