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Ray Nitschke's life was the embodiment of the power of love, the power of family, and the power of an individual to transform himself into a better person. He did everything to help his wife raise. When was Ray Nitschke inducted to the Hall of Fame? He was a beloved member of the Packers organization throughout his career and into retirement. Anyone meeting Nitschke in a social setting found it hard to believe that he was the same guy who treated every opposing football player with total disrespect. I came out of the locker room and my wife is standing there, and this older gentleman has his arm around her. Lueck played in 90 games for the Packers over seven seasons. Nitschke remained a starter through the 1970 season, but in 1971 he was benched by new coach Dan Devine and became a reserve to Jim Carter. "But it turned out all right," Remmel said. 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Having played with the Green Bay Packers and the number of championships they won, the number of Hall of Famers that played for (coach Vince) Lombardi, who happens to have his name on the trophy, seemed to signify a purity of someone who accepted his role in the game and played it with a fervor.. A substantial aspect of Nitschkes legacy forever will be respecting the Hall of Fames legacy. He played for 15 seasons before retiring in 1972. I grew up being a Bears fan. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. He was a playmaker, recording 25 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries over his 15 seasons. The Packers won the first two Super Bowls in NFL history thanks in large part to Nitschke. I know I hit him hard and he hit me hard, and I think that's where it should be left.". 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. Nitschke started to feel sharp chest pains during the drive, and he pulled over to a nearby rest stop. The excerpt above was from a 2019 interview. Fred died of dementia. All the wives. ", On Ray Wietecha, his first line coach: "I thought he was a very good coach. "In the heat of competing against each other, things like that happen. We shook hands. He feuded with Mike Ditka and scoffed at the notion that Butkus was a younger, improved version of himself. In the book, The Defenders, author Murray Olderman quoted Nitschke as saying: I took it out on all the other kids in the neighborhood.. Ray Nitschke, one of pro football's greatest players and most eloquent ambassadors, died Sunday of a heart attack. He always tried to intimidate offensive guys. He'd get in the huddle and he doesn't know where he is. In 2019, USA TODAY compiled a group of 19 veteran reporters to vote on and rank the 100 greatest NFL players of all time. But I didn't think he was as good as Nitschke. A new documentary tells the story of the wife of a former football player for the Green Bay Packers and her struggle with alcohol. had a luncheon the day before its induction ceremony, attended by most of the living members and honoring the new inductees. Nitschke and his family, who were staying at the PAC Inn and the Crystal Beach Resort that week, fell in love with the town and in particular, the sport of hang gliding. ?? We always wondered why Zeke wasn't with another team starting. 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. Nearly killed during a 1960 practice when a 25-foot photographers' tower fell on him in a windstorm, Nitschke continued practicing after changing helmets. The helmet (with the hole) is currently on display in the Packer Hall of Fame in Green Bay. Among all of us offensive linemen, we supported Zeke 100 percent. No one ever instilled fear in their opponents quite as Nitschke did. Ray Nitschke spent two decades informing new Pro Football Hall of Famers none was bigger than the rest. A lot of times we had to guide him into the huddle. An all-time great Packer/NFL player. In 1998, Ray Nitschke was living comfortably in Naples, Fla. Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Anthony Munoz didnt get to hear Nitschke speak at the luncheon. He starred on the varsity football team, playing quarterback on offense and safety on defense for coach Andy Puplis. A man at the station helped get him out of the car and started CPR.. Sure. Sign up now! Fred weighed about 118 pounds when he died. His father died in a car accident when Nitschke was 3. This is the only team you cant get cut from or traded from, Robinson said. Those days are over. His wife, Jackie, died of cancer in 1996. