The 1964 Green Bay Packers - 8-5-1 (2ND - Western Conference)
Head Coach: Vince Lombardi
1964 PRE-SEASON RESULTS (3-2)
OFF DEF
AUGUST (3-1) RESULT RECORD ATT RSH PSS RSH PSS STARTING QB LEADING RUSHER LEADING PASSER LEADING RECEIVER
8 St. Louis Cardinals at New Orleans L 7-20 0- 1-0 63,000 123 95 115 120 Bart Starr Paul Hornung (34) Bart Starr (84) Three tied with 3 each
15 G-NEW YORK GIANTS W 34-10 1- 1-0 42,327 150 237 64 106 Bart Starr Frank Mestnik (78) Bart Starr (130) Boyd Dowler (6-157)
22 M-CHICAGO BEARS W 21- 7 2- 1-0 46,920 173 122 26 114 Bart Starr Paul Hornung (56) Bart Starr (72) Max McGee (4-41)
29 at Dallas Cowboys W 35- 3 3- 1-0 60,057 116 221 110 111 Bart Starr Tom Moore (36) Zeke Bratkowski (125) Paul Hornung (3-36)
SEPTEMBER (0-1)
5 at Cleveland Browns L 17-20 3- 2-0 83,736 100 131 159 146 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (41) Zeke Bratkowski (71) Four tied with 4 each
1964 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS
SEPTEMBER (2-1)
13 G-CHICAGO BEARS (0-0) W 23-12 1- 0-0 42,327 197 97 46 83 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (79) Bart Starr (127) Ron Kramer (3-48)
20 G-BALTIMORE COLTS (0-1) L 20-21 1- 1-0 42,327 174 134 116 145 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (98) Bart Starr (175) Boyd Dowler (7-66)
28 at Detroit Lions (1-0-1) W 14-10 2- 1-0 59,203 115 174 99 97 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (50) Bart Starr (160) Ron Kramer (6-77)
OCTOBER (1-3)
4 G-MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-2) L 23-24 2- 2-0 42,327 128 197 179 153 Bart Starr Tom Moore (68) Bart Starr (216) Boyd Dowler (6-128)
11 M-SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-2) W 24-14 3- 2-0 47,380 198 138 92 178 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (133) Bart Starr (144) Ron Kramer (3-47)
18 at Baltimore Colts (4-1) L 21-24 3- 3-0 60,213 147 254 129 129 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (82) Bart Starr (286) Tom Moore (5-22)
25 M-LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-2-1) L 17-27 3- 4-0 47,617 119 60 161 120 Bart Starr Paul Hornung (61) Bart Starr (111) Boyd Dowler (3-34)
NOVEMBER (4-1)
1 at Minnesota Vikings (4-3) W 42-13 4- 4-0 44,278 186 164 72 95 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (108) Bart Starr (186) Max McGee (6-96)
8 G-DETROIT LIONS (5-2-1) W 30- 7 5- 4-0 42,327 232 175 50 164 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (145) Bart Starr (190) Ron Kramer (4-79)
15 at San Francisco 49ers (2-7) L 14-24 5- 5-0 38,483 125 238 139 73 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (44) Zeke Bratkowski (228) Max McGee (6-139)
22 M-CLEVELAND BROWNS (8-1-1) W 28-21 6- 5-0 48,065 156 129 138 164 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (63) Bart Starr (131) Max McGee (4-81)
29 at Dallas Cowboys (4-6-1) W 45-21 7- 5-0 44,975 116 130 78 54 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (82) Bart Starr (105) Boyd Dowler (3-43)
DECEMBER (1-0-1)
5 at Chicago Bears (5-7) W 17- 3 8- 5-0 43,636 170 64 118 79 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (89) Bart Starr (75) Jim Taylor (4-14)
13 at Los Angeles Rams (5-7-1) T 24-24 8- 5-1 40,735 213 151 115 113 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (165) Bart Starr (194) Jim Taylor (4-56)
1964 POST-SEASON SEASON RESULTS (0-1)
JANUARY 1965 (0-1) - 1964 NFL PLAYOFF BOWL
3 St. Louis Cardinals (9-3-2) L 17-24 56,218 Bart Starr Jim Taylor (30) Bart Starr (129) Jim Taylor (4-50)
G - Green Bay M - Milwaukee
1964 IN REVIEW
The Green Bay Packers had become a mediocre team. Two losses by a single point, nagging injuries, the loss of offensive lineman Jerry Kramer and Paul Hornung's struggles as kicker following a one-year layoff left the Packers at 3-4 at the midway point of the season. After a loss to the Rams in Week 7, Vince Lombardi held a closed-door meeting with his players in the lockerroom. Green Bay turned their season around with a 5-1-1 finish to end up tied for second in the Western Conference with the surprising Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay's defense, the best in the NFL, recovered a league-high 25 of the 34 fumbles they forced. Meanwhile, the Packer running game remained tops in the NFL, and Bart Starr did not throw an interception in the final eleven games. Added all together, the Green Bay Packers were a better team than their 8-5-1 record indicated, and their fling with mediocrity would be brief.
THE AFL RAIDS THE PACKERS
The war between the AFL and the NFL hit the Packers for the first time in 1964. Three of the first four draft choices by Green Bay decided to sign contracts with the rival league, which may have led to Vince Lombardi's decision later to sign Jim Grabowski and Donny Anderson to the richest contracts in franchise history. 2nd-round selection Jon Morris, a center from Holy Cross, signed with Boston, while two of their three 3rd-round choices also defected. Ode Burrell, a halfback from Mississippi State, signed with the Oilers, where he would contribute for the rest of the decade, and Joe O'Donnell, a guard from Michigan, inked with Buffalo. In 1965, the AFL would make another raid on Green Bay, when the Oilers signed Larry Elkins, who was a consensus All-American his junior and senior years at Baylor. He was MVP of the 1965 Hula Bowl and set a school record with 12 receptions in one game. Elkins was actually the second of the Packers’ two first round picks, with the tenth pick of the draft. Donnie Anderson was picked seventh, thanks to a 1964 trade with the Eagles. Anderson would not join the Packers until 1966. Elkins never started a game with the Oilers and injured his knee his rookie season. He broke his collarbone his second season and decided to retire. 1966 saw the war between Green Bay and the AFL fully erupt. Looking for a replacement for his aging combination of Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung, Lombardi drafted Jim Grabowski in the first round. The Illinois standout was also the top choice in the AFL draft, by the expansion Miami Dolphins. They gave the Jets permission to negotiate with Grabowski, after it became apparent he would not sign with an expansion team. Green Bay signed Grabowski in December 1965 to a three-year deal, worth anywhere from $250,000 to nearly $400,000, depending on the media source. Peace with the AFL came six months later.
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR AG G HOW ACQUIRED
Herb Adderley 26 CB 6- 1 210 Michigan State 4 4 25 13 1961 Draft-1st
Lionel Aldridge 62 DE 6- 4 245 Utah State 2 2 23 14 1963 Draft-4th
Ken Bowman 57 C 6- 3 230 Wisconsin 1 1 21 14 1964 Draft-8th
Zeke Bratkowski 12 QB 6- 3 200 Georgia 2 9 31 5 1963 FA-LA
Gene Breen 61 LB 6- 2 230 Virginia Tech 1 1 23 6 1963 Draft-15th
Tom Brown 40 DB 6- 1 190 Maryland 1 1 23 14 1963 Draft-2nd
Lee Roy Caffey 60 LB 6- 3 250 Texas A&M 1 2 23 14 1964 Trade-Phil
Tommy Crutcher 37 LB 6- 3 230 TCU 1 1 23 14 1964 Draft-3rd
Dan Currie 58 LB 6- 3 240 Michigan State 7 7 29 14 1958 Draft-1st
Willie Davis 87 DE 6- 3 245 Grambling 5 7 30 14 1960 Trade-Cleve
Boyd Dowler 86 WR 6- 5 225 Colorado 6 6 26 14 1959 Draft-3rd
Marv Fleming 81 TE 6- 4 235 Utah 2 2 22 14 1963 Draft-11th
Forrest Gregg 75 G 6- 4 250 SMU 8 8 30 14 1956 Draft-2nd
Hank Gremminger 46 DB 6- 1 200 Baylor 9 9 31 13 1956 Draft-7th
Dan Grimm 67 G 6- 3 245 Colorado 2 2 23 14 1963 Draft-5th
Dave Hanner 79 DT 6- 2 260 Arkansas 13 13 34 11 1952 Draft-5th
Doug Hart 43 DB 6- 0 190 Arlington State 1 1 25 14 1964 FA-St. L
Paul Hornung 5 HB 6- 2 215 Notre Dame 7 7 28 14 1957 Draft-Bonus
Bob Jeter 21 WR 6- 1 205 Iowa 2 2 27 13 1960 Draft-2nd
Henry Jordan 74 DT 6- 3 250 Virginia 6 8 29 12 1959 Trade-Cleve
Ron Kostelnik 77 DT 6- 4 250 Cincinnati 4 4 24 14 1961 Draft-2nd
Jerry Kramer 64 G 6- 3 245 Idaho 7 7 28 2 1958 Draft-4th
Ron Kramer 88 E 6- 3 240 Michigan 7 7 29 14 1957 Draft-1st
Bob Long 80 WR 6- 3 190 Wichita 1 1 22 7 1964 Draft-4th
Norm Masters 78 T 6- 2 250 Michigan State 8 8 31 14 1957 Trade-Det
John McDowell 73 G-T 6- 3 260 St. John's (MN) 1 1 22 12 1964 Draft-9th
Max McGee 85 E 6- 3 205 Tulane 9 9 32 13 1954 Draft-5th
Tom Moore 25 HB 6- 2 210 Vanderbilt 5 5 26 14 1960 Draft-1st
Ray Nitschke 66 LB 6- 3 240 Illinois 7 7 27 14 1958 Draft-3rd
Jerry Norton 23 P 5-11 195 SMU 2 11 33 14 1963 Trade-Dallas
Elijah Pitts 22 HB 6- 1 205 Philander Smith 4 4 25 14 1961 Draft-13th
Dave Robinson 89 LB 6- 3 250 Penn State 2 2 23 11 1963 Draft-1st
Bob Skoronski 76 T 6- 3 250 Indiana 7 7 30 14 1956 Draft-5th
Bart Starr 15 QB 6- 1 200 Alabama 9 9 30 14 1956 Draft-17th
Jim Taylor 31 FB 6- 0 215 LSU 7 7 29 13 1958 Draft-2nd
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR AG G HOW ACQUIRED
Fuzzy Thurston 63 G 6- 1 245 Valparaiso 6 7 29 11 1959 Trade-Balt
Lloyd Voss 71 T 6- 4 260 Nebraska 1 1 22 14 1964 Draft-1st
Jesse Whittenton 47 DB 6- 0 195 Texas-El Paso 7 9 30 14 1958 FA-Bears
Willie Wood 24 DB 5-10 190 USC 5 5 27 14 1960 FA
Steve Wright 72 T 6- 6 250 Alabama 1 1 22 14 1964 Draft-5th
NO - Jersey Number POS - Position HGT - Height WGT - Weight YR - Years with Packers PR - Years of Professional Football AGE - Age on September 1 G - Games Played FA - Free Agent
1964 PACKERS DRAFT (December 2, 1963)
RND-PICK NAME POS COLLEGE
1 - 13 Lloyd Voss T Nebraska
2 - 27 Jon Morris C Holy Cross
3a - 36 Ode Burrell (A) HB Mississippi State
3b - 40 Joe O'Donnell (B) G Michigan
3c - 41 Tommy Joe Crutcher LB/FB Texas Christian
4a - 44 Bob Long (C) WR Wichita
4b - 55 *-Paul Costa HB Notre Dame
5a - 60 Duke Carlisle (D) HB Texas
5b - 69 Steve Wright T Alabama
6 - 81 to Dallas Cowboys for Jerry Norton
7 - 97 *-Dick Herzing T Drake
8 - 111 Ken Bowman C Wisconsin
9 - 125 John McDowell T St. John's-MN
10 - 139 *-Allen Jacobs HB Utah
11 - 153 Jack Peterson T Nebraska-Omaha
12 - 167 Dwaine Bean HB N. Texas State
13 - 181 Jack Mauro T N. Michigan
14 - 195 Tom O'Grady WR Northwestern
15 - 209 *-Alex Zenko T Kent State
16 - 223 *-Andrew Ireland HB Utah
17 - 237 Leonard St. Jean E N. Michigan
18 - 251 Mike Hicks G Marshall
19 - 265 John Baker E Virginia Union
20 - 279 *-Bill Curry C Georgia Tech
A - from Baltimore Colts - B - from New York Giants as part of Bill Quinlan, John Symank trade - C - from Philadelphia Eagles for Ed Blaine D - from Dallas Cowboys for Gary Barnes * - Juniors
1964 PACKER TRADES - TRANSACTIONS
APR - C Jon Morris (2nd round) signed with BOSTON (AFL). OG Joe O'Donnell (3rd round) signed with BUFFALO (AFL). HB Ode Burrell (3rd round) signed with HOUSTON (AFL). E Leonard St. Jean (17th round) signed with NEW YORK (AFL).
MAY 5 - Acquired LB Lee Roy Caffey and 1965 1st-round draft choice from PHILADELPHIA for C Jim Ringo and FB Earl Gros
JUL 20 - Released OG Mike Hicks (18th round) (55 players)
AUG 3 - Released QB Merv Holland, LB Ron Beguski, OT Jack Peterson (11th round) and OG Jack Mauro (13th round) (54 players)
AUG 20 - Traded LB Turnley Todd to NEW YORK for 1965 7th round draft choice
AUG 24 - Traded DT Urban Henry to PITTSBURGH for undisclosed terms. Released WR Tom O' Grady (14th round) and E John Baker (19th round) (44 players)
SEPT 1 - Traded rights to QB John Roach (retired list) to DALLAS for undisclosed draft choice
SEPT 2 - Released HB Dwaine Bean (12th round) and LB Gene Breen. HB Duke Carlisle (5th round) claimed on waivers by DALLAS (41 players)
PACKERS SIGN NO. 1 PICK VOSS, SUGAR BOWL ACE WRIGHT
JAN 2 (Miami-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers have signed their first draft choice - Lloyd Voss, the 245-pound tackle from Magnolia, Minn., and Nebraska University, it was announced today by Coach Vince Lombardi. The Packers captured the chesty farm boy in a dollar fight with the New York Jets, who were represented here by George Sauer, a Nebraska and Packer halfback of the 1930s. Lombardi announced the signing of another tackle - 250-pound Steve Wright of Alabama - Wednesday night. Weight's signature was snared by Coach Red Cochran after the Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans, where Alabama beat Mississippi. Voss was brought home by Coach Bill Austin after Nebraska beat Auburn in the Orange Bowl. Another highly touted Packer pick with Nebraska, quarterback Dennis Claridge, was trailed by Coach Tom Fears. The Cornhuskers' star, with his 68-yard run, Claridge is debating whether to play pro football or pursue a dental career. The good-looking signalist said that if he plays pro ball it will be with the Packers. The job now is to sell the 6-4, 220-pound quarterback on a combined grid and dental study program, Lombardi said. Austin and defense coach Phil Bengtson both have their eyes on Voss. Lombardi said he's a good prospect for offensive tackle or defensive end. He figures to carry 265 pounds once he grows up. He's only 21. Voss, who left Wednesday night for Mobile, where he'll play with the North team in the Senior Bowl, said he had no preference as to what position he played. Asked what he'd like, he said, "Probably defensive end." The newcomer said he liked the idea of playing close to home. He said he had "no illusions about pro football" and noted that "I'll be happy just to be able to play." The youngster will be married in June to Jane Barnoske of Des Moines, Ia. Voss' parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hub Voss, were here for the Orange Bowl and the father said, "We left it entirely up to Lloyd as to where he wanted to play. We are happy that he selected Green Bay." A farmer about a mile out of Magnolia, the senior Voss said, "I hope he does real well. I know he'll do his best. He always has." Wright was chosen as the outstanding player in the Sugar Bowl, despite the fact that he was a second stringer. Observers here thought that Voss looked better than big Bobbie Brown, the Nebraska tackle star, who signed with the Eagles Wednesday night.
EXPECT PLAYERS TO ASK END OF HORNUNG, KARRAS SUSPENSIONS
JAN 2 (Hollywood, FL) - The NFL Players Association meets today for the first of two sessions and is expected to recommend immediate reinstatement of suspended players Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers and Alex Karras of the Detroit Lions. Pete Retzlaff of the Philadelphia Eagles, president of the association, said the recommendations would be voted on and passed on to league Commissioner Pete Rozelle in New York. Retzlaff said Rozelle will be in Florida next week but is not scheduled to appear at the players meeting. "It's the opinion of the players that Hornung and Karras should be allowed to return to league action as soon as possible. Another year of suspension would almost end their careers," Retzlaff said. Hornung and Karras were suspended by Rozelle last spring after extensive investigation of gambling incidents tied in the NFL games. Retzlaff said discussion of the NFL players pension plan also is a prime topic during the two days, as well as hearing a report on current legislation involving tax relief for professional athletes.
PLAYOFF BILLED AS FULLBACK BATTLE - BROWN VS. TAYLOR
JAN 3 (Miami-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Jim Taylor would like to carry the ball all afternoon against Jim Brown. The Packers' powerful fullback doesn't get many chances to run against the Browns' amazing crasher. They were scheduled to meet in the Pro Bowl last January, but Taylor came down with hepatitis a few days before the game and the heralded duel was off. Sunday's Playoff Bowl game between the Packers and Browns in the Orange Bowl Sunday is being billed as a battle between Taylor and Browns. It's much more than that, of course, but Jarrin' James is getting himself all keyed up. And maybe it's not a coincidence that Bart Starr's chief cook and bottle washer down here is none other than Mr. Taylor. "I've been taking Bart out to dinner a few times this week, and he can have anything he wants," Taylor winked, adding with a grin: "I got to have that ball Sunday and I guess the best man to see about that is the quarterback. Eh? Bart's been my buddy." We suggested to Jim that he ought to polish up the offensive linemen a bit, too, and he smacked his right fist into the palm of his left hand. Like he was anxious to play football right in the hotel lobby. Taylor and Brown both will be at their hittingest Sunday and we're hoping the Bays' offensive linemen get a few good blocks. Starr, of course, had called on Taylor for the bulk of the Packers' rushing and he won't settle off Sunday. Jim T carried 248 times in 14 games against Tom Moore's 132. Starr said he thought "we'd try to control the ball, but maybe we can pass on them. We'll see what happens." The Browns' defense is the third best in the league behind the Bears and Packers, having allowed 18.7 points per game. Cleveland's lowest allowances were six vs. the Rams, seven vs. the Eagles and nine vs. the Steelers. Starr feels the Browns' defense is well balanced and it's likely it will have to be fought with a balanced offense. Taylor goes into action with 1,018 yards under his best for an average of 4.1 per - plus nine touchdowns. Brown had himself a fabulous year, but Taylor could dull that some by "beating" him Sunday. The Browns' all-timer piled up more than a mile, getting 1,863 yards in 291 carries. He averaged slightly more than 20 trips and a whopping 133 yards per game. The Packers buckled down Thursday and did some hitting (with shoulder pads) in practice. The Bays are gradually coming around after the three week layoff and Coach Vince Lombardi expects them to look like the Packers in the Playoff Bowl. Most of the players took off for Hollywood, about 12 miles north of here, Thursday afternoon to practice up for the annual NFL players' golf tournament at the Hollywood Beach course. One of the favorites is Zeke Bratkowski, who beat out Jess Whittenton in the championship last year. The players held their first business meeting Thursday and asked, in a resolution, that the suspensions of Paul Hornung and Alex Karras be lifted. Commissioner Pete Rozelle offered no comment other than that February is the earlier possible time the cases can be reviewed.
BOWL PROFILE: PACK, BROWNS LOOK-ALIKES
JAN 4 (Miami-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers and Browns are look-alikes. At least statistically. If there is a great difference, it's that Green Bay is a passing team compared with Cleveland. The Browns, with their great Jimmy Brown rushing for over a mile, have rushed for 2,639 yards in their 14 league games; the Packers 2,248. The Packers, on the other hand, passed for 2,711 yards against the Browns' 2,449. In total yardage, the two clubs are virtually even - Cleveland with 4,856 and Green Bay with 4,959. The Bays made 258 first downs, the Browns 252. The two clubs have brain-type quarterbacks, Bart Starr and Frank Ryan. Both are skilled at picking defenses apart and Starr has three straight championships to prove his point. Ryan is a real egghead, and he puts his mathematical mind to work on the football field. Ryan has thrown 256 passes, Starr 244. The Brown QB completed 135 for 2,026 yards and a completion percentage of 52.7. Starr completed 132 for 1,855 yards and a completion ratio of 54.1. Ryan has thrown 25 TD passes, Starr 15. This is unusual in view of the fact that the Browns emphasize the rushing of Brown. Cleveland scored 43 touchdowns, the Packers 46. Brown scored 12 TDs rushing and three passing, and Gary Collins, the Browns' sophomore end, caught 13 touchdown passes. Jim Taylor scored 10 TDs, nine by rushing, while Tom Moore scored eight, six by rushing, and Boyd Dowler caught six TD passes. While Brown and Taylor are the big yardage guns, the Packers will get their first look at a former teammate, one Ernie Green, who was traded as a rookie to Cleveland three years ago. Green rushes when Brown isn't and came up with 87 carries for 526 stripes and an average of 6.0. Dowler will be the top receiver on the field. He caught 53 for 901 yards while Collins nailed 43. On the "steal" side of passing, the Browns have the top two pass interceptors - Larry Benz and Vince Costello, who grabbed seven each. Herb Adderley and Willie Wood grabbed five for the Pack.
PACKERS PLACE 6 ON ALL-STAR TEAM
JAN 5 (Hollywood, FL) - Four members of the world champion Chicago Bears, five New York Giants and six Green Bay Packers headed the first annual NFL All-Star team chosen by player vote and accounced Saturday by the league's Players' Association which conducted the poll. Pete Retzlaff of the Philadelphia Eagles, president of the Association, said the ballots were tabulated here following distribution of them to all NFL players just before the regular season ended in December. Bears named were end Mike Ditka on offense and defensive standouts Doug Atkins, Rich Petitbon and Joe Fortunato. The Giants, who bowed to the Bears at Chicago a week ago in the NFL playoff, placed quarterback Y.A. Tittle, end Del Shofner and tackle Roosevelt Brown on the offensive platoon, and had end Jim Katcavage and back Dick Lynch on the defensive squad. Retzlaff also announced the selection of Jimmy Brown of the Cleveland Browns as the league's "most valuable offensive player" and Joe Schmidt of the Detroit Lion as the "most valuable defensive player." The Packers, who, despite finishing with their best season in recent years, wound up second in the Western Division to the Bears, placed three men on both the offensive and defensive platoons. Tackle Forrest Gregg, guard Jerry Kramer and center Jim Ringo were picked for their offensive work. Tackle Henry Jordan and defensive backs Willie Wood and Jesse Whittenton were selected on defense.
GREGG RETIRES TO TAKE TENN. JOB
JAN 5 (Knoxville, TN) - Forrest Gregg, All-Pro tackle with the Green Bay Packers, was hired Saturday as an offensive line coach for the University of Tennessee. Gregg, a seven-year veteran with the Packers, has played in five Pro Bowl games and has been named to all-pro teams for the past several years. "We're delighted to get Gregg," said Vol head coach Doug Dickey. "He's a tremendous football player and his experience in college and pro ball should be of value to our team. I've known
Forrest since he played on our service team at Fort Carson, Colo. He has a lot of enthusiasm and he wanted to get in this coaching business." Gregg, 30, is a 1956 graduate of Southern Methodist University (SMU). He is married and has two children, Forrest, Jr., 2 1/2, and Karen, 6 months. Gregg is now in Miami for today's Playoff Bowl between the Packers and Cleveland. He will join the U.T. staff following next Sunday's Pro Bowl appearance in Los Angeles. Dickey said Gregg has resigned from the Packers and is accepting the coaching job on a full-time basis.
