GREEN BAY – On the day he was introduced as the new president/CEO of the Packers on Dec. 3, 2007, Mark Murphy assumed his new position with one goal in mind.
To leave the most iconic franchise in NFL history in a better all-around position than he found it.
While Murphy will be the last to take credit for the organization's successes, he doesn't have to. In recognition of Murphy's 17 years at the helm, Packers Hall of Fame Inc. announced Monday that Murphy would be the 171st inductee into the team's hall of fame next summer.
The ceremony will take place on Aug. 28, 2025, in the Lambeau Field Atrium, a little more than a month after Murphy reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.
"I'm tremendously honored but also humbled by this recognition," Murphy said. "It's hard to believe I've been here 17 years already. It's really been a tremendous privilege. In my mind, the Packers are not only a unique organization, but I think one of the most special organizations in all professional sports."
Under Murphy's leadership, the Packers have made 12 playoff trips, including a team-record eight straight (2009 to 2016), five NFC title game appearances and a victory in Super Bowl XLV.
Off the field, Murphy directed the organization's master plan involving the Lambeau Field campus, with the organization investing more than $600 million in the stadium, all financed without public tax money.
He led the creation of Titletown, a vibrant, 45-acre development that opened in 2017, and worked to increase the number of outside events utilizing Lambeau Field, including concerts, college football, soccer matches and the NFL Draft in 2025.
Murphy played an instrumental role in the promotion of longtime Packers scout Brian Gutekunst to general manager in 2018 and the hiring of Head Coach Matt LaFleur the following January.
"Obviously I'm not standing here right now if he didn't give me this opportunity, so I'll be forever grateful to him," LaFleur said. "Having gotten to work with him the last six years, I think he's a great leader. He allows you to go and do your job. He's super supportive, and he's always there for you when you need him.
"He's a great person first and foremost, and I think he leads this entire organization the right way. He's certainly well-deserving of that honor."
During his preliminary comments, Murphy thanked the Packers Hall of Fame, team employees, coaches, players, the executive committee, and late Packers executive Peter Platten, who directed the search process that led to Murphy's selection.
A former All-Pro safety who won a Super Bowl in Washington, Murphy worked extensively with the NFL Players Association before transitioning to college athletics, serving as the athletic director at his alma mater, Colgate, and Northwestern.
Murphy never expected to leave Evanston, Ill., but found the opportunity to lead the Packers organization too good to pass up. He quickly felt an immediate connection to Green Bay and the surrounding communities.
His love of interacting with fans was perhaps best reflected in the Packers Everywhere initiative, the brainchild of his daughter, Emily, that connects fans worldwide through pep rallies, contesting and social platforms.
"That's been one of the best parts of my job," Murphy said. "To see the thousands of people who come out, it really gives you a sense of how special the support that we get from our fans. The connection that our fans have to the Packers is pretty unique and I think a lot of it goes back to our ownership structure."
Watching Lambeau Field grow also has been humbling. In a day and age of multibillion-dollar, taxpayer-funded stadium developments around the NFL, the Packers have repeatedly invested into modernizing the stadium and football facilities.
"It's hard to believe how much we've grown," Murphy said. "(I take) great pride in Lambeau Field and how it's viewed – not only across the league but internationally as kind of an iconic stadium, making sure that continues to be the case.
"You got all these new stadiums coming up that are beautiful and great, but I wouldn't trade them for Lambeau Field."
This past summer, the Packers announced chief operating officer and general counsel Ed Policy will succeed Murphy as Packers president/CEO next July.
There's still plenty of work to be done over the next eight months, including the current Packers season and Green Bay hosting the 2025 NFL Draft in April.
Like his succession of Packers Hall of Famer Bob Harlan, Murphy felt it was his duty to pass a well-lit torch to Policy after the two worked together the past 12 years. An immediate induction into the Packers Hall of Fame reflects Murphy's success in doing so.
"All our employees, I think we all have the sense that we are all stewards," Murphy said. "In my position, I've always wanted to leave the organization better than I found it. I know Bob did the same thing. A lot of confidence that Ed Policy will do a great job going forward."
