5 Most Shocking Green Bay Packers Moments in History

From huge scandals to some of the greatest plays in Green Bay Packers history, this article will discuss some of the most shocking moments in the team’s history. At each of these moments, things got so big that some people still talk about it to this day or at least talk about it when the moment calls for it.

If you’re a new Green Bay Packers fan, you’re in for a treat. You might not have been with the team in most of these moments, but we’re about to tell you what happened in these circumstances. Let’s start.

The Hadl Trade

Even if you’re a general NFL fan, you might have heard about this during its time. After the team started 3-3 in 1974, coach Dan Devine traded the team’s five draft picks for a 34-year-old quarterback named John Hadl. Devine gave the first, second, and third rounds to the Rams in 1975 and then the first and second in 1976 just for Hadl. Just imagine what would happen in social media if this all happened today.

You might think that Hadl was worth it, but it turned out that he stunk during his tenure with the Packers. The Packers went 7-12 with Hadl both in 1974 and 1975. And in his entire tenure in the Packers, he just got nine touchdowns and 29 interceptions. Also, between that trade and 1994, the Green Bay Packers just made the playoffs once. The trade is truly one of the worst transactions any team made in the history of the NFL.

R-E-L-A-X

This is probably one of the best “I told you so” moments in NFL history. In 2014, the Green Bay Packers started badly during the season. They lost to the Detroit Lions with a 1-2, but just two days after the game, Aaron Rodgers told the fans to “R-E-L-AX” about the team’s slow start.

Then, the magic happened soon after the Packers ended up winning the division at 12-4 but losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship. Not only did the team finish relatively well, but Rodgers also took home the MVP award with 36 touchdowns, 4371 yards, five interceptions, and a QBR of 79.3.

Charles Martin Slams Jim McMahon

In the mid-1980s, the Green Bay Packers truly had a rough time. The Packers themselves were an embarrassment on and off the field. They were losing consistently, and the players were getting into much trouble. It all seemingly came to a head when Frank Deford wrote a scathing article in 1987 that asked the public if the Green Bay Packers franchise should be sold to Milawukee and start fresh from there.

After that, it seemed like the team got worse, especially during one incident when Charles Martin picked up Jim McMahon and slammed him to the ground. It was perhaps the cheapest shot in NFL history. Unfortunately, McMahon’s season ended, and the Green Bay Packers were labeled the worst team during that time. Talk about embarrassing.

Running the Table

In 2016, it was another slow start for the Green Bay Packers, where they began 4-6 and were currently riding a 4-game losing streak. The media was writing off the team, but it seemed like Aaron Rodgers had the confidence to turn things around, saying that the team could run the table and run the table they did.

The Packers then proceeded to do a six-game winning streak, clinched the NFC North, and got to the NFC championship with great NFL spreads. However, it all ended for them in that game as the Packers lost to Atlanta 44-13. During those weeks, Aaron Rodgers probably did the longest stretch he could ever muster as a quarterback with 15 touchdowns, 1167 yards, zero interceptions, a 71 completion percentage, and a QBR of 83.1%.

The Miracle in Motown

Of course, this incredible play wouldn’t be absent in an article about the team’s most shocking moments. Back in 2015, the Packers were playing against the Lions. However, it wasn’t going well since the Packers were trailing behind a 20-point lead in the second half. But it wasn’t over; it seemed something clicked within the team.

Randall Cobb recovered from a fumble. Davante Adams then went to the end zone, and Aaron Rodgers ran from 17 yards away. With only six seconds left from the clock, the team had to operate with the ball from their 21-yard line.

After a couple of passes, Richard Rodgers threw the ball laterally to Aaron Rodgers, who was being guarded by Devin Taylor with the clock hitting zero. The team was then granted an untimed play in their 39-yard line. After the game hit play, Aaron Rodgers broke right and threw a 61-yard pass toward Richard Rodgers, who was last to get to that point. He then came down with a Hail Mary, and they just completed the fourth-largest comeback in NFL history.

Final Words

The Green Bay Packers are no stranger to adversity. However, it made the team all the more resilient. Although they are not as great as they were in the past, that doesn’t mean they lost their spirit. Even today, the Green Bay Packers remain one of the most popular franchises in the NFL.