Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark murphy has penned his final “Murphy Takes 5” column, signaling the end of his distinguished tenure with the iconic NFL franchise. Titled “Hasta la Vista, Baby!”, the farewell piece serves as a heartfelt message to the league’s “best fans” and a reflective look back at nearly two decades leading the organization. The Spanish phrase, meaning “See you later” or “Goodbye for now,” holds personal significance for Murphy, serving as a tribute to his late father, Hugh, affectionately known as “Big Murph.” His father frequently used the expression and shared life lessons he called “Pearls of Wisdom,” a theme that resonates throughout murphy’s parting message.
In his final column, Murphy addresses common questions posed by fans throughout his career. He shares candid reflections on both regrets and proudest achievements, providing a deeply personal perspective on the challenges and triumphs of steering the Packers. This final interaction through the long-running “Murphy Takes 5” format underscores his commitment to direct engagement with the fanbase, a hallmark of his leadership style.
Reflections on a Storied Tenure
Looking back, Murphy doesn’t shy away from acknowledging disappointments. A significant regret near the end of his presidency is not securing a Super Bowl victory with the current leadership team of General Manager Brian Gutekunst and Head Coach Matt LaFleur. Despite coming “very close” in several seasons, that ultimate goal remained just out of reach. However, he reveals a more profound, personal regret stemming from early in his tenure.
A Personal Regret and a Priceless Lesson
Shortly after becoming President in 2007, the Packers hosted two home playoff games. Given his father’s football background and deep love for the sport, Murphy had planned for “Big Murph” to experience the magic of Lambeau Field. They decided to postpone the trip until the following September, hoping for better weather and easier travel. Tragically, Big Murph passed away from brain cancer that June, never getting the chance to see a game at Lambeau. This poignant experience instilled a powerful new “pearl of wisdom” for Murphy: “never pass up the opportunity to spend special time with family and friends.” It’s a reminder of life’s priorities beyond professional endeavors.
Proud Moments and Lasting Impact
Despite regrets, Murphy’s tenure is marked by numerous significant accomplishments he holds dear. Topping the list is the unforgettable victory in Super Bowl XLV, particularly meaningful as the team navigated the playoffs as a sixth seed. He expresses hope that he is leaving the Packers organization in a stronger position than when he began.
Key to this legacy are the substantial enhancements made to Lambeau Field under his leadership. These include the South End Zone expansion, comprehensive concourse renovations, and the development of new football and administrative offices. An eagerly anticipated new locker room is also set to open soon. Murphy believes these updates have successfully modernized the stadium while preserving the unique character and special atmosphere that defines Lambeau Field.
Beyond the stadium walls, Murphy is immensely proud of the Packers’ impact on the Green Bay community. This includes significant donations to non-profit organizations and the transformative development of Titletown, the mixed-use district adjacent to the stadium. More recently, hosting the NFL Draft brought significant positive attention and economic benefit to Green Bay and the entire state of Wisconsin.
Strengthening the bond between the team and its passionate fanbase was another priority. Two successful stock sales added over 426,000 new owners, further solidifying the Packers’ unique public ownership model. The creation of the Packers Everywhere program also helped connect with fans globally. Murphy believes the organization is poised for continued success with the current leadership team, including Ed Policy, Brian Gutekunst, Matt LaFleur, and Russ Ball.
Murphy concludes his introductory remarks with profound gratitude for the fans’ unwavering support, stating that their passion makes leading the Packers “the best job in the NFL.” He describes serving the fanbase as both an “honor and a privilege.”
Engaging Directly: The Final Q&A
The latter part of the farewell column returns to the familiar “Murphy Takes 5” format, featuring direct responses to fan questions. This segment highlights Murphy’s accessible leadership approach, even tackling difficult or critical inquiries.
