Nitschke, Raymond E.
Football
b. Dec. 29, 1936, Elmwood Park, IL
d. March 8, 1998
Nitschke's father died when he was three years old and his mother died ten years later. Adopted by an older brother, he was often involved in street fights before discovering football. He later said that the sport probably saved him from prison.
He played fullback and linebacker at the University of Illinois and joined the Green Bay Packers of the NFL in 1958. Nitschke took over as the team's starting middle linebacker before his rookie season ended.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Nitschke was named an All-Pro from 1964 through 1966. He was chosen most valuable player in the 1962 NFL championship game, when the Packers beat the New York Giants 16-7 on an icy field at Yankee Stadium.
Nitschke retired after the 1972 season. During his 13 years with the Packers, he intercepted 25 passes and returned them for 385 yards and 2 touchdowns.