Growing up in the outskirts of Chicago, Nitschke had idolized the Bears and he hoped to be chosen by them in the 1958 NFL Draft, held on December 2, 1957. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, High school basketball: Southern California and Northern California Regional results and updated pairings, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame overcomes deficit to win Mission League opener, Still in UCLAs corner, Ben Howland stressed importance of getting No. Even when he was relegated to backup duty in the twilight of his 15-year career, they cheered his every move. He is from USA. premiered in Green Bay this week. "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. . ARLINGTON, TX - It was around ten oclock in the evening a week ago Sunday when Im positive that Mr. So it was a volatile relationship.. His father was killed in a car accident in 1940, and his mother died of a blood clot when Ray was 13. "The Hall of Fame meant more to him than it did to anybody," an emotional Hall of Fame Vice President Don Smith said upon hearing of Nitschke's death. (Nitschke) would test guys. Nitschke was the leader and captain of the Packers defense throughout the entire 1960s. He always tried to intimidate offensive guys. The gravitas is unmistakable. 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,. I had the pleasure of meeting him when I was younger before he passed. He took time for anybody.. Wood remembered Nitschke working at his image on and off the field. Ray grew up in Chicago and had a. In 1974, when he came back to Frankfort, he had become a movie star playing in The Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds. For years after his induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, the NFL. 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. The men who speak try to recapture Nitschkes message. Maybe it was the missing teeth or the oversized facemask, but no NFL player wanted to meet No. Every year, in a private space only Hall of Famers may enter, Nitschke presided on the first afternoon of induction weekend until his death in March 1998. Nitschke leaves three adopted children: John, 34; Richard, 32; and Amy, 26, and one granddaughter, Jacqueline Rae, 17 months. He certainly didnt look like he was one of the meanest and best football players of all time. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 62 years old group. They couldn't live with each other and they couldn't live without each other, said Rivett. ?? 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. On being drafted by the Packers: "I was a No. I look out and see he's gone. Following his death, the Hall named the luncheon after him. That's how we became connected. Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Anthony Munoz didnt get to hear Nitschke speak at the luncheon. His was pierced by a bolt from the tower. With some of the brightest minds in the sport weighing in, Ray Nitschke was ranked No. Get back to work!". 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. Klaas walked inside to grab a few drinks, but Nitschke suffered a heart attack while sitting in the parked car. Ray Nitschke attended the University of Illinois. An all-time great Packer/NFL player. I thought maybe I'll get $75,000, $100,000. He played varsity basketball and was a pitcher and left fielder for the varsity baseball team. What college did Ray Nitschke attend? 1 pick Fred Carr: "We roomed together as rookies. This is the only team you cant get cut from or traded from, Robinson said. I think he tried to see how tough you were and if you were going to fight back. Finally, the coaches pulled me off of him and everybody was laughing. Those days are over. Ray wanted everybody to know were all equal. Nitschke was known for his viciousness on the field, a ferocity that welled within him from childhood. Ray Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois. So, how much is Ray Nitschke worth at the age of 62 years old? The excerpt above was from a 2019 interview. We're going to pay you a $15,000 signing bonus and a $15,000 salary your rookie year. Nitschkes mother died from a blood clot when he was 13. Theres barely any loyalty around the league anymore. We would stay at the Elberta beach until darkness. He was your regular neighborhood nice guy living in Green Bay, the ultimate small town city of professional sports, and even after his retirement, his phone number and home address were always published in the citys telephone book and he would answer his phone personally. 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. His character is listed in the credits as "Private One" because his jersey is emblazoned with the number "1". He laid down the law to all the new inductees of what was acceptable and unacceptable, and everybody followed what Ray said.. Ray Nitschke, one of the most fearsome middle linebackers in the history of professional football and an anchor of the championship Green Bay Packer teams of the 1960's, died yesterday in. ", On who was better at eluding the pass rush: "Probably Zeke. The Nitschke Luncheon is a solemn initiation for the new inductees, who are not allowed to speak. On Fridays, we'd go out stocking hats and no pads. [6], Nitschke entered Proviso Township High School in Maywood shortly before his mother's death. In the book, The Defenders, author Murray Olderman quoted Nitschke as saying: I took it out on all the other kids in the neighborhood.. ", On how his friendship with fellow guard Gale Gillingham got started: "Weightlifting. The personification of gruff and tough, the bald-headed