That's how I got big. (pre-1974). And whenever Nitschke met any of his admirers, he rewarded them handsomely for their loyalty. No one ever instilled fear in their opponents quite as Nitschke did. He thought that was a privilege. Zeke was really good and he's sitting on the bench. Nitschke was taken to Venice Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:30 p.m. (EST). He'd get up and his helmet was over here to the side of his face. When I told Green Bay what I was offered, they matched it. My wife and I got in an argument this morning before I left home. 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. Although Nitschke was known for his hard hitting, he was an athletic all-around linebacker who also intercepted 25 passes over his career. No matter how much he was bleeding, he wouldnt leave the game. Keep updated on the latest news and information. ", On whether Nitschke ever messed with Gillingham on the practice field: "Never. What is said in the room stays in the room. His part was of the tough prison guard named Bogdanski. Theres barely any loyalty around the league anymore. 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. 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. Heres some tidbits about him that a lot of people dont know: * As a young teenager, he was orphaned. Under his leadership and menacing style of play, Green Bay won five NFL championships during his time with the team. He liked to forearm your head. Nitschke started to feel sharp chest pains during the drive, and he pulled over to a nearby rest stop. I hit him about three times. He once scored four times in a game against Iowa State, all on long runs. When a certain message needs to be delivered, Lanier knows who to call upon. 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. ", 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. A lot of times we had to guide him into the huddle. [2][3], Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois,[4] the youngest of three sons to Robert and Anna Nitschke. So I said (to Peppler), 'Well, do I need to come back there?' Andre Reed finally got to his first Nitschke Luncheon in 2014 after eight years of being a finalist. I said, 'I admit I'm a dumb farm kid who just got back from milking cows, how does this process work? $750,000. I know I hit him hard and he hit me hard, and I think that's where it should be left.". 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. [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. So then I went in and showered and never turned my back on him. Green Bay Packer, Hall of Famer. His baseball skills brought him an offer from the professional St. Louis Browns with a $3,000 signing bonus. That was when I got Gale. In the first Super Bowls, Nitschke had 15 tackles total and a quarterback sack. The Jackie Nitschke Center is named in honor of Jackie Nitschke, wife of former Packers great Ray Nitschke. Ray and Jackie had a winter home in Naples, Florida. The gravitas is unmistakable. Sure. Klaas walked inside to grab a few drinks, but Nitschke suffered a heart attack while sitting in the parked car. The discussion was heated, but remained private. 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. He was a wonderful human being. They couldnt wait until they saw No. "I can remember Nitschke breaking his arm, busting his knee up and playing a whole half without even saying anything," Wood said. I've just had a rough day. www.jackienitschkecenter.com. The linebackers wore helmets. The NFL legend was twice named a First-Team All-Pro, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. Besides Klaas, Nitschke is survived by two sons, John and Richard. On the field or off, though, Packer fans had an unwavering love affair with Nitschke. Jackie Nitschke's influence transformed this football madman into a loving husband and father of three adopted children. After three seasons of part-time duty in the middle, Nitschke took over full-time in 1961 on Lombardis first Packer championship team. He was a beloved member of the Packers organization throughout his career and into retirement. Many never knew who this man, one of the greatest NFL players of all time, was. ", On Lombardi's role as general manager and his dealings with him:"He was in the locker room. His No. Birthplace: Elmwood Park, IL Location of death: Venice, FL Cause of death: Heart Failure Remains: Cre. Ray Nitschke played linebacker. 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. Ray Nitschke was born in IL. 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. 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). Mean In The Middle smiled down from heaven as the Green Bay Packers were about to win the Super Bowl. "In the heat of competing against each other, things like that happen. He was the MVP of the 1962 NFL Championship Game, accepting the prize of a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette. We'd run through the plays and Ray would always tee-off on Hyland. It was a big-time hit, Yary said. It wasnt just the All-Pro honors or the five championships that made Nitschke great. In 1998, Ray Nitschke was living comfortably in Naples, Fla. If you don't like it go to the Canadian Football League. 26 overall in what was the second common draft following the merger agreement between the NFL and AFL. When I came back to the car, he had had a heart attack. Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round (36th overall) of the 1958 NFL draft. Welcome tothe NFL 100,The Athleticsendeavor to identify the 100 best players in football history. None. Ray played in the 230s, but he hit like he was 300 pounds. Wood remembered Nitschke working at his image on and off the field. He also was a humanitarian, loved children and relished being an ambassador for Green Bay and the NFL. On March 8, Nitschke took a drive with his daughter, Amy Klaas, and her one-year-old daughter to a friends house. 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. He played the rest of the game.[11]. "Champion" tells the story of howJackie Nitschke became the first "Packer Wife" to openly acknowledge her alcoholism. The Packers won 167 and finished the season with a 141 record. ", On what happened next: "(I'm a) mezzanine rookie, and I had seen (Nitschke) take his frustration out every Friday on Hyland. 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 Nearly killed during a 1960 practice when a 25-foot photographers' tower fell on him in a windstorm, Nitschke continued practicing after changing helmets. Ray Nitschke's net worth Then Chicago Bears middle linebacker Dick Butkus went to eight straight. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that day. Ray Nitschke spent two decades informing new Pro Football Hall of Famers none was bigger than the rest. He said, 'No, we'll send you the paperwork and you can sign it.' [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. He feuded with Mike Ditka and scoffed at the notion that Butkus was a younger, improved version of himself. 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. . I have found his comments to be poignant for anybody.. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. 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. I'm drying off and he's four, five lockers away and he's drying off. That was the first year I started making money. Lanier took over when Jones died in 2013. We always wondered why Zeke wasn't with another team starting. Their success rate is like 78 percent.. In a poll conducted in conjunction with the NFLs 50th anniversary, Nitschke was voted the all-time best linebacker. (Ken) Bowman would put up with no crap from Ray. (It was erroneously first reported as 5,000lb (2,270kg). 