Green Bay Packers all-time Mount Rushmore

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers prepares to pass against the New England Patriots on October 13, 2002 at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Favre threw his 300th touchdown pass in this game. The Packers defeated the Patriots 28-10. (Photo by Arthur Anderson/Getty Images) /

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American football player Jim Brown (#32) of the Cleveland Browns keeps his eyes on the ball as Ray Nitschke (#66) of the Green Bay Packers reaches up to intercept the ball during the NFL Championship game on a very muddy field, Green Bay, Wisconson, January 2, 1966. The Packers went on to win the game. (Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images) /

LB Ray Nitschke (1958-1972)

We have to pay some homage to the great Packers’ dynasty of the 1960s. Vince Lombardi assembled some of the best talent to ever play the game and his unquestioned defensive leader was linebacker Ray Nitschke.

Green Bay drafted Nitschke in the third round of the 1958 draft out of Illinois, where he contributed right away. Lombardi inserted Nitschke into the starting lineup in 1962 and the Packers’ defense took off, becoming one of the best units in the league.

Nitschke made an impact due to his physicality and toughness, traits that Lombardi prized in his players. Opposing pass-catchers would pay a price if they went over the middle against Nitschke, who delivered plenty of hard hits and still found a way to rack up 25 interceptions over the course of his career.

The Packers opted to retired Nitschke’s no. 66 after his career, making him one of just two players from the Lombardi-era Packers to receive that honor. A member of the NFL’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams, Nitschke was a lock to be on Green Bay’s all-time Mount Rushmore.

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