He's got a helmet on and I've got a stocking cap, but I learned at the University of Arizona, the first thing you do is get the helmet off if you're going to have a fight or you're going to just bust your hands. He was the MVP of the 1962 NFL Championship Game, accepting the prize of a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette. Nitschke started to feel sharp chest pains during the drive, and he pulled over to a nearby rest stop. When was Ray Nitschke inducted to the Hall of Fame? 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. Older brothers Robert Jr. (age 21) and Richard (age 17) decided they would raise Ray on their own. Among all of us offensive linemen, we supported Zeke 100 percent. Ray Nitschke was born on December 29, 1936, in Elmwood Park, Illinois, United States. When Ray met and married his wife, Jackie, he made an outstanding decision. Get back to work!". In that years Chicago College All-Star Game, played against the reigning NFL champs, a maniacal Nitschke gave Yary a glimpse of what lie ahead in the pros. On the field, he was a ferocious middle linebacker who at times seemed to truly enjoy hitting people. Of all the heroes that the Packers had in their glory years under Coach Vince Lombardi, which included five NFL championships and victories in Super Bowls I and II, Nitschke was probably the most popular. On the Packers' practice field on September 1, a 1,000-pound (450kg) steel coaching tower was blown over by a strong gust of wind, on top of Nitschke. Rivett says up to 14 people can live at the Jackie Nitschke Center for a month while they get sober. Every year, in a private space only Hall of Famers may enter, Nitschke presided on the first afternoon of induction weekend until his death in March 1998. Ray Nitschke spent two decades informing new Pro Football Hall of Famers none was bigger than the rest. Ray Nitschke. Lombardi gave partial credit to Nitschke's success to Ray's wife, whose calming influence helped him focus on his career. 1 pick Fred Carr: "We roomed together as rookies. His humility and appreciation for having had the opportunity to play the NFL will always stick in my mind.. This is a carousel. His character is listed in the credits as "Private One" because his jersey is emblazoned with the number "1". Your email address will not be published. He was a fullback and linebacker for the Illini, and the Packers drafted him as a linebacker on the third round in 1958. Hes always grabbing people, hitting people, throwing elbows.. Raised by two older brothers, Nitschke praised Proviso coach Andy Puplis and other high school coaches for keeping him on the right track. Ray Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois. Fred died of dementia. I first met Ray Nitschke in 1973 when he came to Frankfort to, of all things, judge a beauty pageant. His father was killed in a car accident in 1940,[5] and his mother died of a blood clot when Ray was 13. The film's executive producer, Jim Rivett, said that Nitschke was the first Packer Wife to publicly acknowledge her alcoholism. But there was only one Ray Nitschke, and there will never be another., (Top illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; photo: Focus on Sport / Getty Images). Pro Football Hall of Fame (inducted 1978) 5 NFL championships 2 Super Bowl championships 2 All-Pro selections 1 Pro Bowl selection. So I said (to Peppler), 'Well, do I need to come back there?' So I started beating him down and they didn't pull me off of him until I had him on the ground. So I go out and guess who's leaning against the driver's seat door to my car? His was pierced by a bolt from the tower. He gets dressed. It wasnt just the All-Pro honors or the five championships that made Nitschke great. Even when he was relegated to backup duty in the twilight of his 15-year career, they cheered his every move. He was the one player who most represented legendary coach Vince Lombardis toughness. Ray Nitschke, the meanest Packer of them all and the stalwart of five NFL championships including the first two Super Bowls, is the epitome of the storied franchise. , money, salary, income, and assets. Nitschke was married on June 26, 1961 to Jackie Forchette. "I never saw him turn down an autograph or a request to pose for a photo.". He gave it all to you. I'm like, 'I guess I better get ready.' He liked to forearm your head. I chuckle to myself, `Well, yeah, OK.' But when it came down to the business of football, he was as tough as they come.". Coming up the middle or filling a hole on a running play, I thought Nitschke was better than Butkus. For years after his induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, the NFL. 1 draft choice and in 1968, (personnel director) Pat Peppler called me. Puplis advised him to accept a football scholarship. ", On Phil Bengtson as head coach: "I had no issues with him. Tim Graham is a senior writer for The Athletic, covering Buffalo sports. His Father passed away when he was 3, and his Mother passed away when he was 13. The Green Bay Packers legend played 15 seasons in the green and yellow and led the team to five NFL championships. Other surviving children include his sons John and Richard. Rowland DePeaux on his friendship with Vince & Marie Lombardi, Legendary Wisconsin sportscaster started in Green Bay, Defensive end acquired in Adderley trade played for multiple Packers coaches in the '70s, Massive 1950s defensive tackle came to Packers from Browns, Former Packers defensive end on what led to Lombardi trading him to New York, 1940s player began his pro career with Packers' farm club, Legendary Packers coach went after everybody and that's what made him great, An oral history with one of Lombardi's original assistants, An oral history with former Packers offensive line coach Bill Austin. I know your brother is with the Calgary Stampeders.' www.jackienitschkecenter.com. Lueck, who played at the University of Arizona, was chosen No. The personification of gruff and tough, the bald-headed Nitschke's voice and manner remained intimidating 25 years after he left the field. Bengtson, after Lombardi left, said you and Freddie can't be roommates anymore. [27] Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. Nitschke is considered one of the toughest NFL players to ever live. The heaviest I ever got there was a little over 260. The film's executive producer, Jim Rivett, said that Nitschke was the first Packer Wife to publicly acknowledge her alcoholism. Hall of fame middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers who was named MVP of the 1962 NFL Championship Game and was a 1964 Pro Bowl selection. When a certain message needs to be delivered, Lanier knows who to call upon. There was a time when the Hall of Fame allowed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, family members or the occasional reporter into the Nitschke Luncheon. Ray Nitschke was 6 ft 3 inches, 235 lb (1.90 m, 106 kg). However, he was chosen by the Green Bay Packers late in the third round (36th overall) of what is considered the greatest draft in the franchise's history. Ray Nitschke, one of pro football's greatest players and most eloquent ambassadors, died Sunday of a heart attack. But along the way, Nitschke became an all-around athlete, and turned down a $3,000 bonus from baseballs St. Louis Browns to accept a football scholarship to Illinois. Nitschke was married on June 26, 1961, to Jackie Forchette. That was when I got Gale. That was the first year I started making money. (It was erroneously first reported as 5,000lb (2,270kg). Nitschkes death was the second to strike the ranks of Lombardis great Packer teams in the last month. We'd run through the plays and Ray would always tee-off on Hyland. He was a playmaker, recording 25 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries over his 15 seasons. They couldn't live with each other and they couldn't live without each other, said Rivett. 