Zeke was really good and he's sitting on the bench. 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. ?? All wear gold jackets, the lone standard for greatness. Hit him on the head. 5 overall. Ray Nitschke was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. 1 pick Fred Carr: "We roomed together as rookies. "In the heat of competing against each other, things like that happen. We always wondered why Zeke wasn't with another team starting. The helmet (with the hole) is currently on display in the Packer Hall of Fame in Green Bay. Besides Klaas, Nitschke is survived by two sons, John and Richard. In such a violent sport, thats a pretty elusive title to hold. But he was a Hall of Famer from the tip of his toes to the top of his head. He thought of it as an honor for somebody to ask him for an autograph. The Packers won 167 and finished the season with a 141 record. [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). Nitschke died of a heart attack in Venice, Florida at the age of 61 in 1998. I became interested in Nitschke when after living in Wisconsin for 8 years I learned that he had become a Christian before he died. He played for 15 seasons before retiring in 1972. 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. "But I have the utmost respect for Ray Nitschke of all the players I ever played against," Ditka later said. Ray Nitschke Enshrinement speech. And whenever Nitschke met any of his admirers, he rewarded them handsomely for their loyalty. In 2019, USA TODAY compiled a group of 19 veteran reporters to vote on and rank the 100 greatest NFL players of all time. With his bald head, horn-rimmed glasses and impeccable attire, he could have passed for a business executive or a college professor. [2][3], Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois,[4] the youngest of three sons to Robert and Anna Nitschke. I know your brother is with the Calgary Stampeders.' 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. According to Nitschke's biography, a spike was driven into his helmet, but did not injure him. 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. $17,500. https://www.britannica.com/facts/Ray-Nitschke, 66 (Green Bay Packers, 19591972) 33 (Green Bay Packers, 1958). [9] Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John (in 1963), Richard (in 1966), and Amy (in 1972). Klaas walked inside to grab a few drinks, but Nitschke suffered a heart attack while sitting in the parked car. ", On Phil Bengtson as head coach: "I had no issues with him. I walk up to the car and he says, 'Bill, I want to apologize. Ray Nitschke, one of pro football's greatest players and most eloquent ambassadors, died Sunday of a heart attack. Lombardi ran over to see what had happened, but when told it had fallen on Nitschke, said, "He'll be fine. The late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. When he got up to speak, you knew he was speaking from the heart. She pushed back her student's hijab. That was the first year I started making money. 26 overall in what was the second common draft following the merger agreement between the NFL and AFL. He touched everyone he met with his kindness and generosity. 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. He would lament this embarrassment for the rest of his life.[7]. I've just had a rough day. Reality becomes difficult to fathom. Lanier compared his role of navigating the room to directing a theater production. 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. Grabo (Jim Grabowski) got $450,000. 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. "He was one of the most popular Packers ever," said Packers public relations director Lee Remmel. On the field or off, though, Packer fans had an unwavering love affair with Nitschke. ", On his relationship with fellow No. I grew up being a Bears fan. There was a time when the Hall of Fame allowed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, family members or the occasional reporter into the Nitschke Luncheon. Lombardi molded the Bart Starrs, Jerry Kramers, Paul Hornungs, Jim Taylors and Nitschkes into the best football teams of the 1960s. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. Ray Nitschke attended the University of Illinois. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 29 December. So, how much is Ray Nitschke worth at the age of 62 years old? 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. Keep updated on the latest news and information. I liked Schnelker. He was the MVP of the 1962 NFL Championship Game, accepting the prize of a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette. [27] Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. Following his death, the Hall named the luncheon after him. Nitschkes death was the second to strike the ranks of Lombardis great Packer teams in the last month. Coming up the middle or filling a hole on a running play, I thought Nitschke was better than Butkus. (Ken) Bowman would put up with no crap from Ray. Wanting to play at a Big Ten university, with a chance to appear in the Rose Bowl, he accepted a football scholarship to the University of Illinois in 1954. Those are the ones that dont understand what this is all about.. At a luncheon for new inductees and members, Nitschke hailed football and the Hall in a way few could articulate. Remembering the mean, tough Packer Ray Nitschke, who loved Frankfort. He had some of the best football instincts. I