FRUSTRATED PACK DUELS CLEVELAND IN PLAYOFF BOWL
JAN 6 (Miami-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Forced to settle for second best for the first time in three years, the Packers step into the Orange Bowl to take their frustrations out on the Cleveland Browns this afternoon at 1 o'clock Green Bay time. The nationally televised Playoff Bowl battle is expected to be witnessed "live" by more than 45,000, a count which would make this game the most attractive of the four matching the second place teams of the Western and Eastern conferences in this sunny city...LIONS WON 3: The Detroit Lions made off with the other three games. The Motor City villains, whose 13-13 tie with Green Bay in November might have cost Vince Lombardi's ruffians another league championship, shaded the Browns here, 17-16, in the game's 1961 inaugural. Detroit manhandled Philadelphia, 38-10, in '62 and beat Pittsburgh, 17-10, last year. With the prospect of overcast but warm weather, the largest turnout yet for the pros has been lured by two magic names - the Packers and Jim Brown. Even though outshouldered for the marbles by the Chicago Bears this season, the Packers still wear the championship label. People like Jim Taylor, Ron Kramer, Max McGee and even the two jolly green giants who play guard - Fred (Fuzzy) Thurston and Jerry Kramer - are akin to household words in every good football home from here to Fairbanks, Alaska. Brown's talents need no review. Let it suffice to write that the 6-2, 228-pound thumper from Syracuse this season galloped 1,863 rushing yards, or more than a mile. The Packers' job is clear cut - stop Brown. "That's much easier said than done, of course," said Lombardi Saturday after his team ran its last drill and got the feel of the Orange Bowl turf. "But I think we're mentally prepared for this game, despite the letdown of not winning it all. The last few days the spirit and exuberance of the workouts have been good signs." When Lombardi goes as far as saying that, you can be sure the Packers look sharp. Even the staunchest advocates of the good life on the squad have been observing Lombardi's strict 11 p.m. curfew. Bart Starr has been pinpointing his passes to the league's best receivers, pound for pound - Boyd Dowler, McGee and Ron Kramer. Taylor is running at top speed and scowling even better. Thurston and Jerry Kramer have been funnier than ever with their inevitable comments on the state of affairs. These facts have not gone unnoticed in this wager-conscious metropolis. Accordingly the Packers have been established as favorites. Since 1953, when the Packers and Browns were first introduced, the Clevelanders have won three out of four. But the fourth game, in Cleveland Stadium, is as fresh in the minds of most Browns as it is in the hearts of Packer faithful. Lombardi's lads destroyed the Browns, 49-17, in a one-sider not nearly as close as the score might indicate...ONLY NITSCHKE OUT: The Packers look fit enough to do it again. Only Ray Nitschke, the linebacker's linebacker, will sit it out. Lombardi intends to take no chances with his seven-year veteran from Illinois and his arm wound. Dan Currie is expected to do the job like Nitschke, with Bill Forester and Dave Robinson helping back up the front foursome of Willie Davis, Dave Hanner, Henry Jordan and Lionel Aldridge. Herb Adderley, Jesse Whittenton, Hank Gremminger and Willie Wood will be around to head off the passing of Frank Ryan. Ryan is the other young man, besides Bown, who could cause trouble. Like Starr, the Los Angeles Ram castoff is an underrated performer. This season Ryan came into his own as signal caller and thrower. His passing figures compare remarkably close to Starr's. Ryan has thrown 256 passes, completed 135 for a 52.7 percentage and 2,026 yards. More significant, his 25 touchdown pitches tied a team record set by the peerless Otto Graham in 1948 when the Browns labored in the old All-American Conference...'CHECK INSURANCE': Starr has passed 244 times, completed 132 for a better percentage, 54.1. Bart has tossed 15 touchdown passes and has been responsible for 1,855 yards. Ryan's pet target is Gary Collins, 6-4 second-year operative from Maryland, whose 13 touchdown catches this season tied a league record held by Terry Barr of the Lions. Today's winners get $600 each, the losers $400. This is not much compared to the substance the Packers have grown accustomed to receiving of late from championship game receipts. But the financial difference is not expected to keep either side from a less than all-out effort. Taylor said it right during a workout this week. "Let up for a minute," observed Big Jim, "and then check on your Blue cross insurances." The bulk of receipts got to the Bert Bell NFL Player Benefit Plan, which covers sickness and accident expenses for all NFL players, their wives and children, as well as group life insurance and future retirement benefits.
PACKERS 'DIFFERENT' ON TV; MOORE A COMBO
JAN 7 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packer players are out of business. The football is being placed in the mothballs. And, man, do the Packers ever look different on TV. This operator had never seen the Packers on "live" television - until circumstances forced watching the Packer-Brown Playoff Bowl via the tube Sunday. Now this is an experience. A real frustrating one because the cameraman won't respond to the various things (like the right yard lines, the bench, etc.) that we are in the habit of seeing at just a flick of the brain switch. One thing about being at a game. You miss all those sparkling commercials. The beer thing is certainly amusing. The girl cigarette smoker is easy to look at. And we never saw a car running down railroad ties before. The big stars of the game are the people with the football. The camera stays on them, which is as it should be, and we had our eyes opened on Tom Moore. The Packers' running back looked like a combination of Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung and Boyd Dowler. Tom had his hands on the ball 12 times and made off with 183 yards - an average of 15 per. He caught four passes from Bart Starr for 142 yards, one a 99-yarder, and ran from scrimmage eight times for 41 yards. This was billed as a battle between the team's great fullbacks, our Taylor and the Browns' Jim Brown. It never really materialized as they totaled but 100 yards in 24 attempts between 'em. Taylor had 44 in 13 tries, Brown 56 in 11. Both fullbacks were keyed on, as they say, and it was tough going. Brown had the slight edge in yards, but Taylor won the scoring game. Brown got down into goal line territory once but the Bays put on their marvelous goal line stand. It would have been nice to see one of those four plays from the overhead camera. There was a fine example of Taylor's ability to "run to daylight," and the high camera caught it. On his TD run from a yard out, Taylor headed slightly to left of center Jim Ringo where the dark jerseys suddenly blacked out the Packers' white. Then, in a flash, Taylor slide to his right and hit a wee but of "daylight" at the right side of center, scoring with ease. Unfortunately, television can't capture the maneuvering of the pass receivers and the defensive backs on a pass play or a faked pass. Live participation in a game (being there) puts the fan right in the quarterback's shoes. You can decide where the QB is going to throw and what went wrong if he doesn't hit. We sweated every time Starr threw the ball Sunday because we didn't know where and to whom the ball was going. All turned out well because Bart had a tremendous 15 out of 18 for 259 yards and three touchdowns. Starr really doesn't need any quarterbacking help from us in the press box. The television boys came up with an innovation - comments from the sidelines after key scoring plays. The Pack's Ray Scott was on the field in the first half and Ken Coleman, who does the Browns' game, operated behind the Browns' bench in the second. This proved to be interesting for Scott, whose team was leading, but rather embarrassing for Coleman who had to pry something out of the losers. After the Packer game, it was only natural to switch over and watch those two former Packer QBs, Tobin Rote and Babe Parilli, battle it out in the AFL championship game. Rote is still the gallant Texan, now an old one at around 36, while the Babe, 33, still loves to hide the ball. The AFL has been specializing in high scoring football most of the season - apparently in an effort to draw viewers from the NFL games. We got the impression from this AFL playoff that both teams are badly in need of tackling practice...The Packers scattered to their home after the game. And eight of them headed to Los Angeles to prepare for next Sunday's Pro Bowl game. Named to the PB are Herb Adderley, Jim Taylor, Jess Whittenton, Jim Ringo, Jerry Kramer, Hank Jordan, Forrest Gregg and Willie Davis.
FORESTER, 'OTHERS' TALKING RETIREMENT, RINGO CLAIMS
JAN 9 (Los Angeles) - The Green Bay Packers' offensive captain, center Jim Ringo, said Wednesday the team's chances of regaining the NFL title in the next season depend upon retirements. Ringo, an All-Pro center here for the NFL Pro Bowl game Sunday, said, "A lot depends on who's back with us next fall." Noting that offensive tackle Forrest Gregg is retiring to take a coaching job, Ringo added, "Linebacker Bill Forester and several other veterans have been talking of quitting." He did not name the others.
PACKERS CAN MAKE STRONG TITLE BID
JAN 12 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers have the basic strengths to make a strong bid for the NFL championship next season. This was the opinion of Coach Vince Lombardi, who, asked to count strong points of the 1963 Packers, said, "I have a soft spot for this team. It always hung tight in spite of discouragements." He said he thought that in the last few games quarterback Bart Starr "approached true greatness," and added that defensive end Lionel Aldridge "was a surprise in his rookie season." Lombardi said he didn't feel that the Packers controlled the ball as well as in other years. "We probably hit as hard as before, but we didn't carry through as well." Encouragements for next year, he said, include the youth of the offensive line, the expected development of Dan Grimm into a good guard, the prospects of draft choices Ken Bowman of Wisconsin and Lloyd Voss of Nebraska at tackle. "Starr has become great," Lombardi continued. "I don't know why he shouldn't pick up where he left off this season." He also said that the defensive secondary should remain tough but feels "we'll have to tighten up on our linebacking - it fell off this season." Lombardi said that halfback Paul Hornung, under league suspension for betting on games, "obviously was missed a lot. His blocking, his leadership, his 'devil may care attitude,' his field goal kicking, his intelligence on the field." As for Hornung's return, Lombardi said the Packers would "definitely" keep him if and when the suspension is lifted. The coach said the suspension was "solely the commissioner's decision and his return will be solely the commissioner's decision." Asked what he would like for next season, Lombardi said, "A good strong blocking back, one more good linebacker, one good size defensive lineman, and reserve strength in the defensive backfield."
STARR'S & ZOOMS AFTER HAND BREAK
JAN 12 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Bart Starr was a 50 percent passer before he broke his right hand. He was a 62 percent passer after the break healed. How come the big improvement? "I wish I knew," the Packers' quarterback said, "but if I thought it would help, I would have arranged to have my hand broken before September first." Seriously, Starr added, "maybe the rest helped me. It allowed me to make a better evaluation of things. I was sick when it happened because I felt that I was just coming around after a slow start - about the time of the Viking game." Starr completed 18 out of 33 for 253 yards and two touchdowns in the tight squeeze over Minnesota. The Cardinal game, in which Starr broke his hand, was the next Sunday. He had dented the frenzied Cards for seven out of 15 for 107 yards and a 23-0 lead until late in the third quarter when he ran into Jimmy Hill. Until the crash, Starr had completed 69 of 137 passes for 951 yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Actually, Starr threw his last interception of the season in the Viking game. Including the Card game, Bart went six straight without having one intercepted. His 10 interceptions came in the first four games, including four by the Bears in the league opener. Starr, of course, never did get a chance to avenge that loss. "I wanted to play in the second Bear game, but I wasn't at my best. I just wasn't zinging the ball. Coach Lombardi could see all week that I was improving each day, but I wasn't normal. It was amazing how I could feel a certain improvement each day that week and even in the workouts before the game I felt good," Starr said. Lombardi announced on Thursday before the game that roach would start the crucial battle. The storming Bears, who would have given anybody trouble that day, cut John down to eight completions in 20 attempts. Zeke Bratkowski relieved him late in the game. As the season wore on and the Packers and Bears kept winning, more
than one Packer expressed the hope for a division playoff and "then we can play 'em with Starr." The two clubs evaded a playoff like the plague and Bart went on his merry way, completing 78 passes in 126 attempts for 1,163 yards, a completion percentage of 62, and 10 touchdowns. In the last three games - two in sunny California and one in sunny Florida, Starr hurled 65 percent - 46 completions in 71 attempts for 770 yards and eight touchdowns. Starr said he felt that "we had a good season. It would have been better to win the championship, but it certainly wasn't because we weren't hungry that we didn't win it. We couldn't have had a much bigger incentive, the three straight championships. We didn't belly up, as if we had lost quite a few games, and we didn't slip a bit." "You must beat the contenders and losing two to the Bears lost it for us. They (the Bears) beat all the contenders - the Colts, Lions and Packers." Starr now has completed eight seasons in his Packer silks. And he's barely 30 years of age. He turned 30 just last Thursday!
PACKERS SHINE IN WEST WIN
JAN 13 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Rewritten from press dispatches. With a touch of hometown pride! The Packers played a prominent part in the West's 31 to 17 victory over the East in the 14th annual Pro Bowl in Los Angeles Sunday, scoring two of the winners' four touchdowns and generally starring on offense and defense. Jim Taylor topped the eight Green Bayers with 98 yards in 14 carries - plus a 37-yard touchdown gallop. Jess Whittenton intercepted a Norm Snead pass and raced 26 yards for a touchdown. Herb Adderley, on the next kickoff, recovered a fumble to set up the West's fourth touchdown, a John Unitas pass to Gail Cogdill. Hank Jordan and Willie Davis were among the five defensive players cited by West coach George Halas for keeping a continuous rush on the East passers. And Jim Ringo, Jerry Kramer and Forrest Gregg, playing side by side in the interior offensive line, apparently did a good job giving Unitas and Bill Wade protection. The victory was Exhibit C in the Western Division's claim to superiority over the Eastern sector. Exhibit A was the Bears' win over the Giants 14-10 in the championship and B was the Packers' 40-23 wrecking of the Browns in the Playoff Bowl. The huge crowd of 67,242 backed the West all the way, but this was nothing new. The "western" crowd has had something to cheer about in six of the last seven Pro Bowls. It was the West's ninth victory in the 14 games. Unitas threw two touchdown passes, and Taylor carried the load at fullback. Unitas, for the third time in this series, was named Player of the
Game. And Baltimore's retiring defensive end, Gino Marchetti, as named Lineman of the game. Cleveland fullback Jim Brown scored both of the East's touchdowns and led all rushers with 101 yards in 15 carries. Taylor got his 98 yards in 14 carries, averaging seven yards to Brown's 6.73. The West, ahead 14-3 at the half, ran its lead to 25 points early in the third period. First, Whittenton intercepted a pass by Washington's Norm Snead and returned the ball 26 yards for a touchdown. Bobby Mitchell of Washington fumbled returning the next kickoff and Adderley recovered on the East 21. Unitas passed 14 yards to Mike Ditka of Chicago and, on third down, threw a five-yarder to Cogdill of Detroit for a touchdown. That made it 28-3 and the East was deceased. Brown made his two touchdown runs, one for eight yards and one for three, in the fourth quarter. The East led once, 3-0, in the first period. Bill Glass of Cleveland intercepted a pass by Unitas and returned the ball to the West 28, setting up a 30-yard field goal by Sam Baker of Dallas. But the West went ahead in the same period on a 37-yard touchdown run by Taylor and scored again in the second on a four-yard pass from Unitas to Ray Berry of Baltimore. The East made the longest gain on a 57-yard pass play from St. Louis quarterback Charley Johnson to Mitchell. The longest run was Taylor's 37-yarder. Unitas completed eight of 16 passes for 93 yards and Chicago's Bill Wade completed five of nine for 90. For the East, Johnson hit on seven of 15 for 100 yards and Snead completed one of four for nine...Halas gave six main reasons why his West team defeated the East. "They were Gino Marchetti (Colts), Willie Davis (Packers), Merlin Olsen (Rams), Roger Brown (Lions), Henry Jordan (Packers) and Doug Atkins (Bears)," he said in the dressing room. "That was our defensive line." "It was a well-balanced team effort all the way," said Halas. "Initially, Johnny Unitas got us going on offense. After that, we were able to hold our lead pretty well. I thought the defense did a splendid job. The rush was the key to the interceptions. The one by Abe Woodson (49ers) in the first half stopped what could have been a very important score for the East. That really helped." It was the first time Halas had ever been named to coach in the All-Star classic. Coach Allie Sherman of the New York Giants, making his third straight appearance as the East coach, said that once the East fell behind it seemed to force its offensive maneuvers. "We missed a couple of opportunities and once the score mounted, it got very difficult for us. I thought, however, that the West played an unusually fine game. And they were able to capitalize on their opportunities. We didn't." Last year, Sherman's East team defeated the West 30-20. Sherman refused to speculate on how the game might have turned out if his star New York quarterback, Y.A. Tittle, had been able to play. Tittle suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of the NFL's championship game with the Bears in Chicago and was forced to withdraw from the Pro Bowl. "Those torn ligaments neutralized him," said Sherman. "We missed having him, but I won't say that was the difference." "This was one of my greatest thrills," Marchetti said when he was told he'd been named the best lineman on the field. He said, "This is a great way to retire." Marchetti said he would concentrate on his business interests in the future. He is part owner of a chain of 44 drive-in restaurants on the East Coast. "I always had it in my mind to retire when I was at my peak," he said. "Athletes often are their own worst enemies. They don't know when to quit."
PACKERS SIGN DUKE CARLISLE
JAN 13 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Duke Carlisle, the University of Texas quarterback who overshadowed the heralded Roger Staubach in the Cotton Bowl, has been signed by the Packers, it was announced today by Coach Vince Lombardi. Carlisle was the Packers' fifth draft choice. Lombardi also announced the signing of Jack Petersen of Omaha, the 11th pick. Also a talented defensive back, Carlisle was at first ticketed for defense with the Packers but he will be considered for quarterback, too, Lombardi said. Carlisle QB's the Texans to an unbeaten season, the national collegiate championship and a smashing win over Navy. Carlisle, a highly intelligent athlete, made the all-scholastic All-American and scored highest on his entrance exam at the Texas university. Petersen is a giant tackle who can play both offense and defense. He stands 6-5 and weighs 280 pounds. The Packers have now announced the signing of their first, third, fourth, fifth, eights, 11th, 13th and 19th choices - plus two junior eligibles from a year ago and several free agents. Other signed include the No. 1 choice - tackle Lloyd Voss of Nebraska.
CLARIDGE SEEKS WAY TO PLAY PRO FOOTBALL, STUDY DENTISTRY
JAN 15 (Lincoln, NB) - Dennis Claridge wants to play pro football, but he also wants to graduate from Nebraska's dental college. So, unless the Green Bay Packers of the NFL can figure out a way this muscular egghead can realize both ambitions, the pro football career will never see daylight. This was the word from Claridge, 222-pound versatile quarterback who led Nebraska to an Orange Bowl victory over Auburn Jan. 1. "The only thing stopping me from playing football," Claridge confided, "is the fact that I want to graduate from Nebraska's dentistry school, which is one of the best in the country. We are now trying to determine how I can attend school in the offseason and still play football. It would be great if I could do both." Under no circumstances," Claridge declared, will he sacrifice his career as a dentist for the possible glories of the gridiron. "I made my mind up a long time ago," the thin-faced athlete said, "that
someday I would become a dentist. I think that decision is sound and in the long run the best one. Who can say what a future in pro football will bring, while I'm sure I'll never be sorry I became a dentist." Claridge said he expects to decide within two weeks whether he will give pro football a whirl. "If Green Bay can assure me that I will be accorded the chance to continue my dentistry studies at Nebraska," he said. "I will probably sign." But, he added, he plans to seek further counsel from Nebraska Coach Bob Devaney and dentistry college Dean Ralph Le Ireland. Claridge said he is grateful that the pro scouts are not pressing him for a quick decision "on this important matter." "Sure, they're anxious to know what I will do," Claridge said. "But I wouldn't say they are hounding me for a decision - of this I'm thankful." However, this handsome Claridge did say his waiting tactics has caused one pro team to give up on him. "I guess the Oakland team of the AFL has called it quits," Claridge said. Both Oakland and Green Bay drafted Claridge after he completed his second year of varsity competition with Nebraska in 1962. Claridge said Montreal of the CFL is still in touch with him, though. But. he admitted, "I would rather play in the United States." Looking ahead to a possible pro football career, Claridge said Green Bay Coach Vince Lombardi has promised him a shot at quarterback should he sign with the Packers. "He said my first trial would be at quarterback," Claridge said. "And if I don't work out there, then halfback and maybe flanker back." Claridge, who broke the 1964 Orange Bowl classic wide open with a record 68-yard touchdown dash, said he is not set on playing only quarterback although "it would be nice." Actually, he said, "I would not mind playing halfback or flanker back." Nebraska fans compare Claridge's versatility to that of Green Bay's Paul Hornung, who was switched from quarterback to halfback by Lombardi.
PACKERS SIGN ST. JOSEPH'S KICKER, LBER
JAN 16 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Ron Boguski, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker and guard, has signed a Packer contract, Coach Vince Lombardi announced today. Boguski, who played collegiate football at St. Joseph's College of Rensselaer, Ind., also is a placekicking specialist. He attempted only four field goals in his three-year college career and made two of them - from 50 and 46 yards. The 50-yarder set an Indiana Collegiate Conference record. Known as Bugs, Bogulski played high school football at Berwyn, Ill. He said he wants to play linebacker as a pro.
TAYLOR DESERVED BOWL RANK: UNITAS
JAN 17 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - You and you and you undoubtedly were among the Packer diehards who figured our Jim Taylor should have been selected as the No. 1 offensive player in the Pro Bowl in Los Angeles last Sunday instead of John Unitas. You and you and you were right. Unitas thought so, too. When informed that he had been named No. 1 by scribes after the game, Unitas said, "It's a great honor and I'm appreciative, but it should've gone to Jim Taylor." Unitas' remark was relayed to Jarrin' Jim, who modestly objected by saying, "Unitas deserved to be picked No. 1. He had it all the way. His big secret is knowing how to attack the enemy's weaknesses." Unitas had an interesting comment on a reminder that this was his seventh Pro Bowl game: "I'm not complaining, but it's tough to call signals in this game. The backs and ends are all so great that you have to be careful not to slight anybody."...Art Schmael, who scored the first touchdown for the Packers in their first NFL game away back in '21, will be 70 on Feb. 5, 1964. He is retired and lives in Chicago. He can be reached via 1749 Shermer Ave., Northbrook, Ill....Quick now, who scored the Packers' last TD in NFL competition away back in 1963. Time's up. Boyd Dowler got it - on a 50-yard pass from Bart Starr in San Francisco Dec. 14. Between Schmael and Dowler, the Packers scored something like 10,000 points...You ought to see the inside of City Stadium. The playing field is uncovered, and the ground isn't even frozen - at the moment, that is. The green carpeting had been covered before the Bays left for the West Coast - just in case there was a title game here, but the two tarps and a foot of hay were removed this week...Jerry Kramer, a ski bug, stopped in Sun Valley, Idaho, for some skiing en route to Green Bay after the Pro Bowl...Publicitor Tom Miller reports that the players are in big demand - championship or not - for banquet talks. Ron Kramer (Detroit) and Ken Iman (St. Louis) have called for Packer films...Next big business for Coach-GM Vince Lombardi is the league convention in Miami Beach, starting Jan. 28. This could be the biggest session since the name-the-commissioner marathon a few years ago. Three networks will be bidding for the TV rights, the Hornung-Karras suspensions could be lifted, the Hall of Famers might be announced, and so on. Hey, how about eliminating the extra point?...Baby Ray, the onetime Packer giant who is now an assistant coach at Vanderbilt University, passed along his feelings via letter after the death of George W. Calhoun and included this paragraph: "If the City of Green Bay or the Green Bay Packers should see fit to begin some living memento in his behalf, I feel sure that lots of ex-Packers such as myself would like to participate."...Mrs. Scooter McLean writes from Detroit: "Scooter and I wish to express our deep appreciation and gratitude for the many letters, cards and prayers he received during his stay in the hospital. I am sorry we cannot acknowledge all of them individually." Scooter is fighting cancer...Art Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and one of the NFL's bulwarks, will be given a testimonial in his beloved Pittsburgh Sunday. Representing the Packers will be President Dominic Olejniczak and Director Fred Trowbridge.
JERRY KRAMER 'EXPOSES' TRICKS OF OLD FOX HALAS
JAN 18 (Milwaukee) - Green Bay Packer guard Jerry Kramer has taken the lid off one of the most closely-guarded secrets in Chicago Bear Coach George Halas' "Book of Knowledge:" How the Bears took the championship of the NFL away from the Packers. Kramer's revelation came after he played on the West team coached by Halas in the recent NFL Pro Bowl game. The Packer kicking specialist said he would have to regard Halas a "real old fox." "Every year," Kramer said at a local sports night dinner, "the coach in the Pro Bowl is at a sort of a disadvantage. He puts in his own offense, of course, and has to explain it to the best defensive players in the division. Coach Vince Lombardi did it the last couple of years, and Bill George of the Bears got pretty familiar with our stuff. Later when we would call out of a change in a play at the line, he would know just what we were talking about. Well, this year Halas was coach, and we Packer player figured we would get a look at the Bear attack for a change. So we get out there and we get our playbooks. And what is the book full of? Brown right, red right, all our own plays. Halas had put in Green Bay's offense instead of his own."
