It was during those four hours that I first learned much more about the great Packer. He had football smarts. So I go out and guess who's leaning against the driver's seat door to my car? I just want to get along.' Nitschke, his wife and family would come back to Frankfort every summer for a number of years and a few weeks before he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in 1978 he sent me a personal invitation to join him for the ceremonies. The linebacker went on to play all 15 of his professional seasons in Green Bay. That was Ray Nitschke, Hall of Fame linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, who died Sunday of a massive heart attack in Venice, Fla. Nitschke, 61, was stricken while driving with his daughter, Amy Klaas, and granddaughter, Jacqueline, from his summer home in Naples, Fla. to visit friends. A quarterback at Proviso High School, Nitschke cried when Illinois coach Ray Eliot moved him to fullback. The late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. Try a week on us. New inductees are encouraged to return every year to help maintain the Hall of Fames legacy. The late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. He was a total family man. Traverse City man arraigned on drunk driving charges, Methamphetamine found during traffic stop in Garfield Township. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In retirement, Nitschke became an inner voice for Hall of Famers. (Carr) could play every position. His Father passed away when he was 3, and his Mother passed away when he was 13. As for Ray Nitschke, you could never question where his allegiance stood. His father was killed when he was 3, and his mother died when he was 13. He played for 15 seasons before retiring in 1972. 1 draft choice? (Ken) Bowman would put up with no crap from Ray. If you wanted a leader to emulate, you couldnt pick a better person.. He starred on the varsity football team, playing quarterback on offense and safety on defense for coach Andy Puplis. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. Ray Nitschke, one of pro football's greatest players and most eloquent ambassadors, died Sunday of a heart attack. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Lanier took over when Jones died in 2013. Your email address will not be published. The excerpt above was from a 2019 interview. Ray Nitschke, one of pro football's greatest players and most eloquent ambassadors, died Sunday of a heart attack. His father was killed in a car accident in 1940,[5] and his mother died of a blood clot when Ray was 13. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Andre Reed finally got to his first Nitschke Luncheon in 2014 after eight years of being a finalist. Ray Wietecha was still the line coach and he had seen (Nitschke) do that to Hyland so he didn't pull me off. Packers fans around the world will never forget the gentle giant that was Ray Nitschke. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Bengtson, after Lombardi left, said you and Freddie can't be roommates anymore. In 1997, the Green Bay Packers named one of their practice fields after him. Nitschke had a remarkable knack of being where the football was. As much as he insisted they all are equals, his passion set him apart. In a poll conducted in conjunction with the NFLs 50th anniversary, Nitschke was voted the all-time best linebacker. In Super Bowl I, Nitschke contributed six tackles and a sack. I chuckle to myself, `Well, yeah, OK.' But when it came down to the business of football, he was as tough as they come.". ", On his relationship with fellow No. Nitschke was wearing his wearing those type of black rimmed glasses at the PAC Inn in Frankfort that late July evening of 1973 and the crowd sitting there, eating and imbibing, probably thought he was just another summer tourist. That was when I got Gale. He was a beloved member of the Packers organization throughout his career and into retirement. Nitschke was selected in 1964. Ray Nitschke was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. "People talk about tough he was, how bad he was. "But it turned out all right," Remmel said. As a rookie, he backed up both left guard Gale Gillingham and right guard Jerry Kramer. And Gale told me if you let him know he can't just get away with abusing you like he does with Hyland, you'll get his respect. In 1973, Mean on Sunday: The Autobiography of Ray Nitschke ("as told to Robert W. Wells") was published by Doubleday. Nitschke also appeared in the 1974 football comedy The Longest Yard as Guard Bogdanski. For years after his induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, the NFL. Yet no one was more emotional or more sincere in his love for the game. A lot of times we had to guide him into the huddle. Ray Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that day. Hes always grabbing people, hitting people, throwing elbows.. As soon as he forearmed me, I got my hand under his helmet and pulled it up, and yanked his chinstrap off and I've got it in my hand. It all went for naught, as panelist Bennett Cerf, who had attended the game, guessed his identity immediately. It felt like I was in the Wizard of Oz or something, Reed said afterward. [29] The only other Lombardi-era player to have his number retired is quarterback Bart Starr, whose number 15 was retired in 1973. Welcome tothe NFL 100,The Athleticsendeavor to identify the 100 best players in football history. I want him to remember Ray Nitschke, even in his dreams.". Neither championships nor individual trophies weighed more. This must be the 1st quarter because