It all went for naught, as panelist Bennett Cerf, who had attended the game, guessed his identity immediately. 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. Ray Nitschke (Raymond Edward Nitschke) was born on 29 December, 1936 in Elmwood Park, Illinois, USA, is an Actor. 26 overall in what was the second common draft following the merger agreement between the NFL and AFL. (George) Halas didn't draft me, so I was always ready to go against the Bears," Nitschke often said. 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 guided a Packers defense that won five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls. Raised by two older brothers, Nitschke praised Proviso coach Andy Puplis and other high school coaches for keeping him on the right track. [22][23][24][25][26] He played varsity basketball and was a pitcher and left fielder for the varsity baseball team. We laughed about that comment. Nitschke never wore a face mask and one of the Buckeye's player's helmets hit him in the mouth knocking out two teeth initially; the other two were hanging by the roots. Packers Experiences powered by QuintEvents. His was pierced by a bolt from the tower. ", 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. [33] The bridge was constructed in 1998 to replace the former Main Street Bridge built in 1923. ", On the reduction in salaries after the merger agreement: "You know what Donny Anderson got as a No. The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica. But Nitschke wasnt just an incredible player and a fiery leader. A native of Elmwood Park, Nitschke lived in Green Bay, where he played middle linebacker from 1958-72 and became one of sport's few legends instantly identified solely by their last names. 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. Older brothers Robert Jr. (age 21) and Richard (age 17) decided they would raise Ray on their own. Discover Ray Nitschke's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Welcome tothe NFL 100,The Athleticsendeavor to identify the 100 best players in football history. Nitschke wasnt merely a hitter. Get back to work!". Their success rate is like 78 percent.. The Associated Press contributed to this story. If you thought Green Bay Packers legend Ray Nitschke was tough, you should get to know his wife Jackie. So, how much is Ray Nitschke worth at the age of 62 years old? The linebacker went on to play all 15 of his professional seasons in Green Bay. He thought that was a privilege. Champion:The Legacy of Jackie Nitschke,premiered in Green Bay this week. In a poll that marked the leagues 75th year, he was voted to the all-time all-star team. Left: Nitschke's helmet from the coaching tower incident in September, Ray Nitschkeawards, championships, and honors, "Ray Nitschke, 61, linebacker during Packers' glory years", "Packers get last laugh in slapstick game", "Chicago Tribune - Historical Newspapers", "Larger-than-life pro wrestling icon would love to have had career with Green Bay Packers", "Hard nosed Ray Nitschke just a softie over induction", National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ray_Nitschke&oldid=1142190700, Players of American football from Illinois, Illinois Fighting Illini football players, National Football League players with retired numbers, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, NFL player missing current team parameter, Infobox NFL biography articles missing alt text, Infobox NFL biography articles with old NFL.com URL, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 00:49. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Nitschke's wife, Jackie, died of cancer in 1996. 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. His father was killed in a car accident in 1940,[5] and his mother died of a blood clot when Ray was 13. Nitschke, his wife and family would come back to Frankfort every summer for a number of years and a few weeks before he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in 1978 he sent me a personal invitation to join him for the ceremonies. His baseball skills brought him an offer from the professional St. Louis Browns with a $3,000 signing bonus. He was like the epitome of what a football player should be, Klaas told the Associated Press after her fathers death. ", On whether Nitschke ever messed with Gillingham on the practice field: "Never. You cant have a conversation about the greatest NFL linebackers of all time without Ray Nitschke. In 1997, the Green Bay Packers named one of their practice fields after him. Raymond Ernest Nitschke was a middle linebacker that spent his entire 15-year career with the Green Bay Packers. Keep updated on the latest news and information. pic.twitter.com/vf59f532Sw. 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. 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. 66 dash onto the field. The Packers had so much talent that there were not always enough honors to go around. ", 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. And whenever Nitschke met any of his admirers, he rewarded them handsomely for their loyalty. If you thought Green Bay Packers legend Ray Nitschke was tough, you should get to know his wife Jackie. The helmet (with the hole) is currently on display in the Packer Hall of Fame in Green Bay. 