CARLISLE, PACK'S GLAMOROUS FIFTH, 'FANTASTIC'
JAN 19 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Duke Carlisle is the most glamorous fifth round draft choice the Packers ever made. Actually, Carlisle isn't the Packers' own fifth round pick. He's a gift of the Dallas Cowboys, who are now spurring themselves for not selecting him somewhere on the first four rounds. University of Texas quarterback Carlisle out-did the heralded Roger Staubach of Navy - but good - in the Cotton Bowl, which is there the Cowboys play. The Cowboys owed the Green Bay their first choice in payment for an earlier trade. The Packers' own fifth choice was Steve Wright, the 250-pound tackle from Alabama, who did very well for his team in the Sugar Bowl. And speaking about fifth draft choices, the Packers are due for a good fifth. The last standout in that slot was Bob Skoronski, in 1956, and two years before that the Bays had another good one, Mr. Max McGee. The fifth in 1952 was Dave Hanner. The Packers owed their first choice in 1957 to the Browns, who selected a feller by the name of Henry Jordan, a tackle from Virginia. Two years later, the Packers got Jordan in a trade with the Browns. That fifth came back! But getting back to Carlisle, who is a mighty interesting subject. To start with, the boy's name is Emmett Augustus Carlisle III, which is something to carry right there. He was born on the 13th day of the month of December 1941, which wasn't a Friday, in Kaufman, Tex. His mother and father are bitter rivals - or, rather, were. Ma attended Baylor and Pa went to Texas A and M. These two schools fight like cats and dogs in everything from debating to swimming in the Southwest Conference. Rather than get into the argument, Emmett went to the University of Texas. The star athlete was in football three years, basketball four and track four years at Athens, Tex. While a freshman at the state university, Duke's parents moved to McComb, Miss. Carlisle played freshman offensive quarterback and was a defensive safety regular as a sophomore. He played both safety and offensive QB as a junior. He was on offense only as a senior - except in the Baylor game when he stayed in at safety and made the big interception in the final seconds to save a victory. Duke apparently comes up with the big performance. He was a whirlwind in the last Cotton Bowl game as an offensive quarterback and was named the game's outstanding back. He led Texas to an unbeaten season and the national collegiate championship, and his teammates elected him the team's most valuable player after the season. Carlisle was named the outstanding defensive player in Texas' 1962 Cotton Bowl victory over Mississippi. A business major who stands 6-1 and weighs 180 pounds, Carlisle made Jersey No. 11 famous at Texas. He played a standout role on offense or defense throughout his three varsity years. Carlisle was often rated best QB in the U.S. but not good enough to make all-Southwest conference because of his skill as a halfback on both offense and defense. The Texas offense coach, Bill Ellington, had this to say about Carlisle: "When Carlisle talks, everyone listens. He runs a good huddle." The man who lost him - Lamar Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, is high on the Duke, too. "Carlisle will be a fantastic player," Hunt predicted Saturday. He said he lost the bidding for the Texas ace because Kansas City was well fortified at quarterback and defensive backs. Carlisle has a good sense of humor in trying circumstances. In last year's Thanksgiving Day battle vs. Texas A and M, Lee Roy Caffey carried around end for a long gain before Carlisle made the saving tackle from his safety position. On returning to the defensive huddle, Carlisle chided his teammates: "As I came by the bench, Coach Royal told me to tell you guys not to let Caffey get by you again." And that's exactly why Coach Vince Lombardi was happy to see that Carlisle was still present and undrafted when the fifth round came up. Duke just might be too good an athlete not to play someplace with the Pack!
NO HORNUNG DECISION UNTIL LATE FEBRUARY
JAN 20 (Pittsburgh) - NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle said Sunday no action will be taken on the suspensions of Paul Hornung and Alex Karras "until probably late in February." "We have been so busy with the championship game, the playoff and the pro bowls and the upcoming winter meetings in Miam Beach later this month that there was no time to consider those cases," Rozelle said. He added he had not been in touch with either Hornung or Karras, who had been suspended indefinitely for betting on pro games. Karras, of the Detroit Lions, sold his interest in a cocktail lounge in the Motor City and Rozelle was asked whether this action would affect his case. "Not necessarily so," said Rozelle. Hornung of the Green Bay Packers was reported to have been in Florida for the playoff bowl and in Los Angeles for the pro bowl. Rozelle was asked how any decision would be made since neither player had been contacted. "Don't worry, we know what is going on and what they are doing," Rozelle said.
HORNUNG 'ITCHING TO START PRACTICE AT GREEN BAY'
JAN 23 (Lexington, KY) - Although other business interests have kept him active, Paul Hornung said today, "I've missed football very, very much." Awaiting a review of his NFL suspension case next month, Hornung said he is hopeful the indefinite ban on his playing will be lifted. Hornung, a Green Bay Packers' star before he was suspended April 17, 1963, for betting, said his fall from grace was especially long and painful - not merely because he had been at the top but because "I made a terrible mistake" which caused the fall. Hornung said he was grateful to the NFL Players Assn. for urging that the suspension be lifted. League Commissioner Pete Rozelle placed Hornung and Alex Karras of Detroit on an indefinite suspension, saying their conduct and attitude "will have a bearing on the matter if I choose to consider lifting the suspensions after the 1963 season." The handsome Hornung led the NFL scoring 1959 through 1961, earning Most Valuable Player honors in 1961. He came to Green Bay after becoming an All-America and Heisman Trophy winner at Notre Dame. "This has been my first time away from the sport in 17 years," said Hornung, "and I'm itching to get back in the league and to start practice at Green Bay." It has been quite a while since Hornung has been able to devote full time to the game. He saw limited action during 1962 because of a knee injury. He was called to active duty with the Army during 1961. While he played in most games, he didn't practice with the team. "I've been keeping in shape - especially concentrating on my legs. I've worked out at the local YMCA and have played a lot of squash. My weight is at 221," he said. Hornung accepted the suspension when it came but was subdued and crestfallen. "Football meant so much to me, and I guess I let a lot of people down," he said. "I'm glad I told the truth. I feel more hurt because of my mother than myself." Hornung, 27, a bachelor, lives with his mother in a modest apartment. He has had several coaching offers but rejected them. He said he wanted to continue playing if the suspension is lifted. He helped a Louisville radio station in broadcasts of 25 high school game, and had a five-minute sports show daily during the football season. He conducted a 15-minute Sunday night television program, reading scores and making comments on the professional football games. Hornung also was a partner in Productions Unlimited, Inc., for sports and theater events in the Louisville area.
KRAMER EYES GREGG LOSS, PAUL'S RETURN
JAN 26 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Jerry Kramer, ski instructor at Hidden Valley, can teach anybody how to ski "but my wife...somebody else will have to teach her how to ski." The Packer guard spends most of his spare time skiing. "I love it," he says, "and I'm going to get in some real skiing when I got into Canada for a couple of speaking engagements next month." He's going to Left Bridge, Alberta, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. That takes care of Jerry's skiing. What about football? J.K. hasn't been in the news since blocking for John Unitas and James Taylor in the Pro Bowl, but Mr. Kramer is the little gremlin between the lines on the stories concerning Forrest Gregg and Paul Hornung. When Gregg announced his retirement to become an assistant college football coach still can't figure it), Kramer lost part of his right shoulder. When Hornung returns, Kramer may regain the use of his right leg for line play. It isn't exactly those ways, of course, but the workings of Gregg and Pete Rozelle, who will decide shortly whether Paul returns, figure in the health and welfare of Hidden Valley's most famous teacher. Right guard Kramer says, "I'll miss Forrest and I really hate to see him go. We're very fortunate that we have good tackles like Norm and Bob. Norm can just switch over from left tackle." Norm Masters and Bob Skoronski had been alternating, by series, at left tackle the past three years. Masters played right tackle for half a season, plus the 37-0 title game, when Gregg shifted to right guard to replace the injured Kramer. "Forrest was great at blocking in the line and for getting downfield and blocking. We talked over our plays a lot during the game and tried to help each other," Kramer said, adding: "I've been fortunate in having great players on both sides of me. This way the guy across the line can't concentrate on any one of us. This is a characteristic of our entire offensive line." J.K.'s thoughts on kicking are based on the assumption that P.H. is coming back, of course. "I would miss kicking," Jerry laughed, "because we're all hams. We all get a lot of attention and publicity - good and bad. I actually enjoyed kicking but it's much mor difficult to play and kick. I know. Wehn I'm out running a sweep or a screen and come back to kick, I'm just about dead." As to Hornung's kicking, Jerry figured, "We'll just have to see how he does. Being out like that, he could pull a muscle very easily and have a hard time getting his strength back. One thing. I hope it can be decided who's kicking. Either he's kicking or I'm kicking - in the games, I mean. We'll both be out practicing every day, but there's nothing like kicking under pressure. That's why it's better for just one of us to kick in the games." Kramer said he hoped to see Hornung this weekend. "He's going to speak in Milwaukee Monday," Jerry said. PS - Jerry was told that the NFL received $28.2 million for the TV rights. It was news to him at the time. His reaction: "You're kidding. What do we do now?"
HORNUNG WANTS TO DO 'A GIFFORD'
JAN 28 (Milwaukee) - Frank Gifford proved it's possible, and Paul Hornung wants to do Gifford one better. Hornung, the suspended Green Bay Packers' "golden boy," would like nothing better than to return to the NFL after a one-year absence with a greater flourish than Gifford did after the same layoff. Gifford, the New York Giants' star halfback, "retired" several years ago but came back a year later as good as new. Hornung and Detroit Lions' tackle Alex Karras were suspended by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle last spring for betting on games. At that time, Rozelle stated their cases would not be reviewed for a least a year. Hornung and Karras are still suspended, but the Green Bay halfback said while here for a talk Monday he hopes he can "rejoin the Packers and play one more good year to restore public confidence in me. If given the chance, I will be very grateful. A year off the field means I'm just one year older," he said. "But I don't think 28 is too old to play pro ball." Assistant Packer Coach Red Cochran agrees. "Gifford returned to the Giant after a year's layoff," said Cochran. "There's no reason Hornung can't do it, too. Paul has pride and wants to prove himself if given the chance, and I'm sure he'll report in the best shape ever." Hornung said he weighed 221, about six pounds over his playing weight. "Sure, I expect a difficult time getting back into the swing of things," Hornung said. "But if I'm reinstated, I'll be up to Green Bay one month early to work out. The big thing is getting used to being hit again and getting my legs in shape. It's a known fact that I've got to be driven to play well and Coach Vince Lombardi is the kind who can get the best results." Hornung, often called football's best runner from inside the 10 yard line, and Gifford are noted chiefly for their versatility and excellence in the clutch. This time, Hornung wants a chance to do his Giants' "shadow" one better.
HALAS STILL THINKS PACK TEAM TO BEAT
JAN 28 (Miami Beach, FL) - Less than a month after his Chicago Bears won the NFL title, owner-coach George Halas is worrying about next season. "I am conditioning myself to take a lot of defeats," said the hardy, 68-year-old Hall-of-Famer today as the NFL meetings opened. "It's nice to win," said Halas, "but you always have to realize when you win a game in the NFL it lasts almost a whole week. When you win the championship, it might be good for a few months." Halas said he expects the toughest race in the history of the NFL. "Green Bay still is the team to beat," said the man who beat the Packers twice last year. "The first time we surprised them, the second time we played our greatest game. I don't expect any problems with complacency. The Bears don't think they are world beaters by any means. They realize how difficult it is to repeat." Halas said he was going to concentrate on improving his offense next season. "We should be able to do it," he said. "It took us two years to build up our defense, first against passes and then against running. Next comes the offense. We may pass a little more next fall." Halas mentioned tackle Dick Evey of Tennessee, end Billy Martin of Georgia Tech and quarterback Larry Rakestraw of Georgia as draftees with possibilities. "Evey might make us an offensive tackle," said Halas. "Martin can play either spread end or closed end. Of course, we have a pretty good closed end in Mike Ditka. We like Rakestraw as a quarterback for the future."...TV DOUBLEHEADERS: The Bears coach said he didn't agree with those who claimed the New York Giants would have beaten his Bears in the title game if Y.A. Tittle had not been injured. "It would have been a question," he said. "You can't say positively. The game was played, and we did win it. True, I have to look to see if the score was right when I read some of the reports." Halas and the others are expected to turn down a proposal to count tie games as one-half game won and one-half game lost in the standings. That was one of the amendments to be considered at the meeting. The new $28. 2million television contract still was a subject of wide discussion. Bill McPhail, vice president of the Columbia Broadcasting System, revealed Monday that the network planned football television doubleheaders on five or six Sundays next fall by following an East Coach game with a West Coast game in cities where the clubs were on the road...SKORICH TO BROWNS: The new policy would result in head-on collisions with the rival AFL, which normally televises its games at a time when there was no direct conflict with the NFL. The Cleveland Browns hired Nick Skorich, former Philadelphia head coach, as an assistant to Blanton Collier. Skorich will work both on offense and defense. Jerry Wolman, new Philadelphia owner who released Skorich, said he still was looking over the field for a replacement and did not expect to make a decision until next week...EX-PACKER COACH: Skorich, a veteran of 16 years in football, was the sixth assistant hired by the Browns, who now have their coaching staff at full strength. "Skorich's experience as head coach and his wide background in professional football as a player and coach make him very flexible," Browns' Owner Arthur Modell said. "We can use him to work with either the offense or defense or both. I feel fortunate to have someone with his credentials joining us." Skorich played guard with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1946 to 1948 and coached at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School from 1949 to 1952. He returned to the Steelers as assistant coach from 1954 to 1957, switched to Green Bay in 1958, became an assistant with the Eagles in 1959 and assumed the head coach's job upon the retirement of Buck Shaw.
NFL HIKES PLAYER LIMIT TO 40, OKAYS CLOSED CIRCUIT TV
JAN 29 (Miami Beach, FL) - The prosperous NFL, riding high with a new $28.2 million television contract and a record attendance of 4,163,643, has boosted its player limit to 40 men in a move that should cut down on taxi or reserve squads. The league acted to stabilize squads Tuesday by increasing the player limit from 37 to 40 players, who must come from a 560-man pool remaining after the final cutdown. "The spirit of the new rule is to stop shuttling players on and off the active list," said Commissioner Pete Rozelle. The new player limit will have the effect of cutting down on taxi squads," explained Jim Kensil, league public relations chief. "Unless you can bring up a player during the season, there is not much point of carrying him on the taxi squad for next year." Most of the pro teams carry reserves who are members of a so-called taxi squad, over and above the player limit. Normally, they can be bought up to the active list when a regular is injured. Under the new rile, the only replacements for the list of 40 men, remaining after the final cutdown on the last Tuesday, must come from the master list of 560 players. The list represents the 40 players by each of the 14 clubs. Rozelle said a special exception had been made in case four men are injured and rendered inactive for the rest of the season. In that case, one outsider could be added who was not on the list of 560. Of course, the usual deals and waiver transactions can be made. Vince Lombardi, general manager and coach of the Green Bay Packers, and Wellington Mara, vice-president of the New York Giants, were strong boosters of the 40-man limit, which will add a total of 42 men to the payroll and should provide the
fans with a better brand of football. The NFL also approved closed circuit television of the home games of any club in its local blackout area, normally 75 miles. Each club is permitted to make its own deal, with the proceeds included in the normal gate receipts and divided 60 percent to the home team and 40 percent to the visitors. "I do not anticipate very much closed circuit television this year," said Rozelle. "Most of the clubs view this as an experimental thing." Closed circuit in the Chicago area of the Chicago Bears-New York Giants title game Dec. 29 brought $35,043.56 into the record championship receipts of $1,493,954.06. The league office announced a financial breakdown of the title game. Each winning share of the Bears was worth $5,899.77, and each losing share of the Giants was $4,218.51. Both were records. The Bears got 49 1/2 shares, the Giants 45 1/2. Green Bay players got $577.50 each and Cleveland Browns $521.97 from the pool for conference second place teams. A motion to count tie games as one-half victory and one-half defeat was withdrawn after a sample of sentiment showed most clubs were against it. The visiting club will be permitted to wear its distinctive colored uniforms in 1964 if the home club agrees to wear the white shirts. Ordell Braase of the Baltimore Colts, president of the NFL Players Assn., was due to speak to the owners on certain requests of the players. Among other things, he was expected to ask for player representation on the pension fund. Pete Retzlaff of the Philadelphia Eagles, the retiring president, accompanied Braase.
'SITUATIONS' COST PACK ROOKIE PAIR
JAN 29 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers lost two high draft choices because of "situations,' Pat Peppler, the Packers' chief talent scout, told the Mike and Pen Club at their weekly meeting at the Elks Club Tuesday noon. He referred to second choice Jon Morris, center from Boston College, and Joe O'Donnell, the guard from Michigan who was selected on the third round selection obtained from the Giant in a trade. In each case, the opposing AFL team raised the bidding out of proportion because they had lost previous draft choices and thus "had a bigger bundle to us," Pat said, adding: "The Buffalo Bills had lost their first three draft choices. O'Donnell was their fourth and they just had to get him. We offered him more money than he was worth, but the Bills were desperate." Regarding Morris, Peppler said "after they lost Jack Concannon (to the Eagles), the Patriots felt they had to get Morris at just about all costs. In addition, his mother wanted her boy to stay in Boston because it was a cultural center. Morris also said he didn't think he could make the Packers, but this is a selling point of the other league. They tell their draft selections that they have little chance of breaking into the National League." On a happier note, Pat said he felt that "we are closer" to Dennis Claridge, the Nebraska quarterback who wants to play pro ball but also doesn't want to give up a start in dentistry at Nebraska. "He is now willing to make an adjustment on where he studies dentistry," Peppler pointed out...BONUS ACCEPTED THING: The personnel director said, "Dennis is dentistry will be his career." Asked about stories concerning high bidding between the American and National League clubs, Pepper said that "we pay no rookie more than our veterans" and explained that "the bonus is now the accepted thing. Our veterans can understand the need for paying bonuses to sign some of these draft choices because of the competition we face from the other league." Peppler noted the prestige of the NFL. "Every boy we signed took a little bit less (than the AFL offered) to play in our league," Pat said.
AFL TO STAY! ONLY CONCERNED WITH NFL - PETE
JAN 30 (Miami Beach, FL) - The AFL is here to stay. That is the hard-to-swallow fact that owners of the NFL had to admit today in the wake of the rival pro league's new $36 million television contract. "The new television contract stabilizes the other league," said an NFL club official who wished to remain anonymous. "It gives them substance. Now they are big league." The day when the two league champions may meet in a title playoff still may be far in the future. At least there was no inclination to hasten the day at the NFL meetings which end today. "We have no such plans," said Commissioner Pete Rozelle, just as he had been saying for weeks and months. Asked to comment on the new AFL contract, Rozelle said only, "We are concerned only with our own NFL. And we are very happy." The NFL had reasons to be happy, too, with its two-year $28.2 million television deal with the Columbia Broadcasting System. Each of the 14 clubs will get about $1 million. However, the new AFL contract will bring each of its eight member teams approximately $900,000 for each of the next five years. A sliding scale will take care of additions if there is expansion. Undoubtedly the value of all pro football franchises leaped skyward in the last six days. The players look forward to the happy prospect of watching the two leagues engage in an all-out bidding contest for talent. This will include more big bonus payments to college boys next fall. It also will include countless increases in salaries to the veterans in the 1964 season. "You ain't seen nothing yet," said one club observer. "Wait until they start chasing those college kids after next December's draft. Now is the time to raise your kid to be a football player." The furious dollar bidding in the past few weeks gave CBS the NFL games and NBC the AFL as well as the college games and three of the New Year's Day bowl contest - the American Broadcasting Company will be out of the major football business after its current contract with the AFL expires following the 1964 season. For the moment, ABC has a bargain with one more year at a reported $2.35 million on an AFL package that already has been sold for $35 million for the next five years. Pro football will cost the television networks about $25 million this year. In addition to the $14.1 million for the NFL and $7.2 million for the AFL, the two title games, still open for bids, probably will be worth about $2 million each. A head-on conflict every Sunday afternoon is in prospect with each network showing pro doubleheader from coast to coast. The television news shadowed the normal routine at the NFL meetings. Ordell Braase of the Baltimore Colts, new president of the NFL Players Association, appeared before the owners Wednesday and asked that the players be paid $100 a game for preseason exhibitions instead of the present $50. He also asked for player representation on the pension committee...ALTER PLAYING RULES: Two suggestions to alter the playing rules were turned down by the owners. One would have assessed a 15-yard penalty for offside, instead of five yards, when a defensive player knocked down the offensive quarterback. Another would have created a position for a sixth official to synchronize the scoreboard clock with the official clock on the field. Joe Kuharich, head of NFL officials, said the rules already called for a 15-yard penalty for flagrant roughing of a quarterback and league officials would be instructed to watch carefully for violations next fall. The tule change was suggested by Bill McPeak, coach-general manager of Washington.
PACKERS-BROWNS TOP TWIN BILL
JAN 30 (Miami) - The Green Bay Packers will play the Cleveland Browns in the nightcap of a pro football exhibition twin bill in Cleveland Saturday night, Sept. 5. The Detroit Lions and New York Giants will meet in the opener at 6:30.
STIDHAM, 59, DIES; COACHED PACK LINE
JAN 30 (Milwaukee) - Tom E. Stidham, 59, former Oklahoma and Marquette football coach, died of a cerebral hemorrhage Wednesday at a Milwaukee hospital. A native of Checotah, Okla., Stidham starred as a tackle for Haskell Institute, an Indian school at Lawrence, Kan., from 1924-26. His coach was Dick Haney. In 1928, Stidham rejoined Hanley as an assistant coach at Northwestern, where he remained through the 1934 season. He then moved to Oklahoma and served two years as line coach under Lawrence Biff Jones. He took over as head coach of the Sooners when Jones shifted to Nebraska in 1937 and proceeded to develop powerful teams. Stidham's 1938 Oklahoma team went undefeated until it lost to Tennessee in the Orange Bowl. In 1941, Stidham became head coach at Marquette. Despite a lack of talent because of World War II, his teams compiled a 20-22-2 record through the 1945 season. After the 1945 season, Stidham served as an assistant coach with Buffalo and Baltimore in the old All-America Conference. Stidham joined a new and reorganized Green Bay Packer assistant coaching staff under Curly Lambeau in 1949. He coached the line while Charley Brock coached defense and Bob Snyder the backfield. Tom retired from football after the resignation of Lambeau and the reorganization of the Packers in 1950, and entered private business in Milwaukee, making his home in Whitefish Bay. He leaves a widow and one son. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
'IF HORNUNG PLAYS, HE WILL PLAY FOR US,' LOMBARDI
JAN 31 (Miami Beach, FL) - Paul Hornung will play for the Green Bay Packers and nobody else if he is reinstated, Vince Lombardi, coach-general manager of the Packers, is very definite about this. "Once again I will say that Paul Hornung will not be traded," said Lombardi at the close of the annual meeting of the NFL. "I cannot emphasize that too much. Any trade talk is ridiculous. I positively have no thought of trading him. If Hornung plays, he will play for us." You can't be more definite than that. All that remains now is for Commissioner Pete Rozelle to take action on Hornung and Alex Karras, Detroit's defensive tackle, who were suspended indefinitely a year ago for betting on pro football games. Hornung, a hard-running halfback, also has been used for kicking extra points and field goals. He was the league's leading scorer in 1961. The Detroit Lions, like the Packers, are including their suspended star in their plans for 1964 in the hope that he will be reinstated. There has been no indication from Rozelle about the course of action he will follow. When the two were suspended, Rozelle said the indefinite suspension could be construed to mean at least one year. "I will not start looking into the Hornung and Karras situation until late February," Rozelle told newsmen Thursday. Both the Packers and Lions, of course, can make no definite moves until Rozelle makes up his mind. "You know as much as I do about whether Hornung will be back," said Lombardi. "It is up to the commissioner. But we are including Paul in our plans if we get him." "The year long layoff could hurt him. We'll have to wait and see about that. But don't forget he came back strong after spending most of the 1962 season in the Army. I am not concerned about his old knee injury. I do not think that will be a factor." Lombardi may have to fill two gaps in his starting lineup. Forrest Gregg, consistently named to the All-League team at offensive tackle, has quit to become an assistant coach at Tennessee. Bill Forester, veteran linebacker, has said he will retire to sell sporting goods. "We had three good tackles last year," said Lombardi. "Bob Skoronski or Norm Masters could fill in. We also have a good No. 1 draft choice in Lloyd Voss of Nebraska. Forester has retired before. If he stays out, we will have to replace him, of course. Dave Robinson did a good job at corner linebacker last year after Ray Nitschke was injured, and we had to move Forester to cover the middle." The Lions' coach, George Wilson, is hoping for the return of Karras, a defensive bulwark, although Floyd Peters did a solid job as his replacement last season. Any way you look at it, the big news for the 1964 NFL offseason will be the story of Rozelle's action on Hornung and Karras...The league ended its annual meeting Thursday without picking a date for the Playoff Bowl in Miami and deferred until the spring meeting a decision on the players' requests and the future format of the college player draft. "The clubs are in general accord about playing the Playoff Bowl game," said Rozelle, "but some details have to be worked out on the date. It probably will be played either Jan. 3 or Jan. 10 at the Orange Bowl." The Orange Bowl game will be played at night, Friday, Jan. 1, and there is some thought it would not be wise to play the game between the two runnerup teams in the pro league only two days later. A complication is that the Pro Bowl game between the two All-Star teams normally would be played Jan. 10 at Los Angeles. Rozelle said the players' request for $100 a game for preseason games and for representation on the pension committee would be considered at spring meetings. No date or site has been set for those meetings. The job of working out the regular season schedule is complicated by the fact that the baseball season, including the World Series weekend, will overlap the NFL season on five Sundays. Several NFl teams play their games in the same parks used by the baseball clubs.
