Frederick Newell Trowbridge Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1900-02-18)February 18, 1900 Viroqua, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | March 14, 1987(1987-03-14) (aged 87) Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Lawyer;TreasurerGreen Bay Packers 1959–81, Executive CommitteeGreen Bay Packers 1950–81, Board of DirectorsGreen Bay Packers 1950–87 |
| Known for | Treasurer, Executive Committee and Board of Directors of theGreen Bay Packers |
Frederick Newell Trowbridge Sr. (February 18, 1900 – March 14, 1987) was a lawyer and an executive for theGreen Bay Packers from 1950 to 1987.[1]
Trowbridge served in theU.S. Army and was aveteran ofWorld War I.[2] Trowbridge graduated from theUniversity of Wisconsin Law School in 1925.[1]
The Packers first consulted Trowbridge - an expert in industrial and labor law - as legal counsel when the team was going into receivership in 1933 and continued as the team faced many periods of refinancing. He would serve as the team's official legal consultant for nearly 50 years.[2] Trowbridge joined the Packers' Executive Committee and Board of Directors in 1950 and remained for 31 years. In 1959, he became the franchise's Treasurer.[1]
In January, 1958, Trowbridge called Packer head coachLisle Blackbourn while Blackbourn was scouting the Senior Bowl in Alabama to ask the coach to resign. Blackbourn refused to resign and insisted that the Packers publicly fire him instead - which the team did while Blackburn was still in Alabama.[3]
In 1960,Pittsburgh Steelers ownerArt Rooney submitted Trowbridge's name for consideration when theNFL was selecting a commissioner after the death ofBert Bell.[1]
It was in Trowbridge's law office in the Bellin Building in Green Bay whereVince Lombardi requested his release from the team in 1969 to become the head coach of theWashington Redskins. After the 45-minute meeting, Lombardi held an impromptu press conference in the hallway outside of Trowbridge's office.[4][5]
In 1984, Trowbridge was elected to theGreen Bay Packers Hall of Fame.[1]
After stepping down from the Executive Committee and as Treasurer in 1981,[6] he remained on the Packers' Board of Directors until his death in 1987.[1]