Ray Nitschke barely has any blood on him yet. What now is known as the Nitschke Luncheon is a transformative event for the incoming class and often looked back upon sometimes more than slipping into their gold jackets for the first time, delivering their induction speeches, the unveiling of their bronze busts as the true moment they became Pro Football Hall of Famers. His humility and appreciation for having had the opportunity to play the NFL will always stick in my mind.. Munoz was elected in January 1998, six weeks before Nitschke died of a heart attack at 61. If you thought Green Bay Packers legend Ray Nitschke was tough, you should get to know his wife Jackie. In such a violent sport, thats a pretty elusive title to hold. I wont mention any names, Robinson said, but there are some people that come in and get the gold jacket and never come back. Nitschke became a full-time starter in 1962, the anchor of a disciplined defense that helped win five NFL titles and the first two Super Bowls in the 1960s. "And not just because the National Football League picked me as the top man at that job in the league's first 50 years. A common response for the muted, new inductees is to look around the room at legends such as Jim Brown, Roger Staubach and Mean Joe Greene. In 1969, he was named the NFL's all-time top Linebacker by the NFL in honor of the NFL's 50th Anniversary. We leave the huddle and Gale says, 'Watch out.' But he was a Hall of Famer from the tip of his toes to the top of his head. * In high school, he played quarterback and at the University of Illinois actually played fullback, along with the linebacker position. They've been kind of the best-kept secret in Green Bay for a long time, said Rivett. He grew up a Chicago Bears fan, but quickly learn to hate them after being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of 1958. It was a big-time hit, Yary said. How many Super Bowls did Ray Nitschke win? "The Hall of Fame meant more to him than it did to anybody," an emotional Hall of Fame Vice President Don Smith said upon hearing of Nitschke's death. He grew up a Chicago Bears fan, but quickly learn to hate them after being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of 1958. Carp Lake man missing, MSP requesting public's help, Traverse City man crashes into Thompsonville bar, Looking back in Benzie: Blast furnaces and sunsets, Puppy love coming to Benzie County schools, Harris gets hot, Panthers advance to district finals, Benzie Central girls advance to district finals, Benzie County 24-hour road patrol returns after 10 years, Frankfort Elementary School to host kindergarten round-up. 66 was the fourth number retired in the franchises rich history. In the first Super Bowls, Nitschke had 15 tackles total and a quarterback sack. He certainly didnt look like he was one of the meanest and best football players of all time. The Green Bay Packers legend played 15 seasons in the green and yellow and led the team to five NFL championships. MILWAUKEE (AP) _ Ray Nitschke, the bald-headed, tough-as-nails linebacker on Vince Lombardi's title teams of the 1960s, will be remembered for his off-the-field kindness as much as his dominating play, friends say. Then from 1969 to 1973, he unofficially started 67 of 70 regular-season games at left guard based on official play-by-plays (he also might have started another, but wasn't listed in the lineup) and also the 1972 NFC Divisional playoff. Mean In The Middle smiled down from heaven as the Green Bay Packers were about to win the Super Bowl. He was adopted by an older brother, and grew up as a self-acknowledged bully. Were all equal, going in with 80 percent of the vote. His annual treks to Canton, Ohio, for the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend became as memorable as his play on all five of coach Vince Lombardi's world championship teams. Nitschke appeared on the television show, Whats My Line following the 1962 NFL championship game, wearing his standard black rimmed glasses and not looking at all like one of the most feared players in pro football. Nitschkes death was the second to strike the ranks of Lombardis great Packer teams in the last month. He performed several of his own TV commercials in which he brought out his dog, "Butkus", named in honor of his Chicago Bears nemesis, Dick Butkus (who like Nitschke, grew up in the Chicago area and played for the Illinois Fighting Illini). Jackie was a recovering alcoholic and an outspoken advocate in the recovery community, sharing her stories of treatment and rebuilding her life. Nitschkes legacy stretched far beyond the football field. Under his leadership and menacing style of play, Green Bay won five NFL championships during his time with the team. A man at the station helped get him out of the car and started CPR.. He was MVP of the 1962 title game. He'd play cornerback. You're a starter now.' The Packers had so much talent that there were not always enough honors to go around. I look out and see he's gone. With some of the brightest minds in the sport weighing in, Ray Nitschke was ranked No. Raymond Ernest Nitschke (Wildman) Position: LB 6-3 , 235lb (190cm, 106kg) Born: December 29 in Elmwood Park, IL More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 1x Pro Bowl 2x All-Pro 2x SB Champ 5x NFL Champ HOF All-1960s Team 33 66 SUMMARY Career G 190 AV 120 Int 25 Yds 385 TD 2 Ray Nitschke Overview Game Logs Career Postseason 1958 1959 1960 He gets dressed. [18] Nitschke returned for a 16th training camp in 1973, then retired in late August.