Willie Davis obit

Green Bay Packers legend Willie Davis dies at 85

He was not on the list.



Few players in Packers history, if not NFL history, have left a list of achievements and milestones as long and as illustrious as Willie Davis.

Davis, 85, died today, in a Santa Monica, California, hospital. His wife, Carol, said her husband had been hospitalized for about a month with kidney failure and passed away peacefully.

"The Green Bay Packers Family was saddened today to learn about the passing of Willie Davis," said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. "One of the great defensive players of his era, Willie was a significant contributor to the Packers' five NFL championship teams during the 1960s.

"I enjoyed getting to know Willie and his wife, Carol, especially when he served as our honorary captain for the 2010 NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XLV, and again for the 2014 NFC Championship Game. He also was a great role model for our players, having gone on to a very successful career after football and serving on the Packers Board of Directors."

"We extend our deepest condolences to Willie's wife, Carol, and his family and friends."

A eulogy of Davis' pro football life alone would include the following:

• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981, following a 12-year NFL career: two with the Cleveland Browns, from 1958-59, and 10 with the Packers, from 1960-69.
• First African-American captain in Packers history, starting in 1965 when Vince Lombardi appointed him to share the duties on defense with safety Hank Gremminger, who had lost his starting job in training camp. Davis became the sole defensive captain in 1966.
• Starting defensive left end on all five of Lombardi's NFL championship teams.
• One of three defensive ends on the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team.
• Five time Pro Bowl choice. Five-time Associated Press All-Pro.
• Played in 138 games for the Packers, never missing one over 10 seasons.
• Inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1975.
• Member of the Packers' board of directors from 1994 to 2005, and an emeritus member since. He was the second African-American member of the board.
• Analyst on NFL games for NBC from 1970-75.
• One of four candidates considered for the position of NFL commissioner in 1989 to replace Pete Rozelle.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Davis and defensive tackle Henry Jordan were the primary pass rushers on Phil Bengtson defenses that ranked among the top three in the NFL seven straight years from 1962-69. That was before sacks were counted as an official statistic, but it is believed that Davis registered more than 100 and maybe close to 140 during his time with the Packers. He also was unofficially credited with five sacks in the first two Super Bowls. One of the few defensive statistics that was kept when Davis played was fumble recoveries, and he holds the Packers' career record with 21.

Barrel-chested with skinny legs, Davis could win his matchups with strength and also beat blocks with his exceptional quickness.

"As a pass rusher, he was so quick off the ball," said linebacker Dave Robinson, who played behind Davis on the left side. "He was a good run player, too. He was so strong in the chest, he could hit the tackle and control them. Throw them or drive them… His upper body was tremendously strong."

Davis was acquired by the Packers from the Browns on July 12, 1960 in a straight-up trade for offensive end A.D. Williams. It was one of the most lopsided deals in NFL history.

 

Davis also was one of Lombardi's favorites.



"I think he had a great deal of affection for Willie Davis," said Chuck Lane, who was the Packers' public relations director under Lombardi. "I think (Lombardi) was determined that Willie Davis was going to be a success after football. He cut him some slack to go to night school, law school, etc. Willie Davis was a bright, articulate guy. Great with the team. And Lombardi was spot on about him."

Davis and guard Jerry Kramer also broke ground when they became roommates in 1968. They were the Packers' first inter-racial roommates, at least since the early 1950s.

"I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but maybe Willie said, 'I see you lost your roommate.' And I said, 'Yeah, why don't you come be my roommate,'" Kramer said in 2010. "It was a natural thing between two veterans who were looking toward the end of their careers. I don't think we thought much about color or that we were different color.

"We still don't know today if we were the first mixed roommates. We've never found it important to look it up or be concerned about it."

Originally drafted in the 15th round in 1956, Davis spent two years in the Army before joining the Browns in 1958. At Grambling, where he played under Eddie Robinson, another legendary coach, Davis played guard and linebacker during the one-platoon era of college football.


Davis started at defensive end for most of his rookie year with the Browns, and then alternated between offensive tackle and defensive end in 1959. Lombardi told Davis from the beginning that he would play defense in Green Bay.

On Dec. 21, 1969, the Packers celebrated Willie Davis Day.

Davis was born July 24, 1934, in Lisbon, La. Davis is survived by his wife, Carol, and children Duane (Inge) and Lori, grandchildren David, Wyatt, Harley and Hayden, as well as brothers and sisters.

Sorry to hear about the passing of Packer legend Willie Davis. I never had the opportunity to meet Willie, but he was a legend both on & off the field. The stories of him as a leader & teammate should serve as an example to everyone. Condolences to his family & friends.#GoPackGo— Matt LaFleur (@CoachMLaFleur) April 16, 2020