66 dash onto the field. Maybe it was the missing teeth or the oversized facemask, but no NFL player wanted to meet No. Welcome tothe NFL 100,The Athleticsendeavor to identify the 100 best players in football history. [31] Every year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has a luncheon the day before its induction ceremony, attended by most of the living members and honoring the new inductees. No matter how much he was bleeding, he wouldnt leave the game. I had the pleasure of meeting him when I was younger before he passed. Were all equal, going in with 80 percent of the vote. Ray Nitschke, one of pro football's greatest players and most eloquent ambassadors, died Sunday of a heart attack. Gillie took me under his wing and said Ray is going to mess with you. He wasnt the biggest or the strongest or the smartest, Robinson said. Mean In The Middle smiled down from heaven as the Green Bay Packers were about to win the Super Bowl. 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He was a beloved member of the Packers organization throughout his career and into retirement. [33] The bridge was constructed in 1998 to replace the former Main Street Bridge built in 1923. That becomes a most profound reality. " Champion: The Legacy of Jackie Nitschke, " premiered in Green Bay this week. 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,. I liked Schnelker. In the late 1980s, Nitschke owned an automobile dealership in Green Bay. In Super Bowl I, Nitschke contributed six tackles and a sack. He proved to be a very skilled player and tackler as a linebacker, so much so that, by his senior year, Paul Brown considered him the best linebacker in college football. 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. [13][14] At the end of the 1972 season, the 94 Packers traveled to New Orleans to play the 2101 Saints on December 17 at Tulane Stadium, which turned out to be Nitschke's last regular season game. 66 was the fourth number retired in the franchises rich history. I became interested in Nitschke when after living in Wisconsin for 8 years I learned that he had become a Christian before he died. "In fact, he's as mild and as meek as they come, a sweet guy," Wood said. The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of The Packers had so much talent that there were not always enough honors to go around. Ray Nitschke's net worth The Packers won the first two Super Bowls in NFL history thanks in large part to Nitschke. So the World League offered me $45,000, $55,000, $75,000 on a three-year contract. Their rookie season in 1958 under first-year head coach Ray "Scooter" McLean was dismal, with just one win and one tie for the worst record in the 12-team league. The late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. )[22][23] Lombardi ran over to see what had happened, but when told it had fallen on Nitschke, said, "He'll be fine. 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. On being drafted by the Packers: "I was a No. Incredibly, Nitschke played in the Pro Bowl only once. He thought that was a privilege. Congressman Steve Largent, who ended the pregame ceremonies by flipping the coin. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round (36th overall) of the 1958 NFL draft. He taught us proper technique: pulling, how to come off the ball. Nitschke made only one Pro Bowl team because Detroit Lions middle linebacker Joe Schmidt was a perennial selection from 1954 to 1963. All wear gold jackets, the lone standard for greatness. Zeke Bratkowski same thing. Nitschke leaves three adopted children: John, 34; Richard, 32; and Amy, 26, and one granddaughter, Jacqueline Rae, 17 months. Supplement 1, pp. He went in and took his shower, and I'm still kind of looking around the door from the training room. Just a few of the recognitions Ray had, he was voted the . He was pronounced dead at Venice Hospital. I remember when they'd grab Bart by the belt of his jersey and pile-drive him into the ground. (He had) no personality. Actor: The Longest Yard. Ray Nitschke was born in IL. Gale said, 'Bill, it's coming up on your turn. It was a big-time hit, Yary said. Finally, the coaches pulled me off of him and everybody was laughing. Proceeds Raised By Film About Former 'Packer Wife' Will Go Towards Green Bay Recovery Center. Traverse City man arraigned on drunk driving charges, Methamphetamine found during traffic stop in Garfield Township. Never a good student in high school, his grades suffered at college. You know his classic lines, if it doesnt matter who wins or loses, then why do we keep score or the dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.. The gravitas is unmistakable. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. A year before they put up steps to top of the 300 foot launching platform, Nitschke would be seen for a number of days that summer helping pilots carry their kites up the steep inclines. . We have estimated That was a statement about how much he loved the game.. Ray Wietecha was still the line coach and he had seen (Nitschke) do that to Hyland so he didn't pull me off. As for Ray Nitschke, you could never question where his allegiance stood. New inductees are encouraged to return every year to help maintain the Hall of Fames legacy. Ray and Jackie had a winter home in Naples, Florida. Lueck played in 90 games for the Packers over seven seasons. 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. Linemen, we supported Zeke 100 percent up to 14 people can live at the University of.... Ready. matter how much he was the first Packer Wife to publicly acknowledge her alcoholism they cheered every! Bleeding, he was the first two Super Bowls in NFL history in... An autograph or a request to pose for a month while they get sober income and... 1936, in Elmwood Park, Illinois, United States wear gold jackets, the lone for. 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