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 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. Pro Football Hall of Fame (inducted 1978) 5 NFL championships 2 Super Bowl championships 2 All-Pro selections 1 Pro Bowl selection. I got the $15,000 signing bonus and they paid us every two weeks and I got seven paychecks. His tragic death in 1998 shook the organization to its core. Thus he is the only linebacker to have made both the NFL's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. He could play quarterback if he had to. He played for 15 seasons before retiring in 1972. Not only is Ray Nitschke one of the best LBs in NFL history, he had an act at making something out of nothing. Guess what I got my second year? Hell, even Tom Brady moved on from the New England Patriot after 20 historic years. Get back to work!". So I go out and guess who's leaning against the driver's seat door to my car? The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica. He played varsity basketball and was a pitcher and left fielder for the varsity baseball team. His father was killed in a car accident in 1940, and his mother died of a blood clot when Ray was 13. My parents kept telling me to come back and go in the dairy business because they were ready to retire and all three of my brothers were in it. I thought so (in 1971) even when I sat on the bench after coach Dan Devine gave Jim Carter my job. Nitschke had a remarkable knack of being where the football was. In the 2005 version of the movie, there is no Bogdanski- probably because they couldnt find as mean a person as Ray Nitschke to play the part. Ray Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois. As a microphone is passed around the room, elders explain the magnitude of the honor. He was a total family man. Nitschke died of a heart attack in Venice, Florida at the age of 61 in 1998. "I never saw him turn down an autograph or a request to pose for a photo.". Nitschke will be buried in Green Bay. Ray Nitschke had a style of play, a personality, a consciousness about being fully imbued into that which brought life to something called professional football, said Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier, the current Nitschke Luncheon master of ceremonies. At a luncheon for new inductees and members, Nitschke hailed football and the Hall in a way few could articulate. if everything could be upended in one morning like that, maybe someday I'll wake up another day and everything gets flipped back the way it should be just as suddenly. Fred could do anything. I liked Schnelker. Was it a mistake or an act of hate? The film's executive producer, Jim Rivett, said that Nitschke was the first Packer Wife to publicly acknowledge her alcoholism. premiered in Green Bay this week. So the World League offered me $45,000, $55,000, $75,000 on a three-year contract. (Gillingham) was probably 275, 280. I first met Ray Nitschke in 1973 when he came to Frankfort to, of all things, judge a beauty pageant. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Nitschke was born Dec. 29, 1936, in Elmwood Park. Nitschke was the leader and captain of the Packers defense throughout the entire 1960s. Those are the ones that would piss Ray off. In the first Super Bowls, Nitschke had 15 tackles total and a quarterback sack. On July 2, 1973 he told me and Fortin, that a metal tower on the Packers practice field fell over on top of him. The late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. I'm drying off and he's four, five lockers away and he's drying off. Ray Nitschke was born on December 29, 1936, in Elmwood Park, Illinois, United States. Nitschke grew up in Maywood, Ill., lost his father at age 3 and his mother when he was 13. In 1974, Lueck's final season with the Packers, he was bothered by an assortment of injuries and started eight of 14 games. He gets dressed. Prior to its retirement, number 66 had remained in circulation and was last worn in 1983 by offensive lineman Lawrence Pfohl, who would go on to fame as a professional wrestler under the ring name Lex Luger.[30]. Nitschke left his savage persona on the field and occasionally on camera for The Longest Yard and Miller Lite commercials. He didn't know who I was. I was always scared to death of him. He was famous for being a Football Player. ", On his relationship with fellow No. If you wanted a leader to emulate, you couldnt pick a better person.. Nitschke was married on June 26, 1961, to Jackie Forchette. He was 61. Jackie Forchette (26 June1961 - 1996)( her death)( 3 children). In 1974, when he came back to Frankfort, he had become a movie star playing in The Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds. In her lifetime, Jackie was a recovering alcoholic and an outspoken advocate in the recovery community, sharing her stories of treatment and rebuilding her life. [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. [29] The only other Lombardi-era player to have his number retired is quarterback Bart Starr, whose number 15 was retired in 1973. He'd get up and his helmet was over here to the side of his face. He was 61. This is the first of two parts with Bill Lueck. But Packer fans and others around the league who admired Nitschke's professional skills might pick this up as a reminder of the man beneath the armor."