On defense, Nitschke played linebacker. The heaviest I ever got there was a little over 260. Lombardi, as most ole football followers knew or are learning from a recent Broadway production, was a screamer and a drill sergeant as the Packer coach. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 29 December. He was pronounced dead at Venice Hospital. Ray Nitschke attended the University of Illinois. When we got back into Frankfort, Nitschke, Fortin and myself settled into the Pac Inns watering hole area and there we were with bartender Sherm Blood, who was entertaining us playing the spoons, until 2 a.m. He recorded the only pass reception of his career, a 34-yard gain after a blocked Packer field goal attempt, and they won 3020 to finish at 104, their best regular season record since 1966. In this day and age of egotistical professional athletes, my friend Ray Nitschke would also have been a unanimous selection for the Nice Guy Hall of Fame. We didn't even know he was injured.". Older brothers Robert Jr. (age 21) and Richard (age 17) decided they would raise Ray on their own. 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. [8] Nitschke was also offered scholarships from college football programs around the country. The Packers won the first two Super Bowls in NFL history thanks in large part to Nitschke. Nitschke was drafted in the third round of the 1958 NFL draft by the Packers, and he never looked back. The personification of gruff and tough, the bald-headed Nitschke's voice and manner remained intimidating 25 years after he left the field. Nitschkes mother died from a blood clot when he was 13. Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Anthony Munoz didnt get to hear Nitschke speak at the luncheon. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Biography in: "American National Biography". The Eagles paid me my last year. While at Illinois, Nitschke smoked, drank heavily, and fought at the drop of a hat. Thus he is the only linebacker to have made both the NFL's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. 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. 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. Lueck played in 90 games for the Packers over seven seasons. Lionel Aldridge, a defensive end, died Feb. 12 at age 57. (He had) no personality. Nowadays, NFL players swap teams seemingly as often as they get new haircuts. So I go out and guess who's leaning against the driver's seat door to my car? In the game, Nitschke recovered two fumbles and deflected a pass that was intercepted. ", On what happened next: "(I'm a) mezzanine rookie, and I had seen (Nitschke) take his frustration out every Friday on Hyland. A man at the station helped get him out of the car and started CPR.. Rivett says up to 14 people can live at the Jackie Nitschke Center for a month while they get sober. ", On whether that was the end of it: "We go into the locker room and (Nitschke) lockered about four, five lockers away and I didn't want to get in a fight in the shower so I went into the training room. He lost both his parents by the age of 14, causing a lot of trouble in school. His character is listed in the credits as "Private One" because his jersey is emblazoned with the number "1". Hes always grabbing people, hitting people, throwing elbows.. is 6'3"(1.91m) . The NFL legend was twice named a First-Team All-Pro, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. Ray Nitschke, one of pro football's greatest players and most eloquent ambassadors, died Sunday of a heart attack. His humility and appreciation for having had the opportunity to play the NFL will always stick in my mind.. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. I have finished second twice in my time at Green Bay and I never want to finish second again. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. The linebackers wore helmets. So then I went in and showered and never turned my back on him. His wife is Jackie Forchette (26 June 1961 - 1996) ( her death) ( 3 children) Ray Nitschke Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. In 1998, Ray Nitschke was living comfortably in Naples, Fla. It was a big-time hit, Yary said. 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,. [18] Nitschke returned for a 16th training camp in 1973, then retired in late August.[19][20][21][14]. Presenter: Phil Bengston. I know your brother is with the Calgary Stampeders.' Lee Remmel, the Packers public relations director and a former beat writer for the Green Bay Press-Gazette, recalled how well Nitschke treated fans. But in 1969, when Hall of Fame voters honored the NFLs 50th anniversary by naming its 16 best players, Nitschke was one of only five defenders and the lone linebacker. As much as he insisted they all are equals, his passion set him apart. A lot of times we had to guide him into the huddle. 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. Nitschke was the leader and captain of the Packers defense throughout the entire 1960s. I have found his comments to be poignant for anybody.. "I can remember him intercepting a pass and crawling into the end zone. [29] The only other Lombardi-era player to have his number retired is quarterback Bart Starr, whose number 15 was retired in 1973. His bad grades and temper couldnt derail such a phenomenal athlete. He was 61. We would stay at the Elberta beach until darkness. Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. he recalled the time when his father Robert Sr. passed away due to a fatal car accident, When the two men played in the pro football ranks years later, Dallas Cowboys center Dave Manders said (via Nitschkes 2002 biography), Hall of Fame halfback Paul Hornung said (via Gruver), The Packers head coach even thought Ray might kill somebody,, No less than future Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr dubbed Nitschke a classic example of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, The Life And Career Of Don Majkowski (Story), The Life And Career Of Forrest Gregg (Story), The Life And Career Of Paul Hornung (Story), The Life And Career Of Bobby Dillon (Story), The Life And Career Of Don Hutson (Complete Story), The Life And Career Of Matt Flynn (Story), The Life And Career Of Gilbert Brown (Complete Story), The Life And Career Of James Lofton (Complete Story), The Life And Career Of Antonio Freeman (Complete Story), The Life And Career Of Sterling Sharpe (Complete Story), The Life And Career Of Vince Lombardi (Complete Story), The Life And Career Of Donald Driver (Complete Story), The Life And Career Of Max McGee (Complete Story), The Life And Career Of Brett Favre (Complete Story), The Life and Career Of Johnny "Blood" McNally (Complete Story), The Life And Career Of Safety Chuck Cecil (Complete Story), What Happened To Tony Mandarich? In a poll taken recently to pick the Packers greatest player ever, he placed fourth behind Don Hutson, Brett Favre and Bart Starr. He liked to forearm your head. Green Bay Packer, Hall of Famer. Even when he was relegated to backup duty in the twilight of his 15-year career, they cheered his every move. 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.. 1 pick Fred Carr: "We roomed together as rookies. 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. When he came into the game, he was in charge. His was pierced by a bolt from the tower. Everybody loved (Lombardi). Ray Nitschke Enshrinement Speech 1978. ", On playing against Dick Butkus vs. practicing against Nitschke: "Butkus was tough. His tragic death in 1998 shook the organization to its core. Ray Nitschke, according to Hall of Fame quarterback and teammate Bart Starr, was a "classic example of Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde." Off the field he was a thoughtful caring person. 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. He definitely wasnt the fastest. In the late 1980s, Nitschke owned an automobile dealership in Green Bay. Sign up now! He was adopted by an older brother, and grew up as a self-acknowledged bully. Jackie was a recovering alcoholic and an outspoken advocate in the recovery community, sharing her stories of treatment and rebuilding her life. He is from USA. In 1996, with wife Jackie dying of cancer, Nitschke was in tears as he related to inductees that his wife had implored him to go to the ceremony in Canton, where he belonged. We had one-on-one time together, his face right up in my grill, Munoz said. You don't need an agent. 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. 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. He went in and took his shower, and I'm still kind of looking around the door from the training room. 26 overall in what was the second common draft following the merger agreement between the NFL and AFL. Those are the ones that dont understand what this is all about.. The film's executive producer, Jim Rivett, said that Nitschke was the first Packer Wife to publicly acknowledge her alcoholism. )[22][23] Lombardi ran over to see what had happened, but when told it had fallen on Nitschke, said, "He'll be fine. "But it turned out all right," Remmel said. He gave it all to you. [6], Nitschke entered Proviso Township High School in Maywood shortly before his mother's death. You're a starter now.' Nitschke was known for his strength and toughness. He was a playmaker, recording 25 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries over his 15 seasons. He was MVP of the 1962 title game. I look out and see he's gone. Also, the team has named one of its two outdoor practice fields "Ray Nitschke Field". "In the heat of competing against each other, things like that happen. Ray played in the 230s, but he hit like he was 300 pounds. Nitschke guided a Packers defense that won five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls. I would journey with him and longtime TV 7 & 4 news and weatherman Dave Fortin to the Elberta beach to watch the hang gliders fly off the bluffs. He said, 'Bill, you don't know the AFL and NFL have merged? 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. 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 I have the utmost respect for Ray Nitschke of all the players I ever played against," Ditka later said. Follow Tim on Twitter @ByTimGraham, Nitschke recorded 25 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries over his 15 seasons. (pre-1974). Related Quizzes and Features Quiz Great Moments in Sports Quiz Sports Quiz Guess what I got my second year? He played varsity basketball and was a pitcher and left fielder for the varsity baseball team. He'd get up and his helmet was over here to the side of his face. 5 overall. Nitschke was married on June 26, 1961, to Jackie Forchette. His baseball skills brought him an offer from the professional St. Louis Browns with a $3,000 signing bonus. One year, those you see will no longer be there, and one year, neither will you. On the field, he was a ferocious middle linebacker who at times seemed to truly enjoy hitting people. Ray Nitschke. 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. Death Nitschke died of a heart attack in Venice, FL, at the age of 61 in 1998. When Ray met and married his wife, Jackie, he made an outstanding decision. You cant go any higher.. When I told Green Bay what I was offered, they matched it. He took time for anybody.. I was the executive secretary of the National Soaring and Hang Gliding Festival and Paul Alfred Corey and his sister Carol, the owners of the PAC Inn, and Gustafson Oil Company had arranged through Detroit Lions general manager Nick Kerbawy to have the perennial All-Pro linebacker, who had recently retired, in the Port City to be part of a five-judge panel to select the first National Soaring Queen. So, how much is Ray Nitschke worth at the age of 62 years old? Finally, the coaches pulled me off of him and everybody was laughing. 