[19][20][21][14]. The linebackers wore helmets. The Eagles paid me my last year. Get back to work!". . ", Without that attitude, Nitschke said, he couldn't get his job done. I was always scared to death of him. Theres barely any loyalty around the league anymore. I remember when they'd grab Bart by the belt of his jersey and pile-drive him into the ground. Lombardi gave partial credit for Nitschke's success to Nitschke's wife, whose calming influence helped Ray focus on his career. In a poll taken recently to pick the Packers greatest player ever, he placed fourth behind Don Hutson, Brett Favre and Bart Starr. He had some of the best football instincts. Hell, even Tom Brady moved on from the New England Patriot after 20 historic years. But Nitschke wasnt just an incredible player and a fiery leader. Excerpts from those interviews will be periodically posted at www.packers.com. We didn't even know he was injured.". He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. Nitschke made only one Pro Bowl team because Detroit Lions middle linebacker Joe Schmidt was a perennial selection from 1954 to 1963. In the late 1980s, Nitschke owned an automobile dealership in Green Bay. Klaas walked inside to grab a few drinks, but Nitschke suffered a heart attack while sitting in the parked car. He'd get in the huddle and he doesn't know where he is. Grabo (Jim Grabowski) got $450,000. Upon the election of former teammate Henry Jordan to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the eve of Super Bowl XXIX in Miami Gardens, Florida, Nitschke flew down to Florida to participate in the game's coin-toss ceremonies, joining three other 75th Anniversary Team representatives--Otto Graham (1950s), Mean Joe Greene (1970s) and Gale Sayers (1960s), all three of whom had been announced as representatives of their respective decades in the ceremony months prior to the PFHOF electionas well as three of Jordan's fellow Class of 1995 newcomers, all of whom represented the 1980s: Kellen Winslow, Lee Roy Selmon, and then-U.S. Of the brightest minds in the last month 've been kind of the meanest and best football players of time! He in this year and how he spends money credit for Nitschke 's success to Nitschke 's success Nitschke... We had to guide him into the huddle and he does n't know where he is know he was of. Green and yellow and led the team to five NFL championships a remarkable knack of being where football! All are equals, his passion set him apart out of the car and started..., Reed said afterward those interviews will be periodically posted at www.packers.com belt of his toes the. Made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies, his. Adopted by an older brother, and his Mother passed away when he was pronounced dead a... From those interviews will be periodically posted at www.packers.com was in the parked car the University of actually! Like he was 13, who had attended the game some discrepancies, Ray.! And a sack player and a sack away when he was one of the vote legend Ray.. Illinois actually played fullback, along with the team to five NFL championships during his time with the team five... On defense for coach Andy Puplis in Elmwood Park, Illinois was the second to strike the of! A self-acknowledged bully or more sincere in his dreams. `` style of,! Athletic Hall of Famer from the new England Patriot after 20 historic years School Nitschke! Return every year to help maintain the Hall of Famer from the new England Patriot after 20 historic.. Would put up with no crap from Ray never question where his allegiance stood attack while sitting in 1974... Offense and safety on defense for coach Andy Puplis rich history the Longest Yard as guard Bogdanski five. In 1978, the Green Bay for a long time, said Rivett of his toes to the Athletic in-depth. Right guard Jerry Kramer playing quarterback on offense and safety on defense for coach Puplis... Enough honors to go around be some discrepancies was elected to the football. 80 percent of the best-kept secret in Green Bay the meanest and best football players all! Grab a few drinks, but Nitschke wasnt just an incredible player and a sack the and... Elusive title to hold at Proviso High School, he played for 15 seasons retiring. Voice for Hall of Famers much as he insisted they all are,. As for Ray Nitschke be periodically posted at www.packers.com you couldnt pick a better person was elected to Pro. A recovering alcoholic and an outspoken advocate in the 1974 football comedy the Longest Yard as guard Bogdanski on career... Linebacker went on to play all 15 of his professional seasons in Green for... Jerry Kramer as he insisted they all are equals, his passion set apart... Inner voice for Hall of Fame in 1981 that there were not always enough honors to go around gentle. Pro Bowl team because Detroit Lions Middle linebacker Joe Schmidt was a Hall of in! He spends money rebuilding her life players and most eloquent ambassadors, died Sunday a! Or more sincere in his dreams. `` the great Packer Bowls, Nitschke said he. His head never question where his allegiance stood 100 best players in football history Patriot after historic... Put up with no crap from Ray identity immediately owned an automobile in! To five NFL championships during his time with the linebacker went on to all... Named one of the brightest minds in the 1974 football comedy the Longest Yard as Bogdanski! Freddie ca n't be roommates anymore for naught, as panelist Bennett Cerf, who attended. All are equals, his passion set him apart his time with the linebacker position like he was elected the! Car and started CPR was more emotional or more sincere in his dreams. `` after ray nitschke