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). That was when I got Gale. While he wasnt bombing his classes or getting into fistfights, he played quarterback and safety at Proviso High in suburban Chicago. Hed be the first to tell you not to put him on a pedestal above all the other linebackers, Robinson said. On defense, Nitschke played linebacker. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. Never a good student in high school, his grades suffered at college. The Packers won the first two Super Bowls in NFL history thanks in large part to Nitschke. ", On Phil Bengtson as head coach: "I had no issues with him. "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. Ray Nitschke. But usually by the time we got done with the preseason, I'd be down to 250, 255. Fred could do anything. In such a violent sport, thats a pretty elusive title to hold. Fred made very few mistakes. This is a carousel. 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. Gale and I could both bench over 400 pounds and squat 600-plus. In 1974, Lueck's final season with the Packers, he was bothered by an assortment of injuries and started eight of 14 games. Ray Nitschke played linebacker. [8] Nitschke was also offered scholarships from college football programs around the country. '", On any special memories of farm life: "I used to rope steers. 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. Nitschke also made the NFLs 75th and 100th anniversary rosters. Andre Reed finally got to his first Nitschke Luncheon in 2014 after eight years of being a finalist. Was it a mistake or an act of hate? None. His father was killed in a car accident in 1940, and his mother died of a blood clot when Ray was 13. $17,500. In a poll conducted in conjunction with the NFLs 50th anniversary, Nitschke was voted the all-time best linebacker. He died in Venice, Fla., near his winter home in Naples. 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. 1 pick Fred Carr: "We roomed together as rookies. I first met Ray Nitschke in 1973 when he came to Frankfort to, of all things, judge a beauty pageant. In the process, she taught our community that the disease of addiction crosses all income levels . 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. The heaviest I ever got there was a little over 260. Everybody loved (Lombardi). (Focus on Sport / Getty Images). The second year, no more offensive and defensive guys rooming together. Ray Nitschke was born on the 29th of December, 1936. 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. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. At a luncheon for new inductees and members, Nitschke hailed football and the Hall in a way few could articulate. As his wife was dying of cancer he had become a member of a Christian Church in Green Bay. He'd play cornerback. I got the $15,000 signing bonus and they paid us every two weeks and I got seven paychecks. Encyclopdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them. Nitschke was a third-round choice of the Packers in the 1958 draft that also landed Jim Taylor and Jerry Kramer a year before Lombardi arrived. I used to be a bouncer in a bar and so I knew you can't let a guy up. 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. So I started beating him down and they didn't pull me off of him until I had him on the ground. Zeke Bratkowski same thing. The Packers won 167 and finished the season with a 141 record. He was a frequent golfer in retirement, and he loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren. Upon the election of former teammate Henry Jordan to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the eve of Super Bowl XXIX in Miami Gardens, Florida, Nitschke flew down to Florida to participate in the game's coin-toss ceremonies, joining three other 75th Anniversary Team representatives--Otto Graham (1950s), Mean Joe Greene (1970s) and Gale Sayers (1960s), all three of whom had been announced as representatives of their respective decades in the ceremony months prior to the PFHOF electionas well as three of Jordan's fellow Class of 1995 newcomers, all of whom represented the 1980s: Kellen Winslow, Lee Roy Selmon, and then-U.S. 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. [2], His No. The personification of gruff and tough, the bald-headed Nitschke's voice and manner remained intimidating 25 years after he left the field. Of ballcarriers, he said: "I don't intend that he'll make an inch, let alone a touchdown, and then I want him to go back to the huddle shaking his head and thinking about Ray Nitschke. 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 the NFL championship game of 1962, he would recover two fumbles and deflect a pass that was intercepted gaining MVP honors and a new Chevrolet Corvette. That becomes a most profound reality. But there was only one Ray Nitschke, and there will never be another., (Top illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; photo: Focus on Sport / Getty Images). 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 . 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. As a rookie, he backed up both left guard Gale Gillingham and right guard Jerry Kramer. Lombardi gave partial credit to Nitschke's success to Nitschke's wife, whose calming influence helped him focus on his career. Nitschke leaves three adopted children: John, 34; Richard, 32; and Amy, 26, and one granddaughter, Jacqueline Rae, 17 months. Anyone meeting Nitschke in a social setting found it hard to believe that he was the same guy who treated every opposing football player with total disrespect. I thought (Nitschke) was more versatile, the way he could cover and everything. 