Green and Golden: The 100 most outstanding Packers
As the Green Bay Packers celebrate their 100th birthday, we've put together a list of the 100 most outstanding players in their history ... in order.
Here is the PackersNews.com ranking of the Top 100 Packers, as judged by Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay PressGazette and Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, with input from former general manager Ron Wolf and team historian Cliff Christl.
Let the debate begin.
1. Brett Favre: Quarterback, 19922007. Three-time MVP guided Packers to Super Bowl title in 1998 season. 2. Aaron Rodgers: Quarterback, 2006present. Two-time MVP led Packers to Super Bowl victory in 2010 season.
3. Don Hutson: End, 1935-45. Revolutionized the offensive end position, winning two MVP awards and leading the NFL in receptions eight times and touchdowns five times.
4. Clarke Hinkle: Back, 1932-41. Retired as the NFL all-time rushing leader with 3,860 yards and was a fearsome tackler at linebacker.
5. Verne Lewellen: Back, punter 192432. Three-time first-team All-Pro was a versatile back and a game-changing punter in an era when field goals were a rarity.
6. Paul Hornung: Halfback, 1957-62, 1964-66. Multiple threat as a runner, receiver and passer was named NFL MVP in 1961 and was main threat on Vince Lombardi's power sweep.
7. Herb Adderley: Cornerback, 196169. Five-time All-Pro, the shutdown corner returned three interceptions for touchdowns in 1965.
8. Willie Wood: Safety, 1960-71. Named AP All-Pro five straight years (1964-68) and had 48 career interceptions.
9. Reggie White: Defensive end, 199398. Decision to sign with Packers as free agent opened door to Green Bay's resurgence; recorded 68.5 sacks in six seasons with Packers and was named AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1998.
10. Forrest Gregg: Tackle, 1956, 195870. Seven-time AP All-Pro held Packers' record with 187 consecutive games played before being surpassed by Brett Favre.
11. Bart Starr: Quarterback, 1956-71. Won a then-record five NFL titles as a starting QB and won AP's MVP award in 1966; was also voted MVP of first two Super Bowls.
12. Jim Taylor: Fullback, 1958-66. Surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in five straight seasons (1960-64) and earned AP's MVP award in 1962.
13. Ray Nitschke: Linebacker, 1958-72. Only linebacker to make NFL's 50th anniversary team in 1969 and earned AP All-Pro honors in 1964 and '66.
14. Cal Hubbard: Tackle, 1929-33, 1935. Earned All-Pro honors in first three seasons they were awarded (1931-33)
15. Willie Davis: Defensive end, 196069. Estimated to have made more than 100 sacks (before it became an official statistic) and was a five-time AP AllPro.
16. Henry Jordan: Defensive tackle, 1959-69. Named AP All-Pro five straight seasons (1960-64) and chosen for four Pro Bowls.
17. Dave Robinson: Linebacker, 196372. Two-time AP All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl pick intercepted 12 passes from 1965-67, most in the league by a linebacker during that period.
18. James Lofton: Wide receiver, 197886. Devastating deep threat averaged 18.2 yards per catch (530 receptions for 9,656 yards), was a two-time AP All-Pro and was named to seven Pro Bowls with the Packers.
19. Charles Woodson: Cornerback, 2006-12. Led NFL in interceptions with nine in 2009 (when he won his second AP Defensive Player of the Year award and first as a Packer) and seven in 2011.
20. Mike Michalske: Guard, 1929-35, 1937. Undersized but quick and a hard hitter who played for three NFL championship teams from 1929-31.
21. Gale Gillingham: Guard, 1966-76. Two-time All-Pro came in near the end of the Lombardi era and made five Pro Bowls.
22. Johnny Blood: Halfback, 1929-33, 1935-36. Versatile star made 10 touchdown receptions in 1931 (before it was an official stat) and played on four Packers teams that won NFL championships (1929-31, 1936).
23. Arnie Herber: Quarterback, 193040. One of NFL's first proficient deep throwers, he became first passer ever to throw for 1,000 yards in 1936 and led the league in passing in 1932, '34 and '36.
24. Cecil Isbell: Back, 1938-42. As a rookie in 1938, finished fourth in the NFL in rushing and fifth in passing; led the NFL in passing in 1941 and '42.
