The Green Bay Packers returned the Lombardi trophy back to Lambeau Field as they celebrated their Super Bowl XLV victory.
Super Bowl XLV champions Green Bay return trophy to Lambeau Field
The Green Bay Packers finally made it back to Lambeau Field to celebrate their Super Bowl XLV victory after their long road journey took them all the way to success in Dallas.
The Packers returned to their home ground after a brilliant play-off run on the road that saw them win in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago before beating Pittsburgh 31-25 in Cowboys Stadium in Super Bowl XLV.
36 days after winning their final regular season game against fierce rivals Chicago, Green Bay was finally able to welcome back their heroes, with 56,000 turning out for the 'Return to Titeltown' celebration.
The storied team from a town which still only boasts a population of 102,000, less than the attendance of Super Bowl XLV, ended 14 years of frustration when they won a record 13th NFL crown and fourth Super Bowl title.
The trophy holds special significance in the Wisconsin mill town, with it being named after their Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi after he masterminded victories in Super Bowls I and II.
Fans
Despite freezing temperatures, Packers fans braved the cold to welcome back their heroes, with MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers bringing the curtain down on the festivities with his address to the faithful.
"What's up, Titletown?" Rodgers said to draw a huge roar from the crowd. "We did it together. We brought that title home. We love you.
"I tell you what, Green Bay, we're going to be right here next year doing the exact same thing!"
Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said they would keep with the tradition of naming streets after Super Bowl-winning coaches with 'McCarthy Way' set to be introduced in respect of head coach Mike McCarthy after he guided them to victory.
As the Packers became just the second Super Bowl-winning sixth seeds, many purists delighted in seeing Green Bay - the only team in American sports owned by the fans - come out on top.
"Just a very special moment," safety Nick Collins, who scored a touchdown on an interception, told the crowd. "Something I'll cherish for the rest of my life. I've been chasing this dream for a long, long time, and I'm just glad to be a part of it."
Special
McCarthy and his players paraded the Vince Lombardi trophy on its homecoming, and fans on the front rows even got their hands on the silverware as it made its way around Lambeau Field.
Injured veteran receiver Donald Driver, like his team-mates well wrapped up in big coats, hats and scarves, also thanked the Cheeseheads for their support throughout what was a difficult season.
"We're Super Bowl champs, baby! All season long, you guys believed. We love you guys so much," he said.
With a young team and so many injured players to come back in, Green Bay are already favourites for next year's Super Bowl in Indianapolis - providing it goes ahead as planned.
A new collective bargaining agreement between owners and players expires on March 3 and the possibility of a lockout and a lost season is still on the cards.
