Former Packers coach Mike McCarthy visited Lambeau Field twice since his firing to speak with his coaching staff and players.
Mike McCarthy returned to Lambeau Field on Wednesday and spoke to the team, with the blessing of Mark Murphy, Brian Gutekunst and Joe Philbin.
"His passion for the game and his love for the players was clearly evident," Philbin said. "He did a great job." https://t.co/PuedEv7W3J
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) December 6, 2018
“We all saw him as a staff, which was great,” Philbin said Thursday. “Then we talked, and he wanted an opportunity to speak with the team. I was 100 percent, fully supportive of [it], and he did a fantastic job talking to the team. Not just about football and winning football games, but his passion. His passion for the game, his love for the players was clearly evident. I’m sure it was emotional for him and everybody in the room. It was awesome. I thought he did a great job.”
Players gave McCarthy a standing ovation in the meeting on Wednesday. Linebacker Clay Matthews called it “warranted and deserved.”
“His passion for the team & his love for the players was clearly evident. I’m sure it was emotional for him & everyone in the room. I thought he did a great job.”https://t.co/3OzeQRDThR
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 6, 2018
“I was happy to see him,” Matthews said. “Obviously, first things first, you understand that this is a business and not many people get that opportunity. And the player, as well. We’re in the same boat. For him to invest the past 13 years in this team, has given his heart and soul to us, to have that kind of closure, it was great of the organization — Joe, Gutey, Mark and everybody that allowed him to come in and say his piece. I know we really enjoyed it. I’m sure he did from a closure standpoint. Obviously, we gave him the respect he deserved and sent him off with some final words.”
Defensive tackle Kenny Clark said McCarthy “just let us know and tell us how much he cared about us and the job and just the Packers and Green Bay in general. It was really cool just to get to see him and talk to him one last time before he left.”
McCarthy was there a very long time, so I understand it can’t be easy for him to let go.
“He spoke to the team yesterday and that was good,” Murphy said on WTMJ radio. “I think Mike wanted some closure with the players and some of the other coaches to be able to thank them and say goodbye to them as well.”
Looks like he’s made Green Bay a home. I’m pretty sure he’ll be coaching in some capacity elsewhere eventually.
The guy has Coach Lifer all over his face.
