Former Packers safety LeRoy Butler present to honor the tradition he began in 1993
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers on Friday unveiled the newest addition to the Lambeau Field campus, a life-sized Lambeau Leap statue.
The statue, cast in bronze, pays tribute to the beloved Lambeau Field tradition started in 1993 by LeRoy Butler. The post-touchdown celebration of a player jumping into the stands beyond the end zone has been enjoyed by players and fans ever since, becoming one of Lambeau Field’s most well-known rituals.
“We’re very excited about this new addition to Lambeau Field,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “The Lambeau Leap is one of the great traditions in the NFL and highlights the special connection between our players and fans. Visitors to Lambeau Field will now be able to experience their own Lambeau Leap.”
The new sculpture features a space for fans to pose as the Packers player leaping into the stands. Other fans will be able to pose near the statue as well, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to Lambeau to take photos.
Butler, a former safety and member of the Packers Hall of Fame, attended the event and spoke about the unique bond between Packers players and fans that comes to life through the Lambeau Leap.
“Out of every football celebration, this one is unique because it incorporates the fans,” said Butler. “It caught on because it shows the fans how much the players appreciate them and vice versa. For every Packers fan who sees the statue, you can understand what it means to be in Lambeau Field and it immortalizes the Lambeau Leap.”
The statue was created by a team of sculptors from the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt-Amrany in Highwood, Illinois, the same studio that created the statues of Vince Lombardi and Curly Lambeau at the nearby Harlan Plaza. The team includes Oscar Leon, Sean Bell, Jessica LoPresti and Gary Tillery.
The Lambeau Leap statue adds to the landscape of Packers history along Lombardi Avenue, joining the new Harlan Plaza and its iconic statues of Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi, as well as the 13 birch trees that represent the team’s world championships.
The statue is located just outside the entrance to the new Packers Pro Shop on the north end of the Atrium, near the stairs to the Miller Lite Gate.
LeRoy Butler leaped, and a connection was made. #Packers unveil new Lambeau Leap Wall: http://t.co/eR9culmc0o pic.twitter.com/BnZe3dXUmk
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 2, 2014
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