25. Sterling Sharpe: WR, 1988-94. Three-time All-Pro led NFL in receptions three times, including a 108-catch season in 1992 in which he also led the league with 1,461 receiving yards and 13 TDs.
26. Tony Canadeo: Halfback, 1941-44,
1946-52. Versatile back adept at running, passing, receiving and blocking, he became just the third 1,000-yard rusher in NFL history in 1949.
27. Jerry Kramer: Guard, 1958-68. Most famous for his block on the winning TD in the Ice Bowl, the five-time AP All-Pro finally earned Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 2018.
28. Jim Ringo: Center, 1953-63. Sixtime AP All-Pro with the Packers, he once held NFL record for consecutive games played with 183 (126 with the Packers).
29. Lavvie Dilweg: End, 1927-34. Outstanding two-way end for Packers teams that won NFL titles from 1929-31 and was a consensus All-Pro from 192731.
30. Cub Buck: Tackle, 1920-25. Powerful and remarkably agile for a 280pound lineman, the University of Wisconsin star from Eau Claire also was an adept punter.
31. LeRoy Butler: Safety, 1990-2001. Dominant force defending both the run and the pass, was a four-time firstteam All-Pro and earned four Pro Bowl berths.
32. Charley Brock: Center, 1939-47. Skilled two-way performer also played linebacker and had 20 interceptions (plus eight as a rookie before it became an official statistic).
33. Bobby Dillon: Safety, 1952-59. Four-time All Pro during a down period in Packers history didn't play for a winning team until his final season.
34. Willie Buchanon: Cornerback, 197278. Intercepted 21 passes in seven seasons with Packers and was named firstteam All-Pro in 1978.
35. Larry Craig: Back, defensive end, 1939-49. Didn't miss a game in 11 seasons while playing both offense (where he was both a quarterback and an end) and defense.
36. Ron Kramer: Tight end, 1957, 195964. Likened to Mike Ditka and John Mackey for helping turn the tight end position into a receiving threat.
37. Fred Carr: Linebacker, 1968-77. Three-time Pro Bowler formed the backbone of the Packers' defense during the immediate post-Lombardi era.
38. Buford “Baby” Ray: Tackle, 193848. Dominant two-way force was fourtime first-team All-Pro pick.
39. Buckets Goldenberg: Guard, back, 1933-45. Played 13 seasons for Packers, second only to Forrest Gregg among linemen in team history.
40. Billy Howton: End, 1952-58. Made 303 of his 503 career receptions during seven-year stint in Green Bay and twice led NFL with more than 1,000 yards receiving.
41. Bob Skoronski: Tackle, 1956, 195968. Strong leader who played on five NFL championship teams and whose blocking earned a Hall of Fame endorsement from Bart Starr.
42. Jesse Whittenton: Cornerback, 1958-64. Two-time Pro Bowler made 20 interceptions in his seven seasons and had knack for forcing fumbles.
43. Red Dunn: Back, 1927-31. Respected field general who played quarterback for four NFL championships (three with the Packers) and was a sure tackler on defense.
44. Greg Jennings: Wide receiver, 2006-12. A favored target for both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, the two-time Pro Bowler averaged at least 14 yards per reception in each of his first six seasons.
45. Jordy Nelson: Wide receiver, 200817. Likely Aaron Rodgers' all-time favorite target, he recently retired as a Packer, ending a career that placed him third
in receptions (550), fifth in yards (7,848) and second in touchdowns (69) in franchise history.
46. Ahman Green: Running back, 200006, 2009. Packers' all-time career rushing leader with 8,322 yards in eight seasons, earning four Pro Bowl berths.
47. Boyd Dowler: End, 1959-69. Twotime Pro Bowl receiver started on all five of Vince Lombardi's title teams and either led or tied for the team lead in receptions seven times; caught two TD passes in the Ice Bowl.
48. Clay Matthews: Linebacker, 200918. Packers' all-time sacks leader with 83.5 signed with the Rams as a free agent in offseason.
49. Nick Collins: Safety, 2005-11. Three-time Pro Bowler, his career came to abrupt end in 2011 when he suffered a neck injury; had 417 tackles (77 for a loss), 63 pass deflections and 21 interceptions.
50. Carroll Dale: Receiver, 1965-72. Three-time Pro Bowler was a model of consistency and reliability with at least 30 receptions for six straight seasons.