BISHOP'S TILT SET AUG. 15
JAN 31 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers' exhibition games in Wisconsin will be held on successive Sunday nights in August. Green Bay will play the Giants in the Bishop's Charities game in City Stadium Aug. 15 and the Bears in the Shrine Classic in Milwaukee Aug. 22. The Charities game had been on Labor Day night the last three years. One other Packer exhibition game has been announced. The Bays play the Browns in the nightcap of a doubleheader in Cleveland Saturday, Sept. 5.
NO TRADES FOR PAUL, KARRAS; TWO TWIN BILLS?
FEB 2 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Sunday is no day to complain. But here are two thoughts: First, can you imagine why a couple of coaches must announce and announce that they are not, not, not going to trade their best players. Paul Hornung and Alex Karras were suspended indefinitely last spring for gamline and about the end of the 1963 season there were countless rumors that they would be traded. Packer Coach Vince Lombardi stated rather emphatically that Hornung will not be traded. George Wilson, coach of the Lions, said the game about Karras. Assuming the two stars will be reinstated for the 1964 season! Who or what thinks Lombardi and Wilson want to peddle two of the best players in or out of pro football? Apparently other clubs. Wilson indicated as much the other day when he said: "A lot of clubs seem to think I want to trade Karras. Now why would I want to trade the best defensive tackle in football just because he's been suspended. All I want is Karras back. They talk about injuries in 1963. He was our injury." In addition, Hornung and Karras will both want to prove a point or two when they do return. Proof must start right at home - with their teammates. They can't do it wearing a Steeler or Giant or a Redskin uniform. Secondly, we see by the papers where the Packers are in a couple of doubleheaders - in Cleveland and New Orleans. We may be a bit prejudiced and certainly old-fashioned but we feel the Packers are (1) the best draw in pro football and (2) the idol of national television and (3) the sentimental darlings of pro football. Why must Green Bay share the stage? The loot must be awfully good. This doubleheader business always did gripe your agent. The NFL did a lot of sweating over the years to establish the best possible pro football game. Now the league has sanctioned two at the same setting. And come to think of it, how can anybody sit for five hours in the same seat? That's an ordeal right there!
PACKERS SIGN MIKE HICKS TO '64 PACT
FEB 4 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers completed the signing of all eligible draftees Monday as guard Mike Hicks, an 18th round selection from Marshall College of West Virginia, agreed to terms for the 1964 NFL season. With 23 choices in the NFL draft last December, the Packers signed 10 and lost four to the rival AFL. Three draftees are competing in other sports, while six selections were juniors with another year of college eligibility. Lost to the AFL were center Jon Morris of Holy Cross, back Ode Burrell, guard Joe O'Donnell of Michigan and end Leonard St. Jean of Northern Michigan. Morris was Green Bay's No. 2 pick, Burrell and O'Donnell third round choices obtained in trades and St.
Jean a 17th round selection.
PACKERS' IMAN ACQUIRED BY LOS ANGELES
FEB 6 (Los Angeles) - The Los Angeles Rams announced Wednesday they have acquired lineman Ken Iman from the Green Bay Packers, but they didn't say what they gave for him. Ram President Daniel F. Reeves said "no comment" when asked whether this was part of the Zeke Bratkowski deal. Bratkowski, a veteran quarterback, was acquired from the Rams by the Packers late last season. Reeves said the details of Iman's acquisition would be announced later. Iman, a 225-pounder, is a four-year veteran of the NFL. He played college ball at Southeastern Missouri. The Packers used him as center and linebacker. Ram Coach Harland Svare said Iman "will get first chance at the offensive center's job."
BEARS SHOULD MAKE GOOD RUN - BETTIS
FEB 7 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Typographical errors are human. But this one was embarrassing for speaker Tom Bettis, the Green Bayite who played with the 1963 world champion Bears. The program was for the sixth annual combined banquet of the Valley Industrial Salesmen's Assn., and the Northeastern Wisconsin Purchasing Agents Assn. at the Elks Club Thursday night listed Bettis as follows: "Tom Bettis, 1964 world champion Bears!" The printer wasn't reprimanded, but the error provided some good clean fun - especially when the audience started asking questions after Tom finished his talk. The big query, of course, was "Will the Bears repeat?" This took a bit of through especially when Fuzzy Thurston kibitzing on the sidelines, but Bettis noted that "we should make a good run for it. We expect the 1964 race to be the tightest in the history of the Western Division." Another inevitable question concerned the absence of Night Train Lane in the crucial Bear-Lion game at the end of the season. "That was a relative thing," Tom warmed up, "but as you remember, Johnny Morris had a good day in the final game. When we played the Lions in Detroit earlier, with Lane in the lineup, Morris had a big day." Somebody wanted to know - in view of the fact that the Bears beat the Packers twice - how the Packers were able to beat the Bears in the Shrine game. "Oh," said Tom, "We were experimenting that night." Bettis, who played in two championship games in four years - the first with the Pack under Vince Lombardi in 1960, was asked to compare Lombardi with his present coach, George Halas. "They are comparable in many ways," said Ton, adding: "They are both well organized, and both are exceptionally intense." In his talk, Tom noted that "we started thinking about beating Green Bay the first day of training camp. The first question in everybody's mind was 'are we good enough to beat Green Bay.' We all agreed that we were, and we went on to prepare for that league opener in July already." Bettis, the Pack's first draft choice in 1955, told his audience how much he liked living in Green Bay, pointing out: "They can trade me out of Green Bay, but they can't move me out and that goes for the Fox River Valley, too."
PACKERS BAT .714 IN ROOKIE SIGNING
FEB 9 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The returns are all in on the Packers' 1964 draft list. With the exception of three spring sports participants. Green Bay came out of the draft, held in Chicago last Dec. 2, with 23 players. Only 17 of them could be signed for delivery next fall because six of the draftees were junior eligibles who are earmarked for '65. Of those 17, the Packers signed 10 and lost 4 to clubs in the AFL. A healthy signing average of .714. The Bays can up their signee total to 13 come next June when spring sports are finished for tackle John McDowell of St. John's (Minn.), the 9th choice; back Dwain Bean of North Texas State, 12th; and end Tom O'Grady of Northwestern, 14th. Pat Peppler, the Packers' chief talent scout, was faced with fierce bidding from AFL clubs in his first Packer season. Peppler said, "We felt from the start that we had a good draft but now it looks even better to us. We are real pleased." Pat sweated through the marathon draft with Coach Vince Lombardi and Aide Phil Bengtson - a 22-hour ordeal, at one sittin'. The Packers lost their second, two thirds and 17th picks to the AFL. The big lossee was the No. 2 choice, Jon Morris, the Holy Cross center, who was figured on as a substitute behind Jim Ringo. The top junior eligible was fourth choice Paul Costa of Notre Dame, a giant of a fullback at 6-4 and 230 pounds. Of the 10 signees, four are tackles - topped by first choice Lloyd Voss, the 245-pounder from Nebraska. The others are Steve Wright of Alabama, 250-pound fifth choice; Jack Petersen of Omaha, 275 pounds, 11th; and Jack Mauro of Northern Michigan, 247 pounds, 13th. With the loss of Forrest Gregg - not to mention Ken Iman, the aforementioned big men become key figures. Others in this group are center Ken Bowman of Wisconsin, 230-pounder; guard Mike Hicks of Marshall, a 235-pounder; and defensive end John Baker of Virginia State Union, 235. The Packers are stocking up with free agents and junior eligibles selected in 1963. The ace in this group is Dennis Claridge, the Nebraska quarterback who helped the Cornhuskers beat Auburn in the Orange Bowl...And
ace in this group is Dennis Claridge, the Nebraska quarterback who helped the Cornhuskers beat Auburn in the Orange Bowl...And speaking about futures, the Bart Starrs have named their new son, Bret Michael. The newcomer weighed in at 9 pounds and three ounces. Let's see, Bart Jr. will be ready to QB the Pack about 1978 and Bret in 1983...Lionel Aldridge is spending the offseason with Uncle Sam. He started a six-month tour in the Army (Fort Knox, KY) the other day. He'll be out in time for his sophomore season...PERSONAL MENTION: Jim Taylor visited here the other day en route to Canada where he made a personal appearance. Max McGee showed up last week and promptly tried his hand at skiing with Jess Whittenton at Hidden Valley. The local hospitals have been alerted...Coach Lombardi will be on vacation most of the month. Business manager Verne Lewellen is visiting his son, Richard, in Hawaii...Packer coaches will start searching the southern football camps the end of this month already...Bob Waterfield may return to coaching. The former Ram star and head coach said in LA he's interested...We always knew this (tsk tsk) but Neilsen, the national TV rating firm, says the playoff between the Packers and Browns had twice the audience of the Orange Bowl game. The pro clash rated 38.1 with 19,550,000 homes against the 19.6 rating (10,050,000 homes) of the Orange Bowl game. The Rose Bowl had the best audience, 47.7, with 24,470,000 homes.
PACKERS' MOSS SIGNS AS COACH
FEB 19 (Charleston, WV) - Green Bay Packer scout Perry Moss was signed Monday to coach Charleston's new team in the United Football League.
HALAS TO BE FETED...HERE
FEB 20 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - It can only happen here in Green Bay! The leader of the Packers' oldest and bitterest opponent, the Bears, will be toasted at the Elks Club. The Green Bay Elks Club, that is. The object of our town's affection, of course, is Papa George Halas, founder-owner-coach of the Bears, who will be honored Monday night, April 13, for his contribution to pro football and assistance to the Packers down through the years. And to make this event strictly authentic, Vince Lombardi will serve as honorary chairman. Just to make certain the program isn't all Chicago, a hometowner also will be honored. That will be Lee H. Joannes, one of the early founders of the Packers who served as Packer president for 17 years, starting in 1929. This will be the Elks Club's third sports banquet. Lombardi was honored in a gigantic affair in the spring of '62 and the following fall Curly Lambeau, founder of the Packers and coach for 30 years, was toasted. Halas and the Packers have been fighting each other since for all-time since they are both "charters" in the NFL - the only two left, by the way. While the two clubs went at each other with everything but daggers on the field, they were friendly off the field - especially in the past 15 years. Lambeau and Halas, who played against each other, developed a few scars along the way but even these were patched up in the offseason. Halas has been called upon to assist Green Bay twice and he responded immediately. He participated in a finance drive for the Packers in the early 1930, and then returned to help sell Green Bay fandom on building a new stadium in 1956. Lombardi sounded the keynote of the Packer fans' feelings for Halas when he said, "I'm really happy for Papa George. He's a fine man" a few minutes after suffering a 26-7 defeat at the hands of the Bears last season. The Bears were Packerland's sentimental favorite in the championship game last December vs. the Giants. The Halas affair will be open to the public and tickets will go on sale shortly, it was announced today by Co-Chairman Ken Boers, exalted ruler of the Elks, and Jerry Libman, exulted ruler-elect. Lloyd Larson, sports editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel, will be master of ceremonies.
GREGG QUITS COLLEGE JOB, REJOINS PACKERS
FEB 23 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Forrest Gregg, who recently was hired by Tennessee as a football offensive line coach, has resigned and will continue to play for the Packers. The Green Bay tackle, a perennial all-NFL choice, said in Knoxville Saturday the Packers made him an offer "too good to turn down." Doug Dickey, Tennessee head coach, said he realized when Gregg was hired that there was a possibility he might change his mind. "We had an understanding if he stayed through the spring practice he'd stay for the fall," Dickey said. "But he came to me with this new offer and I couldn't have turned it down either." Dickey said he hopes to have a replacement before spring practice begins in April. There was no official comment Saturday from the Packers, since Coach Vince Lombardi is on vacation and Gregg's offensive line coach, Bill Austin, is in Arizona scouting. But this was the best news the Packers heard thus far this season since it keeps intact the club's strong starting offensive line. The Packers already have lost their top relief man in the line, Ken Iman, who went to the Rams in the Zeke Bratkowski deal. Gregg announced that he was retiring to take the Tennessee job two or three days before the Packers' final game, the Playoff Bowl in Miami Jan. 5. At 30, Gregg is well under the retirement age. The 245-pound tackle will be back for his eighth season.
PACKERS FACE CARDS IN OPENER AUG. 8
FEB 23 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Four of the Packers' five exhibition games are set. Latest to get public attention is the Packer-Cardinal game in New Orleans Saturday night, Aug. 8. The game was announced today by the promoting New Orleans Professional Football Club Inc., which put on a doubleheader a year ago and then discarded the idea for this year. The club will sponsor another pro game - the Bears vs. the Cowboys Sept. 5. Both games are scheduled in Tulane Stadium. The Packers are playing one less exhibition than a year ago and the visit to New Orleans starts the program. The following Saturday night (Aug. 15) the Packers play the Giants in the Bishop's Charities game in City Stadium. The next Saturday night it will be the Packer-Bear warmup time - the Shrine game in Milwaukee County Stadium. The final non-leaguer is set for Cleveland Sept. 5 when the Bays meet the Browns in the nightcap of a doubleheader. The lone hole on the card is the weekend of Aug. 29 and that likely will involve Dallas and the Cotton Bowl. The league schedule, now being drawn up by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, is scheduled to start Sunday, Sept. 13 - two days earlier than last year. This promises to be a giant headache for Pete because the baseball season runs a week longer this year, finishing Oct. 4, and thus tying up some of the teams' home parks that much longer. The Braves close their season in Milwaukee Sunday, Oct. 4. The Braves are on the road the previous Sunday (Sept. 27) and they're home on Sept. 20. This creates no real problem for the Packers, who have another home part but consider the case of baseball-park teams like the Vikings, Colts, Bears, etc., who must play in enemy territory when the hosshide team is home. Rozelle has a bigger schedule headache than at anytime in the past - with or without the World Series, which probably won't start until Oct. 7...Saw the premier of this area's newest moving picture, "The Green Bay Packer Highlights of 1963," and discovered that the Bays' two losses to the Bears are not shown. How come? Paul Philosopher explains it this way: "These are highlights. Those losses were lowlights." Also missing was the Packers' victory over the Browns in the Playoff Bowl in Miami. Tom Miller, the Pack's tub thumper, explained that "we weren't proud of finishing second. So why would we show off a second place game." That goes for the Bear games, too. It's an excellent film. A real fast mover. Makes you appreciate Tom Moore. What a hitter he is and you see plenty of him. There's plenty of Bart Starr passing and Max McGee gets good billing. Defensively, the leading man is Dave Hanner. Old Hawg had himself a good season. The Wednesday Noon Optimist Club applauded throughout the film but saved the most for Herb Adderley's 99-yard touchdown run. The grid actions get a guy all keyed up for the real 1964 stuff. But, simmer down, the first scrimmage won't come off for another five months yet.
CARPENTER NAMED VIKING END COACH
FEB 24 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Lew Carpenter, the NFL's leading handyman, has been named offensive end coach of the Vikings, thus retiring as a Packer. This was announced today by Viking Coach Norm Van Brocklin in Minneapolis. Carpenter, who turned 31 last Jan. 12, replaces Darrel Brewster, the former Brown who retired to enter the construction business in Florida. He joins assistants Stan West, Harry Gilmer, Walt Yowarski and Tom McCormick. Lew came to the Packers in the Bill Howton-Bill Quinlan trade with the Browns in 1959 - the first deal performed by Coach Vince Lombardi. Carpenter played five positions in his five Packer years - left and right halfback, fullback and the two end spots, and he could step into quarterback in a pinch. He saw considerable action in 1959 when he replaced Jim Taylor after the big fullback burned his hand and foot. "Louie" played 10 years of pro football, coming with the Lions in '53. He played there two more years and then spent '56 in service. He was traded to the Browns in 1957. "We're all happy for Lew, but sorry to see him leave the Packers," Packer publicity director Tom Miller said today, echoing the sentiment of the folks at the Packer office.
DENNIS CLARIDGE SIGNS WITH PACK
FEB 27 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Dennis Claridge, a football and dental prospect, has signed with the Packers. This was verified today by Pat Peppler, the Packers' personnel director, after Claridge revealed the signing in Lincoln, Neb., Wednesday. The University of Nebraska quarterback, drafted as a junior eligible a year ago, was signed by Tom Fears, Packer end coach, on his current scouting tour of the west. Claridge, who led his team to the Big Eight and Orange Bowl championships, said, "I've always wanted to take a crack at pro football and the Packers are making it worthwhile. They did not make me a fantastic offer, but it was a good one." The toothy signal-caller was dead set on combining a dental career with pro football and, as Pepper put it, "We had more competition from dental school plans than we did with the rival league." Claridge was drafted by Oakland of the American League. Claridge said he was enrolled in Nebraska's dental school and will "continue toward my degree during the offseason." He had also considered attending the University of Tennessee, a school many NFL athletes attend part-time so to speak in search of their degrees for a chosen professional such as medicine and dentistry. Claridge said he became "an avid Packer fan" while watching them on television and will be "very happy to play any position when I join the club." Being from Robbinsdale, Minn,. Claridge was virtually raised on the Packers. Before the Vikings were created, Packer league game telecasts reached into Minnesota. Peppler said Claridge is being "thought of as now as a quarterback," adding that "the other possibility is offensive halfback. He's big and strong and a good runner." Claridge joins a full corps of quarterbacks when he reports in July - veterans Bart Starr, John Roach and
Zeke Bratkowski and rookie Terry Zang, who spent the '63 season on the taxi squad. Claridge got acquainted with the Packers when the two teams stayed at the same hotel in Miami Beach in January - the Bays for the Playoff Bowl and the Cornhuskers for the Orange Bowl. While the prospect drooled with the prospect of playing with the Packers, he never stopped talking about the dentistry. "The boy was so serious about dentistry that for a while it looked like we couldn't get him. However, we showed him how he could play with the Packers and still go to school," Peppler said. Pat also reported that the Packers are hopeful of getting Tom Brown, a second round draftee last year who played with the Washington Senators instead. Brown spent most of the season in the minors and is now considering switching to pro football. "I know I'd be criticized for switching from one sport to another," Brown said the other day, "but I have to look out for myself. It's tough to keep two homes on what I make in baseball."
HINKLE, MICHALSKE ELECTED TO HALL OF FAME
FEB 28 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Clarke Hinkle and Mike Michalske - a fullback and his guard - are the newest Packers in the National Professional Football Hall of Fame. They were named Thursday along with George Trafton, Bear center and onetime Packer line coach; Ed Healey, Bear tackle; Jimmy Conzelman, player, coach and executive; Link Lyman, Bear tackle; and Art Rooney, founder of the Steelers. The seven new members will be officially installed in pro football's permanent shrine in Canton, O., Sunday, Sept. 6, as part of a football weekend including a game between the Steelers and Colts. Hinkle and Michalske, the first Packers in their position and often rated sure bets to make it big in present-day football, join four other Packers in the Hall. Elected a year ago were Curly Lambeau, Don Hutson, Cal Hubbard and Johnny Blood. Hinkle was rated as the fiercest competitor in all football history and the Packers' greatest all-around player. He was an all-pro four times, led the league in scoring and field goal kicking and set scoring and ground-gaining records that only new rules wiped out. He was a top-flight punter and one of the better defensive players in the league. Hinkle, known as the Bucknell Beauty, led the nation in scoring as a senior in college, once getting 50 points in three quarters, and stole the show in the 1932 East-West game, after which he was eagerly signed by Lambeau. Hinkle played 10 seasons with the Pack, 1932 through '41. Michalske, known as "The Guard of the Century," played his first pro football with the old New York Yankees before joining the Packers in '27. At Penn State ('22-26), Mike helped make Lighthorse Harry Wilson a great runner, setting new standards for blocking. Michalske was signed by Red Grange for his Yankees, along with C.C. Pyle, for the 1927-28 seasons and then came to Green Bay in '29 to lead the Packers to three straight titles. He played his last season in '37. Hinkle, reached at his home in Toronto, O., said, "I'm thrilled like anyone. It's the highest honor I can get and I'm humble in thinking that they picked me. It certainly was good fortune to be picked in the second round." Now 54, Clarke said, 'My weight is about the game now as it was when I played and I feel good. I played between 196 and 212 and now I go about 207. You can tell them up there that I still love the Packers. I follow them closely on television and in the papers," he said. Asked about the present-day fullbacks, Hinkle said, "they are different kinds of players now and no comparison can be made. It was routine for me to kickoff, kick the extra points and the field goals, carry the ball and then stay there and back up the line. I think there are some great fullbacks now and Jim Taylor is certainly one of them. When I give a speech on occasion, I usually tell 'em that I played 20 years of pro football - 10 years on offense and 10 years on defense." Hinkle, single, lives alone in the family home. His mother died three years ago. He is now a lubrication engineer for American Lubricant in Dayton, Ohio. Michalske couldn't be reached today at his home in Tyler, Tex. Rooney is the only one of the new Hall of Famers who did not play organized pro football. However, he saw considerable semi-pro action. Conzelman's selection posed a problem. The white-maned dynamic Missourian is a member of the 14-man Board and he never left the conference chamber during the deliberations. How could the selectors maintain their self-imposed requirement for a unanimous vote and yet override Conzelman's stubbornly modest veto? The question was solved when his name suddenly was paired without warning with Rooney's for a voice vote. Conzelman sat in open-jawed silence as his fellow selectors acted - voting both him and Rooney as an entry into the Hall by acclamation. The elections actually took play in Chicago last Dec. 28.
PAUL HAS 'SUFFERED' DURING SUSPENSION
FEB 28 (Louisville, KY) - Paul Hornung nervously tapped a well-polished toe in an off-stage dressing room. His usual happy-go-lucky demeanor had been sobered by a question: What's your attitude about the possibility your NFL suspension will be lifted? Hornung was draped in a frown and his own thoughts momentarily. Then he answered with moving sincerity that at first blush seems foreign to his exuberant nature. He said: "I hope and pray it happens. It's been a real, long year." He said he had not been contacted by NFL officials concerning his suspension for gambling involvement during the 1962-63 season. He added that he has received no indication if or when he will be reinstated. "I can't find the proper words to tell you how anxious I am to get back to the Green Bay Packers," he declared. Hornung has kept busy and obviously has done well financially during his grounded period. But his close friends report money making hasn't relieved the torment that has plagued him. One man commented "Paul has kept busy at a number of projects. And the throws himself into them with typical Hornung enthusiasm. He's never neutral about anything. But Paul Hornung considers himself first and foremost a professional football player. That's his life and he has suffered - I mean really suffered - because he couldn't be out there with the Pack." Keeping busy for Hornung has included a five-days-a-week sports commentary show on WHAS radio in Louisville and a Sunday sports show on WHAS-TV. He has traveled over much of the eastern half of the United States making banquet speeches. And he has made a number of personal appearances in an advertising-promotion capacity for a large sportswear manufacturer (Jantzen). Also he and William H. King of Louisville are partners in a corporation promoting sport and boat shows and just this week handled closed circuit television of the Clay-Liston fight in Louisville, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Just how far this activity falls short of the satisfaction he gets from football is evident in two statements Hornung made during the interview for this article: "It's actually painful for me to watch the Packers on television. I don't like to watch any football game!" And: "I work out at the YMCA three or four times a week and have been all along. I'm staying in condition." He looks to be in good condition, too. He reported his weight was 220, about the same
out at the YMCA three or four times a week and have been all along. I'm staying in condition." He looks to be in good condition, too. He reported his weight was 220, about the same heft he had when he was playing with the Packers. "Last week I weighed 216, but I guess I overate at a weekend banquet and put on four extra pounds," he said. "I'll get that off this week." Of primary interest to Packer fans is Hornung's report on his right knee, which was injured early in the 1962-63 season and sharply restricted his play. "The knee is fine now," Hornung said. "It doesn't give me a bit of trouble. It's as good as ever. I guess you might say that's one good thing that came out of the suspension." Particularly heartening to Hornung is the fact that he still gets letters from fans every week and practically all write saying "they want me to be reinstated."...WANTS TO REPAY FANS: He added: "That's a great morale booster. And I was very pleased at the fans' response when I appeared at Green Bay, Sheboygan, Madison and Milwaukee. The people were for me 100 percent. All of Wisconsin gave me a great welcome. I want an opportunity to repay the faith the fans have shown in me." Hornung expects to be the first Packer called back by Coach Vince Lombardi. The reason is that Hornung, because of the long layoff, will need extra conditioning and football sharpening. He will report a month earlier...if. That call-back can't come too soon for Paul Hornung.