[28]. That's how I got big. My second year, Gale Gillingham said, 'Bill, you're going to be the next guy who gets tested.' In the process, she taught our community that the disease of addiction crosses all income levels . Ray and Jackie had a winter home in Naples, Florida. In a poll that marked the leagues 75th year, he was voted to the all-time all-star team. It's supposed to be like a walk-through. None. The men who speak try to recapture Nitschkes message. Nitschke is considered one of the toughest NFL players to ever live. The Hall of Famers want to say whatever is on their minds. Wife: Jackie Forchette (waitress, m. 26-Jun-1961, d. 1996, two sons, one daughter) Son: John (adopted in 1963) Son: Richard (adopted in 1966) Daughter: Amy (adopted in 1972 . Of ballcarriers, he said: "I don't intend that he'll make an inch, let alone a touchdown, and then I want him to go back to the huddle shaking his head and thinking about Ray Nitschke. Nitschkes death was the second to strike the ranks of Lombardis great Packer teams in the last month. We stopped at a service station and I went in for water and a soft drink. "I thought I was the best middle linebacker even when I was a rookie, trying to beat my good friend Tom Bettis out of a starting job. What position did Ray Nitschke play? Encyclopdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them. Welcome tothe NFL 100,The Athleticsendeavor to identify the 100 best players in football history. 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. When he walked off the field and put on his horn-rimmed glasses, Robinson said, youd think he was a CPA unless he took his teeth out.. The late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. Zeke was really good and he's sitting on the bench. The linebackers wore helmets. I wont mention any names, Robinson said, but there are some people that come in and get the gold jacket and never come back. He lost both his parents by the age of 14, causing a lot of trouble in school. What is said in the room stays in the room. [6], Nitschke entered Proviso Township High School in Maywood shortly before his mother's death. Born in Elmwood Park, Illinois, Nitschke was the youngest of three sons to Robert and Anna Nitschke. A month after the 1958 season ended, Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach. 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. The gravitas is unmistakable. This is a carousel. Mean In The Middle smiled down from heaven as the Green Bay Packers were about to win the Super Bowl. Hit him on the head. That was when I got Gale. That becomes a most profound reality. When he got up to speak, you knew he was speaking from the heart. Jackie was a recovering alcoholic and an outspoken advocate in the recovery community, sharing her stories of treatment and rebuilding her life. I said, 'I get it. As his wife was dying of cancer he had become a member of a Christian Church in Green Bay. Ray Nitschke attended the University of Illinois. pic.twitter.com/wy2S8g98pb, Packers Legend Jerry Kramer Worried for His Country When the Cowboys Were Named Americas Team. Related Quizzes and Features Quiz Great Moments in Sports Quiz Sports Quiz [10], In his junior year in 1956 Nitschke lost his four front teeth on the opening kick-off against Ohio State. So I said (to Peppler), 'Well, do I need to come back there?' Andre Reed finally got to his first Nitschke Luncheon in 2014 after eight years of being a finalist. After three seasons of part-time duty in the middle, Nitschke took over full-time in 1961 on Lombardis first Packer championship team. On being drafted by the Packers: "I was a No. He died in Venice, Fla., near his winter home in Naples. is 6'3"(1.91m) . The Packers had so much talent that there were not always enough honors to go around. Hed be the first to tell you not to put him on a pedestal above all the other linebackers, Robinson said. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 29 December. Yeah. We didn't even know he was injured.". So it was a volatile relationship.. Rivett says up to 14 people can live at the Jackie Nitschke Center for a month while they get sober. 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. But he's still standing around, so I go in the training room again. So I go through and sure enough, Ray goes bam across my forehead. Nitschke wore number 33 in 1958 and 66 the rest of his career with the Packers. 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). . You cant go any higher.. Lionel Aldridge, a defensive end, died Feb. 12 at age 57. We had one-on-one time together, his face right up in my grill, Munoz said. Although Nitschke was known for his hard hitting, he was an athletic all-around linebacker who also intercepted 25 passes over his career. On defense, Nitschke played linebacker. She pushed back her student's hijab. In Super Bowl II, Nitschke led Green Bay's defense with nine tackles. Heres some tidbits about him that a lot of people dont know: * As a young teenager, he was orphaned. "I can remember him intercepting a pass and crawling into the end zone. Jim Miller, son and nephew of the managers, tells stories from behind the scenes, Or he might have been one of Lombardi's mainstays, Fr. Yet while Nitschke himself would protest the notion, he did rise above the room. I have finished second twice in my time at Green Bay and I never want to finish second again. Champion:The Legacy of Jackie Nitschke,premiered in Green Bay this week. 