Zeke Bratowski obit

‘The original No. 12’: Zeke Bratkowski, who backed up Green Bay Packers great Bart Starr, passes away at age 88

He was not on the list.



Zeke Bratkowski, the quarterback who backed up Bart Starr during the Green Bay Packers' 1960s dynasty, has died at his Florida home. He was 88.

The team announced his death late Monday but did not disclose further details.

The Packers Hall of Famer was a quarterback in Green Bay from 1963-1968 and again in 1971.

Bratkowski, who grew up in Danville, Ilinois, was a star at the University of Georgia before the Bears picked him 17th overall in the second round of the 1953 draft. He played five seasons in Chicago, appearing in 59 games and starting 16. He had a 49% completion percentage, throwing for 3,639 yards and 24 touchdowns.

He played for the Los Angeles Rams in 1960 after his military service as an Air Force pilot in 1958 and 1959, then joined the Packers in 1961.

One of Bratkowski’s most notable performances in relief of an injured Starr came in 1965, a 13-10 overtime playoff win over the Baltimore Colts that sent the Packers to the title game against Cleveland.

They beat the Browns for what would be the first of three straight championship seasons, and Bratkowski played briefly in both Super Bowl wins in the two years that followed.

Zeke Bratkowski, the Packers’ backup quarterback when they won three straight NFL championships in the 1960s under Vince Lombardi, passed away Monday at age 88.- Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 11, 2019

He won 10 of his 14 starts for the Packers, completing 265 passes in 498 attempts for 3,576 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.

His death comes six months after Starr died at 85. Under coach Vince Lombardi, Starr led Green Bay to six division titles, five NFL championships and wins in the first two Super Bowls.

“I've tried to pattern myself after Bart,” Bratkowski said in 1967, according to the Packers. “We study the movies together and go over the game plan together. I try to think as much like he does as I can so the team will not have to make a big adjustment if I'm needed.”

He spent 14 years in the NFL, passing for more than 10,000 yards and 65 touchdowns. He is one of a number of solid quarterbacks who played for the Packers including Starr, Lynn Dickey, Brett Favre and Aaron Rogers.

Bratkowski served as a backfield coach under Packers coach Phil Bengtson from 1969-1970. He was a Bears assistant coach from 1972–1974 before returning to the Packers as quarterbacks coach from 1975 to 1981. He was the father of former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski.

Some of his other notable teammates, coaches and club owners included: George Halas, Bill George, Doug Atkins, George Blanda, John Hoffman, George Connor, Ed Sprinkle, Don Kindt, Jim Dooley, Chick Jagade, Bill Wightkin, Stan Jones, Clark Shaughnessy, Kline Gilbert, Paddy Driscoll, Ed Brown, J.C. Caroline, Rick Casares, Willie Galimore, Bill McColl, Joe Fortunato, Harlon Hill, Johnny Morris, Richie Petitbon, Bulldog Turner, Angelo Coia, Bob Wetoska, George Allen, Erich Barnes, Fred Williams, Chuck Howley, Dan Reeves, Bob Waterfield, Hartland Svare, Roman Gabriel, Merlin Olsen, Marv Marinovich, Red Phillips, Jon Arnett, Deacon Jones, Les Richter, Frank Varrichione, Rosey Grier, Eddie Meador, Jack Pardee, Dick Bass, Tom Fears, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, Elijah Pitts, Ron Kramer, Max McGee, Boyd Dowler, Willie Wood, Herb Adderley, Ray Nitschke, Willie Davis, Henry Jordan, Lee Roy Caffey, Forrest Gregg, Carroll Dale, Marv Fleming, Dave Robinson, Jim Grabowski, Don Chandler, Jerry Kramer, Phil Bengston, Donny Anderson, Lionel Aldridge and Errol Man.,

As an assistant coach and offensive coordinator he coached such notable players as: Don Horn, Gale Gillingham, John Brockington, Dick Butkus, Jim Seymour, Ron Smith, Doug Buffone, Cyril Pinder, Bobby Douglas, Gary Huff, Wally Chambers, John Hadl, Lynn Dickey, David Whitehurst, James Lofton, Terdell Middleton, Paul Coffman, Eddie Lee Ivery, Gerry Ellis, John Jefferson, Harlan Huckleby, Ray Butler, Mike Pagel, Curtis Dickey, Randy McMillan, Rohn Stark, Ray Donaldson, Mark Hermann, Raul Allegre, Chris Hinton, Art Schlichter, Matt Bouza, Frank Middleton, Ken O’Brien, Pat Ryan, Tony Eason, Mark Malone, Bernie Kosar, Randall Cunningham, Jim McMahon, Jeff Kemp, Mark Bavaro, Walter Bubby Brister, Hershel Walker, Heath Sherman, Calvin Williams, Vai Sikahema, Jeff Feagles, Matt Bahr, Roger Ruzek, Charlie Garner, Fred Barnett, Eddie Murray, Boomer Esiason, Adrian Murrell, Wayne Chrebet, Nick Lowery, Kyle Brady, and Jay Fiedler.

He was an assistant coach for owners and head coaches: Robert Irsay, Bud Carson, Frank Cush, Joe Walton, Rich Kotite, Leon Hess, Jim Shofner, Art Modell, Jeffrey Lurie and Norman Braman,

While Bratkowski was coaching the Chicago Bears quarterbacks during the 1973 season, head coach Abe Gibron abruptly promoted him to offensive coordinator, then pressed him into service as a back-up quarterback.

    1969–1970, Green Bay Packers: Assistant

    1972–1974, Chicago Bears: Assistant

    1975–1981, Green Bay Packers: Assistant

    1982–1984, Baltimore / Indianapolis Colts: OC/QB

    1985–1989, New York Jets: QB

    1990, Cleveland Browns: QB

    1991–1992, Philadelphia Eagles: QB

    1993–1994, Philadelphia Eagles: OC/QB

    1995, New York Jets: OC/QB