PACKER QUARTRBACK CORPS MOST VETERAN IN NFL - 21 SEASONS
MAR 1 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers lead the league in veteran quarterbacks. Three of 'em with a total service of 21 seasons! Bart Starr has completed eight pro seasons - all with his home team, the Packers. John Roach, first understudy to Starr, is a six-year pro and five were at QB. Zeke Bratkowski, brought in last season when Starr broke his hand, is an eight-year veteran - five with the Bears, two and a half with the Rams and one-half with the Pack. Vince Lombardi never was a three-veteran quarterback coach until the emergency last year and he doesn't figure to change this year. One of the aides to Starr likely will be traded off. The Packers stand a good chance of carrying a third QB this year, however - due to the expanded limit of 40 players, up three from a year ago. Thus, the training of an understudy to Starr may start this year and the two possibilities on hand will be Terry Zang, on the taxi squad last year, and Dennis Claridge, the highly-touted runner-QB from Nebraska who signed last week. Three veteran quarterbacks may seem like a lot of chiefs but as somebody pointed out the other day they're a good commodity. QB price tags are generally higher. No other team has three veteran quarterbacks. The Eagles can match Green Bay if Ralph Guglielmi decides to answer the call and that isn't likely. They also have Sonny Jurgensen, 7 years, and King Hill, 6. Guglielmi has 7, making 20 in all- 1 under the Pack trio. The Packer threesome, of course, is led by Starr who ranks with John Unitas and Y.A. Tittle as the top three in the game. Starr and Unitas have two world titles under their belts while Bart had an additional division crown. Tittle has won three straight division titles. Starr, Roach and Bratkowski have thrown for a total of 21,470 yards - slightly over 12 miles. Starr leads in all categories - top figures being a 62.5 completion percentage in '62; 178 completions in '62; 2,438 yards the same year; and 16 TD passes in '61. Starr just turned 30 last Jan. 9, while Roach will be 31 March 26. Bratkowski is 32, and he'll turn 33 next Oct. 20. Roach indicated a year ago the 1963 season might be his last, but he didn't have retirement on his mind after the campaign ended in San Francisco last December. The skinny Texan got his first chance to play as a Packer when Starr was injured and he apparently liked it. Until Starr's injury, Roach had thrown only 16 passes in two Packer seasons. Such is the lot of a relief QB!...Rumors were rampant that the suspensions of Paul Hornung and Alex Karras would be lifted this past week. But it didn't happen. Originally, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle had planned to make an announcement by the end of February. Jim Kensil, director of publicity for the NFL, said Saturday that "Pete has been awfully busy - especially with the schedule. Right now it's real indefinite, but he'll have something to say when he can get to it." Rozelle's schedule job has been complicated by the Friday night plans - not to mention the objection to it on the part of colleges and high schools. A decision on Hornung and Karras certainly will be forthcoming sometime in March.
SCOOTER MCLEAN, FORMER COACH OF PACKERS, DIES
MAR 4 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Scooter McLean died at 4:30 this morning at University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. He had fought a losing battle against cancer since last fall. McLean, 48, was the Packers' fourth head coach. He coached the club in 1958 after serving as backfield coach for three years under Coach Gene Ronzani and four under Liz Blackbourn. Scooter and Huge Devore were co-coaches of the Bays for the last two games in 1953. McLean resigned as Packer head coach in December of 1958 after the Bays finished with their worst record in history, one win, 10 losses and one tie. A month later, Vince Lombardi took over the Bays as head coach and general manager. Scooter stepped from the Packer job to the Lions' backfield coaching position held open by George Wilson, who had been a close friend of McLean since their playing day with the Chicago Bears. McLean remained with the Lions and the games he enjoyed the most were Detroit's bitter battles with the Packers. The last game he participated in an active way was the Lion-Packer game in Milwaukee last Sept. 22. Ailing most of the summer, McLean entered the hospital after that game. Scooter watched the Packer-Lion 13 to 13 tie game in Detroit last Thanksgiving Day via television. Ironically, Scooter's first game against the Lions as Packer head coach was a 13-13 tie. McLean had never given up hope, according to Bud Erickson, publicity director of the Lions, although he had been in a coma the last two weeks. About a month ago, members of the Detroit staff sat with McLean around the clock to give his wife, Alice, a chance to spend some time at home with their four children. Aware of the odds against him, McLean told this writer last Thanksgiving Day that "I'll lick this thing yet. It's like football - you never give up. I'm fighting it and all I can do is hope." A New Englander, the likeable McLean played college football at St. Anselm's in Manchester, N.H., and then put in eight years of halfbacking with the Bears - four of them championship seasons, ending in '47. He was head football coach at Lewis College in Lockport, Ill., for three years before joining the Packers in 1951 when he
replaced Ray Nolting. Scooter is survived by his wife and four children - Mike, 10; Maureen, 9; Patty, 7; and George, 4. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at First Methodist Church in Birmingham, Mich., and burial will be in Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens. The body will not be shown. Mrs. McLean requested that in lieu of flowers friends make donations to the Ray McLean Scholarship Fund through the Lions office, 1401 Michigan Ave., Detroit.
PACKER DRAFTEE BROWN DECIDES TO STAY IN BASEBALL
MAR 4 (Pompano Beach, FL) - Tommy Brown turned aside an offer from the Green Bay Packers Tuesday for another trial with the Washington Senators. Brown was the second draft choice of the Packers after the 1962 college grid season but passed up football to sign with the Senators for a reported bonus of $22,000. A football-baseball star at Maryland, Brown notified the Senators' management he would be in uniform today when the last of the squad reports for spring training. He broke into the Washington lineup in the opening day game last year but had his troubles at the plate and after several weeks was sent to the minor leagues. He batted .147 in 61 games with the Senators, including a late season look.
PACKER OBJECTIVE SAME, TITLE: VINCE
MAR 6 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Vince Lombardi is back at his desk after a month's vacation. Relaxed, tanned and ready for his sixth year at the Packer helm. So what's for 1964, coach? Not being a clairvoyant, Lombardi had to pass on that but he notes that "the objective is the same - the championship. There is no second place. There is only one place - first." The Packers, in losing only two games last year and just missing the title, had what you'd call a "good season," but Vince reminded that "unless you win, it isn't a good season." The first major task is signing the players and this is never easy. It can be complicated some this year by the club's increased television revenue and by the fact that the club didn't win the championship last year. Actually, they are conflicting factors. Lombardi, shaking his head at the thought of the signing derby, said, "I haven't been in touch with them (the players) yet." It's fairly quiet at the Packer office these days. Most of the coaches, except Lombardi and defense backfield coach Norb Hecker, are on scouting tours. But the wheels of the Packers' newest season are starting to move. And the gridiron even seems ready. The "big" snow of the last couple of days whitened only the south end...There was good news from Milwaukee Thursday. Season tickets for the Pack's three league games there are sold out. More than 40,000 have been sold and the remaining tickets have been held back - to be made available on a first-come basis starting Aug. 17. "Our season ticket holders are not greatly concerned what games will be played here," said Col. Ockie Kruger, the Packers' man in Milwaukee. "Their demand is for additional season tickets." The sellout assures the Packers of packed crowds in County Stadidium, which seats 44,618 for football. Despite this figure, the Bays drew crowds of 45,915, 46,923 and 45,905 last year....Tom Brown is awaiting advice from an attorney before deciding whether he will sign his contract with the Washington Senators. General Manager George Selkirk assumed Brown, a former star athlete at the University of Maryland, had agreed to terms when the first baseman-outfielder decided to report to spring training at Pompano Beach, Fla. But Brown wants to be sure he will be free to quit baseball and report to the Packers in July if he is not satisfied with his baseball progress at that time. Brown was drafted as the Packers' second choice after the 1962 college season but signed as a bonus player with the Senators a year ago.
MCLEAN DESERVED A BETTER FATE THAN 1 WIN, 10 LOSSES, 1 TIE
MAR 8 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - It is unfortunate that the Packers' worst season must be attached to Scooter McLean. Scooter deserved a better fate than one win, 10 losses and one tie. Yet, the fact that McLean was so popular and such a nice guy led to his downfall in his lone try as a head coach in pro football. Scooter inherited the Packers from Liz Blackbourn who guided the Bays to a 3-9 season in the fourth and final year of his reign. McLean's first move was to bring the Bays home for preseason training. He worked out an arrangement with St. Norbert College to headquarter there. The Packers got off to a good training start and some of the veterans had high hopes that a "winner" was in the offing. Scooter had put the players "on their honor" as to curfew and all the other little but vastly important rules. This was okay for a good bit of the training season and, for some, part of the league campaign, but too many of the players took advantage of easy-going and nice-guy Scooter, who just couldn't find it in his heart to blister his players - much less fine them. Some of them admitted - as an excuse, of course - that they couldn't take orders from one with whom they had been so buddy-buddy with the previous years. The Packers gradually disintegrated as a possible power early that year and the inevitable injuries set in as too many players slacked off in their training. The toughest disciplinary job McLean had was suspending Len Ford, the onetime Cleveland great. This was really against Scooter's nature, and he waited until the day before the season windup in Los Angeles before suspending him. He had planned it earlier. Scooter made up his mind that head coaching wasn't his cup of tea and he resigned shortly after the final game and became backfield coach of the Lions - a job he actually could have taken after the '57 season. McLean departed as the most popular losing coach the Packers ever had. Vince Lombardi took over the Packers a month later and disciplined and skillfully maneuvered them into a winner and champion. Scooter became a valuable assistant under his long-time friend and Bear roommate, George Wilson, in Detroit. And a couple of years later Scooter laughed about "my year there." Several hours after the Packers lost the 1960 championship game to the Eagles in Philadelphia, Scooter pitched a bouquet toward Vince. "I guess he knows how to handle the boys," McLean laughed and allowed that the Lions would give Green Bay trouble next year. Which they did. The two clubs split in 1961 and 1962 and last fall the Pack won the first and tied the second...PLAYING DAYS: Wilson revealed the other day that McLean "didn't want to take the top Packer job. He wanted to come here and I wanted him. But I told him 'you've got to take it because head coaching jobs don't come along very often.'" Telling about McLean's playing days, Wilson said, "Carl Brumbaugh brought him up. I remember Scooter didn't get into a preseason game until the last one when Brummy asked George Halas to give
the kid a chance. Scooter was sent back on punts. He returned the first one for a 70-yard touchdown and the next time came back 60 yards to score. He was a scoot back and he was also a great receiver. He could do all right on defense. He was always on Don Hutson and did a good job but oh how Mac beefed. It was all in fun."
STARR HAD FEWEST INTERCEPTIONS, 10
MAR 8 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Bart Starr, who missed four games with a broken hand, surrendered his passing championship to Y.A. Tittle during the 1963 season, according to final official passing figures released by the NFL Saturday. Starr finished in seventh place in the standings based on a percentage of completions, touchdown passes, percent of interceptions, and average yards gained. Tittle, the Giants' balding veteran, won the championship for the first time in his 14-year career. He led in three of the four categories - a record 36 touchdown passes, a 60.2 percentage of completions, and 8.57 yards gained per attempt. Starr won the distinction of throwing the fewest interceptions among the rated passers, 10, in 244 attempts. The Packers finished fourth in the team passing figures, while the Giants ranked first, Baltimore second, and St. Louis third...SIX HB PASSES: John Roach, who did the passing in four games, wasn't rated among the top 15 since he threw only 84 passes. Zeke Bratkowski hurled 93, also missing the ranked group. The Packers threw only six halfback passes (against 13 a year ago), but completed five of them, two for touchdowns. Tom Moore, working at left half in place of Paul Hornung, completed three out of four for 99 yards and one TD, while Elijah Pitts hit two for two for 41 yards and one TD. The 14 teams gained 36,406 yards passing - over 20 miles, on 2,791 completions in 5,415 attempts for a percentage of 51.5. The Pack's completion percentage was 51.9.
DOWLER'S '53' BEST CATCH TITLE SINCE '56
MAR 9 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Boyd Dowler won the Packers' pass receiving championship in 1963 with 53 catches, official NFL figures disclosed today. Bobby Joe Conrad of the pass-happy Cardinals won the league pass catching crown with 73 catches, replacing the Redskins' Bobby Mitchell, who had 72 in '62. Mitchell finished second this year with 69. Dowler actually led the Bays in receiving for the second time in his five years - plus a share. He topped pass catchers as a rookie in 1959 with 32 and wound up as the NFL's rookie of the year. He shared the lead with Max McGee in '62, each getting 49. Boyd's 1963 total was the highest Packer total since Billy Howton nailed 55 in 1956. His total was ninth in the league. Dowler finished up with 901 yards, an average of 17 per catch, and six touchdowns. McGee ranked second last year with 39, while Ron Kramer, out
two games with injuries, caught 32. Tom Moore finished off with 23 catches while Jim Taylor caught 13, Elijah Pitts 9, Marv Fleming 7 in relief of R. Kramer, and Earl Gros, Lew Carpenter and Bob Jeter 1 each. McGee led the Packers in 1961 with 51 catches and in 1960 with 38. Dowler caught 30 in '60 and 36 in '61. In his three consecutive years as a regular, Ron Kramer caught 35 in '61, 37 in '62 and 32 last year. Mitchell grabbed the lion's share of league honors by leading all receivers in two categories, finishing second in another, and figuring in the year's only pass play that goes into the books as a record. Ratings are based on total receptions, but Conrad's 73 catches were good for only 967 yards, an average gain of 13.2 yards...59 SHORT OF RECORD: Mitchell's 69 catches gained 1,436 yards, only 59 short of the record set by Elroy Hirsch of Los Angeles in 1951. And when Mitchell took a 99-yard touchdown pass from George Izo against Cleveland Sept. 15, they tied a record set by another Washington pair, Frank Filchock and Andy Farkas, in 1939. Mitchell also had the best one-game catching performance of the season, 11 receptions for 218 yards and two TDs against Pittsburgh, Nov. 17. His average of 20.8 yards per catch was second only to Buddy Dial's 21.6 average for Pittsburgh on 60 receptions. Terry Barr of Detroit and Gary Collins of Cleveland each made 13 touchdown catches, one more than Sonny Randle of St. Louis.
NORTON SET ALL-TIME PACKER PUNTING MARK
MAR 11 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Cold off the streets of Dallas, Jerry Norton came into Green Bay last fall and turned in a record breaking punting performance for the Packers. Norton probably has punted for a better average than the 44.7-yard average he produced on 51 kicks for the Pack, but it turned out to be the best one-year average in Packer history. This is reported with due respect to Verne Lewellen, the famed Bay punter who did his kicking before statistics were kept. The best previous Packer average was 44.1 by Body Dowler in 1961. Dowler's figure eclipsed a 43.2 by Dick Deschaine in 1955. The veteran Norton was obtained in a trade with the Cowboys shortly before the league opener vs. the Bears last September. Jerry broke in with five boots for an average of 48.6. Norton finished sixth in the league, which was topped by Yale Lary of Detroit, who had an average of 48.9. Lary and Gary Collins of Cleveland turned in the longest punts of the year, 73 yards, according to official NFL figures announced today. Lary replaced San Francisco's Tommy Davis as the league's champion. Only two punts were blocked in the league all season - both on Davis, who still finished fourth with an average of 45.4
PACK, TAYLOR TIPPED BY BROWNS AND BROWN
MAR 12 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers and Jim Taylor ran second to the Browns and Jim Brown, respectively, in the manly art of rushing during the 1963 season. Official NFL figures released today show that the Browns and Brown replaced the Packers and Taylor as rushing champions. Cleveland, No. 2 in the Eastern Division, rushed for 2,639 yards in 460 attempts while Green Bay, No. 2 in the West, roared for 2,248 yards in 504 attempts. The Browns averaged 5.7 yards per try, the Pack 4.5. Green Bay won the rushing title in '62 with 2,460 yards. The Pack led the league in TDs rushing, 22, while the Browns tied Chicago for fourth with 15 each. Brown won the individual crown with 1,863 yards in 291 attempts - a fantastic average of 6.4. Taylor, recovering from hepatitis, was the only other rusher to break a thousand, totaling 1,08 yards in 248 attempts for an average of 4.1. Taylor broke Brown's string of five straight rushing titles in 1962, gaining 1,474 yards in 272 attempts for 5.4. Taylor now has boosted his all-time (six seasons) Packer total to 5,59 yards in 1,165 attempts, an average of 4.8. Tom Moore finished eighth in the league in his first season as a "regular," gaining 658 yards in 132 attempts, for an average of 5.0. The total boosted his all-time (four years) Packer total to 1,574 yards in 350 attempts, average 4.5. He's now 11th on the
all-time list. The Packers' backup rushers were Elijah Pitts and Earl Gros, who gained 212 and 203 yards, respectively. Pitts averaged 3.9 and Gros 4.2.
OH THE DAIRY BOWL! PACK POINT SKEIN ENDED
MAR 15 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Some 20 years ago we suggested that the Packers play a Dairy Bowl game in Madison's Camp Randall Stadium. The Packers and our state's dairy products were hot items at the time - just as they are now. The rub, of course, was that the Big Ten had a rule against the pros (that was next to a dirty word in amateur football circles in those days) playing on the hallowed soil of the member schools. Being a milk drinker, a Packer fan and a cheese cutter, we felt that somehow the two industries should get together, break down the opposition to using Camp Randall and play a game there. Silly boy. Just the other day the Big Ten agreed to consider lifting its pro ban. We celebrated with a quart of milk, a dish of cottage cheese and a cheese sandwich. Here was a chance to haul out the Dairy Bowl. Just think: The Shrine Classic, the Bishop's Charities Game, and now the Dairy Bowl in Camp Randall, which has a seating capacity of 64,345 - the biggest in the state. We'll just put away the Dairy Bowl idea for another 20 years...Wilie Wood and Elijah Pitts called for 16 fair catches of punts between 'em last season. Wood put up the don't-tackle sign nine times. St. Louis led the league with 26 fair catches, 10 more than the Pack, and Cardinal Bill Gambrell was the individual leader with 15...Ben (Mount) Wilson, the Rams' strong fullback, is rated by Coach Harland Svare as "second only to Jim Taylor." But Wilson quit after just one season to turn full attention to dental school...San Francisco is concerned over the availability of Bill Kilmer, the versatile halfback who sat out last season after suffering a severe leg fracture in an automobile accident. Dr. Lloyd Milburn, the 49er team physician, says Kilmer's immediate future is dependent on his physical condition in camp but "just because it is Kilmer I feel there's a good reason to believe he has an excellent chance of making a comeback."...The Packers' four-year string of individual scoring titles was snapped in '63. Don Chandler of the Giants won the title with 106 points. Jerry Kramer of the Pack was fourth with 91. The Packers had the scoring winner in 1959-60-61, when Paul Hornung win the title
on 94, 176 and 146 points, in that order, and in 1962 when Jim Taylor topped the league with 114. Green Bay had the point champ during 10 seasons since 1932, but only four different players are involved. Don Hutson won it five straight years starting in '40. Ted Fritsch captured the title with 100 points in 1946, and Hornung and Taylor followed. Hutson had scoring totals of 57, 95, 138, 117 and 85, starting in '40. That 138 stood up until Hornung's 176 in 1960.
BROWN 'COULD' QUIT BASEBALL, JOIN PACKERS
MAR 15 (Pompano Beach, FL) - Tom Brown, former University of Maryland star, is making a second bid to land a job with the Washington Senators, but he has left the door open to join the Green Bay Packers in training if he dissatisfied with his baseball progress. Brown, the Packers' No. 2 choice in the 1963 NFL draft, turned down a Green Bay offer to accept a baseball bonus from the Senators. He was a sensation in spring training last year, but then slumped, batting only .167 in 61 games with the Senators and .228 with their York, Pa., farm. Growing doubtful of his future in baseball, Brown said he tried to have an escape clause put in his contract with the Senators. Refused, he talked with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle and Charlie Segar, assistant to baseball commissioner Ford Frick. "I was assured there was no way I could be forced to play the whole baseball season," the young outfielder said. "I talked with Pete Rozelle and Charlie Segar, and both told me the contract was not binding. In other words, I can just quit baseball in July if I want to. That's all there is to it. So I just signed a regular baseball contract, and I'm going to give it a real good try." Asked if he definitely will join the Packers in training in July if things don't go right in baseball, Brown replied: "Let's put it this way: I could join them." Brown said that the Packers renewed negotiations with him last December. "They gave me about the same offer as a year ago," he said. "They said they would use me either at flanker or safety. I just talked with Packer scout Pat Peppler a week ago and told him what I was going to do."
PAUL HORNUNG, ALEX KARRAS REINSTATED
MAR 16 (New York) - Paul Hornung, star Green Bay Packers halfback, and Alex Karras, bruising defensive tackle of the Detroit Lions, were restored to good standing by the NFL today, after having been suspended nearly a year ago for betting on football games. NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle announced today they had been reinstated after separate reviews of their suspensions and personal discussions with the two players. They were suspended April 17, 1963, after both had admitted betting on their teams to win certain games and on some games in which they were not involved. In announcing the end of the indefinite suspensions, Rozelle said there was no evidence that either player ever bet against his own team or failed to do his best in any football game. Rozelle said he had established to his own satisfaction that each player now has a clear understanding of the seriousness of the offenses and of the circumstances that brought them about...CLEAR UNDERSTANDING: Rozelle's prepared statement said: "Taking into prime consideration the extent of their violations and also their conduct during the period of suspension, it is felt that the best interests of the league will be best served by termination of the suspensions." Hornung accepted gleefully today the news that he had been reinstated. "That's wonderful news," declared Hornung, awakened at the Miami Beach Hotel where he has been vacationing. "I feel very good about it." "I want to thank the public, especially the people in Wisconsin and the members of the players association, for being so nice to me during the time I was out," Hornung said. "The players backed me all the way."...RESOLUTION TO ROZELLE: At its January meeting at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the players association had sent a resolution to Rozelle, urging that the two players be returned to active duty. "I've thought about whether the layoff would bother me," Hornung said, "but I honestly don't think it will. I weigh 221 pounds, only about six pounds over my regular playing weight." He said he would report about two months early to Green Bay Coach Vince Lombardi for his reconditioning program. "I expect mainly to work on getting my legs in shape, doing a lot of running," he said...MET WITH ROZELLE: Hornung said he and Karras met with Rozelle 10 days ago in New York and they discussed the possibility of reinstatement. "Rozelle didn't tell us then what the decision would be," he said. "We just had a nice conversation." The suspension of two of the game's leading stars last spring rocked the sports world. At the same time, five other Detroit players were fined the maximum of $2,000 each for betting on one game and the Detroit club was fined a total of $4,000 for laxness in reporting information to the commissioner and in supervising its bench at games. Betting on games is flatly forbidden by a provision in NFL player contracts. Rozelle said there was no evidence that any of the players had bet against his own team or that they ever had attempted to influence the results of games. Both Hornung and Karras admitted they had made substantial bets of $50 or more over a period of several seasons. The other five - Joe Schmidt, Wayne Walker, John Gordy, Gary Lowe and Sam Williams - bet $50 each and Karras $100 on the Green Bay Packers to beat the New York Giants in the 1962 NFL championship game...NOT A BOOKMAKER: The players were in Miami for the Playoff Bowl game and were watching the championship game on television. The bets were placed through a Florida friend of Karras - not a bookmaker. The others said it was done on impulse, and that they never had bet on games at any other time. Hornung began betting in 1959 through a West Coast businessman but quit after the 1961 season. His bets on the Packers to win sometimes were as high as $500 though more often they were $50 or $100. The Lions were fined because Coach George Wilson failed to pass on information given by Detroit police about the associates of some Lion players and because sideline passes were issued to unauthorized persons. Police reported that Detroit players had been seen with men who were under surveillance as "known hoodlum." Wilson saw some inaccuracies in these reports and minimized their importance. While penalizing the Detroit club for failing to report this to the league office, Rozelle said the players were guilty of nothing worse than bad judgment.
