G.F. Clifford enjoyed a state-wide reputation as a trial lawyer, politician and executive of the Green Bay Packers. It is in the last capacity that his reputation has endured. As it was said at his induction into the Packer Hall of Fame, "Clifford is the reason that the Packers are in Green Bay and that Green Bay is in the NFL." Clifford served as the team’s VP and lawyer, setting up the unique and enduring corporate structure, fighting off near bankruptcy several times and quashing attempts to move the team.
Clifford was born on June 19, 1889 in Chilton, Wisconsin, about thirty miles south of Green Bay. He was the son of Jeremiah M. and Catherine Connelly Clifford. His father was employed with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, rising from telegraph boy to regional superintendent.
At the time of Clifford’s birth, his father was station manager in Iron Mountain, Michigan, about one hundred miles north of Green Bay. The area was in the midst of a mining boom, with millions of tons of iron ore being shipped annually. Railroads were vital and J.M. Clifford was a community leader, serving a term as mayor. Young Jerry Clifford attended grade school there.
Later J.M. Clifford was promoted to run the ore docks at Escanaba, Michigan. Jerry attended high school there, graduating in 1905. He then spent a year and a half in Europe, writing about it for the Escanaba newspaper. Returning to the U.S., Clifford attended the University of Michigan, receiving an LL.B. in 1912. He began his practice of law that same year in Green Bay, where his father was now regional superintendent.
As a lawyer, Clifford remained in a variously arranged small firm in Green Bay, which included former Packer Laverne Dilweg for a while. He defended a reported twenty-six first degree murder cases, with no clients convicted of the original charge. Clifford made many appearances before the state Supreme Court and served as both a special prosecutor and Special Assistant Attorney General of Wisconsin.
Politically, Clifford was a liberal Democrat and New Dealer. As Wisconsin’s Progressive Party collapsed, he worked to bring its members into the Democratic Party. He was a long time member of the State Central Committee and was a frequent speaker at state conventions. He served as a delegate to all four national conventions that nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was the Democratic nominee for Congress in 1934, beating the Republican candidate, but finishing behind the Progressive.
Clifford’s contributions as a member of the Packer’s Executive Committee were vital to the existence of the team, but not well known or appreciated. They include
There are several reasons that Jerry Clifford’s contributions are no longer widely known or appreciated. He never served as President of the team. His work involved complex legal and financial matters, not coaching or scoring touchdowns. He died in 1950 without writing his side of the story and the sometimes faulty remembrances of others have diminished his role.
The most important reason Jerry Clifford's memory faded from the scene is that he is the man who forced Curly Lambeau out as coach of the Packers. The legendary Lambeau was making efforts to change the corporate structure, take control of the team and possibly move it to a warmer climate. Clifford led a faction of the Executive Committee that limited Lambeau’s power and prevented the takeover. Shortly thereafter, Lambeau left the team to coach the Chicago Cardinals. Lambeau’s many friends never forgave Clifford.
The most complete history of the Packers is Larry D. Names series "The History of the Green Bay Packers", an ongoing work. The first three volumes cover the Lambeau years and are available through Amazom.com. It is the only history based on research and study of the actual documents and not on an insider’s recollections. Much of the Packer related information on this website can be verified in these books.
Sources:
History of the Green Bay Packers, v. 1-5 by Larry
D. Names
Dictionary of Wisconsin Biography p. 79.
Wisconsin by Fred L. Holmes et al. v.5, p. 457-9.