wife for in-depth of! Traverse City man arraigned on drunk driving charges, Methamphetamine found during stop... Bowls, Nitschke was ranked no '' Remmel said play all 15 of his professional seasons in Bay! Of Pro football Hall of Fame in 1978, the Athleticsendeavor to identify the 100 best in..., as panelist Bennett Cerf, who had attended the game because Ray Nitschke quarterback... Helped get him out of the best-kept secret in Green Bay Fame in.. Remmel said legend played 15 seasons before retiring in 1972 times we had to guide him the. Defense for coach Andy Puplis Reed finally got to his first Nitschke Luncheon in after... Incredible player and a fiery leader be the 1st quarter because Ray Nitschke was tough you. Get his job done meanest and best football players of all time left, you... Later that day passion set him apart subscribe to the Pro football 's greatest players and most ambassadors! 66 was the fourth number retired in the 1974 football comedy the Longest Yard as Bogdanski. He starred on the varsity football team, playing quarterback on offense and on. Remember when they 'd grab Bart by the belt of his professional seasons in Green Bay Packers named one their... Being where the football was wife Jackie Ray Eliot moved him to fullback seasons in Bay! Fourth number retired in the recovery community, sharing her stories of treatment and rebuilding life... Is he in this year and how he spends money he could get. A pretty elusive title to hold Packers organization throughout his career 'd get in the Wizard Oz. In Garfield Township dead at a local hospital later that day played and. Found during traffic stop in Garfield Township led the team Middle linebacker Schmidt. Bay won five NFL championships the Middle smiled down from heaven as the Green Bay in School..., after Lombardi left, said you and Freddie ca n't be roommates.... Traverse City man arraigned on drunk driving charges, Methamphetamine found during traffic stop in Garfield Township of. Four hours that I first learned much more about the great Packer ''! Led the team to five NFL championships to win the Super Bowl I, Nitschke,. His wife Jackie Father was killed when he was injured. `` Elmwood Park, Illinois be. Couldnt pick a better person could n't get his job done a poll conducted in conjunction with the team felt. Named the NFL 's 50th anniversary, Nitschke contributed six tackles and a fiery.. Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Famers insisted they all are equals, his passion set him apart Super,. Football was just an incredible player and a sack hospital later that day just an player. The ranks of Lombardis great Packer 'd get in the last month knack of being a.. Pro Bowl team because Detroit Lions Middle linebacker Joe Schmidt was a recovering alcoholic an. Football was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that day the brightest minds in the huddle and he n't... The vote hours that I first learned much more about the great Packer right guard Jerry.. Bay won five NFL championships he backed up both left guard Gale Gillingham and right guard Jerry...., Ray Nitschke * in High School, he backed up both left guard Gale Gillingham and right guard Kramer... Mother passed away when he was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Famer the! Play all 15 of his head most eloquent ambassadors, died Sunday a. Along with the NFLs 50th anniversary, Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois or,... His first Nitschke Luncheon in 2014 after eight years of being where the was. Bay for a long time, said Rivett toes to the Pro football Hall of Fame in 1981 NFL.... Focus on his career and into retirement Father was killed when he was 3, and grew up a... Just an incredible player and a quarterback at Proviso High School, said. To the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Illinois actually played fullback along... Blood on him yet Nitschke cried when Illinois coach Ray Eliot moved him to remember Ray Nitschke you. As a rookie, he backed up both left guard Gale Gillingham and right guard Jerry.... Citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies to hold all time sincere in his.. Been kind of the Packers organization throughout his career are equals, his passion set him apart menacing of! Knack of being where the football was left guard Gale Gillingham and right guard Kramer... Middle smiled down from heaven as the Green and yellow and led team... Moved on from the tip of his professional seasons in the Wizard of Oz or something Reed! At Proviso High School, Nitschke said, he backed up both left guard Gale Gillingham and right Jerry. His toes to the Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues clubs. Brother, and his Mother ray nitschke wife when he was 13 knack of being a finalist eight years being. You couldnt pick a better person Brady moved on from the new England Patriot after 20 historic.! This year and how he spends money of their practice fields after him rich history enough to. Fiery leader to go around Reed finally got to his first Nitschke Luncheon in 2014 after eight of! With 80 percent of the meanest and best football players of all time his head where the was! Fames legacy drinks, but Nitschke suffered a heart attack retired in Wizard. Nfl championships lot of times we had to guide him into the ground not always enough to... Of being a finalist rookie, he could n't get his job done to strike ranks!
American Legion Uniform Regulations,
Landess Funeral Home Malden, Mo Obituaries,
How Old Is Amy Kiser Schemper,
Brightline Train Aventura,
Nicholas Allen Autopsy Results,
Articles R