The film's executive producer, Jim Rivett, said that Nitschke was the first Packer Wife to publicly acknowledge her alcoholism. He grew up a Chicago Bears fan, but quickly learn to hate them after being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of 1958. 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. The second year, no more offensive and defensive guys rooming together. He told them how important it was and emphasized theres no one in the Hall of Fame better than anyone else, said fellow Hall of Famer and Green Bay Packers linebacker Dave Robinson. So I go through and sure enough, Ray goes bam across my forehead. 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. Nitschke also appeared in the 1974 football comedy The Longest Yard as Guard Bogdanski. AKA Raymond Ernest Nitschke. I said, 'I get it. Welcome tothe NFL 100,The Athleticsendeavor to identify the 100 best players in football history. [27] Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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. ", On Phil Bengtson as head coach: "I had no issues with him. On the field, he was a ferocious middle linebacker who at times seemed to truly enjoy hitting people. [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. Finally, the coaches pulled me off of him and everybody was laughing. On March 8, Nitschke took a drive with his daughter, Amy Klaas, and her one-year-old daughter to a friends house. if everything could be upended in one morning like that, maybe someday I'll wake up another day and everything gets flipped back the way it should be just as suddenly. I kept telling melf. A native of Elmwood Park, Nitschke lived in Green Bay, where he. His humility and appreciation for having had the opportunity to play the NFL will always stick in my mind.. 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. When Nitschke became a born-again Christian in 1995, his wife Jackie told Ray he wore that number because there are 66 books in the Holy Bible, per Gruver. Of all the heroes that the Packers had in their glory years under Coach Vince Lombardi, which included five NFL championships and victories in Super Bowls I and II, Nitschke was probably the most popular. Guess what? He was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that day. Follow Tim on Twitter @ByTimGraham, Nitschke recorded 25 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries over his 15 seasons. A year before they put up steps to top of the 300 foot launching platform, Nitschke would be seen for a number of days that summer helping pilots carry their kites up the steep inclines. [27] Jackie was unable to have children, so they adopted three: John in 1963, Richard in 1966, and Amy in 1972. (Nitschke) would test guys. The late Jackie Nitschke was married to Lombardi-era Packer Ray Nitschke. For years after his induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, the NFL. Someones got to be the leader and step forward, and that was a great quality he had. Image courtesy of "Champion" trailer. Ray Nitschke's net worth Sure. He appeared in the comic film Head, starring The Monkees, as a footballer who repeatedly tackles Peter Tork in a mock war movie sequence. [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). We shook hands. 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.. "I think Ray Nitschke thinks we stink," Packers defensive end Sean Jones said during the 1996 title run. This must be the 1st quarter because Ray Nitschke barely has any blood on him yet. In that years Chicago College All-Star Game, played against the reigning NFL champs, a maniacal Nitschke gave Yary a glimpse of what lie ahead in the pros. He succeeded in raising his grades enough in his sophomore year to allow him to play sports his junior year, when he had grown significantly (to six feet tall). 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. Watch the trailer for the documentary below: For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. [18] Nitschke returned for a 16th training camp in 1973, then retired in late August.[19][20][21][14]. Nitschkes legacy stretched far beyond the football field. Coming up the middle or filling a hole on a running play, I thought Nitschke was better than Butkus. A fullback and linebacker at the University of Illinois, Nitschke was a member of the NFL's 75th anniversary all-time team. Nitschke grew up in Maywood, Ill., lost his father at age 3 and his mother when he was 13. Lionel Aldridge, a defensive end, died Feb. 12 at age 57. He starred on the varsity football team, playing quarterback on offense and safety on defense for coach Andy Puplis. Raymond Ernest Nitschke was a middle linebacker that spent his entire 15-year career with the Green Bay Packers. Lombardi gave partial credit to Nitschke's success to Nitschke's wife, whose calming influence helped him focus on his career. Nitschke wore number 33 in 1958 and 66 the rest of his career with the Packers. When I told Green Bay what I was offered, they matched it. His father died when he was three and his mother when he was thirteen and he was raised by an older brother. Lueck played in 90 games for the Packers over seven seasons. , money, salary, income, and assets. )[22][23] Lombardi ran over to see what had happened, but when told it had fallen on Nitschke, said, "He'll be fine. 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. 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. The University of Illinois converted him to fullback and linebacker. 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 . Get back to work!" On being drafted by the Packers: "I was a No. Ray Nitschke was born on December 29, 1936, in Elmwood Park, Illinois, United States. [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. He recorded the only pass reception of his career, a 34-yard gain after a blocked Packer field goal attempt, and they won 3020 to finish at 104, their best regular season record since 1966. With a choice acquired from New Orleans, the Packers drafted linebacker Fred Carr No. Pro Football Hall of Fame (inducted 1978) 5 NFL championships 2 Super Bowl championships 2 All-Pro selections 1 Pro Bowl selection. How tough was Nitschke? On the field, he was a ferocious middle linebacker who at times seemed to truly enjoy hitting people. He took time for anybody.. The helmet (with the hole) is currently on display in the Packer Hall of Fame in Green Bay. Nitschke was selected in 1964. "I can remember Nitschke breaking his arm, busting his knee up and playing a whole half without even saying anything," Wood said. "People talk about tough he was, how bad he was. Mean In The Middle smiled down from heaven as the Green Bay Packers were about to win the Super Bowl. In the late 1980s, Nitschke owned an automobile dealership in Green Bay. Older brothers Robert Jr. (age 21) and Richard (age 17) decided they would raise Ray on their own. Born in Elmwood Park, Illinois, Nitschke was the youngest of three sons to Robert and Anna Nitschke. The linebackers wore helmets. Presenter: Phil Bengston. Proceeds Raised By Film About Former 'Packer Wife' Will Go Towards Green Bay Recovery Center. (Gillingham) was probably 275, 280. "The Hall of Fame meant more to him than it did to anybody," an emotional Hall of Fame Vice President Don Smith said upon hearing of Nitschke's death. He didn't always follow the defense. That was a statement about how much he loved the game.. His No. He was also a great family man, a devoted father to his three children. He played for 15 seasons before retiring in 1972. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. Ray Nitschke Enshrinement Speech 1978. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. But he's still standing around, so I go in the training room again. Grabo (Jim Grabowski) got $450,000. It's supposed to be like a walk-through. I look out and see he's gone. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A common response for the muted, new inductees is to look around the room at legends such as Jim Brown, Roger Staubach and Mean Joe Greene. Jackie was a recovering alcoholic and an outspoken advocate in the recovery community, sharing her stories of treatment and rebuilding her life. This is the first of two parts with Bill Lueck. That was when I got Gale. ", Without that attitude, Nitschke said, he couldn't get his job done. 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. Nitschke wasnt merely a hitter. Lombardi gave partial credit to Nitschke's success to Ray's wife, whose calming influence helped him focus on his career. When a certain message needs to be delivered, Lanier knows who to call upon. Ray Nitschke spent two decades informing new Pro Football Hall of Famers none was bigger than the rest. He wasnt the biggest or the strongest or the smartest, Robinson said. So I said (to Peppler), 'Well, do I need to come back there?' She pushed back her student's hijab. He was the one player who most represented legendary coach Vince Lombardis toughness. is 6'3"(1.91m) . I had the pleasure of meeting him when I was younger before he passed. Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round (36th overall) of the 1958 NFL draft. No one ever instilled fear in their opponents quite as Nitschke did. The film's executive producer, Jim Rivett, said that Nitschke was the first "Packer Wife" to publicly acknowledge her alcoholism. 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. 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. Ray Nitschke was 6 ft 3 inches, 235 lb (1.90 m, 106 kg). 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. He was like the epitome of what a football player should be, Klaas told the Associated Press after her fathers death. Nitschke remained a starter through the 1970 season, but in 1971 he was benched by new coach Dan Devine and became a reserve to Jim Carter. This is the only team you cant get cut from or traded from, Robinson said. They've been kind of the best-kept secret in Green Bay for a long time, said Rivett. Zeke was really good and he's sitting on the bench. He'd get in the huddle and he doesn't know where he is. Ray Nitschke was born in Elmwood Park, Illinois. He was a playmaker, recording 25 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries over his 15 seasons. Zeke Bratkowski same thing. He said, 'Bill, you don't know the AFL and NFL have merged? Nitschke died of a heart attack in Venice, Florida at the age of 61 in 1998. 66 dash onto the field. They said, 'You'll make more in the dairy business. The gravitas is unmistakable. Nitschke was the anchor of the defense under head coach Vince Lombardi in the 1960's, leading the Packers to five NFL championships and victories in the first two Super Bowls. As for Ray Nitschke, you could never question where his allegiance stood. They called me a mezzanine rookie the second year until you played in a certain number of games. That was Ray Nitschke, Hall of Fame linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, who died Sunday of a massive heart attack in Venice, Fla. Nitschke, 61, was stricken while driving with his daughter,. We became best friends after that. The men who speak try to recapture Nitschkes message. ", On his relationship with fellow No. His Father passed away when he was 3, and his Mother passed away when he was 13. Biography in: "American National Biography". 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. Those guys would take some of the worst hits. 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]. Death Nitschke died of a heart attack in Venice, FL, at the age of 61 in 1998. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. He almost always went after Bob Hyland. 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. On Fridays, we'd go out stocking hats and no pads. Together with his three fine youngsters the family life has meant an awful lot to his wife and his career. 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. When he came into the game, he was in charge. Ray Wietecha was still the line coach and he had seen (Nitschke) do that to Hyland so he didn't pull me off. Keep updated on the latest news and information. In 1974, when he came back to Frankfort, he had become a movie star playing in The Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds. He was 61. $750,000. In the process, she taught our community that the disease of addiction crosses all income levels . It was a big-time hit, Yary said. https://www.britannica.com/facts/Ray-Nitschke, 66 (Green Bay Packers, 19591972) 33 (Green Bay Packers, 1958). He grew up a Chicago Bears fan, but quickly learn to hate them after being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of 1958. Sign up now! Fred weighed about 118 pounds when he died. Biography. www.jackienitschkecenter.com. ", On whether Nitschke ever messed with Gillingham on the practice field: "Never. He went in and took his shower, and I'm still kind of looking around the door from the training room. 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 training room no pads community that the disease of addiction crosses all income levels to! 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