Inside the Gameday Experience
One fan, R. Denio, inquired about what Murphy would miss most about gameday and how an owner views the game compared to a regular fan. Murphy shared his ritual of arriving at Lambeau Field three to four hours before kickoff. He loved walking around, observing the pre-game fan experience, and interacting directly with those tailgating or entering the stadium. He described watching games from a small box on the seventh floor with key personnel like Gutekunst, Ball, and Policy. While they watched the game’s flow like any fan, he noted they did so with “more at stake,” deeper knowledge of the team, and a focus on observing how coaches and players made in-game adjustments.
The Value of Answering Tough Questions
Gary, a fellow retired CEO, shared how Murphy’s practice of answering challenging questions in MT5 inspired him to adopt a similar transparent approach in his own company, finding it fostered trust and better leadership. Murphy embraced this feedback, framing it as another “pearl of wisdom”: “Don’t be afraid to answer tough questions, the positives outweigh the negatives.” As a tribute to Gary, Murphy even included examples of pointed questions from opinionated fans.
One such question came from Sam, a long-time fan criticizing personnel decisions and demanding a specific player acquisition (Trey Hendrickson). Murphy’s response was brief, simply acknowledging the input without debating the specifics, showcasing his varied approach to different types of questions. Another fan, Tim C., questioned the team’s commitment to Super Bowl contention, referencing player moves like Jaire Alexander’s status and Jalen Ramsey joining the Steelers. Murphy directly affirmed his seriousness about Super Bowl possibilities, pointing to the team’s youth (two years running, the youngest in the league), strong coaching staff, and anticipated significant progress in the upcoming season.
Community Connections and Gameday Beauty
Shawn F. from Green Bay shared her personal fitness journey involving walks around Lambeau Field and using the Oneida Nation stairs. She praised the beauty of the stadium area, particularly noting the frequent changing of flowers in the landscaping. Inspired by the process, she proposed a thoughtful idea: donating still-healthy plants and flowers from Lambeau’s seasonal changes to local community projects like Habitat for Humanity homes, community shelters, or neighborhood associations. Shawn even volunteered her coordination skills. Murphy welcomed the suggestion, confirming he would forward the idea to Mike Moynihan, the Director of Facility Operations, to explore the possibility of donating the flowers, highlighting the organization’s connection to the community.
Most Memorable Moments
Finally, Ethan from Texas asked about Murphy’s most memorable or favorite moments as Packers President. The clear number one was winning Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. He called announcing the Packers’ first-round pick at the Green Bay NFL Draft a close second. For Murphy, both moments represented the culmination of tremendous hard work by countless people within the organization. He also emphasized the significant positive publicity and pride the draft brought to the Green Bay community and the entire state of Wisconsin.
Murphy’s final “Murphy Takes 5” column serves as a comprehensive closing statement, blending personal reflection, organizational history, and direct fan interaction. It encapsulates his approach to leadership and leaves a lasting impression of his dedication to the Packers and their unique place in the sports world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Mark Murphy’s main regrets and proudest achievements?
Mark Murphy shared several reflections in his final column. A key professional regret was not winning a Super Bowl with the current leadership team of Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur, despite coming close. A deeply personal regret was his father not getting to attend a game at Lambeau Field before his passing. On the achievement side, he was most proud of winning Super Bowl XLV and overseeing significant Lambeau Field improvements, the development of Titletown, hosting the NFL Draft, and strengthening fan connections through stock sales and the Packers Everywhere program.
How did Mark Murphy engage directly with Packers fans?
Murphy regularly engaged with fans through his “Murphy Takes 5” column, where he directly answered questions submitted by readers. He also highlighted his personal practice of arriving early on gamedays at Lambeau Field to walk around the stadium, observe the fan experience, and interact with people face-to-face before kickoff. This direct connection was a valued part of his role.
Who is leading the Green Bay Packers after Mark Murphy’s retirement?
While Mark Murphy is retiring as President and CEO, his final column mentions key leaders who he believes position the organization for continued success. He specifically names Ed Policy, Brian Gutekunst (General Manager), Matt LaFleur (Head Coach), and Russ Ball as the leadership team guiding the Packers into the future.