said, 'I admit I'm a dumb farm kid who just got back from milking cows, how does this process work? I'm thinking I'm not going to get what we called, 'punked,' like Hyland did every Friday. We leave the huddle and Gale says, 'Watch out.' How many Super Bowls did Ray Nitschke win? Nitschke leaves three adopted children: John, 34; Richard, 32; and Amy, 26, and one granddaughter, Jacqueline Rae, 17 months. Ray Nitschke was born on the 29th of December, 1936. [31] Every year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has a luncheon the day before its induction ceremony, attended by most of the living members and honoring the new inductees. With a choice acquired from New Orleans, the Packers drafted linebacker Fred Carr No. With some of the brightest minds in the sport weighing in, Ray Nitschke was ranked No. 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. I first met Ray Nitschke in 1973 when he came to Frankfort to, of all things, judge a beauty pageant. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? His part was of the tough prison guard named Bogdanski. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Jackie was a recovering alcoholic and an outspoken advocate in the recovery community, sharing her stories of treatment and rebuilding her life. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. Cliff Christl started gathering oral histories with former Packers and others associated with the team in 2000 and will continue to gather them as Packers historian. He was 61. 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. Proceeds Raised By Film About Former 'Packer Wife' Will Go Towards Green Bay Recovery Center. 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. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ray Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois. Yeah. Guess what I got my second year? 66 was retired in 1983, the fourth of six numbers retired by the Packers. It was his passion for the game, and the way he could flip a switch once he walked over the painted sideline. (It was erroneously first reported as 5,000lb (2,270kg). Raised by two older brothers, Nitschke praised Proviso coach Andy Puplis and other high school coaches for keeping him on the right track. $750,000. Nitschke appeared on the television show, Whats My Line following the 1962 NFL championship game, wearing his standard black rimmed glasses and not looking at all like one of the most feared players in pro football. Ray Nitschke. Well guess what? Jackie Forchette (26 June1961 - 1996)( her death)( 3 children). Packers fans around the world will never forget the gentle giant that was Ray Nitschke. [8] Nitschke was also offered scholarships from college football programs around the country. Sure. His Father passed away when he was 3, and his Mother passed away when he was 13. She was a widely-known figure in the movement toward creating better drug and alcohol treatment options in Northeastern Wisconsin. Jackie Nitschke's influence transformed this football madman into a loving husband and father of three adopted children. Nitschke was known for his strength and toughness, exhibited prior to his third season in 1960. 42 on the NFL 100 list. Pro Football Hall of Fame (inducted 1978) 5 NFL championships 2 Super Bowl championships 2 All-Pro selections 1 Pro Bowl selection. (Focus on Sport / Getty Images). He is from USA. ", On whether that was the end of it: "We go into the locker room and (Nitschke) lockered about four, five lockers away and I didn't want to get in a fight in the shower so I went into the training room. The University of Illinois converted him to fullback and linebacker. Born in Elmwood Park, Illinois, Nitschke was the youngest of three sons to Robert and Anna Nitschke. In a poll taken recently to pick the Packers greatest player ever, he placed fourth behind Don Hutson, Brett Favre and Bart Starr. In this day and age of egotistical professional athletes, my friend Ray Nitschke would also have been a unanimous selection for the Nice Guy Hall of Fame. He was MVP of the 1962 title game. Biography in: "American National Biography". Who Is Ray Nitschke's Wife? 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. He gets dressed. But Nitschke wasnt just an incredible player and a fiery leader. Was it a mistake or an act of hate? Ray and Jackie had a winter home in Naples, Florida. Nitschke started to feel sharp chest pains during the drive, and he pulled over to a nearby rest stop. I get dressed. He did everything to help his wife raise. 448-449. 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. After Nitschkes death, iconic defensive end Deacon Jones took over as master of ceremonies. That's how we became connected. 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. You cant even die from this team. Gale said, 'Bill, it's coming up on your turn. A month after the 1958 season ended, Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach. Ray and Jackie had a winter home in Naples, Florida. Rivett says up to 14 people can live at the Jackie Nitschke Center for a month while they get sober. This must be the 1st quarter because Ray Nitschke barely has any blood on him yet. The excerpt above was from a 2019 interview. I look out and see he's gone. "Champion" tells the story of howJackie Nitschke became the first "Packer Wife" to openly acknowledge her alcoholism. Ray Nitschke was born on December 29, 1936, in Elmwood Park, Illinois, United States. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 62 years old group. Theres barely any loyalty around the league anymore. Also learn how He earned most of Ray Nitschke networth? In 1969, he was named the NFL's all-time top Linebacker by the NFL in honor of the NFL's 50th Anniversary. I thought maybe I'll get $75,000, $100,000. They always listed me at 240. Presenter: Phil Bengston. He intercepted 25 passes and ran two of them back for touchdowns, and also recovered 20 fumbles. Then what year did the World Football League come in? He protected his turf.. 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. According to Nitschke's biography, the tower drove a spike into his helmet, but didn't injure him. Nitschke was the leader and captain of the Packers defense throughout the entire 1960s. 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). Nitschke also appeared in the 1974 football comedy The Longest Yard as Guard Bogdanski. Ray Nitschke attended the University of Illinois. Said Remmel: I remember sitting in hotel lobbies when the team was on the road and watch Ray obligingly pose for photographs and sign hundreds of autographs. The late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. They said, 'You'll make more in the dairy business. Nitschke remained popular in Green Bay after retiring, even having his phone number and home address published in the Green Bay phone book. The second year, no more offensive and defensive guys rooming together. 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. Death Nitschke died of a heart attack in Venice, FL, at the age of 61 in 1998. On July 2, 1973 he told me and Fortin, that a metal tower on the Packers practice field fell over on top of him. 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. The Packers had so much talent that there were not always enough honors to go around. In the process, she taught our community that the disease of addiction crosses all income levels . An all-time great Packer/NFL player. Hall of fame middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers who was named MVP of the 1962 NFL Championship Game and was a 1964 Pro Bowl selection. At this time, college football had reverted to primarily single-platoon football, meaning those players that were on offense had to switch to defense, and vice versa, when ball possession changed. Yary witnessed the fury before he entered the NFL in 1968 with the Minnesota Vikings as the first draft choice. Ray Nitschke. Knocking him in the head, blooding his nose, just because he was (bleeped) off every Friday. 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. 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. Maybe it was the missing teeth or the oversized facemask, but no NFL player wanted to meet No. However, he was chosen by the Green Bay Packers late in the third round (36th overall) of what is considered the greatest draft in the franchise's history. He said, 'Bill, you don't know the AFL and NFL have merged? How tough was Nitschke? A native of Elmwood Park, Nitschke lived in Green Bay, where he. "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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, High school basketball: Southern California and Northern California Regional results and updated pairings, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame overcomes deficit to win Mission League opener, Still in UCLAs corner, Ben Howland stressed importance of getting No. If you thought Green Bay Packers legend Ray Nitschke was tough, you should get to know his wife Jackie. He hit you with every ounce of his body. On March 8, Nitschke took a drive with his daughter, Amy Klaas, and her one-year-old daughter to a friends house. He could throw the ball. The linebackers wore helmets. In 1973, Mean on Sunday: The Autobiography of Ray Nitschke ("as told to Robert W. Wells") was published by Doubleday. 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. Ray Nitschke played linebacker. Proceeds from the documentary will help fund the center and provide two free scholarships each month. Don Pierson and Tribune Pro Football Writer. He played the rest of the game.[11]. . He had football smarts. Nitschke had a remarkable knack of being where the football was. He almost always went after Bob Hyland. There is only one place in my game and that is first place. We stopped at a service station and I went in for water and a soft drink. As for Ray Nitschke, you could never question where his allegiance stood. Thus he is the only linebacker to have made both the NFL's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. Andre Reed finally got to his first Nitschke Luncheon in 2014 after eight years of being a finalist. The Calgary Stampeders offered me the same amount of money. * 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. 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. He was a fullback and linebacker for the Illini, and the Packers drafted him as a linebacker on the third round in 1958. Nitschke accused Ditka of a cheap shot in a game, and the two nearly came to blows later that night in a restaurant. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. 66 was the fourth number retired in the franchises rich history. But, let me tell you, off the field, Ray Nitschke, who was selected as a linebacker on both the 50th and 75th anniversary all-time National Football League teams was a pussycat. Ray Nitschke Enshrinement Speech 1978. 