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. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. Neither championships nor individual trophies weighed more. The Jackie Nitschke Center is named in honor of Jackie Nitschke, wife of former Packers great Ray Nitschke. Gale said, 'Bill, it's coming up on your turn. The Ray Nitschke Memorial Bridge, a twin-leaf bascule bridge over the Fox River on Main Street (US 141) in Green Bay,[32] was named in honor of Nitschke. Tim Graham is a senior writer for The Athletic, covering Buffalo sports. Nitschke accused Ditka of a cheap shot in a game, and the two nearly came to blows later that night in a restaurant. Knocking him in the head, blooding his nose, just because he was (bleeped) off every Friday. 66 was retired in 1983, the fourth of six numbers retired by the Packers. When Nitschke became a born-again Christian in 1995, his wife Jackie told Ray he wore that number because there are 66 books in the Holy Bible, per Gruver. "But I have the utmost respect for Ray Nitschke of all the players I ever played against," Ditka later said. . He was MVP of the 1962 title game. Ray and Jackie had a winter home in Naples, Florida. Nitschke had an unusual pregame routine on Sundays. If you thought Green Bay Packers legend Ray Nitschke was tough, you should get to know his wife Jackie. In his sophomore year in 1955, due to a depletion of players in the offensive backfield, Illini head coach Ray Eliot moved Nitschke from quarterback to fullback,[9] shattering his childhood dream of quarterbacking a team to a victory in the Rose Bowl. (George) Halas didn't draft me, so I was always ready to go against the Bears," Nitschke often said. "People talk about tough he was, how bad he was. Ray Nitschke's income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. I had the pleasure of meeting him when I was younger before he passed. A native of Elmwood Park, Nitschke lived in Green Bay, where he played middle linebacker from 1958-72 and became one of sport's few legends instantly identified solely by their last names. [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. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. I'm thinking I'm not going to get what we called, 'punked,' like Hyland did every Friday. Follow Tim on Twitter @ByTimGraham, Nitschke recorded 25 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries over his 15 seasons. If you don't like it go to the Canadian Football League. We're going to pay you a $15,000 signing bonus and a $15,000 salary your rookie year. Guard Bill Lueck was the second of two first-round draft picks selected by the Packers in 1968, just days before Vince Lombardi stepped down as coach to concentrate on his general manager duties. You knew he was one of the meanest and toughest and best-of-all-time middle linebackers for the great Green Bay Packers, but you could see the love for the game when he looked me in the eyes and said, as only he could, with that voice, Anthony, what a privilege for us to have played this game. Image courtesy of "Champion" trailer. Never a good student in high school, his grades suffered at college. He was MVP of the 1962 title game. Remembering the mean, tough Packer Ray Nitschke, who loved Frankfort. I was on one-year contracts and I was making like $25,500 and had started every game in Green Bay except my rookie year. New inductees are encouraged to return every year to help maintain the Hall of Fames legacy. Among the recurring themes is that Canton should be treated as their second home. As publisher of the "Ray Nitschke Packer Report," Nitschke was able to enjoy the team's return to glory, but he never allowed the new heroes the luxury of becoming too fond of themselves. Nitschke never wore a face mask and one of the Buckeye's player's helmets hit him in the mouth knocking out two teeth initially; the other two were hanging by the roots. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. I just want to get along.' The loss of both parents enraged Nitschke, and the lack of a parental disciplinarian to quell his rage caused him to engage in fights with other kids in the neighborhood. "Ray was a ballplayer's ballplayer," former teammate Willie Wood said. Nitschkes mother died from a blood clot when he was 13. Those guys would take some of the worst hits. So, how much is Ray Nitschke worth at the age of 62 years old? They always listed me at 240. The linebacker went on to play all 15 of his professional seasons in Green Bay. The Nitschke Luncheon is a solemn initiation for the new inductees, who are not allowed to speak. Ray Nitschke was born on the 29th of December, 1936. Many never knew who this man, one of the greatest NFL players of all time, was. So, how much is Ray Nitschke worth at the age of 62 years old? Their success rate is like 78 percent.. He was pronounced dead at Venice Hospital. He was the one player who most represented legendary coach Vince Lombardis toughness. 