Packers Great Ray Nitschke Accomplished a Strange Milestone in His Final Game

Green Bay Packers linebacker Ray Nitschke played 15 seasons with the team during his Hall of Fame career. He earned All Pro honors twice, was named to the NFL’s 1960’s All-Decade Team, and was a leader on five championship teams. And yet, he accomplished something in his final regular season game that he hadn’t done in 15 years as a pro. He is a look at Ray Nitschke and how he accomplished a strange milestone in his final regular season game of his NFL career.

Packers Great Ray Nitschke Accomplished a Strange Milestone in His Final Game: The Buildup

The Packers selected Nitschke in the third round of the 1958 NFL Draft, one year before the arrival of Vince Lombardi in Green Bay. By 1961, Nitschke was the team’s starting middle linebacker, a role he held for a decade.

Nitschke was ferocious on the field. He hit hard and played for keeps. The title of his autobiography was “Mean On Sunday,” which contrasted his behavior on and off the field.

But when Dan Devine took over as head coach in 1971, he started phasing out many of the veterans from the Lombardi Era and replaced them with younger players. Nitschke started only two games that season and was replaced in the lineup by Jim Carter.

In 1972, the Packers won their only division title of the decade, finishing 10-4. Nitschke continued to ride the bench, starting only one game all season. He still provided the team with veteran leadership and stayed a fan favorite.

The Packers entered their season finale at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans with nothing to play for. The 9-4 Packers had already clinched the division and home field advantage back then was pre-determined on a rotating basis. The Saints were 2-10-1 and looking to finish out the season.

A Wild First Half

With little at stake, Devine rested many of his starters and took others out of the game early. The Packers scored first in part because of Nitschke’s unique moment. Chester Marcol attempted a field goal which was blocked. Punter Ron Widby was the holder. The ball bounced back to Widby who threw a pass to Nitschke. The aging linebacker rambled down the sideline for a 34-yard gain and a first down. That set up a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Scott Hunter. The Packers led 7-0 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Packers extended their lead to 10-0 on a 34-yard field goal by Marcol. Then, the Saints lined up for a field goal and the Packers turned that into their next score. Rookie cornerback Willie Buchanon blocked the kick and defensive end Clarence Williams picked up the loose ball. He lateraled to Buchanon who returned it 57 yards for a touchdown. The Pack held a 17-0 lead.

The Saints felt left out and scored on their own blocked punt. Widby’s kick hit Carter and landed in the end zone. Richard Neal fell on the ball in the end zone for a Saints touchdown and Green Bay led 17-7 at the half.

Packers Great Ray Nitschke Accomplished a Strange Milestone in His Final Game: The Second Half

With a 10-point lead, Devine rested players like John Brockington and Hunter to make sure they were healthy for the playoffs.

Jerry Tagge took over at quarterback for the Packers and he scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to make it 24-7 Green Bay. That was Tagge’s first NFL touchdown. The rookie first round pick from Nebraska was a Green Bay native who served as the backup in his rookie campaign. Two field goals by Marcol raised the Packers point total to 30.

Meanwhile, the Saints scored twice on touchdown passes from Archie Manning to Bill Butler and then Billy Parks. The final score was 30-20 Packers.

Overall, the game featured five blocked kicks, three of which led to touchdowns. MacArthur Lane gained 84 yards on 11 carries to pace the Green Bay offense. Jim Hill intercepted Manning for the only pick of the game by the Packers.

The Packers finished the season 10-4 and would face the Washington Redskins the following week in their first playoff game since the Ice Bowl.

The Aftermath

This would be Nitschke’s last regular season game and in it, he made the only pass reception of his NFL career. The 34 yards led the team in receiving yards for the game. While he wanted to keep playing, Nitschke retired during training camp in 1973 when he realized he wasn’t in Devine’s plans.

Nitschke was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, and the Packers later retired his number 66. He died of a heart attack in 1998 at the age of 61.

While Nitschke will always be remembered as one of the greatest linebackers ever to play in the NFL, he ended his career with his only pass reception in a strange, wild game down in New Orleans.