Missing teeth, a menacing glare, and an unyielding physical style turned Ray Nitschke into the undisputed heartbeat of Vince Lombardi’s defense. Arriving in 1958 as a third-round pick out of Illinois—where he played both full-time fullback and linebacker—Nitschke took full ownership of the middle linebacker position by 1962, transforming it into an art form of raw intimidation and tactical mastery.

Nitschke was the key figure for a Green Bay defense that won five NFL Championships (1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967) and the first two Super Bowls. His talent shined brightly during major games; notably, in the harsh conditions of the 1962 NFL Championship against the New York Giants, Nitschke recovered two fumbles and deflected a pass leading to an interception, earning him MVP honors in the tough 16–7 win.

Between 1962 and 1969, Nitschke reached his career-defining peak, with Green Bay's defense consistently finishing no lower than fourth in total yards allowed. He was named All-Pro seven times over this eight-year period, with a standout 1964 season that included two interceptions, First-Team All-Pro honors, and his only Pro Bowl appearance. His most impressive stretch was in 1966, when he was again named First-Team All-Pro, accumulating tackles for loss and leading a defense that allowed just 11.7 points per game—a league low—and helped secure Super Bowl I.

While his bone-jarring tackles against the run defined his reputation, Nitschke was also exceptionally smooth dropping into pass coverage. He snared 25 career interceptions and recovered 23 fumbles, displaying soft hands and elite instincts that repeatedly snuffed out opposing drives. Though Pro Bowl voters inexplicably overlooked him for most of his career, his peers and sports writers recognized his true dominance, naming him to both the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team and the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

He anchored the middle of the field in Green Bay for fifteen grueling seasons, retiring after the 1972 campaign as one of the most revered figures in franchise history.

Over his career, he accumulated 25 interceptions for 385 return yards, two pick-sixes, and 23 fumble recoveries, alongside five NFL Championship rings and two Super Bowl titles. A 1964 Pro Bowler, two-time First-Team All-Pro, seven-time overall All-Pro, and member of the Packers Hall of Fame, Nitschke was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978 before having his No. 66 officially retired by Green Bay in 1986.

It might be hard to be named Keith Jackson when a very famous sports commentator with the same name had already become the voice of the sport.  The Tight End with the same name still managed to carve out his own identity.

Jackson took the football landscape by storm in his rookie year, catching 81 passes.  He never reached that level again, but he remained among the league’s top tight ends and earned five Pro Bowl selections.  He was at his best when the pressure was on, and his star shone brightly in the playoffs.  As a clutch receiver, Jackson was often a favorite target when needed most.  He cemented his fine career in his final season with a Super Bowl Ring as a member of the Green Bay Packers.

Keith Jackson had a very solid career, but he is one of many talented Tight Ends on the outside looking in.

You would think that the one-time All-Time Leader in NFL receptions would have at least been a finalist for the Hall of Fame.  Of course, Billy Howton was the all-time leader when he retired in 1963.  He has dropped considerably since then.

Billy Howton was one of the top receivers for the Green Bay Packers throughout the 1950s.  He was a constant fixture for years in every receiving category, and when he became the all-time leader in receptions and yards, he took that slot from the legendary Don Hutson.

A huge force works against him as he was cast off from the Green Bay Packers when the most iconic figure in professional football, Vince Lombardi, arrived in the tundra.  Many speculated that if he wasn’t good enough for Lombardi, he couldn’t possibly be good enough for Canton.  That is a very powerful argument.  While we acknowledge that fact, Howton helped lay the groundwork for today's modern Wide Receivers, and that also can't be dismissed. 

Although he became more known for the sexual assault case in 2014 (which alleged that he was a serial rapist), Darren Sharper was known mostly on the gridiron for his defensive skills and for leading the National Football League in Interception Return Yards three times.

Sharper would also lead the NFL in picks twice, return Touchdowns three times, and was a five-time Pro Bowler who helped the New Orleans Saints win their first Super Bowl. Does this eliminate any issues that he had in his personal life? We were curious to find out, but we think we know the answer.