PACKER COACH 'HAPPY' OVER REINSTATEMENT
MAR 16 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - 'I'm very, very happy!" That was Coach Vince Lombardi's first reaction to the reinstatement of Paul Hornung. And that was the exact feeling around Green Bay today as Packer fans looked forward to the return of the versatile star. Hornung was suspended April 17, 1963, along with Alex Karras of Detroit, for gambling and the two served 11 months (minus one day) of an indefinite suspension. Lombardi, asked if he thought the return of Hornung would give the Packers a lift, said, "If Paul comes back and plays as he did before, he will help us." The coach added that "what he does will depend entirely on Hornung."...START TRAINING EARLY: Lombardi was happily shook up when he heard the news via the Press-Gazette this morning. "Everybody knew about it before us," Vince said. The news was later flashed on the Packers' "twix" connection with the NFL office in New York. The story first came via the Associated Press and United Press International wires. Hornung is expected to come to Green Bay shortly to start training - perhaps two months before the start of regular drills late in May. Bart Starr, the Pack's veteran quarterback, said he was "real pleased and we're all happy for Paul. He conducted himself well during his suspension. My son (Bart Jr.) will be exceptionally pleased. Paul's his idol." Jerry Kramer, who did the kicking in Hornung's absence last season - plus during most of the '62 season when Hornung was hurt, said: "Beautiful, wonderful. We had expected it, but we kept hoping it would come soon. We're very happy for him. We all feel strongly about him, you know. We'll all welcome him back with open arms." Lew Carpenter, the Pack's versatile back who signed recently as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Vikings, said, "Paul deserved being reinstated. He certainly behaved himself. It's a good thing for the Packers." Henry Jordan, the Bays' veteran defensive tackle who watched Hornung play while on the bench, said that "we're all tickled pink. And I've just been thinking. We'll be in great shape this year. While Hornung is being driven, we'll be going right alongside him. The whole squad will benefit." Speaking for Joe Phan today, Mayor Roman Denissen had this to say: "As far as the Green Bay community is concerned, I think it might be the little shot in the arm our team needs to give it that old championship spirit."
PACK ADDED 95 POINTS WITH PAUL!
MAR 17 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers automatically added something like 95 points and 664 yards to their offense when Commissioner Pete Rozelle opened the pearly gates for Paul Hornung Monday. There's an "if" attached, of course. If Paul can pick up where he left off before the suspension kept him inactive for a year. Hornung account4ed for 3,985 yard in his six Packer campaigns this way: He rushed for 2,797 yards in 625 attempts - an average of 4.2 per carry. He completed 19 passes in 42 attempts for 334 yards. He caught 88 passes for 854 yards. Hornung scored 575 points on 44 touchdowns, 149 extra points and 54 field goals. In addition, he passed for five touchdowns. In three championship games, Hornung averaged 4.7 yards rushing, scored 26 points, caught seven passes and completed one pass in three attempts. When Hornung departed, several men were enlisted for his jobs. Tom Moore, his top sub, took over at left half and Jerry Kramer took over the field goal and extra point kicking - as both had done in most of '62 when Hornung injured his knee. And several men were employed in the ticklish business of kicking off. Whether Hornung can recapture those three jobs will depend, of course, on the "if" mentioned in Paragraph 2. There's a new thought regarding Hornung's kicking. The player limit has been increased from 37 to 40 players and this may afford the Packers the luxury of a kicking specialist, such as Gary Kroner who worked on the cab team last year. Coach Vince Lombardi never was particularly happy about having an offensive player do the kicking, the theory being that an offensive player might be exhausted and/or shaken up from running or blocking when it came time to boot the big field goal. A defensive player on the other hand would come in off the bench - rested and relaxed, Lombardi pointed out...Hornung is the only player on the Packer horizon who has a chance to crack the fantastic scoring record of Don Hutson, 825 points in 11 seasons. Paul needs 251 to do it. Incidentally, Hornung is now just 28 years of age. He'll turn 29 next Dec. 23...Packer players and fans were enthusiastic and happy over the reinstatement of Hornung (plus the Lions' Alex Karras) Monday morning. Guard Fuzzy Thurston commented. "I was thinking of retiring but not now - he needs my blocking. Paul was always a great inspiration to the rest of us. He had a way of keeping us loose." There was a feeling that the layoff of a year might have been a blessing in disguise for Hornung since it gave his bothersome knee a chance to heal up good. Hornung was in bad shape most of the '62 season, though he ran hard in the championship game. Hornung plans to report to Lombardi sometime in May to start a vigorous conditioning program...Karras said in Detroit today that the 11-month suspension made "a big change in my life. I know now that I have more in my future than ever before. There's a lot of time to think in a year." Big Alex was in Detroit over the weekend to complete the disposal of his interest in a downtown Detroit bar. He decided to give this up in hope it might aid his cause for reinstatement. He had been living with his wife and their two children in Clinton, Ia.
ADDERLEY THIRD IN KO RETURNS
MAR 17 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers' Herb Adderley finished third in kickoff returns last season, official NFL statistics revealed today. Adderley ran 20 back for an average of 29.9 yards, including one for 98 yards and a touchdown. Earl Gros finished 11th in the league with 11 returns for an average of 25.3. Other Packer returners were Lew Carpenter, 5 for 15.0; Willie Wood, 1 for 20; and Marv Fleming, Jerry Kramer and Frank Mestnik, 1 each for no return. Speedsters Abe Woodson and Gary Ballman finished one-two. Woodson, the little San Francisco scooter, won the NFL kickoff return title in 1963 for the third one, and Pittsburgh's Ballman was a close second on the basis of average distance of returns. The league average for runbacks, mostly by specialists, was a whopping 23.4 yards. Woodson, who set a couple of league records in 1962 by returning 37 kickoffs 1,157 yards, didn't reach those figures. But his 29 returns for 935 yards upped his average to 32.2 yards. Ballman's average in second was 31.7. Woodson scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns, one of 103 yards - no mean feat for an unsuccessful team. Tim Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles, the only other player to run back a kickoff 100 yards last season, edged Woodson in total yardage 945-935. Brown and Bill Butler of Minnesota each returned 33 kicks.
PACKERS' PASS STEALING DOWN
MAR 18 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers' pass interceptions dropped off from a league-leading high of 31 in 1962 to 22 in 1963, official NFL figures showed today. The champion Bears replaced the Pack as interception kings with 36. Green Bay still holds the interception record - 42 in 1943. Roosevelt Taylor of the Bears and Dick Lunch of the Giants wound up as co-champions with nine interceptions each - the same number the Packers' Willie Wood grabbed to win the '62 title. The record is 14 set by Dick Lane in 1952. Wood and Herb Adderley led the Packers with five steals each. Jess Whittenton followed with four and Hank Gremminger with three. Ray Nitschke stole two and Dan Currie, Bill Forester and Dave Hanner one each.
KUHARICH STEAL PAGE FROM VINCE
MAR 22 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Joe Kuharich, in his first season as coach of the Eagles, has stolen a page from Vince Lombardi's book on "How To Build Champions." Vince's first player move back in 1959 was to trade his best pass catcher for a giant lineman. This deal sent Billy Howton to the Browns in exchange for big Bill Quinlan - plus handyman Lew Carpenter. Kuharich traded his best pass receiver, one Tommy McDonald, to the Cowboys for two giant linemen and a kicking handyman, Sam Baker. Kuharich didn't get a "giant" with the experience of Quinlan, but both have potential for the future - John Meyers, a 286-pound defensive lineman, and Lynn Hoyem, a 253-pound offensive lineman. The Packers never really missed Howton but Quinlan did a fine job in tightening up the Bay defense for four years - before he wound up in Philadelphia, of all places. Green Bay's pass catching hole was ably filled by Boyd Dowler, who won rookie of the year honors. The Eagles will miss McDonald, of course, but Kuharich has a Dowler ready to back him up in Ron Goodwin of Baylor, who looked so good as a rookie last year. Cowboys Coach Tom Landry, the ex-Giants, has decided to fight fire with fire - most specifically competing with the Giants with their own weapon, a devastating aerial attack. The New Yorks, as you know, won the East the last two years chiefly on Y.A. Tittle's passes. The Cowboys picked off Buddy Dial from the Steelers earlier and now you've got to admit Landry has the makings of a strong air machine, providing Don Meredith can be protected. Dial and McDonald caught 101 passes between 'em last year, topped by Dial's 60. In fact, the Cowboys' top three receivers in '63 nailed 107 passes (Frank Clarke 43, Howton 23 and Lee Folkins 31). Thus, the Cowboys start with a 208-pass catch potential. The east sure will develop wild west football. Speaking about trades, Giat Coach Allie Sherman said the other day in the NY press that he may explore the possibility of getting Tom Moor or Earl Gros from the Packers now that the Packers have Paul Hornung in the fold. Sherman noted that Aaron Thomas and possibly a defense back could be offered for Mr. Moore. Come again, Al. If Howton is worth the likes of Quinlan, surely a back like Moore is worth the likes of a strong defensive lineman or linebacker....When Hornung heard in Miami Beach that his suspension had been lifted, he did call his mother, Mrs. Loretta Hornung, in Louisville. "My suspension had been hardest on mother," Paul said, adding: "She had already heard when I called her because the commissioner had called Louisville first."
STARR DENIES HIS SUPPORT FOR WALLACE
MAR 24 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Bart Starr, Green Bay Packer quarterback, today denounced as "a stinking, dirty shame" the releasing of a telegram to Gov. George Wallace, with the implication that I meant Starr was backing Wallace in the Wisconsin presidential primary. "I am just sick about it. I have no intention of getting involved in politics. In the second place, I certainly am not backing him (Wallace)," Starr told the Press-Gazette. Starr is a resident of Green Bay. He is a native of Montgomery, Ala., and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. The March 6 telegram was revealed by William Jones, press secretary to Wallce. Jones said the telegram was sent to Wallace when he was in Madison to file his list of delegates for the April ballot...TEXT OF TELEGRAM: Jones said the text of the telegram was: "Sorry we can't get to Madison today. Hope to greet you on your next visit up this way. If we may be of service, please let us know." Jones said it was from Starr and his wife, Cherry. Starr said today the wire was "nothing more than a courtesy" and was sent after
Appleton Post-Crescent (March 22nd 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (March 28th 1964)
an Alabama friend asked him to be in Madison and then suggested he send a telegram when Starr said he would not go to Madison. Starr said he did not remember whether the text released by Jones was what he had sent...PRINTED IN SOUTH: Starr said the report of his telegram had been printed in Alabama newspapers. A representative for him contacted Wallace "and I thought the matter was straightened out." Asked why he revealed the March 6 telegram only now, Jones said he received it "as I was boarding the plane that day to return to Alabama." Jones did not comment further.
NO ENDORSEMENT
MAR 24 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - At a morning press conference, Wallace said Starr's message was "a private telegram" and that Starr "has not endorsed me at all." "He said the same thing to me that Gov. Reynolds said, and that was 'welcome to Wisconsin.' I was just a mark of courtesy on his part," Wallace said.
FORMER PACKER QUITS OILER STAFF
MAR 28 (Houston) - Walt Schlinkman, 39-year-old backfield coach, resigned from the staff of the Houston Oilers Friday. The former backfield star at Texas Tech and with the Green Bay Packers was the lone assistant coach remaining from Houston's original staff. Schlinkman was one of the first coaches hired by Lou Rymkus in 1960. Schlinkman is expected to join the staff of his close friend, Wally Lemm, on the St. Louis Cardinals.
GREMMINGER WILL ASSIST AT UW SPRING DRILLS
APR 3 (Madison) - Veteran Green Bay Packer defensive halfback Hank Gremminger will be a part time assistant coach for the Wisconsin Badgers when they open spring football practice at Madison Monday. Gremminger said Thursday that he has no ambition to become a coach but figured that it would help him get in shape by working out with the Wisconsin team. He recently moved from Dallas to Madison to head an insurance agency. He will work with Wisconsin defensive backs.
FOOTBALL AND GOLF: IT'S ALL IN THE TIMING SAYS HORNUNG
APR 5 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - It's a new month. And baseball is in the air - except in this particular column. What about golf? If Lee Remmel will pardon: Suppose you, a duffer like most of us, laid off the manly art of linksmanship for a year. What would your major problem be upon returning? Would it be conditioning - or rather tramping 6,000-plus yards without collapsing? Would it be adjusting the eye with the swing - or rather timing? In case any of you nuts get mad enough with your score to quit golf for a year, take it from Paul Hornung the problem won't be conditioning. It will be timing. Hornung isn't changing sports, of course. But he did note the other day that "I don't expect any trouble getting in shape. Oh, it won't be easy but I can get into excellent condition. The big problem for me will be timing." What's timing? "Getting my footwork down right. Making it automatic. Taking the handoff at the right second and reaching the right point at the right time," Hornung explained. On this score, Hornung added that "Bart (Starr) is very easy to work with and I'm sure he'll be patient with me." Like we said, the problem will be getting that little clubhead to meet the ball at the proper spot. And your pro won't be as patient as Bart Starr...EDUCATION NOTE: Jerry Wolman, new owner of the Eagles, will receive his high school diploma at Shenandoah, Pa., next week - 18 years later. Jerry had to leave school after his junior year and go to work. He worked into the millionaire class and the Shenandoah school board recently wrote to Jerry: "Your subsequent experience qualifies you to be issued a diploma."...And speaking about business, Hank Gremminger, who moved out of warm Texas to enter the insurance field in Madison, is selling insurance to college seniors. It's something new and Henry feels this will be his fulltime work once his Packer footballing is behind him...The Packers and Bears each posted 5-1-1 records on the road last year. Green Bay had a 6-1-0 at home, while the Bears had 6-0-1 in Wrigley Field, not counting the playoff win...Here's a salute to Art Mongin, the onetime Green Bayite who has handled Packer tickets out of his Look Drug store in Kaukauna for 30 years. Mongin, a member of the Packer board of directors, is transferring the Kaukauna list to the Packer ticket office in Green Bay. Mongin wrote to the 450 people who hold 1,162 season tickets through the Kaukauna agency and enclosed a return post card, on which each ticket holder is asked to confirm the number and location of his seats, so that records can be turned over to the Green Bay office "with great reluctance." "Since we handled the first tickets we have seen this agency grow from a mere pittance of 97 tickets a year to a point where we were handling almost 3 percent of the entire stadium. We don't like to make this change, but the size of the job and the pressure are such that we feel that we could no longer do a good job for the ticket holder. Our main concern is for the fan and we went the transfer to be made smoothly," Mongin said. It's no trick to sell Packer tickets now but it always wasn't so. In the darker days, Mongin did everything he could to promote interest. He would buy seasons on his own and break them up to sell the individual game tickets. He acted as a swap and exchange agency for many persons who liked to get a group of tickets together. How did it all start, Mongin recalled: "Green Bay fans would stop in at the store and ask if I could get tickets for them. I would write a personal check to the Packer office and buy them. In a few years, this grew into quite a traffic so I went down to Green Bay to acquire the agency.
JIM TAYLOR SIGNS FOR SEVENTH SEASON
APR 6 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - They turned the air conditioning on in Baton Rouge today. Dixie Taylor is running herself ragged after Chipper. And Father Jim is out selling outdoor advertising. So what else is new this Monday? Just this: Vince Lombardi, coach and general manager of the Packers, announced the above-mentioned Taylor family has signed on for 1964. This is significant, because: Jarrin' Jim is the first to sign for the new season. And he isn't always the first to sign - more likely among the later ones. Thus, Taylor's signing is a good sign (no pun intended) that Lombardi is having success in the contract department. One year ago, Taylor was barely able to get out of bed after recuperating from his attack of hepatitis. Today, his health is "real good," take if from Dixie, who exhausted over the phone: "My health won't be so good if this child of mine doesn't slow down. He (Chipper, 16 months) is in everything. I don't know what I'll do." The Taylors have one other youngster, Jo Beth, 6 1/2 years, who is just a little lady. Dixie allowed that "the heat is starting to set in," which combined with Chipper's antics makes this Monday kind of rough. It's 85 in the Taylor Territory and the air conditioners went on for the first time. Taylor had his last blood test for hepatitis just before the Playoff Bowl in Miami and no trace of the disease was found. Jim has started his isometrics in preparation for the new season...SEVENTH CAMPAIGN: Jim will be returning for his seventh campaign. The Bays' second draft choice in '58, Taylor has a string of four straight 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. He reeled off 1,101 yards in 1960, 1,307 in '61, 1,474 in '62, and 1,018 last year. He led the league in rushing in '62, carrying 272 times for 1,474 yards and 19 touchdowns. His TD total stands a league record. The 114 points gave him the scoring championship. Taylor dropped off some in '63 and there was little doubt that he was not the Taylor of '62. The hepatitis had weakened him. Taylor not only will return stronger in '64, but he'll benefit by the return of Paul Hornung, whose blocking helped Jim turn many a corner. In addition, with Hornung back, opponents will be unable to concentrate solely on Taylor - as they did in '63.
GREGG, GROS SET FOR '64
APR 8 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Forrest Gregg and Earl Gros have signed their 1964 Packer contracts, Coach Vince Lombardi announced Tuesday. Gregg, who announced his retirement in January to take a college coaching job and then changed his mind, will be starting his eighth season. The Pack second draft choice in '56, Gregg was named all-pro each of the last five years and played in the Pro Bowl each of those years. Gregg, a 250-pounder, was in service in '57. Gros, one of the heaviest fullbacks in the league at 230 pounds, is back for his third season. He rushed 48 times last year for 203 yards and an average of 4.2. Lombardi now has announced the signing of three veterans. Jim Taylor joined the flock Monday.
BART STARR SIGNED FOR NINTH SEASON
APR 10 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers announced today the signing of quarterback Bart Starr for his ninth NFL season, but came back strong in helping Green Bay to a second place finish behind Chicago in the Western Division. He capped his campaign by completing 15 of 18 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns against Cleveland in the Playoff Bowl game at Miami Jan. 5.
SENATORS SHIP PACKER DRAFTEE BROWN TO MINORS
APR 12 (Pompano Beach, FL) - The Washington Senators reached the 28-player limit Saturday by optioning pitcher Don Rudolph to Toronto of the International League and sending infielder Tommy Brown to their York farm club of the Eastern League. The irony of Rudolph's release, on a 24-hour recall basis, is that he was the Senators' opening-day pitcher last year against the Baltimore Orioles. He had a 7-19 record in 1963 and gave up 27 home runs. Brown, who delayed in signing his second baseball contract because of an attractive offer from the Green Bay Packers, still may switch from baseball to pro football in mid-summer if he does not think he is making satisfactory progress. Brown was a baseball and football star at Maryland.
HALAS: FIERCE FOE, FAITHFUL FRIEND
APR 12 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - George Halas and his life's work - the Chicago Bears - have been fighting the Packers every year since 1921...except one. The two teams - now pro football's oldest and bitterest rivals - didn't play in 1922. What happened? Halas, himself, probably has forgotten, but the Press-Gazette filed revealed an interesting explanation for the one-year layoff. The Bears had beaten the Packers in 1921 by a score of 20-0 in Chicago. It was logical to assume that the new rivals would get together the next year. But this item appeared on Nov. 28, 1922, in the column of George W. Calhoun, then sports editor of the Press-Gazette who worked with Curly Lambeau in getting the Packers started in 1919: "Why doesn't Green Bay play the Bears this season? This is the question that is going the rounds in Northeastern Wisconsin football circles. It is impossible for the Bay management to bring the Bears to Green Bay due to the heavy financial demand and Manager George Halas, to date, hasn't been much interested in booking the famous Green Bay team in Chicago. However, he may have a change of heart before the pro season ends." Nothing happened for a week or so - except that the Bears lost the league championship to the Cards and the Packers beat Racine 14-0 for the state title. Calhoun answered the big question with this note in his column of Dec. 12: "Probably when the 1923 football season rolls around the Bears, minus the title of Chicago and national gridiron champions, will not be demanding $2,500 for their appearance off their home lot. It is strange how one or two defeats can take a team off their high horse so far as the almighty dollar demand is concerned." That, of course, is all water over the dam. Monday night, Halas will be honored along with Packer veteran executive Lee Joannes at the third annual Elks Club sports banquet at the Elks Clubhouse. George had been a faithful friend of the Packers despite his fierce efforts to beat them on the field. The Bears and Packers got together again for a single game in '23 and the fierce rivalry was on its way. The two teams have engaged in 89 league games and one Western Division playoff, and Halas, drat it, came out ahead in 52 of them. Six ended in ties. Halas has dedicated himself to winning - and over the Packers, in particular. This hit home - right in Green Bay, during the
past season when the Bears handed the Packers their only two losses and then made off with the Western Division championship and the world championship...VINCE SOUNDS KEYNOTE: Vince Lombardi, the Packers' head coach and general manager, sounded the keynote for the Halas fete only moments after losing to the Bears in Wrigley Field last fall when he said: "I'm happy for Papa George, He's a fine fella." Halas, now pushing 69, is approaching his 45th season of professional football and his 36th as head coach of the Bears, the team he founded at Decatur, Ill., in 1920. They were known as the Staleys but became the Bears after the move to Chicago in 1921. Halas' personal coaching record shows 295 victories, including the first six games of 1942; 120 defeats, and 28 ties. He has been head coach four different times, 1920-29; 1933-November 1942, when he entered the Navy in World War II; 1945-55; and 1958 to the present. George is a native Chicagoan who graduated from Crane Tech High and the University of Illinois where he was a three-sport lettermen, including football under Bob Zuppke. Halas, who entered the Navy in World War I, was with the Great Lakes eleven that won the Jan. 1, 1919 Rose Bowl game and later he played briefly with the New York Yankees. He was an end for the Bears until his retirement as an active player in 1929. Halas served as welfare and recreation officer of the Pacific Fleet in the last war and was decorated with the Bronze Star...ZUPPKE GAVE THOUGHT: It was Zuppke who gave Halas the pro football thought, helped along by a baseball injury. "I work hard for three years with you dumb bells," Zuppke snorted at the seniors on his Illinois football squad. "Now just when you're learning how to play, you're leaving." Young Halas, an end on that Illinois eleven, didn't give it much thought at the moment but a couple of years Halas drifted from the Yankees down to St. Paul and finally to Decatur. There Halas got a job with the Staley Starch Works and he remembered Zuppke's words. So he went to the owner of the starch works and won the backing to start a pro football team - "so those seniors could keep learning football," he said later. When the NFL was formed in 1920, the Staleys were a member. Two years later, Halas moved it to Chicago but agreed to still called it Staleys - for a $5,000 payment. The agreement lasted one year, at which point the Staley Starch Works withdrew its offer, and Halas named the club the Bears...Joannes has been associated with the Packers for 42 years. He has served as Packer president longer than any other man - for 18 years, from 1930 to 1948. A member of a pioneer family in Green Bay, Joannes as one of the original three who bailed the Packers out of financial difficulty in the 1920s and formed the Green Bay Football Corp. He joined with A.B. Turnbull and Dr. W.W. Kelly to pay the Packer players and the team playing in Green Bay. Joannes has served on the Packer board of directors since retiring as Packer president.
