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6. Ray Nitschke

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6. Ray Nitschke
Spending his entire professional career with the Green Bay Packers, Linebacker, Ray Nitschke was the anchor for the Green Bay defense for fifteen seasons.  
Nitschke would lead Green Bay to five Championships while becoming a first ballot Hall of Famer.  

When you think of Pro Football Hall of Famers from the defensive side of the ball, it is next to impossible to come up with a player who is held in higher regard than Ray Nitschke.   Bart Starr was the best name ever for a Quarterback, but isn’t Ray Nitschke just as appropriate for a Linebacker?

Canton chose Nitschke for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, the same year that the Packers elected him into their Hall.  In 1986, Green Bay retired his number 66.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Linebacker
  • Acquired: Drafted in the 3rd Round, 38th Overall, 1/28/58.
  • Departed: Retired after the 1972 season.
  • Games Played: 190
  • Notable Statistics: 170 Games Started
    25 Interceptions
    385 Interception Return Yards
    2 Interception Return Touchdowns
    23 Fumble Recoveries
    34 Fumble Recovery Yards
    16.0 Quarterback Sacks**
    6 Kick Returns
    56 Kick Return Yards
    1 Reception
    34 Reception Yards
    120 Approximate Value*

    11 Playoff Games
    1 Interception
    9 Interception Return Yards
    2 Fumble Recoveries
    0 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1.0 Quarterback Sack*
    1 Kick Return
    18 Kick Return Yards

    *Approximate Value was not a stat until the 1960 Season.
    **Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.
  • Major Accolades and Awards: NFL Champion (1961, 1962 & 1965)
    Super Bowl Champion (I & II)
    NFL Championship MVP (1962)
    First Team All Pro Selection (1964 & 1966)
    Second Team All Pro Selection (1962, 1965 & 1967)
    Pro Bowl Selection (1966)
Last modified on Tuesday, 12 July 2022 18:27

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