Today we have a great practice field pose of Green Bay legend Ray Nitschke. He was selected, at age 20, in the third round of the 1958 NFL draft, the 36th overall pick. This draft, held on December 2, 1957, included two other significant Packers of the 1960s: fullback Jim Taylor and right guard Jerry Kramer. The Packers team in their rookie season in 1958 was dismal, recording just one win (and one tie); finishing with the worst record in the 12 team league. Lombardi was hired after this season.
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. He was the MVP of the 1962 NFL Championship game, accepting the prize of a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette. In the game, Nitschke recovered two fumbles and deflected a pass that was intercepted. The Packers won the game, 16-7.
In Super Bowl I Nitschke contributed six tackles and a sack, while in Super Bowl II Nitschke lead Green Bay's defense with nine tackles. Although Nitschke was known for his hard hitting, he was a good all-around linebacker who also intercepted 25 passes over his career. He was an All-Pro three consecutive seasons (1964-66), and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978.
He died of a heart attack while visiting family and friends in Venice, Florida at the age of 61 in 1998.