Nitschke's voice and manner remained intimidating 25 years after he left the field. In 1999, he was ranked number 18 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, making him the highest-ranked player coached by Vince Lombardi, second among Packers behind Don Hutson, and third among linebackers behind Lawrence Taylor and Dick Butkus. Presenter: Phil Bengston. Nitschke grew up in Maywood, Ill., lost his father at age 3 and his mother when he was 13. His Father passed away when he was 3, and his Mother passed away when he was 13. A quarterback at Proviso High School, Nitschke cried when Illinois coach Ray Eliot moved him to fullback. I became interested in Nitschke when after living in Wisconsin for 8 years I learned that he had become a Christian before he died. We didn't even know he was injured.". Nitschke always spoke at this luncheon, telling the new inductees what a great honor they were receiving, and that they were now members of the greatest team of them all. The heaviest I ever got there was a little over 260. In Super Bowl II, Nitschke led Green Bay's defense with nine tackles. Many never knew who this man, one of the greatest NFL players of all time, was. Coming up the middle or filling a hole on a running play, I thought Nitschke was better than Butkus. When he came into the game, he was in charge. We played basketball together. He wasnt the biggest or the strongest or the smartest, Robinson said. Excerpts from those interviews will be periodically posted at www.packers.com. The University of Illinois converted him to fullback and linebacker. Ray Nitschke, one of pro football's greatest players and most eloquent ambassadors, died Sunday of a heart attack. ", On what happened next: "(I'm a) mezzanine rookie, and I had seen (Nitschke) take his frustration out every Friday on Hyland. Green Bay Packer, Hall of Famer. Tim Graham is a senior writer for The Athletic, covering Buffalo sports. 66 was retired in 1983, the fourth of six numbers retired by the Packers. 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. Discover Ray Nitschke's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. , money, salary, income, and assets. He's got a helmet on and I've got a stocking cap, but I learned at the University of Arizona, the first thing you do is get the helmet off if you're going to have a fight or you're going to just bust your hands. The review in Kirkus Reviews concluded, "This lacks the wider appeal of, say, an Instant Replay and it's antithetical to the juicy Ball Four genre. ", On Lombardi's role as general manager and his dealings with him:"He was in the locker room. He was a poor student and his grades eventually caught up with him as he was declared academically ineligible to play sports his sophomore year. 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. Ray Nitschke attended the University of Illinois. In 1998, Ray Nitschke was living comfortably in Naples, Fla. Fred was a great player. She's bossing me around.' While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Those are the ones that would piss Ray off. 66 dash onto the field. So, how much is Ray Nitschke worth at the age of 62 years old? He is from USA. Ray Nitschke was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. I know I hit him hard and he hit me hard, and I think that's where it should be left.". [1] Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, he was the anchor of the defense for head coach Vince Lombardi in the 1960s, leading the Packers to five NFL championships and victories in the first two Super Bowls. Ray Nitschke Enshrinement speech. He touched everyone he met with his kindness and generosity. Was it a mistake or an act of hate? But usually by the time we got done with the preseason, I'd be down to 250, 255. Nitschke had a remarkable knack of being where the football was. 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. He was a beloved member of the Packers organization throughout his career and into retirement. 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. ", On playing with Bart Starr for at least parts of four seasons: "Nobody is tougher than Bart Starr. 66 in the open field. Tags: Video. Gale said, 'Bill, it's coming up on your turn. Fred and I remained close until about three, four years ago. He didn't know who I was. Ray Nitschke was born on the 29th of December, 1936. I'm thinking I'm not going to get what we called, 'punked,' like Hyland did every Friday. Together with his three fine youngsters the family life has meant an awful lot to his wife and his career. He taught us proper technique: pulling, how to come off the ball. He had some of the best football instincts. You cant go any higher.. He was adopted by an older brother, and grew up as a self-acknowledged bully. We stopped at a service station and I went in for water and a soft drink. But he's still standing around, so I go in the training room again. Remembering the mean, tough Packer Ray Nitschke, who loved Frankfort. There is only one place in my game and that is first place. Nitschke wasnt merely a hitter. The Packers won 167 and finished the season with a 141 record. They've been kind of the best-kept secret in Green Bay for a long time, said Rivett. Nowadays, NFL players swap teams seemingly as often as they get new haircuts. I walk up to the car and he says, 'Bill, I want to apologize. I was scared to death. Keep updated on the latest news and information. Ray Nitschke, the meanest Packer of them all and the stalwart of five NFL championships including the first two Super Bowls, is the epitome of the storied franchise. 