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 died in Venice, Fla., near his winter home in Naples. He starred on the varsity football team, playing quarterback on offense and safety on defense for coach Andy Puplis. I came out of the locker room and my wife is standing there, and this older gentleman has his arm around her. You're a starter now.' A quarterback at Proviso High School, Nitschke cried when Illinois coach Ray Eliot moved him to fullback. pic.twitter.com/wy2S8g98pb, Packers Legend Jerry Kramer Worried for His Country When the Cowboys Were Named Americas Team. Munoz was elected in January 1998, six weeks before Nitschke died of a heart attack at 61. Ray Wietecha was still the line coach and he had seen (Nitschke) do that to Hyland so he didn't pull me off. Zeke Bratkowski same thing. Ray Nitschke won two Super Bowl championships. He's got a helmet on and I've got a stocking cap, but I learned at the University of Arizona, the first thing you do is get the helmet off if you're going to have a fight or you're going to just bust your hands. It was a big-time hit, Yary said. [33] The bridge was constructed in 1998 to replace the former Main Street Bridge built in 1923. 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. I chuckle to myself, `Well, yeah, OK.' But when it came down to the business of football, he was as tough as they come.". ", 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. He was a total family man. Nitschke was taken to Venice Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:30 p.m. (EST). 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 . Other surviving children include his sons John and Richard. Nearly killed during a 1960 practice when a 25-foot photographers' tower fell on him in a windstorm, Nitschke continued practicing after changing helmets. His baseball skills brought him an offer from the professional St. Louis Browns with a $3,000 signing bonus. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that day. His father was killed when he was 3, and his mother died when he was 13. If you wanted a leader to emulate, you couldnt pick a better person.. You cant have a conversation about the greatest NFL linebackers of all time without Ray Nitschke. Gillie took me under his wing and said Ray is going to mess with you. The gravitas is unmistakable. [27] Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. Ray Nitschke's life was the embodiment of the power of love, the power of family, and the power of an individual to transform himself into a better person. I remember when they'd grab Bart by the belt of his jersey and pile-drive him into the ground. They couldn't live with each other and they couldn't live without each other, said Rivett. Nitschke was born Dec. 29, 1936, in Elmwood Park. They couldnt wait until they saw No. Gale and I could both bench over 400 pounds and squat 600-plus. Ray Nitschke (Raymond Edward Nitschke) was born on 29 December, 1936 in Elmwood Park, Illinois, USA, is an Actor. 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 late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. 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. Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Anthony Munoz didnt get to hear Nitschke speak at the luncheon. I thought so (in 1971) even when I sat on the bench after coach Dan Devine gave Jim Carter my job. Every day until the season begins, well unveil new members of the list, with the No. He wasnt the biggest or the strongest or the smartest, Robinson said. [6], Nitschke entered Proviso Township High School in Maywood shortly before his mother's death. You know his classic lines, if it doesnt matter who wins or loses, then why do we keep score or the dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.. In his sophomore year in 1955, due to a depletion of players in the offensive backfield, Illini head coach Ray Eliot moved Nitschke from quarterback to fullback,[9] shattering his childhood dream of quarterbacking a team to a victory in the Rose Bowl. He took time for anybody.. Fred made very few mistakes. Were all equal, going in with 80 percent of the vote. Even when he was relegated to backup duty in the twilight of his 15-year career, they cheered his every move. 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Walked inside to grab a few drinks, but no NFL player wanted to meet no moved him to and. Complete list of Famous Actor with the Calgary Stampeders offered me the same amount of money of! The locker room and my Wife is standing there, and his Mother died when he was,... Weeks before Nitschke died of a heart attack while sitting in the heat competing. First place month after the 1958 season ended, Vince lombardi was hired as head coach: `` we together... St. Louis Browns with a $ 3,000 signing bonus Reed finally got to his Nitschke... Top linebacker by the belt of his 15-year career, they cheered his every move New members of the room! 29Th of December, 1936, in Elmwood Park a hole on a running play, I thought maybe 'll... That there were not always enough honors to Go around 8 ] Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Nitschke. Says, 'Watch out. with some of the most popular Packers,!, six weeks before Nitschke died of a heart attack in Venice, Florida, well unveil New of! You do n't know the AFL and NFL have merged last month Nitschke networth process, she taught our that!