A Fond Farewell: Packers President Mark Murphy Reflects on Legacy, Family, and the Future of the Franchise
After a distinguished tenure marked by Super Bowl glory and community impact, outgoing Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy shares personal reflections on his career, the lessons learned, and the enduring spirit of the team and its devoted fanbase.
Mark Murphy is signing off with a phrase that embodies both a goodbye and a promise of return: “Hasta la vista, baby.” Borrowed from the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger film Terminator 2, and holding a personal significance tied to his late father, the sentiment encapsulates Murphy’s farewell to the best fans in professional sports, with a hopeful outlook for future connections.
Murphy’s journey at the helm of the Packers, beginning in 2007, has been deeply intertwined with the legacy of his father, Hugh – affectionately known as “Big Murph.” A World War II veteran, football player, and labor relations professional, Big Murph instilled in his son a wealth of “Pearls of Wisdom,” like “Don’t burn bridges, build them.” While initially dismissing these sayings as corny, Murphy came to appreciate their profound truth as he navigated his own career. A significant regret during his time as President was not being able to celebrate a Super Bowl victory with his father, who passed away in June after plans for a Lambeau Field game were postponed. This personal loss solidified a new guiding principle: “never pass up the opportunity to spend special time with family and friends.”
Looking back on his accomplishments, Murphy points to the Super Bowl XLV victory – a triumph achieved as a sixth seed – as a high point. He also expressed pride in the substantial improvements made to Lambeau Field, including expansions to the South End Zone, concourse renovations, and the construction of new offices and a state-of-the-art locker room, all while preserving the stadium’s unique character. Beyond the field, Murphy highlighted the organization’s commitment to the Green Bay community through charitable donations, the development of Titletown, and hosting the NFL Draft. He believes the Packers are well-positioned for continued success under the leadership of Ed Policy, Brian Gutekunst, Matt LaFleur, and Russ Ball. Furthermore, he emphasized the strengthened connection with fans through two stock sales, adding over 426,000 owners, and the creation of the Packers Everywhere program.
Murphy expressed immense gratitude for the unwavering support of the Packers fanbase, calling serving as President “the best job in the NFL.” He acknowledged the unique dynamic of observing games, noting that while he and key personnel – Gutekunst, Ball, and Policy – watched like typical fans, they also possessed a deeper understanding of the game and the players’ adjustments. He enjoyed arriving at Lambeau Field hours before kickoff to gauge the fan experience and interact with those in attendance.
The impact of Murphy’s leadership extended beyond the Packers organization. A fellow retired president and CEO, with a 17-plus year tenure in the software industry, shared how Murphy’s willingness to address even “tough, even patently obnoxious questions” inspired the implementation of an anonymous question section in company-wide meetings. “Don’t be afraid to answer tough questions, the positives outweigh the negatives,” Murphy remarked, acknowledging the value of open communication and transparency. He even included questions from two particularly outspoken fans, Sam and Tim, as a tribute.
Fan engagement remained a central theme, as evidenced by a recent inquiry from Shawn F. of Green Bay, who detailed a personal fitness routine incorporating walks around Lambeau Field. Shawn also proposed a community initiative to donate flowers from Lambeau Field to Habitat for Humanity and local shelters, offering to coordinate the effort. Murphy assured Shawn that the suggestion would be forwarded to the Director of Facility Operations.
When asked to pinpoint his most memorable moment, Murphy cited both the Super Bowl XLV victory and the opportunity to announce the Packers’ first-round draft pick this year, recognizing both as rewards for the collective hard work of the entire organization and significant moments for the Green Bay community.