HALAS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT...AS BANQUET SPEAKER
APR 14 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - George Halas sounded mighty convincing: "It is time to make an announcement that I have discussed for a long time. With my family, a few of my close friends, and my coaching staff. And so I would like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement." There was a murmur in the audience, a quick shaking of heads and more than a few "oh nos." The 68-year-old owner-coach of the Bears soberly added: "as a banquet speaker." The audience of 700 burst into applause and laughter as they realized they had been tricked. But Papa George had a message in his madness: "Since the championship game, Bear speakers have won the pennant 980 times at banquets and we're stopping our speaking duties as of now to get ready for the new season." Halas was delivering his response at the third annual Elks Club sports night honoring the Bear immortal and Lee Joannes, Packer president for 17 years, at the Elks Club Monday night. Halas paid tribute to Packer Coach Vince Lombardi, referring to him as coach of the 1964 champions and the greatest coach in America and recalled that "the last time I was here (at the Lombardi testimonial) I said I had not come to praise Caesar but to bury him. At the same time, we were going ahead with plans for your internment." He noted that "your many consecutive victories over the Bears have given us great impetus last year and in our game in Chicago we had hit the highest mental peak in our 44 years." Halas then offered some hope for 1964 for the Pack: "Now the situation has come full cycle. I am getting the testimonial. The Bear players are speaking from coast to coast and Mr. Lombardi is the mortician awaiting our internment. But this has been a wonderful wake and I'm enjoying every minute of it." Lombardi, who with Norm Van Brocklin of the Minnesota Vikings spoke as the opponents, warned "beware of the Packers even though bearing gifts" and then noted "a dinner like this could happen in Green Bay. We are honoring George Halas for not what he did to Green Bay but what he did for Green Bay." The Packer chieftain, given a rousing ovation before and after speaking, said that Halas could accept most of the credit for the NFL and the development of the game of football - chiefly the placement of backs. A gold tablet was presented to Halas on behalf of the fans and the Packer Corporation by Dominic Olejniczak, president of the Packers who noted Halas' friendship for Green Bay and his visit here to help "sell" the city on a new stadium. Other speakers were Van Brocklin, former Bears George Connor and Sid Luckman, Bernard Darling, Fred Trowbridge, George Strickler of the Chicago Tribune, Exaulted Elks Ruler Jerry Libman, Mayor Roman Denissen and the writer. Milwaukee's Lloyd Larson served as master of ceremonies and kept the audience in the aisles with his steady stream of quips and jokes. He read a number of wires and letters from people who could not be present - NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, Gov. John Reynolds, Illinois Gov. Otto Kerner, George Wilson, Milwaukee Mayor Maier, Rep. John Byrnes and Ollie Kuechle. Darling made a presentation of the Joannes tablet, citing his more than 40 years with the Packers. Darling said that "Joannes endorsed many a note and loaned money to the Packers. At one time he owned the franchise." Trowbridge accepted the tablet on behalf of Joannes, who could not be present. Among other remarks: Van Brocklin - "I have studied the methods of these two great coaches, and I'm learning fast. George Halas and Vince Lombardi, don't look back, there's a Dutchman sneaking up on you." Connor - "George Halas' going back to coaching full time brought the Bears their championship. He turned all of the front office duties to his son, Mugs, and brought the Bears together as a team." Luckman - "I never thought I'd see the day when anybody in Green Bay would applaud me. I hate Green Bay. I had a straight nose before I came to Green Bay as a player and every time I look in a mirror I see Green Bay. I changed my mind about Green Bay the last couple of years because you have done many wise things. You hired a coach like Vince Lombardi and we have great respect for him. Another reason for changing my mind about Green Bay was the way he handled the Paul Hornung thing. I'd like to wish you and Paul good luck." Larson - "With this banquet, you fans are setting a precedent. I hope other cities will follow." Strickler - "Halas has been coming to Green Bay for 44 years and he never has played to an empty seat, including tonight." Yours Truly - "Tonight we give the devil his due. And bless him at the same time."
HORNUNG'S RETURN MAKES PACK'S BIG FOUR INTACT AGAIN
APR 19 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Paul Hornung starts his comeback in Green Bay in a few days. And suddenly the Packers' Big Four is intact. The Packers are pro football's leading exponent of the Big Back offense, and Coach Vince Lombardi is the inventor. Hornung joins Jim Taylor, Tom Moore and Earl Gros to form the league's largest ball carrying group. The fullbacks are the heaviest - as they should be, with Gros packing 25 and Taylor 215 to 218. The halfback vary some but Hornung figures to play at about 212 while Moore carries from 205 to 210. These four represent power - the name of Lombardi's offense. When he selected the hefty Gros in the 1962 draft, Vince noted that "speed can be stopped but big powerful backs are tough to stop. The smaller men may be faster, but we like to control the ball." Lombardi never employed a ball carrier under 200 pounds during his five-year career here. Don McElhenny was listed at 200 in 1959 and other replacement backs including Elijah Pitts 205, Lew Carpenter 215, and Frank Mestnik 220. Hornung will report a few pounds over his playing weight. Losing the weight won't be the big job. Toughening up will be the first objective. Work on timing will start with the opening of formal Packer practice in July. Speaking of big backs, it's interesting to note that only three leading ground gainers in the league in the last 20 years weighed less than 200 pounds - Bill Paschal of the Giants, 196 pounds, in 1944; Bill Dudley of the Steelers, 176, in 1946; and Eddie Price of the Giants, 190, in 1951. Here are the league's leading rushers since Paschal and their weights: 1945 - Steve Van Buren, Eagles, 205; 1947-48-49 - Van Burent; 1950 - Marion Motley, Browns, 238; 1952 - Dan Towler, Rams, 226; 1953-54 - Joe Perry, 49ers, 210; 1955 - Alan Ameche, Colts, 220; 1956 - Rick Casares, Bears, 225; 1957-58-59-60-61 - Jim Brown, Browns, 225; 1962 - Taylor; 1963 - Brown. "Big backs" are generally among the leaders every year. In 1961, only three of the top 10 ground gainers weighed under 200 and one of those, Don Perkins of Dallas, started carrying 205 the next year. The other two were the Bears' Willie Galimore, 187, and the Colts' Lenny Moore, 192. The over-200 carriers that year were Brown, Taylor, Alex Webster of the Giants, Nick Pietrosante of the Lions, J.D. Smith of the 49ers, John Henry Johnson of the Steelers and Perry. Let's try nine years ago. Only one of the top 10 backs packed under 200 but he was a little bitty one - Ron Waller of the Rams, who carried only 174 pounds and finished fourth. Ameche was first; Howie Ferguson of the Packers, 212, second; and Fred Morrison, Bears, 218, third. Behind Waller were Perry, Casares, Tank Younger of the Rams, Webster, Dick Modzelewski of the Browns and Fran Rogell of the Steelers. Before Taylor, Hornung, Moore and Gros, the Packers listed only two "big backs" among their top ground gainers. Ted Fritsch packed between 210 and 215 during his 11-year career and Ferguson stayed around 210. Clarke Hinkle finished off at 205, but he was at his best around 198. And still a tribute to the "small back" is the Pack's No. 2 all-time ground gainer - Tony Canadeo, who slammed his 192 pounds, and sometimes less, for 4,197 yards.
PACKERS CARD FIVE PRESEASON GAMES
APR 21 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers' preseason schedule was completed today with announcement of an appearance in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Aug. 29. Five games are scheduled as a sharp-up for the Packers' NFL season. And they're all on Saturday nights. The complete card: Aug. 8 - Cardinals in New Orleans. Aug. 15 - Giants in Green Bay (Bishop's Charities). Aug. 22 - Bears in Milwaukee (Shrine Classic). Aug. 29 - Cowboys in Dallas. Sept. 5 - Browns in Cleveland. The Cleveland game will be the nightcap of a doubleheader, with the Giants and Lions meeting in the opener. The 1964 program is starting just about a week later than a year ago when the Packers were in the College All Star game Aug. 3. This year's All Star game likely will be Aug. 7. The league schedule, which will open the weekend of Sept. 11-13, will be announced shortly by the league office. Coach Vince Lombardi likely will launch practice late in July.
HORNUNG STARTS LONG ROAD BACK WITH STADIUM WORKOUT
APR 22 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Paul Hornung started the long road back Tuesday. And today the Packers' brilliant halfback was aching. But anxious for more. "I want to get into the best physical condition I've ever been in," Paul said today before embarking on Day II of Coach Vince Lombardi's special conditioning program. The first day at City Stadium? "Calisthenics, running and then the steps," Paul laughed, adding: "I jogged a mile and then took the stadium steps a couple of times. All 60 of them - to the top." Hornung, who missed most of his last season (1962) with a leg injury, said his leg doesn't "bother me and I won't have any trouble with it. Maybe later on I'll get Henry (Jordan) to tackle me a few times." Actually, the Blond Bomber expects no problem getting into condition. He said earlier that "timing will be the biggest problem. But Bart Starr is excellent to work with and he has patience." Other than a few trips back to his home in Louisville, Hornung will stay here the rest of the season. He will keep busy conditioning himself physically and mentally for his big comeback. He also has a few speaking engagements around the state. "I've got to get acquainted all over again," he laughed. The presence of Hornung added the "spring training" atmosphere at the stadium. Players living in the city stop in on occasion to get into sweat clothes and do a bit of running on their own. This will be a comeback year for the Packers - as well as Hornung who is out to prove himself after the year's suspension for gambling. Hornung's last game was the 1962 championship battle at Yankee Stadium and despite a gimpy leg he carried eight times for 35 yards, an average of four-plus, and hurled a pass to Boyd Dowler for 21 yards to set up the Packers' lone touchdown (a 7-yard run by Jim Taylor) in their 16-7 victory. In seven games in '62, Hornung carried 57 times for 219 yards, caught nine passes for 168 yards, completed four of six passes for 80 yards and scored 74 points on 7 touchdowns, 14 extra points and six field goals (in 10 tries). He was hurt in the fifth game in Minnesota and Tom Moore took over at left half and Jerry Kramer did the kicking the rest of the season. Hornung, of course, is aiming for his best year and statistically such a season would include 100-plus points, eight or 900 yards rushing, 30-plus pass catches, and maybe a dozen pass completions. While the figures look good, Hornung's "best year" would certainly include something that never shows up in the record book - his fire and leadership and ability to score from inside the 30. Hornung started putting a fire under himself Tuesday. He hopes to ignite the whole team next fall.
PACKERS BATTLE BEARS, COLTS, VIKINGS, LIONS HERE
APR 23 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The NFL revealed its 1964 schedule today. And the 98-game card showed some unique changes from the Packers' past patterns. Among others, the Packers will: (1) Play a Monday night game in Detroit. (2) Meet the Bears in a Saturday afternoon national television spectacle in Chicago. (3) Skip the annual Thanksgiving Day ordeal in Detroit. (4) Make two separate trips to the west coach, and (5) invade Dallas for a League game. The Bays will open their 45th season in fitting fashion - against the world champion Bears in City Stadium Sunday, Sept. 13. The other three battles here involve the Colts Sept. 20, the Vikings Oct. 4, and the Lions Nov. 8. The Milwaukee County Stadium phase starts with the 49ers Sunday, Oct. 11. The other two games there are the Rams Oct. 25 and the Browns Nov. 22. The Packers meet their other Eastern Division opponent the next Sunday, Nov. 29, when they visit Dallas, a first since the Cowboys were organized. The Bays played the old Texans in a league game in Dallas in '52. Coach Vince Lombardi didn't have any complaints about the schedule. "It's a good one, and we have to play everybody anyway," he laughed. As to the departure from the annual two-game windup on the west coast, Vince said, "We're the only ones who haven't gone out separately and it's time." The Packers have finished off on the west coast since 1954. Faster jet travel has shortened the distances and only the Bears and Lions will visit the west coast clubs back to back. The Packers visit San Francisco Nov. 15 and then close the season in Los Angeles Dec. 13 - the week after the Saturday afternoon, Dec. 5 game in Wrigley Field. The Monday night game in Detroit is set for the Pack's third game - Sept. 28, the earliest Green Bay has ever played there. The Lions had hoped to open Sunday, Sept. 27, but the Tigers have a game scheduled in Tiger Stadium that day. The Bears will replace the Packers in Detroit Thanksgiving Day - a duty that Green Bay had performed since 1951. From now on, all teams will rotate into Detroit on Thanksgiving Day for the nationwide television battle. Two other national TV games are set - the Bear-Packer Saturday fracas and the Brown-Giant game in New York Saturday afternoon, Dec. 12. The Packer schedule is a ghastly thing - from the toughness standpoint. The Bays face the champion and two contenders in the first three games and then take on the frightening Vikings, who almost beat the Pack and did tie the Bears last year. What's more, the Packers play in their own division for the first 10 games. Not that the East offers any respite, but the Pack's Western enemies seem to be a little more blood thirsty. The 11th and 12th games are against the Browns and Cowboys and Nos. 13 and 14 vs. the Bears and Rams. "The 1963 schedule generated a record league paid attendance of 4,163,643," Commissioner Pete Rozelle pointed out in making the announcement today. "Conference races in both the East and West races were not decided until the final weekend of last season, and we anticipate similarly competitive battles in 1964," Rozelle added.
RETIREE FORESTER ON PACKERS' LIST; VOSS HEADS 28 ROOKIES
APR 26 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - What a week! Paul Hornung stated his conditioning program Tuesday. The schedule came out Thursday. And today? A roster with the name of some 60 assorted veterans and rookies. There's nothing surprising about the veterans' roster since the changes have all been in the news. Ken Iman
and Lew Carpenter are missing. Iman went to Los Angeles in the deal that brought Zeke Bratkowski and Carpenter became a coach with the Vikings. Added to the roster are Paul Hornung, whose suspension has been lifted, and Forrest Gregg, who changed his mind about coaching college football. Noticeable by its presence is the name of one Bill Forester, who swore on a stack of bibles last December that he would retire. If he returns, Bill will be going for season No. 13 - just like his co-captain partner, Jim Ringo. Punter Jerry Norton also is or will be a 12-year man, while Dave Hanner is due to return for No. 12. The loss of Iman and Carpenter means that Coach Vince Lombardi will have to find a replacement behind Ringo, which Iman was the best, and a handyman, which Carpenter was the best. The rookie roster doesn't contain a position for handyman, but three of the newcomers did some centering in school. Tops in this group is Ken Bowman, the Wisconsin pivot who was drafted No. 8. Others are Dave Crossan, also a guard, who played at Nebraska; and Turnley Todd, also a linebacker, out of Virginia. Crossan and Todd were drafted a year ago as futures. The rookie group includes three members of the 1963 taxi squad - Gary Kroner, the kicker and halfback; quarterback Terry Zang; and Doug Hart, defense halfback prospect. Ten of the 28 rookies are free agents, including Hart and Zang. The simon-pure group is topped by the Bay's No. 1 draft choice, tackle Lloyd Voss, the 245-pound farm boy from the University of Nebraska. The Packers have another highly-touted big man coming up in Steve Wright, the 250-pound tackle from Alabama. The "smaller" rookies are headed by Duke Carlisle, quarterback and halfback from Texas; quarterback Dennis Claridge of Nebraska; and fullback Tommy Crutcher of TCU...One of the Green Bay's newest residents is Don Ray, 23-year-old son of Baby Ray, the Packers' giant tackle of the 1940s. Don, who was born here in September of 1941, decided several weeks ago he wanted to live in Green Bay and he took off from his home in Tennessee - with $20 in his pocket. Don says he plans on making Green Bay his home. Don says he plans on making Green Bay his home. He attended Middle Tennessee State but didn't play football. "I've decided to specialize in my schoolwork," said Don, who has done some writing (poetry) in addition to electronics. Don said his dad, who is coaching at Vanderbilt, "still plays handball every day and he's in good shape."...Did you notice? NFL games are scheduled in six baseball parks on Oct. 11, which is World Series weekend, including Milwaukee County Stadium, where the Packers meet the 49ers. Also home that day will be the Vikings, Cardinals, Bears, Browns and Redskins. Which means that the Braves, Twins, Cardinals, Cubs, Indians and Senators had better not win the pennant. We take that back on the Braves!
TOBUREN BIDS FAREWELL TO GREEN BAY GRID DREAM
APR 29 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - "I wouldn't exchange it for anything - I'm glad I had those two years." Likeable Nelson Toburen, the big, blond Kansas, was bidding formal and reluctant farewell to Green Bay - and a once potentially brilliant pro football career at Tuesday's Mike and Pen Sports Club luncheon at the Elks. It was the eve of the ex-Packer linebackers' departure for his native Kansas, where he will enter law school at Topeka's Washburn College, and, he was happy to report, become a member of the football coaching staff. This decision had been triggered by a final medical consultation, he explained. "I went to Appleton recently to get another medial opinion - I thought I might as well because I felt like I might be ready to play again. But he agreed with Dr. Nellen (Packer team physician Dr. James W. Nellen) completely. He said I would never attempt to play again. I figured I was fighting a losing battle," Nellie added, a little wistfully. "So I sold my business (Toburen's', Inc., an industrial service) and decided to go back to school." So ended two years of hoping against hope for the tall, raw-boned University of Wichita alumnus, who was so impressive as an NFL sophomore in 1962 that Packer Coach Vince Lombardi felt free to trade veteran Tom Bettis to Pittsburgh. Before the '62 season was over, Toburen's career had come to a tragic end in a freakish collision with Baltimore Colt quarterback John Unitas. That fateful day, in fact, the strapping Scandinavian, vertebrae in his next wrenched apart by the impact, flirted with death. Alert action by Dr. Nellen, who held Toburen's head in vise-like grip en route to the hospital to avert a complete fracture, very probably saved his life. Today, Nellie is able to joke about it, at least a little. "To think it was my hero, Johnny Unitas," he quipped, the trace of a smile accentuating his "All-American Boy" features. "He'd been my hero for years." "I wish," he added with a wry grin, "I'd have missed him." Toburen, who plans to attend summer school at Washburn, informed, "I want to get that law degree - I need 84 hours - and take it from there. There will be a million opportunities." How will this be managed? He shrugged, "Oh, borrow a little, work a little, put my wife to work. Maybe," Nellie grinned, "I'll get some tax return from Wisconsin." Analyzing what had happened on that near-fatal November afternoon at City Stadium, Nellie observed, "It's something most professionals learn real quick - but I didn't. You play with - as Vince Lombardi says - reckless abandon. But you're not crazy."...'A BAD HAND': "Up here they teach you to keep your head to the blind side when you're making a tackle. I always preferred to tackle head on - figured I had three chances of stopping the man that way - with either shoulder or my head. That's the way I hit Unitas - with my head." Nelson, who volunteered "it would be fund to do those two years over," looks the proverbial picture of health. "I'm not near as strong as I was," he disclosed. "I've got a bad hand, too. (Toburen tapped his right hand with his left) It's just numb. But I guess it's just nerves. Dr. Nellen says the feeling should come back." What about athletics for him, other than football? "Oh, I played some basketball, just fooling around the gym at the 'Y.' And I took some pretty nasty bumps without any trouble. Could do anything but play football, I guess. If I caught another whiplash, it could wreck me for life." Why take such risk at all? "There's something in your stomach," Toburen replied soberly, patting his midriff. "You just love it." "There are a few who play for money - we had one of them on the Packers, but most of them play because they love it. I know - when I came here I figured I'd play two years and get out. Once you get the taste of it, it's so great you can't quit." Surprisingly he felt, "College football was the biggest drag I ever had. I don't know how many times I quit. I signed a pro contract for $500 so I could finish school." Pro football, he found, was quite different. "I don't know why," Nellie confessed. "It was fun, I guess. And you feel you're at the ultimate. It's always nice to feel you're among the best." For Packer fans, Nelson Toburen always will be.
PAUL, MOORE, PITTS, 'BRAT' SIGN FOR 1964
MAY 5 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Bob Skoronski is ready to back up Jim Ringo at center. In fact, Bob says "it's a nice position." Ringo was left without a relief when Ken Iman went to the Rams to complete the Zeke Bratkowski deal. Normally, Skoronski shares the starting left tackle job with Norm Masters. But he hasn't had much truck with center before Iman arrived in 1960. Offensive Line Coach Bil Austin gave Skoronski the nod when Iman was shifted to linebacker when Dan Currie was hurt in '62. Bob relieved Ringo some in '59, Coach Vince Lombardi's first year here. Skoronski was a tackle during his Packer career and at Indiana University, but he always worked as a center relief - perhaps because he was introduced to football as a center at Fairfield Prep and Admiral Billard Academy out East. "I guess I'm a possibility now for some work at center," Green Bayite Skoronski said, adding: "I love to play and I'll play wherever I can help the club most." Skoronski is approaching his seventh season, though he was drafted No. 5 back in 1956. He came up with Forrest Gregg that year, but then went into service the next two years. He returned in '59 to start a five-year run. The Packers have two center prospects among the rookies - Ken Bowman of Wisconsin, the eighth draft choice, and Turnley Todd of Virginia, who was picked No. 7 as a future a year ago. Bowman, a strong 230-pounder, is highly regarded as a center, while Todd rates a good chance as a linebacker.
PACKERS' NET PROFIT $149,045; LEAGUE GAMES SOLD OUT
MAY 5 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers had a prosperous 1963. But a small stadium, a losing enemy, and no championship game - not to mention increased expenses - knocked the Pack's profit down by slightly more than $100,000. Vince Lombardi reported as treasurer, general manager and coach of the Packers, a small group of stockholders at their annual meeting at WBAY auditorium Monday night. And the net profit revealed by Lombardi for '63 was $149,045 compared to a net of $255,501 in 1962 - a drop off of $106,456. Lombardi, introduced by President Dominic Olejniczak, said that the total operating income was down slightly - from $1,831,159 in '62 to $1,92,497 in '63. Receipts from games in Green Bay and Milwaukee went up from $732,970 in '62 to $773,733, while the out of town games income skidded from $712,656 in '62 to $612,942 in '63. Vince pointed out that "we drew a sellout in the small stadium in St. Louis but the largest check the Cardinals ever paid anybody was considerably less than the previous year when we played in Philadelphia. Also, the 49ers were down last year, and their attendance was well down when we played there. And we weren't in the championship game. Suppose the Packers weren't contenders and went to play in St. Louis and San Francisco." Season expenses, which Lombardi said included the players' salaries, went up from $850,456 in '62 to $963,957 last year. And Vince noted that "with the new television contract and competition from the AFL it has become an increasing problem talking to the players." Generally, however, Lombardi felt that "we can expect a solid picture the next two years." The GM announced that league games in Milwaukee and Green Bay have been sold out in season tickets - in addition to the Shrine Classic in Milwaukee. He said the Bishop's Charities game in Green Bay Aug. 15 likely would be sold out, too. "I believe in 1965," Vince surmises, "we can close in the south end of City Stadium. We will lose some 800 temporary seats, but the addition will increase the capacity to 46,977. I'm sure we can find 23 additional seats somewhere to make that 47,000." The present capacity of the stadium is 42,367, including temporary bleachers on the south and north ends. Putting on his coaching cap, Lombardi reviewed the rookie prospects and noted that Duke Carlisle, the quarterback from Texas, will be used as a safety; Dennis Claridge, the dentist, will be given a chance at quarterback but he may go to halfback; and Tommy Crutcher, the TCU fullback, will get a chance at linebacker. "We don't invite people for cannon fodder," Vince said, adding: "We feel that every boy we have selected has a chance to make the club. In fact, we now have an IBM machine to help us judge the new boys." Noting that the player limit has been increased from 37 to 40 players, Lombardi laughed, "the special teams should be better. We hope to get somebody who can kick over the goal line." As to the new season, Lombardi said that a "big factor will be the return of Paul Hornung. He can be a great asset to the football team. Physically, Hornung can get in shape but the big question is getting into shape mentally. Will he hit? Also can he condition himself against criticism? If he can do these things, he will be a bigger man than he is now." The coach, in his windup, said that "we're not slain, we're just wounded - maybe bleeding a little. We'll rise again." The stockholders elected three new directors - Dan Beisel, president and publisher of the Press-Gazette; John Kimberly, president of Kimberly-Clark Corp.; and John Dickens, vice president of Wisconsin National Bank of Milwaukee. They named Dr. James Nellen of De Pere to replace Don Cass, who resigned after moving out of the city. Two directors died during the past year - Albert Puelicher of Milwaukee and Goerge W. Calhoun of Green Bay. Fifteen directors whose terms expired March 1, 1964 were reelected to three-year terms - John Stiles, Dick Bourguignon, Tony Canadeo, Fred Cobb, Ted Fritsch, Buckets Goldenberg, Les Kelly, Fred Leicht, Fred Lindner, L.G. Wood, Herb Mount, Herb Olson, L.E. Liebmann, Charles Goldberg and Elmer Madson. Art Mongin, a director, received an official Packer plaque from Olejniczak in recognition of years of service as operator of the Packer ticket office in Kaukauna. Art recently surrendered the ticket outlet and now all ducats are serviced out of the Green Bay office.
