On the eve of the stadium's rededication, with fans across the state tuning in to watch live, 33,899 fans came to Lambeau Field to celebrate the Rebirth Of A Legend.
The made-for-TV event included highlights packages of some of the greatest games and plays in the stadium's history, live music from the Rockin' Roadhouse Tour, a laser lights show and a fireworks display. But the main attraction was the most impressive gathering of former Green Bay Packers players ever -- more than 100 in all.
Among them were LeRoy Butler, Paul Coffman, Willie Davis, Lynn Dickey, Paul Hornung, Ezra Johnson, Jerry Kramer, Don Majkowski, Max McGee, Bart Starr, Jim Taylor, Reggie White and Willie Wood.
There were multiple standing ovations during the evening, but the loudest and longest was among the last.
With flashbulbs popping, eight members of the 1967 NFL championship team took to the south end zone to reenact Starr's quarterback sneak that won the 'Ice Bowl.'
Other landmark events in Lambeau Field history were remembered with highlights on Tundra Vision and live on-field interviews.
Butler described doing the first-ever Lambeau Leap in 1993. Majkowski remembered his fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe that defeated the Chicago Bears in 1989.
Davis, White and former general manager Ron Wolf used much of their stage time to thank Packers fans, calling them the best in football.
Likewise, several current players including Brett Favre, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Darren Sharper gave thanks to the team's devout followers in a prerecorded message.
From beginning to end the three-hour event was something special, not just for those who watched, but for those involved as well.
"The longer I've been away and the older I get, the more you begin to appreciate it," Majkowski said of the Green Bay Packers experience. "You just say, 'Man, what an opportunity. What a great time I had here in Green Bay.'
"It's such a special place."
Sunday, as the Packers kick off the 2003 regular season against the Minnesota Vikings, the organization will celebrate the completion of the three-year, $295 million stadium renovation with the official rededication of Lambeau Field.
Originally called City Stadium, Lambeau Field first opened in 1957.
