Pro Football Career
He was selected, at age 20, in the third round of the 1958 NFL Draft, the 36th overall pick. This draft, held on December 2, 1957, included two other significant Packers of the 1960s: fullback Jim Taylor of LSU (2nd rd., 15th overall) and right guard Jerry Kramer of Idaho (4th rd., 39th overall). Their rookie season in 1958 was dismal, recording just one win (and one tie), finishing with the worst record in the 12 team league.
A month after the 1958 season ended, Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach. Nitschke became a full time starter in 1962, the anchor of a disciplined defense that helped win five NFL titles and the first two Super Bowls in the 1960s. He was the MVP of the 1962 NFL Championship Game, accepting the prize of a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette. In the game, Nitschke recovered 2 fumbles and deflected a pass that was intercepted. The Packers won the game, 16-7, and finished the season with a 14-1 record. In Super Bowl I, Nitschke contributed 6 tackles and a sack. In Super Bowl II, Nitschke led Green Bay's defense with 9 tackles.
On December 17, 1972, the 9-4 Green Bay Packers traveled to New Orleans to play the 1-11-1 Saints at Tulane Stadium for Nitschke's last regular season game of his career. Nitschke recored the only pass reception of his career in this game, a 34-yard gain on a blocked field goal attempt for which he was blocking. The Packers won the game 30-20 to clinch the NFC Central division title, and their first playoff berth since Super Bowl II. They lost on the road to Washington 16-3 in the first round of the playoffs.
Although Nitschke was known for his hard hitting, he was a good all-around linebacker who also intercepted 25 passes over his career.
Lombardi gave partial credit to Nitschke's success to Ray's wife, whose calming influence helped him focus on his career.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978.
Read more about this topic: Ray Nitschke
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