"But I have the utmost respect for Ray Nitschke of all the players I ever played against," Ditka later said. When was Ray Nitschke inducted to the Hall of Fame? We would stay at the Elberta beach until darkness. Ray Nitschke was born on December 29, 1936, in Elmwood Park, Illinois, United States. That's how I got big. 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. Tim Graham is a senior writer for The Athletic, covering Buffalo sports. That was when I got Gale. Fred died of dementia. What position did Ray Nitschke play? Ray Wietecha was still the line coach and he had seen (Nitschke) do that to Hyland so he didn't pull me off. The Nitschke Luncheon is a solemn initiation for the new inductees, who are not allowed to speak. I know I hit him hard and he hit me hard, and I think that's where it should be left.". AKA Raymond Ernest Nitschke. Nitschke was known for his strength and toughness, exhibited prior to his third season in 1960. pic.twitter.com/vf59f532Sw. He is from USA. He had football smarts. During his freshman year at Proviso, he played fullback on one of the school's three football teams. They had never met, but she recognized him and said, 'Hi, Coach Lombardi, I'm Bill Lueck's wife.' If you thought Green Bay Packers legend Ray Nitschke was tough, you should get to know his wife Jackie. Under his leadership and menacing style of play, Green Bay won five NFL championships during his time with the team. Encyclopdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them. The linebackers wore helmets. Discover Ray Nitschke's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. The contact he made with Larry Csonka impressed me, but what I remember was Ray Nitschke getting up and laughing like he just won the $1 million lottery. A new documentary tells the story of the wife of a former football player for the Green Bay Packers and her struggle with alcohol. We laughed about that comment. 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. "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. ", On whether Nitschke ever messed with Gillingham on the practice field: "Never. 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. He also was a humanitarian, loved children and relished being an ambassador for Green Bay and the NFL. But he had a sense about him. Hit him on the head. Nitschke was known for his strength and toughness. The film's executive producer, Jim Rivett, said that Nitschke was the first Packer Wife to publicly acknowledge her alcoholism. Bengtson, after Lombardi left, said you and Freddie can't be roommates anymore. Packers Experiences powered by QuintEvents. Then Chicago Bears middle linebacker Dick Butkus went to eight straight. [9] Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John (in 1963), Richard (in 1966), and Amy (in 1972). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. What now is known as the Nitschke Luncheon is a transformative event for the incoming class and often looked back upon sometimes more than slipping into their gold jackets for the first time, delivering their induction speeches, the unveiling of their bronze busts as the true moment they became Pro Football Hall of Famers. The Nitschke Luncheon is like a family reunion and for many Hall of Famers ranks as the favorite part of induction weekend. Ray wanted everybody to know were all equal. And whenever Nitschke met any of his admirers, he rewarded them handsomely for their loyalty. Emotionally impactful is just what Nitschke would appreciate in order to hammer home as forcefully as stuffing Joe Don Looney in the backfield what it means to be a Hall of Famer. Nitschke was married on June 26, 1961 to Jackie Forchette. 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. ", Without that attitude, Nitschke said, he couldn't get his job done. ProFootballHistory.com. ", On his relationship with fellow No. I was on one-year contracts and I was making like $25,500 and had started every game in Green Bay except my rookie year. Heres a guy, after all these years, in an exhibition game. In the 2005 version of the movie, there is no Bogdanski- probably because they couldnt find as mean a person as Ray Nitschke to play the part. Fred and I remained close until about three, four years ago. 5 overall. ", On playing with Bart Starr for at least parts of four seasons: "Nobody is tougher than Bart Starr. 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. After Nitschkes death, iconic defensive end Deacon Jones took over as master of ceremonies. Your email address will not be published. I thought (Nitschke) was more versatile, the way he could cover and everything. It was his passion for the game, and the way he could flip a switch once he walked over the painted sideline. Sure. Ray Nitschke. But I didn't think he was as good as Nitschke. But Packer fans and others around the league who admired Nitschke's professional skills might pick this up as a reminder of the man beneath the armor."