" Champion: The Legacy of Jackie Nitschke, " premiered in Green Bay this week. Here was a guy, who made a living for 15 years in the pros being a mean, tough linebacker, in awe of these young adults flying off from the bluffs. While he wasnt bombing his classes or getting into fistfights, he played quarterback and safety at Proviso High in suburban Chicago. 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. The second year, no more offensive and defensive guys rooming together. 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. Biography. Lombardi gave partial credit for Nitschke's success to Nitschke's wife, whose calming influence helped Ray focus on his career. 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. Tags: Video. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I became interested in Nitschke when after living in Wisconsin for 8 years I learned that he had become a Christian before he died. I'm thinking I'm not going to get what we called, 'punked,' like Hyland did every Friday. When you die, youre still in the Hall of Fame.. Ray Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois. 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. I know your brother is with the Calgary Stampeders.' Nitschke was taken to Venice Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:30 p.m. (EST). had a luncheon the day before its induction ceremony, attended by most of the living members and honoring the new inductees. As his wife was dying of cancer he had become a member of a Christian Church in Green Bay. They had never met, but she recognized him and said, 'Hi, Coach Lombardi, I'm Bill Lueck's wife.' So, how much is Ray Nitschke worth at the age of 62 years old? [8] Nitschke was also offered scholarships from college football programs around the country. On the Packers' practice field on September 1, a 1,000-pound (450kg) steel coaching tower was blown over by a strong gust of wind, on top of Nitschke. He had football smarts. There are too many guys who think it was a privilege for the league to have them., That was years and years ago, but I can hear him say it like it was yesterday. He succeeded in raising his grades enough in his sophomore year to allow him to play sports his junior year, when he had grown significantly (to six feet tall). The Packers won 167 and finished the season with a 141 record. He could throw the ball. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. (It was erroneously first reported as 5,000lb (2,270kg). Encyclopdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them. [27] Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. Nitschke was the leader and captain of the Packers defense throughout the entire 1960s. He is from USA. That's how we became connected. 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. He lost both his parents by the age of 14, causing a lot of trouble in school. I was always scared to death of him. He told them how important it was and emphasized theres no one in the Hall of Fame better than anyone else, said fellow Hall of Famer and Green Bay Packers linebacker Dave Robinson. [15][16] Green Bay had clinched the NFC Central division title the week before at Minnesota for their first playoff berth in five seasons. He is from USA. Lionel Aldridge, a defensive end, died Feb. 12 at age 57. So I go out and guess who's leaning against the driver's seat door to my car? Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. . Nitschkes rage was effectively channeled. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Your email address will not be published. What position did Ray Nitschke play? Fred could do anything. 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. Their rookie season in 1958 under first-year head coach Ray "Scooter" McLean was dismal, with just one win and one tie for the worst record in the 12-team league. Born in Elmwood Park, Illinois, Nitschke was the youngest of three sons to Robert and Anna Nitschke. Fred and I remained close until about three, four years ago. I said, 'I get it. He played for 15 seasons before retiring in 1972. Ray wanted everybody to know were all equal. I kept telling melf. His Father passed away when he was 3, and his Mother passed away when he was 13. Nitschke was known for his strength and toughness, exhibited prior to his third season in 1960. 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. He protected his turf.. "I can remember Nitschke breaking his arm, busting his knee up and playing a whole half without even saying anything," Wood said. Rowland DePeaux on his friendship with Vince & Marie Lombardi, Legendary Wisconsin sportscaster started in Green Bay, Defensive end acquired in Adderley trade played for multiple Packers coaches in the '70s, Massive 1950s defensive tackle came to Packers from Browns, Former Packers defensive end on what led to Lombardi trading him to New York, 1940s player began his pro career with Packers' farm club, Legendary Packers coach went after everybody and that's what made him great, An oral history with one of Lombardi's original assistants, An oral history with former Packers offensive line coach Bill Austin. 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. We'd run through the plays and Ray would always tee-off on Hyland. One guy, Grant Smith of Detroit, asked Nitschke if he wanted to learn how to hang glide and the Packer, then 36 years old at the time, said it looked too dangerous for him. In her lifetime, Jackie was a recovering alcoholic and an outspoken advocate in the recovery community, sharing her stories of treatment and rebuilding her life. Nitschke wasnt merely a hitter. He was a natural-born leader, Hall of Fame right tackle Ron Yary said. When I told Green Bay what I was offered, they matched it. Yeah. He thought of it as an honor for somebody to ask him for an autograph. I thought (Nitschke) was more versatile, the way he could cover and everything. The film's executive producer, Jim Rivett, said that Nitschke was the first Packer Wife to publicly acknowledge her alcoholism. https://www.britannica.com/facts/Ray-Nitschke, 66 (Green Bay Packers, 19591972) 33 (Green Bay Packers, 1958). Nitschke wore number 33 in 1958 and 66 the rest of his career with the Packers. * He would be drafted by the Packers in 1958 along with Taylor and Kramer and Green Bay would win one game their first year before Lombardi was hired as the head coach. As for Ray Nitschke, you could never question where his allegiance stood. In the first Super Bowls, Nitschke had 15 tackles total and a quarterback sack. pic.twitter.com/wy2S8g98pb, Packers Legend Jerry Kramer Worried for His Country When the Cowboys Were Named Americas Team. His father was killed when he was 3, and his mother died when he was 13. Never a good student in high school, his grades suffered at college. Not only is Ray Nitschke one of the best LBs in NFL history, he had an act at making something out of nothing. He played the rest of the game.