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. premiered in Green Bay this week. "I've always thought I was the best middle linebacker in professional football," Nitschke once said. She's bossing me around.' Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. 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.. This is a carousel. Packers fans around the world will never forget the gentle giant that was Ray Nitschke. We stopped at a service station and I went in for water and a soft drink. "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. 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. 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. In retirement, Nitschke became an inner voice for Hall of Famers. ", Without that attitude, Nitschke said, he couldn't get his job done. Presenter: Phil Bengston. In such a violent sport, thats a pretty elusive title to hold. Image courtesy of "Champion" trailer. The Associated Press contributed to this story. 66 dash onto the field. Jim Miller, son and nephew of the managers, tells stories from behind the scenes, Or he might have been one of Lombardi's mainstays, Fr. [1] He had been driving to the home of a family friend, according to his daughter, Amy Klaas, who was with him when he was stricken. 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. In 1973, Mean on Sunday: The Autobiography of Ray Nitschke ("as told to Robert W. Wells") was published by Doubleday. He was probably remembering another Coach Lombardi quote: There is no room for second place. Other surviving children include his sons John and Richard. On March 8, Nitschke took a drive with his daughter, Amy Klaas, and her one-year-old daughter to a friend's house. So I go out and guess who's leaning against the driver's seat door to my car? Ray Nitschke attended the University of Illinois. 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. I'm thinking I'm not going to get what we called, 'punked,' like Hyland did every Friday. I was always scared to death of him. He gets dressed. Ray Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois. The film's executive producer, Jim Rivett, said that Nitschke was the first Packer Wife to publicly acknowledge her alcoholism. All wear gold jackets, the lone standard for greatness. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. And Gale told me if you let him know he can't just get away with abusing you like he does with Hyland, you'll get his respect. He was 61. Lombardi gave partial credit for Nitschke's success to Nitschke's wife, whose calming influence helped Ray focus on his career. We shook hands. Puplis advised him to accept a football scholarship. )[22][23] Lombardi ran over to see what had happened, but when told it had fallen on Nitschke, said, "He'll be fine. I was always trying to gain weight. Yet while Nitschke himself would protest the notion, he did rise above the room. Nitschke ranked ahead of Chuck Bednarik, Mike Singletary, and Roger Staubach on the list. As much as he insisted they all are equals, his passion set him apart. Fred could do anything. On Fridays, we'd go out stocking hats and no pads. We played basketball together. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. The late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. 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. [27] Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. (George) Halas didn't draft me, so I was always ready to go against the Bears," Nitschke often said. Ray Nitschke was born on December 29, 1936, in Elmwood Park, Illinois, United States. 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. Funeral arrangements are pending. As a microphone is passed around the room, elders explain the magnitude of the honor. 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]. A substantial aspect of Nitschkes legacy forever will be respecting the Hall of Fames legacy. [12] It included three other significant Packers of the 1960s, linebacker Dan Currie of Michigan State (3rd overall), fullback Jim Taylor of LSU (15th overall) and right guard Jerry Kramer of Idaho (39th overall). The Hall of Famers want to say whatever is on their minds. Nitschke left his savage persona on the field and occasionally on camera for The Longest Yard and Miller Lite commercials. The University of Illinois converted him to fullback and linebacker. Hed be the first to tell you not to put him on a pedestal above all the other linebackers, Robinson said. Older brothers Robert Jr. (age 21) and Richard (age 17) decided they would raise Ray on their own. At a luncheon for new inductees and members, Nitschke hailed football and the Hall in a way few could articulate. If you wanted a leader to emulate, you couldnt pick a better person.. I kept telling melf. Older brothers Robert Jr. (age 21) and Richard (age 17) decided they would raise Ray on their own. Maybe it was the missing teeth or the oversized facemask, but no NFL player wanted to meet No. Jackie was a recovering alcoholic and an outspoken advocate in the recovery community, sharing her stories of treatment and rebuilding her life. Nitschke died of a heart attack in Venice, Florida at the age of 61 in 1998. He always tried to intimidate offensive guys. He laid down the law to all the new inductees of what was acceptable and unacceptable, and everybody followed what Ray said.. Then what year did the World Football League come in? New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Nitschke had an unusual pregame routine on Sundays. Yet no one was more emotional or more sincere in his love for the game. Ray Nitschke. He went in and took his shower, and I'm still kind of looking around the door from the training room. After Nitschkes death, iconic defensive end Deacon Jones took over as master of ceremonies. 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 . So, how much is Ray Nitschke worth at the age of 62 years old? ", On Ray Wietecha, his first line coach: "I thought he was a very good coach. He didn't always follow the defense. The Calgary Stampeders offered me the same amount of money. Hell, even Tom Brady moved on from the New England Patriot after 20 historic years. 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. "But I have the utmost respect for Ray Nitschke of all the players I ever played against," Ditka later said. Carp Lake man missing, MSP requesting public's help, Traverse City man crashes into Thompsonville bar, Looking back in Benzie: Blast furnaces and sunsets, Puppy love coming to Benzie County schools, Harris gets hot, Panthers advance to district finals, Benzie Central girls advance to district finals, Benzie County 24-hour road patrol returns after 10 years, Frankfort Elementary School to host kindergarten round-up. He was also a great family man, a devoted father to his three children. All the wives. 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. 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. Related Quizzes and Features Quiz Great Moments in Sports Quiz Sports Quiz I chuckle to myself, `Well, yeah, OK.' But when it came down to the business of football, he was as tough as they come.". 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