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That Story About Vince Lombardi Trading Jim Ringo is False

It goes something like this. During the 1964 offseason, center Jim Ringo — then an 11-year veteran and a first-team All Pro during each of the five previous seasons — showed up with an agent to negotiate his new contract. Vince Lombardi hated agents and preferred to negotiate with his players one-on-one. Thus, Lombardi sent Ringo packing to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The deal, which also included fullback Earl Gros, netted the Packers linebacker Lee Roy Caffey and a first-round draft pick.

The story about why Lombardi traded Ringo is totally false, however. A myth that Lombardi allowed people to believe.