Lombardi considered entering the priesthood after graduation from college. He attended church daily, and the depth of his religious devotion away from the football field — where he was mostly known for his fury and profanity — would later be a source of wonder and amusement to his players. (Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr concluded that his coach "needs to go to church every day.") Lombardi, however, decided to study law instead, and attended law school for one year while supporting himself playing football for the Brooklyn Eagles, a minor league team, and working as an insurance investigator.

Fordham.

In 1939 Lombardi left law school for a $l,700-a-year job as an assistant football coach and a teacher of science, math, and Latin at St. Cecilia High School in Englewood, New Jersey. He soon became head coach of the football, basketball, and baseball teams. During his...