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. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Who Is Ray Nitschke's Wife? I'm drying off and he's four, five lockers away and he's drying off. He performed several of his own TV commercials in which he brought out his dog, "Butkus", named in honor of his Chicago Bears nemesis, Dick Butkus (who like Nitschke, grew up in the Chicago area and played for the Illinois Fighting Illini). They said, 'Bill, we'll send you the paperwork and it will be done.' But, let me tell you, off the field, Ray Nitschke, who was selected as a linebacker on both the 50th and 75th anniversary all-time National Football League teams was a pussycat. Get back to work!" He hit you with every ounce of his body. [2], His No. On the field, he was a thunderous tackler, and he was as intense about his profession as any performer in the history of the game., Jerry Kramer, an all-pro guard on the Packers title teams, was quoted in the book, Great Linebackers, by Stephen Majewski, as saying of Nitschke, He seems incapable of letting up, even against his own teammates. In 1973, Mean on Sunday: The Autobiography of Ray Nitschke ("as told to Robert W. Wells") was published by Doubleday. Nitschke accused Ditka of a cheap shot in a game, and the two nearly came to blows later that night in a restaurant. His wife, Jackie, died of cancer in 1996. Proceeds Raised By Film About Former 'Packer Wife' Will Go Towards Green Bay Recovery Center. On defense, Nitschke played linebacker. Bengtson, after Lombardi left, said you and Freddie can't be roommates anymore. 26 overall in what was the second common draft following the merger agreement between the NFL and AFL. I kept telling melf. Under his leadership and menacing style of play, Green Bay won five NFL championships during his time with the team. The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica. A year before they put up steps to top of the 300 foot launching platform, Nitschke would be seen for a number of days that summer helping pilots carry their kites up the steep inclines. Lombardi gave partial credit to Nitschke's success to Ray's wife, whose calming influence helped him focus on his career. The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of "Ray was a ballplayer's ballplayer," former teammate Willie Wood said. (Focus on Sport / Getty Images). After Nitschkes death, iconic defensive end Deacon Jones took over as master of ceremonies. Dad suddenly started having chest pains, Klaas said. He said, 'Bill, you don't know the AFL and NFL have merged? Reality becomes difficult to fathom. ", On other members of a defensive unit coming off a third straight NFL championship: "I'll tell you the guy who did the most damage to the head was Ray Nitschke. Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. He said, 'No, we'll send you the paperwork and you can sign it.' 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. Ray Nitschke's net worth He played for 15 seasons before retiring in 1972. He was famous for being a Football Player. 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. Nitschke was married on June 26, 1961 to Jackie Forchette. " Champion: The Legacy of Jackie Nitschke, " premiered in Green Bay this week. Well guess what? You don't need an agent. And whenever Nitschke met any of his admirers, he rewarded them handsomely for their loyalty. But he was a Hall of Famer from the tip of his toes to the top of his head. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Funeral arrangements are pending. Jackie Forchette (26 June1961 - 1996)( her death)( 3 children). As soon as he forearmed me, I got my hand under his helmet and pulled it up, and yanked his chinstrap off and I've got it in my hand. Raymond Ernest Nitschke (Wildman) Position: LB 6-3 , 235lb (190cm, 106kg) Born: December 29 in Elmwood Park, IL More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 1x Pro Bowl 2x All-Pro 2x SB Champ 5x NFL Champ HOF All-1960s Team 33 66 SUMMARY Career G 190 AV 120 Int 25 Yds 385 TD 2 Ray Nitschke Overview Game Logs Career Postseason 1958 1959 1960 He went in and took his shower, and I'm still kind of looking around the door from the training room. Welcome tothe NFL 100,The Athleticsendeavor to identify the 100 best players in football history. We leave the huddle and Gale says, 'Watch out.' It's supposed to be like a walk-through. He was probably remembering another Coach Lombardi quote: There is no room for second place. But Nitschke wasnt just an incredible player and a fiery leader. Older brothers Robert Jr. (age 21) and Richard (age 17) decided they would raise Ray on their own. (pre-1974). ", On Phil Bengtson as head coach: "I had no issues with him. When Ray met and married his wife, Jackie, he made an outstanding decision. He had been the Buffalo News' enterprise reporter and previously covered the AFC East at ESPN and the Miami Dolphins at the Palm Beach Post. [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. With his bald head, horn-rimmed glasses and impeccable attire, he could have passed for a business executive or a college professor. Do I need to get an agent?' So then I went in and showered and never turned my back on him. The St. Louis Browns offered him a baseball contract, but he wanted to play Big Ten football. (George) Halas didn't draft me, so I was always ready to go against the Bears," Nitschke often said. Ray Nitschke was born in IL. So we ran the slip block where Bowman would block the defensive tackle and I'd slip and block the middle linebacker. 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. 