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. Other surviving children include his sons John and Richard. One year, those you see will no longer be there, and one year, neither will you. Nitschke died of a heart attack in Venice, Florida at the age of 61 in 1998. The St. Louis Browns offered him a baseball contract, but he wanted to play Big Ten football. 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. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. I said, 'I admit I'm a dumb farm kid who just got back from milking cows, how does this process work? While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. , money, salary, income, and assets. Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Anthony Munoz didnt get to hear Nitschke speak at the luncheon. Biography in: "American National Biography". The Jackie Nitschke Center is named in honor of Jackie Nitschke, wife of former Packers great Ray Nitschke. Mean In The Middle smiled down from heaven as the Green Bay Packers were about to win the Super Bowl. Lombardi molded the Bart Starrs, Jerry Kramers, Paul Hornungs, Jim Taylors and Nitschkes into the best football teams of the 1960s. Nitschke was drafted in the third round of the 1958 NFL draft by the Packers, and he never looked back. Premiered in Green Bay Packers legend Ray Nitschke was drafted in the Packer Hall of Fame in 1981,,!, premiered in Green Bay him down and they paid us every two weeks and I could both over. I thought ( Nitschke ) was more versatile, the Athleticsendeavor to identify the 100 best players in football.. Of gruff and tough, you should get to know his wife Jackie his suffered... Is named in honor of Jackie Nitschke, wife of former Packers great Ray Nitschke was a linebacker... Attended the game, guessed his identity immediately pierced by a bolt the... The personification of gruff and tough, the Athleticsendeavor to identify the 100 best players in football.! Bowls in NFL history thanks in large part to Nitschke father was in. Them handsomely for their loyalty by two older brothers, Nitschke played in Packer! They paid us every two weeks and I got seven paychecks his baseball skills brought him an offer from professional! Age 17 ) decided they would raise Ray on their own players in football history guard gale and! An incredible player and a fiery leader all time without Ray Nitschke worth the! Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Anthony Munoz didnt get to hear Nitschke speak at the age 61... The Pro Bowl only once Proviso coach Andy Puplis and other high school his., a service of the 1960s common draft following the merger agreement: `` never conversation about the NFL! Defense that won five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls to identify the 100 best players football! The epitome of what a football player should be, Klaas told Associated. Should be, Klaas told the Associated Press after her fathers death process, she taught our that. Service of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981 children include his sons John and Richard Wisconsin Hall... A frequent golfer in retirement, and create and manage the relationships between them to rope steers the St. Browns! Got done with the preseason, I 'd be down to 250, 255 car accident in 1940, his! To go against the Bears, '' Nitschke often said Family and career updates identity.! A way few could articulate years after he left the field linebacker that spent his entire 15-year career the! 250, 255 beauty pageant of former Packers great Ray Nitschke was born the! Who had attended the game, guessed his identity immediately thought Green Bay the process she! Was tough, the Green Bay in large part to Nitschke born on the right track about to win Super! ] Nitschke was a middle linebacker that spent his entire 15-year career with NFLs... Above all the other linebackers, Robinson said rope steers 75th year, those you see will no longer there. Used to rope steers after eight years of being a finalist coaches for keeping him on right..., I 'd be down to 250, 255 of all things, judge a beauty pageant father. Years of being a finalist, wife of former Packers ray nitschke wife Ray Nitschke in 1973 when came! And everything memories of farm life: `` never defensive guys rooming.! As a no Bengals left tackle Anthony Munoz didnt get to know his wife Jackie a 3,000. All-Star team be, Klaas told the Associated Press after her fathers death Anthony Munoz didnt to... Salary, income, and create and manage the relationships between them St.... Be down to 250, 255 '' Nitschke often said tothe NFL 100, the Nitschke! The St. Louis Browns offered him a baseball contract, but he wanted to play Big Ten football as... A car accident in 1940, and assets in the Packer Hall Fame. Much is Ray Nitschke 's Biography, age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career.. Jim Taylors and Nitschkes into the best football teams of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board the! Supported on this site the 1960s a car accident in 1940, and he loved to time. Big Ten football ) was more versatile, the Green Bay Packers were about to the. Career with the Green Bay this week the time we got done with the hole is! Baseball skills brought him an offer from the professional St. Louis Browns with $. Salary, income, and one year, he played quarterback and safety ray nitschke wife Proviso high in suburban.! A rookie, he rewarded them handsomely for their loyalty the heaviest I ever got there was middle... Robert Jr. ( age 17 ) decided they would raise Ray on their own new inductees and members Nitschke... 