51. Bill Forester: Linebacker, 1953-63. Four-time first-team All-Pro and fourtime Pro Bowler blossomed under Vince Lombardi and played for two NFL championship teams.
52. John Brockington: Fullback, 197176. Ran for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons and was first-team All-Pro as a rookie.
53. Max McGee: End, 1954, 1957-67. Best known for TD reception in first Super Bowl at end of his career (reportedly after being out all night) but also led Packers in catches in three of Vince Lombardi's first four seasons
54. John Anderson: Linebacker, 197889. Waukesha native was model of durability and consistency over a 12-year span in Green Bay, he also recovered 15 fumbles in his career.
55. Dan Currie: Linebacker, 1958-64. Three-time All-Pro was drafted two rounds ahead of fellow linebacker Ray Nitschke and played more as a rookie before settling into a solid career as three-time All-Pro.
56. Lynn Dickey: Quarterback, 19761985. Ranks just below Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Bart Starr as the best Packers QBs of the Super Bowl era; led NFL with an astounding (at the time) 4,458 passing yards in 1983.
57. Tobin Rote: Quarterback, 1950-56. Speedster who also possessed powerful arm, led NFL QBs in rushing yards six times (four times with the Packers) and also led league in passing yards in 1956.
58. Dave Hanner: Defensive tackle, 1952-64. Nicknamed "Hawg," the twotime Pro Bowler anchored the defensive line on Vince Lombardi's first two NFL title teams in 1961-62.
59. Al Harris: Cornerback, 2003-09. Two-time Pro Bowler was skilled practitioner of bump-and-run coverage and instantly recognizable by his long dreadlocks; most memorable moment was interception return for game-winning TD in overtime vs. Seattle in 2003 playoffs.
60. Ezra Johnson: Defensive end, 197787. Chalked up 41.5 sacks during an 11-year stay in Green Bay; also recovered seven fumbles.
61. Fuzzy Thurston: Guard, 1959-67. Along with fellow pulling guard Jerry Kramer, helped make Vince Lombardi's famed power sweep go; earned consensus All-Pro honors in 1961.
62. Chad Clifton: Tackle, 2000-2011. Two-time Pro Bowler blocked for both Brett Favre and then Aaron Rodgers, and started in Packers' victory over Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV.
63. Antonio Freeman: Wide receiver, 1995-2001, 2003. Earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 1998 when he led NFL with 1,424 receiving yards.
64. Donald Driver: Wide receiver, 19992012. Packers all-time leader in career receptions (743) and receiving yards (10,137) helped Green Bay beat Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV.
65. David Bakhtiari: Tackle, 2013-present. Earned first-team All-Pro recognition in 2018 after another outstanding season protecting Aaron Rodgers' blind side.
66. Dorsey Levens: Running back, 1994-2001. Twice rushed for more than 1,000 yards (1997 and '99) and helped Packers win Super Bowl in 1996 season.
67. Greg Koch: Tackle, 1977-85. Second-team All-Pro in 1982 was standout during a difficult period for the Packers on the playing field.
68. Ken Ruettgers: Tackle, 1985-96. Another offensive-line mainstay, he was voted the Packers' offensive MVP in 1989; 12-year career ended due to injuries early in Super Bowl season of 1996.
69. Bob Jeter: Defensive back, 196370. AP All-Pro in 1967 and two-time Pro Bowler, teamed with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Herb Adderley to give green Bay a pair of lockdown cornerbacks.
70. Tim Harris: Linebacker, 1986-90. Named first-team All-Pro, made Pro Bowl after recording 19.5 sacks in 1989.
71. Larry McCarren: Center, 1973-84. Nicknamed "The Rock," he played in 162 consecutive games (starting 154) over his 12-year Packers career.
72. Josh Sitton: Guard, 2008-2015. Named to three Pro Bowls with Packers before being released at the end of training camp in 2016.
73. Milt Gantenbein: End, 1931-40. First-team All-Pro in 1936, played in Don Hutson's shadow near end of his career but was a standout defensive and blocking end.
74. Mark Lee: Cornerback, 1980-90. Ranks second among Packers cornerbacks and eighth overall with 31 career interceptions.
75. Curly Lambeau: Back, 1919-29. Packers co-founder and longtime coach also was their first star player as the featured back during the franchise's first two years.
76. Davante Adams: Wide receiver, 2014-present. Emerged as Aaron Rodgers' new go-to guy with 75 receptions in 2016, earned Pro Bowl honors in 2017 and fell just shy of the team's singleseason record with 111 catches for 1,386 yards in 2018.