[28]. I was scared to death, but I took his helmet and, 'bang!' 1 pick Fred Carr: "We roomed together as rookies. In Super Bowl II, Nitschke led Green Bay's defense with nine tackles. I want him to remember Ray Nitschke, even in his dreams.". At 62 years old, Ray Nitschke height Ray Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois. This must be the 1st quarter because Ray Nitschke barely has any blood on him yet. But Nitschke wasnt just an incredible player and a fiery leader. His annual treks to Canton, Ohio, for the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend became as memorable as his play on all five of coach Vince Lombardi's world championship teams. The St. Louis Browns offered him a baseball contract, but he wanted to play Big Ten football. Nitschke will be buried in Green Bay. His baseball skills brought him an offer from the professional St. Louis Browns with a $3,000 signing bonus. Never a good student in high school, his grades suffered at college. You don't need an agent. The personification of gruff and tough, the bald-headed Nitschke's voice and manner remained intimidating 25 years after he left the field. As much as he insisted they all are equals, his passion set him apart. 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. If you don't like it go to the Canadian Football League. My parents kept telling me to come back and go in the dairy business because they were ready to retire and all three of my brothers were in it. For example, when Terrell Owens decided to hold his induction in Chattanooga, Tenn., the Hall of Famers wanted to speak candidly without fear of retribution or having their remarks appear online. [2], His No. I became interested in Nitschke when after living in Wisconsin for 8 years I learned that he had become a Christian before he died. Among all of us offensive linemen, we supported Zeke 100 percent. 66 in the open field. This is a carousel. Those are the ones that would piss Ray off. His father was killed in a car accident in 1940, and his mother died of a blood clot when Ray was 13. We shook hands. [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. The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of Lee Remmel, the Packers public relations director and a former beat writer for the Green Bay Press-Gazette, recalled how well Nitschke treated fans. On the field, he was a ferocious middle linebacker who at times seemed to truly enjoy hitting people. Finally, the coaches pulled me off of him and everybody was laughing. Nitschke was married on June 26, 1961 to Jackie Forchette. "In the heat of competing against each other, things like that happen. [6], Nitschke entered Proviso Township High School in Maywood shortly before his mother's death. "But it turned out all right," Remmel said. CTE. That becomes a most profound reality. 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. Nitschke guided a Packers defense that won five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls. "I can remember him intercepting a pass and crawling into the end zone. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. As his wife was dying of cancer he had become a member of a Christian Church in Green Bay. In the game, Nitschke recovered two fumbles and deflected a pass that was intercepted. * 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. ", On the reduction in salaries after the merger agreement: "You know what Donny Anderson got as a No. I've just had a rough day. Everybody loved (Lombardi). What college did Ray Nitschke attend? Not only is Ray Nitschke one of the best LBs in NFL history, he had an act at making something out of nothing. He was a beloved member of the Packers organization throughout his career and into retirement. I thought so (in 1971) even when I sat on the bench after coach Dan Devine gave Jim Carter my job. None. Fred made very few mistakes. ", On how his friendship with fellow guard Gale Gillingham got started: "Weightlifting. 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. Watch the trailer for the documentary below: For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email [email protected] or use our Listener Feedback form. His Father passed away when he was 3, and his Mother passed away when he was 13. He was adopted by an older brother, and grew up as a self-acknowledged bully. Biography. Ray played in the 230s, but he hit like he was 300 pounds. When I came back to the car, he had had a heart attack. Ray Nitschke attended the University of Illinois. He was 61. 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. Mean In The Middle smiled down from heaven as the Green Bay Packers were about to win the Super Bowl. )[22][23] Lombardi ran over to see what had happened, but when told it had fallen on Nitschke, said, "He'll be fine. He went in and took his shower, and I'm still kind of looking around the door from the training room. (Nitschke) would test guys. Puplis advised him to accept a football scholarship. The Packers won the first two Super Bowls in NFL history thanks in large part to Nitschke. Nitschke grew up in Maywood, Ill., lost his father at age 3 and his mother when he was 13. The 23-year-old man was arraigned on Feb. 23 after being arrested for driving his 2016 Toyota Two people have been charged with possession of methamphetamine after a traffic stop in Garfield Kindergarten round-up is for all parents interested in learning more about the kindergarten program. Also learn how He earned most of Ray Nitschke networth? 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