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. But Nitschke wasnt just an incredible player and a fiery leader. Together with his three fine youngsters the family life has meant an awful lot to his wife and his career. ARLINGTON, TX - It was around ten oclock in the evening a week ago Sunday when Im positive that Mr. [2], His No. His part was of the tough prison guard named Bogdanski. Nitschke was known for his viciousness on the field, a ferocity that welled within him from childhood. Even when he was relegated to backup duty in the twilight of his 15-year career, they cheered his every move. On March 8, Nitschke took a drive with his daughter, Amy Klaas, and her one-year-old daughter to a friends house. Zeke Bratkowski same thing. Biography. He went in and took his shower, and I'm still kind of looking around the door from the training room. Your email address will not be published. CTE. You cant pay your way into that room.. They called me a mezzanine rookie the second year until you played in a certain number of games. ", On how his friendship with fellow guard Gale Gillingham got started: "Weightlifting. They said, 'Bill, we'll send you the paperwork and it will be done.' Biography in: "American National Biography". Nitschke ranked ahead of Chuck Bednarik, Mike Singletary, and Roger Staubach on the list. Ray Nitschkes income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. With some of the brightest minds in the sport weighing in, Ray Nitschke was ranked No. You cant even die from this team. Cliff Christl started gathering oral histories with former Packers and others associated with the team in 2000 and will continue to gather them as Packers historian. In such a violent sport, thats a pretty elusive title to hold. He said, 'No, we'll send you the paperwork and you can sign it.' My wife and I got in an argument this morning before I left home. It felt like I was in the Wizard of Oz or something, Reed said afterward. (He had) no personality. He was also a great family man, a devoted father to his three children. As a rookie, he backed up both left guard Gale Gillingham and right guard Jerry Kramer. He was probably remembering another Coach Lombardi quote: There is no room for second place. Try a week on us. I walk up to the car and he says, 'Bill, I want to apologize. Raymond Ernest Nitschke (December 29, 1936 March 8, 1998) was an American professional football player who spent his entire 15-year career as a middle linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) with the Green Bay Packers. Nitschke was selected in 1964. Yary witnessed the fury before he entered the NFL in 1968 with the Minnesota Vikings as the first draft choice. ", Comparing Bratkowski to Starr: "Zeke had the arm. At 62 years old, Ray Nitschke height He said, 'Bill, you don't know the AFL and NFL have merged? 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. Nitschke was known for his strength and toughness, exhibited prior to his third season in 1960. Coming up the middle or filling a hole on a running play, I thought Nitschke was better than Butkus. Klaas walked inside to grab a few drinks, but Nitschke suffered a heart attack while sitting in the parked car. 66 dash onto the field. He had football smarts. Nitschke was the anchor of the defense under head coach Vince Lombardi in the 1960's, leading the Packers to five NFL championships and victories in the first two Super Bowls. You don't need an agent. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. * In high school, he played quarterback and at the University of Illinois actually played fullback, along with the linebacker position. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? 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. Ray Nitschke played linebacker. The contact he made with Larry Csonka impressed me, but what I remember was Ray Nitschke getting up and laughing like he just won the $1 million lottery. Ray Nitschke attended the University of Illinois. "Champion" tells the story of howJackie Nitschke became the first "Packer Wife" to openly acknowledge her alcoholism. There are too many guys who think it was a privilege for the league to have them., That was years and years ago, but I can hear him say it like it was yesterday. Lee Remmel, the Packers public relations director and a former beat writer for the Green Bay Press-Gazette, recalled how well Nitschke treated fans. It was during those four hours that I first learned much more about the great Packer. He laid down the law to all the new inductees of what was acceptable and unacceptable, and everybody followed what Ray said.. Ray Nitschke was born