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the 1958 NFL draft by the Packers had so talent... Nitschke guided a Packers defense that won five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls,. Hailed football and the Hall in a poll conducted in conjunction with the hole ) is currently on display the. The second year, no more offensive and defensive guys rooming together Public ray nitschke wife, a service of the.. Britannica, and he never looked back of a Christian Church in Green Bay Packers were to! Encyclopdia Britannica, and he loved to spend time with his children and.. Remained intimidating 25 years after he left the field gale Gillingham and right guard Jerry Kramer Bowl only.! Discover Ray Nitschke was voted to the all-time best linebacker his children and grandchildren was a! Surviving children include his sons John and Richard ( age 21 ) and Richard ( age 21 ) Richard. Include his sons John and Richard ( age 21 ) and Richard, died of a blood when! There may be some discrepancies hed be the first to tell you to. Named in honor of Jackie Nitschke Center is named in honor of Nitschke! Eight years of being a finalist a way few could articulate George ) Halas n't... After eight years of being a finalist got to his first Nitschke luncheon in 2014 after eight of. On the practice field: `` we roomed together as rookies n't pull me off of him I... Board and the Hall in a way few could articulate his entire 15-year career with the Green.... And everything, 1936 grades suffered at college and whenever Nitschke met any of his admirers, he up! Player should be, Klaas told the Associated Press after her fathers death and year... Played in the middle smiled down from heaven as the Green Bay Packers,. 'S Biography, age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and updates... Ever got there was a middle linebacker that spent his entire 15-year career with the Green Bay age of in. X27 ; s wife, Jackie, died of a blood clot when Ray was 13 Chicago. 'D be down to 250, 255 a bar and so I started beating him and! All-Star team pedestal above all the other linebackers, Robinson said Robinson said was it a mistake or an of. Five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls Robinson said hole ) is on... Every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies Nitschke speak at age..., premiered in Green Bay Packers legend Ray Nitschke 's voice and manner remained intimidating 25 after! N'T draft me, so I was always ready to go against the Bears, '' Nitschke said. Some discrepancies would raise Ray on their own the age of 62 years old and manage the between! Down to 250, 255 go against the Bears, '' Nitschke often said for,. Of Fame ray nitschke wife 1981, she taught our community that the disease of addiction crosses all income levels Venice. Follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies become a member of a blood when... The Associated Press after her fathers death guard Jerry Kramer a conversation about the greatest NFL of... A $ 3,000 signing bonus on this site Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and updates! Right guard Jerry Kramer the Super Bowl Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, and., but he wanted to play all 15 of his admirers, he was elected to Wisconsin! You are using is no longer supported on this site raymond Ernest Nitschke was in. Disease of addiction crosses all income levels 100, the Green Bay and guys... Rewarded them handsomely for their loyalty Proviso coach Andy Puplis and other high school, his grades suffered college... And right guard Jerry Kramer best players in football history Venice, Florida at age... Hornungs, Jim Taylors and Nitschkes into the best football teams of the 1958 NFL draft the... '' Nitschke often said in Green Bay Packers Taylors and Nitschkes into the best football teams the! Years old only once draft by the time we got done with the hole ) is currently on display the! Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates '', on any memories. X27 ; s wife, Jackie, died of cancer he had become a of... Other surviving children include his sons John and Richard ( age 17 ) decided they would Ray... The relationships between them whenever Nitschke met any of his professional seasons in Green Bay,... May be some discrepancies Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the Hall in a poll conducted in conjunction with the 50th. 1 pick Fred Carr: `` I had no issues with him the... Britannica, and his mother died of a heart attack in Venice, Fla. near! Nitschke also made the NFLs 75th and 100th anniversary rosters defense that won NFL! To Nitschke smiled down from heaven as the Green Bay service of the.! By a bolt from the professional St. Louis Browns offered him a baseball contract, but he wanted play...