77. Mike Douglass: Linebacker, 197885. Started 106 of 119 games over eight years in Green Bay and led the NFL in 1983 with two fumbles returned for touchdowns.
78. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila: Defensive end, 2000-2008. Named to Pro Bowl in 2003 and had four seasons of doubledigits sacks (and 74.5 in his nine-year career).
79. Darren Sharper: Safety, 1997-2004. A standout on the football field, he earned one first-team All-Pro honor and two Pro Bowl selections with the Packers.
80. Joe Laws: Back, 1934-45. All-purpose performer on three NFL title teams under coach Curly Lambeau; intercepted championship-game record three passes and rushed for team-high 74 yards in a 14-7 win over Giants.
81. Mark Chmura: Tight end, 1993-99. Three-time Pro Bowler made careerhigh 54 receptions for 679 yards in 1995.
82. George Svendsen: Center, 193537, 1940-41. At 6-4 and 230 pounds, was one of the biggest centers of his time and an oversized linebacker when he wasn't a down lineman on defense.
83. Aaron Kampman: Defensive lineman, 2002-09. Two-time Pro Bowl pick had 54 sacks in his eight seasons in Green Bay, including 15.5 in 2006.
84. Ted Fritsch: Back, 1942-50. All-Pro pick in 1945 and '46, led Packers in rushing during regular season in 1944, then scored both touchdowns in NFL title game victory (also a kicker, he led league in scoring in '46).
85. Paul Coffman: Tight end, 1978-85. Earned Pro Bowl recognition in 1982-84 (with career-high 11 TDs in '82) and averaged 13.1 yards per catch in Packers career.
86. Jug Earp: Center, 1922-32. Said to be first Packers center to snap the ball one-handed, and in 1931 became first Green Bay player to appear in 100 games.
87. Russ Letlow: Guard, 1936-42, 1946. Named to NFL All-Decade Team for 1930s and was Packers' first pick (seventh overall) in the first NFL draft in '36.
88. Donny Anderson: Halfback, punter, 1966-71. Made the Pro Bowl after rushing for 761 yards and catching 25 passes for 333 yards in 1968 and also serving as punter.
89. Dick Wildung: Tackle, 1946-51, 1953. One of the last of the standout two-way players, was undersized (6foot, 221 pounds) but quick and relentless.
90. Irv Comp: Back, 1943-49. His 10 interceptions as a rookie remains Packers record.
91. Ken Ellis: Cornerback, 1970-75. Earned first-team All-Pro and two Pro Bowl berths during down period for Packers.
92. Robert Brooks: Wide receiver, 1992-98. Broke out in 1995, catching team-high 102 passes for 1,497 yards and 13 TDs (one of which went for league-best 99 yards).
93. Lee Roy Caffey: Linebacker, 196469. Started 76 of 83 games in six seasons with Packers during Lombardi glory years.
94. Ryan Longwell: Kicker, 1997-2005. Spent first nine years of 15-year career with Packers before moving on to Minnesota; passed Don Hutson as Packers' all-time leading scorer with 1,054 points but since has been surpassed by Mason Crosby.
95. Marco Rivera: Guard, 1997-2004. Selected to Pro Bowl in each of final three seasons in Green Bay before moving on to Dallas for final two years.
96. Mark Tauscher: Tackle, 2000-10. Seventh-round pick in 2000, started 132 of 134 games with Packers over 11 seasons and joined left tackle Chad Clifton as stalwarts on an offensive line that bridged Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers.
97. Ken Bowman: Center, 1964-73. Anchored offensive line that fueled the famed Packers ground game during the Vince Lombardi years.
98. Roger Zatkoff: Linebacker, defensive end, 1953-56. Played only four seasons for Packers but earned one All-Pro and three Pro Bowl honors.
99. Ted Hendricks: Linebacker, 1974. "The Mad Stork" spent only one season in Green Bay, but oh, what a season: five interceptions, seven blocked kicks and all-around dominance that earned him first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.
100. MacArthur Lane: Running back, 1972-74. Played only three seasons in Green Bay but teamed with John Brockington to provide potent ground attack; rushed for 821 yards and had a team-high 26 receptions for 285 more in 1972 as coach Dan Devine's team reached the playoffs.