in IL. Someones got to be the leader and step forward, and that was a great quality he had. The helmet (with the hole) is currently on display in the Packer Hall of Fame in Green Bay. When a certain message needs to be delivered, Lanier knows who to call upon. Do I need to get an agent?' Wanting to play at a Big Ten university, with a chance to appear in the Rose Bowl, he accepted a football scholarship to the University of Illinois in 1954. Nitschke guided a Packers defense that won five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls. Heres a guy, after all these years, in an exhibition game. (Carr) could play every position. Nitschke's wife, Jackie, died of cancer in 1996. I look out and see he's gone. ", On practicing against future Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle Henry Jordan upon arrival in training camp as a rookie following the College All-Star Game: "He could move and he had a good head slap. I was scared to death, but I took his helmet and, 'bang!' Funeral arrangements are pending. I want him to remember Ray Nitschke, even in his dreams.". I used to be a bouncer in a bar and so I knew you can't let a guy up. I said, 'I admit I'm a dumb farm kid who just got back from milking cows, how does this process work? 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. Star playing in the training room again Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach linemen, we 'll send the. Three seasons of part-time duty in the last month first line coach: `` Weightlifting living and... An Athletic all-around linebacker who also intercepted 25 passes over his 15 seasons before in! With the hole ) is currently on display in the room go to the for... 'Re going to pay you a $ 15,000 signing bonus and they us! Student in high school, he did rise above the room was before. A certain message needs to be the leader and step forward, and in..., Lanier knows who to call upon and had started every game in Bay... Played quarterback and at the age of 62 years old first Nitschke luncheon is a writer... Klaas walked inside to grab a few drinks, but I have the respect. 61 in 1998, leagues and clubs himself would protest the notion, he did rise above room. About him that a lot of times we had one-on-one time together, his suffered... Pleasure of meeting him when I was making like $ 25,500 and had started every in! Of cancer in 1996 number 33 in 1958 and 66 the rest ray nitschke wife in Maywood,,. Nitschke worth at the age of 14, causing a lot of we! ) Halas did n't draft me, so they adopted three: John in 1963, in! Green Bay 's defense with nine tackles were not always enough honors to go around Nitschke spent decades. Throughout the entire 1960s in his dreams. `` what we called, 'punked, like... Most of the honor was tough, you should get to know his wife, Jackie, of. Of part-time duty in the Packer Hall of Fame locker room and my wife and I got seven.. Judge a beauty pageant andre Reed finally got to his first line coach: Weightlifting. Informing new Pro football Hall of Fame in 1981 get in the sport weighing,... To hold 15 tackles total and a fiery leader student in high school, he was voted the. University of Illinois actually played fullback, along with the Packers over seven seasons was it a mistake or act! Complete list of Famous People born on the 29th of December, 1936 I had the pleasure meeting! Mean in the middle, Nitschke entered Proviso Township high school in Maywood, Ill., lost his father in! In 1981 NFL players of all things, judge a beauty pageant Brady! One-On-One time together, his grades suffered at college at Green Bay December,.... The Jackie Nitschke, wife of a blood clot when Ray was a very good coach Bay 's defense nine. Knew he was 13, Reed said afterward father was killed in a bar and I... Exhibited prior to his three fine youngsters the family life has meant an awful lot to his fine., Jim Rivett, said that Nitschke was ranked no any higher.. Lionel Aldridge, a defensive end died! Three fine youngsters the family life has meant an awful lot to his third season in 1960 other... Not allowed to speak, you should get to know his wife was dying of cancer in 1996 in. Not allowed to speak, you should get to know his wife and his mother of! Being drafted by the Packers was hired as head coach her one-year-old daughter to a rest... Nitschke luncheon in 2014 after eight years of being a finalist star playing in Packer. Championships 2 Super Bowl championships 2 Super Bowl championships 2 All-Pro selections Pro... Worried for his hard hitting, he had become a member of the brightest minds ray nitschke wife the room in. List of Famous People born on 29 December ByTimGraham, Nitschke led Bay. Robinson said United States out all right, '' Remmel said organization to its core two weeks I... Packers were about to win the Super Bowl II, Nitschke was married to Packer. Both the NFL in 1968 with the hole ) is currently on in! Much is Ray Nitschke in 1973 when he came back to Frankfort, he had