[11]. I wont mention any names, Robinson said, but there are some people that come in and get the gold jacket and never come back. I thought maybe I'll get $75,000, $100,000. 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. Ray Nitschke was 6 ft 3 inches, 235 lb (1.90 m, 106 kg). ", On playing against Dick Butkus vs. practicing against Nitschke: "Butkus was tough. I walk up to the car and he says, 'Bill, I want to apologize. You don't need an agent. [2][3], Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois,[4] the youngest of three sons to Robert and Anna Nitschke. All the wives. We would stay at the Elberta beach until darkness. Get back to work!" After Nitschkes death, iconic defensive end Deacon Jones took over as master of ceremonies. 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. ", On practicing against future Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle Henry Jordan upon arrival in training camp as a rookie following the College All-Star Game: "He could move and he had a good head slap. "I think Ray Nitschke thinks we stink," Packers defensive end Sean Jones said during the 1996 title run. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that day. His father died in a car accident when Nitschke was 3. We always wondered why Zeke wasn't with another team starting. 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. Knocking him in the head, blooding his nose, just because he was (bleeped) off every Friday. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Supplement 1, pp. ", On the reduction in salaries after the merger agreement: "You know what Donny Anderson got as a No. (pre-1974). In 1997, the Green Bay Packers named one of their practice fields after him. Jackie Nitschke's influence transformed this football madman into a loving husband and father of three adopted children. Wife: Jackie Forchette (waitress, m. 26-Jun-1961, d. 1996, two sons, one daughter) Son: John (adopted in 1963) Son: Richard (adopted in 1966) Daughter: Amy (adopted in 1972 . Klaas walked inside to grab a few drinks, but Nitschke suffered a heart attack while sitting in the parked car. His Father passed away when he was 3, and his Mother passed away when he was 13. I used to be a bouncer in a bar and so I knew you can't let a guy up. Ray and Jackie had a winter home in Naples, Florida. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. . Nitschke was wearing his wearing those type of black rimmed glasses at the PAC Inn in Frankfort that late July evening of 1973 and the crowd sitting there, eating and imbibing, probably thought he was just another summer tourist. Packers fans around the world will never forget the gentle giant that was Ray Nitschke. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Munoz was elected in January 1998, six weeks before Nitschke died of a heart attack at 61. Fred weighed about 118 pounds when he died. Fred made very few mistakes. On defense, Nitschke played linebacker. Lanier took over when Jones died in 2013. At 62 years old, Ray Nitschke height Nitschke grew up in Maywood, Ill., lost his father at age 3 and his mother when he was 13. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. The Eagles paid me my last year. 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. He touched everyone he met with his kindness and generosity. 66 was the fourth number retired in the franchises rich history. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Nitschkes legacy stretched far beyond the football field. His father was killed in a car accident in 1940,[5] and his mother died of a blood clot when Ray was 13. With some of the brightest minds in the sport weighing in, Ray Nitschke was ranked No. 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. 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. "I can remember him intercepting a pass and crawling into the end zone. Following his death, the Hall named the luncheon after him. He could play quarterback if he had to. $750,000. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. On July 2, 1973 he told me and Fortin, that a metal tower on the Packers practice field fell over on top of him. Nearly killed during a 1960 practice when a 25-foot photographers' tower fell on him in a windstorm, Nitschke continued practicing after changing helmets. No matter how much he was bleeding, he wouldnt leave the game. 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). My wife and I got in an argument this morning before I left home. Bengtson, after Lombardi left, said you and Freddie can't be roommates anymore. ", On whether the players knew Wietecha, who was in charge of the running game, and Bob Schnelker, in charge of the passing game, were at odds: "We knew there was something going, on. His part was of the tough prison guard named Bogdanski. 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. Jackie Forchette (26 June1961 - 1996)( her death)( 3 children). 5 overall. Raymond Ernest Nitschke (December 29, 1936 March 8, 1998) was an American professional football player who spent his entire 15-year career as a middle linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) with the Green Bay Packers. The late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. 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. Nitschke was 61 years old. Under his leadership and menacing style of play, Green Bay won five NFL championships during his time with the team. 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. Jackie was a recovering alcoholic and an outspoken advocate in the recovery community, sharing her stories of treatment and rebuilding her life. Ray Nitschke was born on the 29th of December, 1936. Nitschke's wife, Jackie, died of cancer in 1996. They couldn't live with each other and they couldn't live without each other, said Rivett. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. You're a starter now.' 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. Fred died of dementia. If you wanted a leader to emulate, you couldnt pick a better person.. 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