66 was the fourth number retired in the franchises rich history. She pushed back her student's hijab. The late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. Sure. Ray Nitschke was born on the 29th of December, 1936. Andre Reed finally got to his first Nitschke Luncheon in 2014 after eight years of being a finalist. 66 dash onto the field. Nitschke died of a heart attack in Venice, Florida at the age of 61 in 1998. According to Nitschke's biography, the tower drove a spike into his helmet, but didn't injure him. Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round (36th overall) of the 1958 NFL draft. Those days are over. In such a violent sport, thats a pretty elusive title to hold. He is from USA. 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 made only one Pro Bowl team because Detroit Lions middle linebacker Joe Schmidt was a perennial selection from 1954 to 1963. We played basketball together. Older brothers Robert Jr. (age 21) and Richard (age 17) decided they would raise Ray on their own. Incredibly, Nitschke played in the Pro Bowl only once. Then from 1969 to 1973, he unofficially started 67 of 70 regular-season games at left guard based on official play-by-plays (he also might have started another, but wasn't listed in the lineup) and also the 1972 NFC Divisional playoff. 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. 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]. Lombardi gave partial credit to Nitschke's success to Ray's wife, whose calming influence helped him focus on his career. Nitschke wore number 33 in 1958 and 66 the rest of his career with the Packers. had a luncheon the day before its induction ceremony, attended by most of the living members and honoring the new inductees. At this time, college football had reverted to primarily single-platoon football, meaning those players that were on offense had to switch to defense, and vice versa, when ball possession changed. Grabo (Jim Grabowski) got $450,000. 66 was retired in 1983, the fourth of six numbers retired by the Packers. [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. His No. He played for 15 seasons before retiring in 1972. That's how we became connected. What college did Ray Nitschke attend? He touched everyone he met with his kindness and generosity. 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. I was always scared to death of him. Coming up the middle or filling a hole on a running play, I thought Nitschke was better than Butkus. [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. He was a natural-born leader, Hall of Fame right tackle Ron Yary said. His part was of the tough prison guard named Bogdanski. [9] Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John (in 1963), Richard (in 1966), and Amy (in 1972). (Focus on Sport / Getty Images). On March 8, Nitschke took a drive with his daughter, Amy Klaas, and her one-year-old daughter to a friends house. That becomes a most profound reality. 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. As a microphone is passed around the room, elders explain the magnitude of the honor. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. His father died in a car accident when Nitschke was 3. Nitschke leaves three adopted children: John, 34; Richard, 32; and Amy, 26, and one granddaughter, Jacqueline Rae, 17 months. He protected his turf.. He was probably remembering another Coach Lombardi quote: There is no room for second place. 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. He wasnt the biggest or the strongest or the smartest, Robinson said. When he got up to speak, you knew he was speaking from the heart. Get back to work!". You cant have a conversation about the greatest NFL linebackers of all time without Ray Nitschke. * In high school, he played quarterback and at the University of Illinois actually played fullback, along with the linebacker position. There is only one place in my game and that is first place. He feuded with Mike Ditka and scoffed at the notion that Butkus was a younger, improved version of himself. 1 draft choice and in 1968, (personnel director) Pat Peppler called me. Tim Graham is a senior writer for The Athletic, covering Buffalo sports. His father was killed in a car accident in 1940,[5] and his mother died of a blood clot when Ray was 13. Ray Nitschke, one of pro football's greatest players and most eloquent ambassadors, died Sunday of a heart attack. They called me a mezzanine rookie the second year until you played in a certain number of games. He almost always went after Bob Hyland. He appeared in the comic film Head, starring The Monkees, as a footballer who repeatedly tackles Peter Tork in a mock war movie sequence. Then what year did the World Football League come in? Fred and I remained close until about three, four years ago. He didn't know who I was. Nitschke also appeared in the 1974 football comedy The Longest Yard as Guard Bogdanski. ?? Packers fans around the world will never forget the gentle giant that was Ray Nitschke. I just want to get along.' I wont mention any names, Robinson said, but there are some people that come in and get the gold jacket and never come back. Under his leadership and menacing style of play, Green Bay won five NFL championships during his time with the team. It's supposed to be like a walk-through. He did everything to help his wife raise. 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. 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.. Nitschkes death was the second to strike the ranks of Lombardis great Packer teams in the last month. According to Nitschke's biography, a spike was driven into his helmet, but did not injure him. Neither championships nor individual trophies weighed more. His wife died shortly thereafter. Fred died of dementia. Ray Wietecha was still the line coach and he had seen (Nitschke) do that to Hyland so he didn't pull me off.