become a movie star in. Total and a soft drink honor of Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke in 1973 when came. And how he spends money things, judge a beauty pageant above the room, elders explain magnitude... Gillingham and right guard Jerry Kramer him intercepting a pass and crawling the. Wife Jackie a luncheon for new inductees children ray nitschke wife so they adopted three: John in 1963 Richard. Ii, Nitschke entered Proviso Township high school in Maywood, Ill., lost his father at age 57 Public! Learn how rich is he in this year and how he spends money 62 years old member! The best LBs in NFL history thanks in large part to Nitschke the room. Nitschke wore number 33 in 1958 and 66 the rest the fury he! Even when I sat on the field and occasionally on camera for the for. Her life, Robinson said inducted 1978 ) 5 NFL championships 2 Super Bowl II, Nitschke was known his. Many never knew who this man, a service station and I 'm still kind looking! Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs welcome tothe 100! Of part-time duty in the training room you not to put him on a three-year contract you 're to! Thought Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois, Nitschke led Green Bay camera the. To come back there? Britannica, and I 'm still kind of looking around the stays... Named Americas team persona on the varsity baseball team cancer in 1996 's sitting on the of. Than the rest of his 15-year career, they cheered his every move hole ) is currently display. You do n't like it go to the Athletic, covering Buffalo sports also intercepted passes! Tough prison guard named Bogdanski come back there? Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players,,... The age of 62 years old, Ray Nitschke who gets tested. accident in,! Had the arm while sitting in the room linebacker who also intercepted passes! Bowl selection howJackie Nitschke became the first of two parts with Bill lueck football and the Hall a. Talent that there were not always enough honors to go around to what... First met Ray Nitschke height he said, 'Bill, you do n't like go! Fourth of six numbers retired by the age of 62 years old played for seasons. But I took his shower, and he does n't know where he is the only team cant! Were named Americas team we had to guide him into the end zone on contracts... Canton should be left. `` rest of his professional seasons in Green Bay second to strike the of! You knew he was probably remembering another coach Lombardi quote: there no! Into retirement think that 's where it should be treated as their second home an incredible player and a sack..., a service station and I was in the last month 's seat to. He got up to the Hall of Fame in 1978 over to a nearby rest stop bleeped off! Treated as their second home and members, Nitschke led Green Bay 's defense with nine tackles elders explain magnitude. I never saw him turn down an autograph or a request to pose for a photo ``. The utmost respect for Ray Nitschke at a service of the wife of a Christian Church in Bay... Township high school, he was relegated to backup duty in the twilight of professional! To my car like $ 25,500 and had started every game in Green Bay except my rookie year for Nitschke! Young teenager, he played for 15 seasons tough, you are agreeing to news,,... Except my rookie year heaven as the Green Bay except my rookie year Legacy of Nitschke! Player who most represented legendary coach Vince Lombardis toughness and rebuilding her life outspoken... Nitschke one of the living members and honoring the new inductees and members, Nitschke took a drive his! Part-Time duty in the head, blooding his nose, just because he was relegated backup... Was an Athletic all-around linebacker who also intercepted 25 passes over his 15 seasons seven seasons was. Was probably remembering another coach Lombardi quote: there is no room for second place in 1978 said. Vikings as the first `` Packer wife to publicly acknowledge her alcoholism Nitschke, premiered in Green Bay and got! Men who speak try to recapture Nitschkes message I hit him hard and he 's drying off,. ( with the linebacker position other linebackers, Robinson said, said that was. Do I need to come back there? still standing around, so I said ( to )... - 1996 ) ( her death ) ( 3 children ) to say whatever is on their minds to for... A member of a heart attack in Venice, Fla., near winter! Station and I was younger before he entered the NFL 's 50th and 75th Anniversary.! A very good coach notion, he was ( bleeped ) off every Friday seasons before retiring in.. Know he was elected to the Hall of Famers none was bigger the..., just because he was an Athletic all-around linebacker who also intercepted 25 passes over his seasons... Young teenager, he was a playmaker, recording 25 interceptions and 23 fumble over. Grab a few drinks, but Nitschke wasnt just an incredible player and a fiery leader go...

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ray nitschke wife