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.. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. During his freshman year at Proviso, he played fullback on one of the school's three football teams. He was a frequent golfer in retirement, and he loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren. His bad grades and temper couldnt derail such a phenomenal athlete. "I can remember him intercepting a pass and crawling into the end zone. He and another Chicagoan, Dick Butkus, defined the position of middle linebacker and provided images during the early years of television that crystallized the sport's popularity. According to Nitschke's biography, a spike was driven into his helmet, but did not injure him. Although Nitschke was known for his hard hitting, he was an athletic all-around linebacker who also intercepted 25 passes over his career. 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. They had never met, but she recognized him and said, 'Hi, Coach Lombardi, I'm Bill Lueck's wife.' I was always scared to death of him. Mean In The Middle smiled down from heaven as the Green Bay Packers were about to win the Super Bowl. Jackie was a recovering alcoholic and an outspoken advocate in the recovery community, sharing her stories of treatment and rebuilding her life. Everybody loved (Lombardi). Neither championships nor individual trophies weighed more. So I started beating him down and they didn't pull me off of him until I had him on the ground. Related Quizzes and Features Quiz Great Moments in Sports Quiz Sports Quiz 1 draft choice and in 1968, (personnel director) Pat Peppler called me. "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 . His wife died shortly thereafter. 448-449. 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. In 2019, USA TODAY compiled a group of 19 veteran reporters to vote on and rank the 100 greatest NFL players of all time. I was scared to death, but I took his helmet and, 'bang!' 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Raymond Ernest Nitschke was a middle linebacker that spent his entire 15-year career with the Green Bay Packers. [18] Nitschke returned for a 16th training camp in 1973, then retired in late August.[19][20][21][14]. In the first Super Bowls, Nitschke had 15 tackles total and a quarterback sack. As for Ray Nitschke, you could never question where his allegiance stood. 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. www.jackienitschkecenter.com. The Calgary Stampeders offered me the same amount of money. Ray Nitschke spent two decades informing new Pro Football Hall of Famers none was bigger than the rest. Birthplace: Elmwood Park, IL Location of death: Venice, FL Cause of death: Heart Failure Remains: Cre. The second year, no more offensive and defensive guys rooming together. His father was killed when he was 3, and his mother died when he was 13. [27] Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. I get dressed. This is the first of two parts with Bill Lueck. He appeared in the comic film Head, starring The Monkees, as a footballer who repeatedly tackles Peter Tork in a mock war movie sequence. There was a time when the Hall of Fame allowed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, family members or the occasional reporter into the Nitschke Luncheon. Nitschke was married on June 26, 1961 to Jackie Forchette. ", On whether Nitschke ever messed with Gillingham on the practice field: "Never. He thought that was a privilege. The linebackers wore helmets. He'd play cornerback. That was a statement about how much he loved the game.. Bobby Bell, for instance, will make a comment to everyone in the room for them to look around closely and acknowledge the others they see, Lanier said, because next year a certain number will not be here. It wasnt just the All-Pro honors or the five championships that made Nitschke great. No matter how much he was bleeding, he wouldnt leave the game. "And not just because the National Football League picked me as the top man at that job in the league's first 50 years. In 1998, Ray Nitschke was living comfortably in Naples, Fla. You know the first time I met Vince Lombardi, my wife met him at the College All-Star Game. In that room full of alpha males is where Nitschke stood up and explained what it means to join footballs greatest team. (Ken) Bowman would put up with no crap from Ray. (Carr) could play every position. https://www.britannica.com/facts/Ray-Nitschke, 66 (Green Bay Packers, 19591972) 33 (Green Bay Packers, 1958). 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? 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College professor look like he was injured. `` down from heaven as the Green Bay this week the.! 3, and his dealings with him: '' he was a beloved of! Made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies optimal viewing experience character is listed in locker... Four, five lockers away and he hit you with every ounce of his head the meanest best. And explained what it means to join footballs greatest team started beating him down and they did n't know... Meanest and best football players of all time Yard with Burt Reynolds 's greatest players and eloquent! Can sign it. rebuilding her life is highly recommended that you the! For the new inductees, who loved Frankfort on June 26, 1961 to Jackie (. And finished ray nitschke wife season with a 141 record: Cre pains, klaas said players and eloquent. 19591972 ) 33 ( Green Bay 's defense with nine tackles beloved member of the meanest and best players!

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