PAUL, MOORE, PITTS, 'BRAT' SIGN FOR 1964
MAY 5 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Four offensive backs, headed by Paul Hornung who is already hard at work, have signed Packer contracts for the 1964 season, Coach Vince Lombardi announced today. The others are Tom Moore, who carried the load at Hornung's option position last year; Elijah Pitts, assistant to Moore; and quarterback Zeke Bratkowski. Offensive backs who signed earlier are Jim Taylor, Bart Starr and Earl Gros. Thus, Lombardi has enough veteran backs to start where he left off in Yankee Stadium in 1962, what with Hornung's presence. Only two are still out - John Roach and Frank Mestnik. This will be Paul Hornung's seventh year in the league, having missed last season. Hornung led the league in scoring in 1959, 1960 and 1961. In 1960 he established the NFL all-time scoring record, breaking Don Hutson's record of 138 with 176 points on 15 touchdowns, 15 field goals and 41 extra points...ALL-PRO THREE TIMES: In six years, Hornung has averaged 4.5 yards on 625 carries for 2,797 yards and has scored 575 points. He was named all-pro three times and was twice the league's outstanding player. Moore is in his fifth year. He missed almost half of last season with injuries, but still gained 658 yards on 132 carries. The coaches felt he would have gained over 1,000 yards if he could have competed in all the games. Moore averaged 5.0 yards on his 132 carries and scored eight touchdowns. There is some talk among the coaches that Moore may be switched to a flanker position. Speedster Pitts, who took over when Moore was out last year, carried 54 times for 212 yards and a 3.9 average. Pitts also completed two passes in two attempts, one for a touchdown, and scored six touchdowns. Bratkowski came from the Rams shortly after Starr's injury in the Cardinal game. Bratkowski was activated on Oct. 29 and played his first game against Minnesota on Nov. 10. He threw 12 times and completed four for 96 yards and one touchdown.
PACK DEALS RINGO, GROS FOR CAFFEY, FIRST PICK
MAY 6 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - "Remember," Vince Lombardi said today, "the name of the game is defense." And that about explains the Packers' trading of 11-year veteran center Jim Ringo and reserve fullback Earl Gros to the Eagles for highly-touted veteran linebacker Lee Roy Caffey. a rangy 240-pound swiftee, and the Eagles' first choice in the next draft. The trade, which struck prematurely Tuesday night when Ringo announced it on an Easton, Pa., radio station, left Packerland buzzing today. And the biggest question was "who's for center?" since Kenny Iman was traded earlier, leaving the Bays without a veteran regular pivot. Lombardi answered that one in a hurry: "Skoronski steps in there now." Left offensive tackle Bob Skoronski knows the center position and is experienced at it, having played there in a pinch during his Packer career. Two factors figured in the trade - age and defense. The Packer coach pointed out, "If we fell down last year, it was defensively and we feel we had to bolster the defense. And if we feel the defense needs more help we'll make more trades." Toughing on the age factor, Vince said "there are two ways of doing it. One you wait until you are dead on the bottom and then trade and the other you make your changes as you go along. I prefer to make the changes as we go." Lombardi's first trade shortly after he arrived here in the winter of 1959 was for defensive help. He dealt Billy Howton, then the rage of pass receivers, for defensive lineman Bill Quinlan and handyman Lew Carpenter. In the past two years, or since winning the 1962 championship, regulars Quinlan, Carpenter, John Symank and now Ringo have departed. Quinlan was waived by the Eagles last year, with Detroit claiming him, and Symank and Carpenter are out of football. As to a replacement for Gros, who played behind Jim Taylor, Lombardi said "we'll worry about the first team first," indicating that a capable reserve surely will be found among the newcomers. Actually, the Bays had two reserves for Taylor last year, the other being Frank Mestnik, a strong runner. Ringo, an all-pro center for the past seven years, could not be reached for comment today but he said Tuesday night via Easton radio that "being with a team 11 years and realizing you are no longer a member is quite a problem." Ringo should be pleased, however, playing in the east. He disliked moving back and forth with his family, although he never let the problem interfere with his football. Jim was the best in the league by a long shot and Lombardi noted that "he's certainly one of the greatest centers in the game." Eagle Coach Joe Kuharich was elated with the trade, his fourth in the last two months. He said that he has five linebackers and "we traded our strength to get some help on offense." Caffey had a good year as a rookie in '63 and has a bright future. The Texas A and M star and native of Thorndale, Texas, was the Eagles' seventh draft choice last year. He played left linebacker in Philly. The trade would seem to lend weight to Bill Forester's reported retirement, but Lombardi said he actually hadn't had word from Bill on his plans for '64. Realizing that he was ticketed for full time duty, Skoronski was like that proverbial kid with a new toy today. "I'm very anxious and excited about it. I'll need all the help I can get, but I'm glad I'm between Fuzzy Thurston and Jerry," Skoronski said, adding: "This is a chance to play full time and I like it. No one is happy alternating." Skoronski alternated with Norm Masters at left tackle the last two years. Quarterback Bart Starr, who has been taking Ringo's snaps for just about every game in the last five years, said that "Jim was a lot of fun to work with, but right now I'm looking forward to getting the snaps from Bob. He's big and tall and a fine center."
'GOODBYE TO MY FRIENDS IN GREEN BAY' - RINGO
MAY 7 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The smoke had pretty well cleared from the explosive Ringo trade Wednesday afternoon when the ringing telephone pierced siesta time in the P-G sports department. "What do they say out there," the voice on the other end piped low and not too clear. It was Jim Ringo, who was calling from Easton, Pa., in answer to a wire we had sent him earlier in the day. We told Jim "what they say." And he called at an opportune time. This writer was fresh from our weekly luncheon break with the Optimist Club, the members of which spent their time chattering about the trade. They were further confused when President Tom Barrett called on us to make a speech and answer question - however brief. After relaying the thoughts out here to Jim, we offered a penny for Ringo's thoughts. But he offered nothing in return. "I really have nothing to say, but will you put this in the paper for me - Goodbye to all my friends in Green Bay." That was it. We invited Jim to call again in a few days or weeks and he said he might. It's amazing how this town reacts to this particular trade. Since we are a little town (let's face it), we really get to love our Packers and when one of the favorites, who has made many friends here, is traded off, most of us softees get to feeling bad. Which is human. However, since the Packers and Coach Vince Lombardi are in the business of winning football games and championships, the trade of Ringo and Earl Gros was merely a step in that director. Like one of the Optimists remarked, "I can't second guess Lombardi - with his record and the soundness of his other trades." And if you think the trade presents a local "conflict," think of Ringo's personal flight. Jim has great pride in his football, which makes him the best in the league, but he never liked coming all the way out here, putting his three youngsters in school and taking them out. Right today he faces the fine prospect of virtually living at home (Easton is a short ride to Philly) and playing football. But the idea of leaving an organization that he played with for 11 years is rather disconcerting. One surely will balance the other. It was interesting to note that Jim's wife, Betty, told Philadelphia newsmen yesterday that she was elated with the trade. "Now he can spend more time at home." Jim was a bit more talkative with Philly newsmen. He said he didn't know what his future would be until he talked to Eagle Coach Joe Kuharich and Eagle Owner Jerry Wolman. He was asked how many years he would play and said, "Mel Hein played 15, maybe that would be a good record to shoot for." The subject of what the Packers would do now without a regular center came up and Jim noted, "I don't know anything about their problems. I have problems of my own." Ironically, the key man in the trade was young Gros, the bullish fullback who likely will become a regular with the Eagles. Gros, playing behind Jim Taylor here, faced the prospect of second fiddleship for at least three more years.
PACKER OFFENSIVE LINE HEAVIER, BART TALLER WITH TRADE
MAY 10 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packer offensive line gained 20 pounds and Bart Starr grew a couple of inches. With the trade of Jim Ringo. It all has to do with Bob Skoronski, who has been shifted from left tackle to center, the spot vacated by Ringo. Big Bob is 20 pounds heavier than Jim and close to three inches taller. Skoronski packs 250 pounds and stands slightly over 6-3 against Ringo's 230 and 6-1. Skoronski's higher height means that Starr can straighten out much more when he takes the snap. This is what Bart meant the other day when he said he'd be "more comfortable." Offensive line coach Bill Austin noted after the trade that 'we're 250 pounds across the line now." Give or take a pound or two, each "protector" for the Packer backfield goes 250 - Norm Masters at left tackle, Fred Thuston at left guard, Skoronski at center, Jerry Kramer at right guard and Forrest Gregg at right tackle. While Skoronski's 250 is comforting to Starr, the big veteran, who has had some experience at center, still must prove himself. But Skoronski is happy with the chance at the position. And that's half the battle right there. Ringo's weight fluctuated something fierce, dropping down to 200 one year when he was ill with mononucleosis, and then getting up to 235 at other times. But Jim was the finest center in the league and that will be Skoronski's goal. "We have some hefty boys coming in," Austin said, referring to the rookies. He mentioned tackle Lloyd Voss, the first choice who is still a growing boy at 245, and big Steve Wright, a 255-pounder from Alabama who was the fifth choice. Bill said "they are good prospects." Among the other offensive line prospects are Dave Crossan, a 250-pound center and guard from Maryland, a free agent; Jack Cvercko, a 240-pound guard from Northwestern and a brother of former Packer Andy; Mike Hicks, a 235-pounder from Marshall; and John McDowell, a 260-pounder from St. John's. Cvercko was picked as a future last year; Hicks was an 18th choice; and McDowell was the 13th pick. Thus, it appears that Coach Vince Lombardi is lining up with a "big line" to go with - and protect - his big back offense...And speaking about the trade that sent Ringo and Earl Gros to the Eagles for Lee Roy Caffey last week. Trainer Bud Jorgensen came down from his sporting goods travels for Bertrand's Saturday and noted that "they sure were buzzing up there about the trade." "Some were downright mad about Jim going and some figured that it was just part of football," Bud said, adding: "I explained to them that we were all sorry to see Jim go, but that the trade helped the team." Norm Johns, coach at Cook High School near Manistique, said the "trade caused some excitement in school. We're all Packer fans in football - and Tiger fans in baseball." Incidentally, Johns has only 24 boys in his school but he competes in basketball and track.
RINGO DEAL 'ASTUTE,' HIRSCH
MAY 13 (Madison) - The Green Bay-Philadelphia Eagle trade was a move with an eye on the future in the NFL by the Packers, Elroy (Crazy Legs) Hirsch, general manager of the Los Angeles Rams, said Tuesday. "The problem of all champions is to prevent growing old," Hirsch told a meeting of the Madison Pen and Mike Club. Hirsch, who was an outstanding back on the University of Wisconsin football team in 1942, was here to boost the Wisconsin Alumni Fund. He said the trade by Packer Coach and General Manager Vince Lombardi, which saw offensive center Jim Ringo and reserve fullback Earl Gros go to the Eagles in return for linebacker Lee Roy Caffey and a draft choice, was astute. "Don't worry," Hirsch said of Lombardi. "He knows what he's doing. Lombardi is a fantastic coach and a sharp administrator, and he felt it was time to rebuild the linebacking corps."
GRID DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME - VINCE, AIDES HARD AT WORK
MAY 17 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - How to win games and influence the unfriendly! That's the chief occupation of Packer coaches these days. In the peace and quiet of the Coaches' Conference room. The mentors are starting work at 8 a.m. - an hour earlier than usual. This is a sort of football daylight savings time, permitting a bit more time for digging with a small spade later in the day. Coach Vince Lombardi and Aides Phil Bengtson, Red Cochran, Norb Hecker, Bill Austin and Tom Fears have been meeting as a group for the past month, give or take a short absence to cover college football practices in all parts of the country. Lombardi will be in New York this week to attend the NFL's spring meeting. What goes on now? From what we've been able to snoop out, the coaches are figuring out ways and means of scoring more and allowing less in the upcoming season. They are making a sort of survey of opposing offenses and defenses and matching them against the Pack's offense and defense...NEW WRINKLE: As you might have notices, the above paragraph lets no cats out of the bag. For instance, it is difficult to tell whether the Packers will come out with a new wrinkle or two on offense or defense. The Bays put a man in motion during training camp, but the plays were used little and finally put aside. It can be assumed that the Packers might be placing a little emphasis on the world championship Bears, who took the title away from our boys. This is logical in view of the fact that the Bears beat the Pack 10 to 3 here and 26-7 there. The Packers open against the Bears in City Stadium Sept. 13 and then conduct the replay in Chicago's Wrigley Field Saturday afternoon, Dec. 5...Barring any more trades, the Packers could have as many as six veterans missing when practice start late in July. Already departed are tradees Jim Ringo, Ken Iman and Earl Gros and retiree Lew Carpenter, who put away the moleskins in favor of an assistant coaching job with the Vikings. There are two other possibilities - Bill Forester and John Roach, the gents from Dallas who are toying with the idea of retiring. With the increased player limit (37 to 40) and as many as six veteran people going, the way is clear for close to 10 rookies to make the squad. The Bays, of course, have one veteran returning in the person of Paul Hornung. Incidentally, Hornung has knocked off work (running those stadium steps) for nearly a week to fill speaking engagements in the east and south...Jim Taylor and Tony Canadeo, the only Packers who gained 1,000 yards in rushing, have accepted invitations to attend the first annual banquet of the 1,000 Yar Club Foundation in Menasha June 9. Beattie Feathers of the Bears and Steve Van Buren of the Eagles have also accepted invitations. The others in the NFL who hit the four-figure mark, also being invited, are Jim Brown, Joe Perry, Rick Casares, J.D. Smith, John David Crow, John Henry Johnson and Dick Bass. Canadeo was the first Packer to gain 1,000 yards, hitting 1,052 in 1949 and finishing second to Van Buren, who had 1,146. Taylor had four straight seasons over 1,000. He gained 1,101 in 1960, 1,307 in 1961, 1,474 in 1962 and 1,013 in 1963...PACKER PACKINGS: Tickets for the Liz Blackbourn testimonial in Milwaukee May 28 may be obtained by writing Henry L. Hillard, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. The affair honoring the former Milwaukee Washington High, Marquette, and Packer coach will be held in the Coach House Motor Inn...Bart Starr enters the 1964 season with a string of 135 straight passes attempted without an interception. How does he do it? What kind of ball does he throw? "Bart throws an easy pass to handle," says Boyd Dowler. "It comes in soft, but it seems to travel fast in the air." The record pass attempt without interception is 208 by Milt Plum, with the Browns in 1959-60...Em Tunnell, just back from a scouting trip for the Giants, was asked if he pays much attention to what the coaches say about a player. "I'd have to say that I don't listen too hard to the coaches. It's an old habit. I didn't pay much attention to them when I was playing this game," Em said.
EAGLES TURN DOWN FOUR OFFERS (ONE OF FIVE MEN) FOR GROS
MAY 19 (New York) - Trader Joe Kuharich, new coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, hopes to keep on wheeling and dealing until he gets a veteran for each position on the club. "We're not through yet," Kuharich said. "We're looking for a few people and talking to everybody. Most of all we need a defensive end and a defensive back. Ever since we got Earl Gros from Green Bay, the phone has been buzzing. I heard from four clubs within 48 hours after we completed the deal. One offered me five men - five who could play in this league, too. But we didn't get Gros to trade him. If everybody else needs him, we need him even more." Kuharich didn't say positively he wouldn't trade the big fullback from Louisiana State. Nobody can be that positive about any player, especially when you are coaching a last place ball club. But he did the next best thing. "It is highly unlikely that we would trade Gros," said Kuharich. "We think we have solidified our running attack with Gros and Timmy Brown. We plan to play Brown to the outside in some formations. And we expect to take a look at Jack Concannon, our rookie quarterback, as a running back. Some of these clubs want to trade you a handful of sixes for an ace. They seem to think a prudent trade is getting rid of some fellow you were going to get waivers on or cut. I am willing to trade good football players for good players to fill out our club."...NOT THROUGH YET: Kuharich said he planned to carry 18 defensive men on the Eagles and 22 offensive players under the new 40-man limit. "I think Gros is the best young fullback in the league," he said. "Put all the fullbacks in a race. First will be Jimmy Brown. Then will come Gros. Our running should be 15 to 25 percent better with him. I know our club looks a lot better on paper than it did six weeks ago. And we're not through yet - unless nobody will trade with us." Kuharich is in New York for the NFL meetings that open officially today. Commissioner Pete Rozelle said the agenda was thin. Among the matters to be decided is the amount of the $1.8 million television money for the championship game that will be placed in the players pension fund. It is likely that about $850,000 will be earmarked for the fund. NFL owners will be asked to increase the payment to players for exhibition games from $50 to $100 apiece. The request was filed by Ordell Brasse of the Baltimore Colts, new president of the NFL Players' Association. One proposed rule change to be considered would add a sixth official - to be known as timekeeper. He would assume the clock-watching job now handled by the back judge.
TWO FOR T: ROACH RETIRES
MAY 20 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - And then there were two. That, in capsule form, is the Packers' EQB (Experienced Quarterback) status today, 24 hours after Long John Roach slipped quietly into retirement. Remaining, of course, are incumbent Bart Starr and Zeke Bratkowski, the ex-Chicago Bear acquired from the Los Angeles Rams late last season as an insurance measure. Roach's decision, announced from the NFL's annual meeting in New York by GM-Coach Vince Lombardi Tuesday afternoon, was not entirely unexpected. The possibility was suggested by sports editor Art Daley in last Sunday's Press-Gazette although he had given no indication at the close of the '63 season that he intended to call it quits. It ended a six-year pro career for the rangy Texan, who was catapulted from bench warming obscurity into the heat of the NFL's Western Division race last October when Starr fractured his right hand in a sideline encounter with the St. Louis Cardinals' Jimmy Hill. The retiring Dallas resident responded by directing the Pack to three straight victories (over the Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings) before running afoul of Chicago's super-charged Bears in Wrigley Field Nov. 17, a misadventure that eventually deprived the home forces of a shot at an unprecedented third straight league title. The first of these assignments was sufficient to try the stoutest of hearts, coming as it did in Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, home of football's most hostile fanatics. But Roach was equal to the occasion, maneuvering the Bays to a 34-20 victory, despite a number of vicissitudes that might have unnerved a man, among them several dropped passes in the early going. There also was a third quarter interception by the Colts' Don Shinnick, which made things a bit sticky and might have made Roach the goat. Such an unselfish citizen is "the quiet man," however, that the possibility didn't occur to him. "I never thought about being a goat," he declared in the Packers' dressing room after that one. "I just kept thinking, 'We've got to win, we've got to win.'" Even more revealing was his explanation, "I got championship money for two years in a row from these guys," John said, "and I didn't do anything to get it. This was a chance to do something for that money." Every man has his ego with, almost inevitably, makes it difficult for him to play second fiddle. But Roach, despite having been No. 1 with the St. Louis Cardinals (the Cardinals traded him to Cleveland in 1961 and the Browns, in turn, dealt him to the Packers before the season started), was ideally adjusted to his understudy role. "I've never been a star any place I've been," he explained with a smile. "In high school I wasn't much and in college I was a defensive back until my senior year. In fact, I didn't start a ball game until my senior year."...Since the NFL player limit has been increased to 40, it is logical to assume the Packers again will carry three quarterbacks into the 1964 season, which obviously could produce an intriguing scramble for the Roach vacancy. Marv Holland, a rookie from George Washington University, presently is the only newcomer officially listed as a QB on the tentative camp roster, but there are such several other possibilities, such as Nebraska's Dennis Claridge, Duke Carlisle of Texas and Fresno State's Beau Carter. At this point, however, Claridge is ticketed for duty at halfback, while the Packers' brain trust envisions both Carlisle, who outshone Navy's highly publicized Roger Staubach in the Cotton Bowl, as defensive backs. Before Tuesday's opening session of the NFL's annual meeting in New York, Lombardi again reiterated, for the benefit of Gotham's fourth estate, that Paul Hornung will not be traded. This time he said, "There is no possibility of our trading Hornung. Not as long as I'm with the Packers. Paul means too much to the club."
MONTREAL ALOUETTES SEEK 'RETIRED' ROACH
MAY 21 (Montreal) - The Montreal Alouettes are interested in acquiring "retired" Green Bay Packers' quarterback John Roach, Coach Jim Trimble said Wednesday. Trimble confirmed that the Eastern Football Conference Alouettes had restored Roach to their negotiation list for the second time this year. He was not optimistic, however, over the prospect of landing the 31-year-old Texan, who announced his "retirement" Tuesday after five seasons in the NFL. "I'm going to talk to Vince Lombardi and see what's doing," Trimble said. "But you can be sure that Roach, if he is available, won't come easily." Trimble added that he was not convinced that Roach really planned to retire. He suggested Tuesday's announcement might be more than a first step toward a contract, negotiations or possibly a trade within the NFL. "About all we can do is sit for a while and see what happens," he said.
SEEK 2,150 MORE PACKER SEATS
MAY 22 (Milwaukee) - The Milwaukee County Park Commission voted Thursday to ask the County Board for $23,000 to add 2,150 bleacher seats in County Stadium for Green Bay Packer games in time for the 1964 NFL season. The commission gave unanimous support to the request, made by Richard S. Falk, commission vice chairman and a Packer director. The Packers are a non-profit corporation and neither stockholders nor directors receive any benefits from increased income. Falk said the request had the backing of Vince Lombardi, Packer coach and general manager, and John McHale, president and general manager of the Milwaukee Braves. The proposed bleachers would boost capacity to 46,763 and eliminate some 2,000 standing room tickets sold for nearly all Packer games in Milwaukee. Green Bay plays three league games and usually one exhibition a season in the stadium. Stadium manager William Anderson said the county would receive $4,000 a year in rental fees if the seats were erected, but that the figure would be partially offset by the elimination of standing room tickets. The seats would be erected between the third base grandstands and the left field bleachers.
PACKERS LOSE O'DONNELL
MAY 22 (Buffalo) - Guard Joe O'Donnell, University of Michigan football captain and the Green Bay Packers' third draft choice last winter, has signed with the Buffalo Bills of the AFL, it was announced Thursday. O'Donnell, 6-feet-3 and 240 pounds, was picked 17th by the Bills in the AFL draft.
ROACH 'DEFINITE' ABOUT RETIREMENT
MAY 26 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - There's something about retirements in pro football. Especially this year of 1964 - the first under the NFL's $-expanded television contract. When a 25-year-old muscle-bounder decided that it's time to give up the excitement of pro football in favor of the humdrum of the cold, cruel outside world, it's time to snort. But when a 31-year-old with a couple of youngsters decides to put away the moleskins, settle down and fight ye olde world, it's time to inquire and make sure. That brings forth John Roach, the best relief quarterback the Packers ever had, whose retirement was revealed by Coach Vince Lombardi the other day. "Yes, it's definite," Roach said in Dallas today. "As you know, I've considered retiring the last couple of years and when the season was over last year, I got a good opportunity in the mortgage banking field and I just want to stay with it. It's real estate financing - the Murray Investment Co. here in Dallas. I've had my moments in football and I really enjoyed them. Another thing I've got my years in now for my pension." Asked about reports that he will become an assistant coach under Jim Trimble in Montreal, Roach laughed: "I'm just going up there for the two weeks of my vacation and coach the quarterbacks. They've got this new boy - George Bork (Southern Illinois star) and they want me to teach him fundamentals." Roach couldn't play in Canada unless he was waived out of the NFL, to which John noted: "I still can't play up there because I still belong down here. And I'm a Texan all the way and I couldn't stay up there."...The Packers are engaged in combat today with two NFL foes - on the friendly field of golf. Lombardi and aides Phil Bengtson, Norb Hecker, Bill Austin, Red Cochran and Tom Fears - plus sharpshooter Tom Miller, are meeting their counterparts from the Lions and Browns at the Milwaukee Country Club. This is the regular clubs' annual triangular. The Packers, methinks, are shooting for their third straight golf championship. Seems like the records are a bit hazy.
PACKERS SIGN WOOD, HOLLER
MAY 29 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Packer veterans Willie Wood and Ed Holler have returned signed contracts, Coach Vince Lombardi announced today. Wood, signed as a free agent in 1960 after he wrote to the Packers asking for a tryout, is back for his fifth year. Considered one of the best safetymen in the league, Willie was a quarterback at Southern Cal. Wood works for the Justice Dept. in Washington, D.C., his hometown, in the offseason. He's in the student dropout program and was interviewed for the job by Atty. Gen. Robert Kennedy, head of the Justice Dept. A rookie on the taxi squad last year, Holler was activated for the last two games after Ray Nitschke broke his arm. Ed, who has a promising future as a linebacker, played at the University of South Carolina.
200-YARD GAME WON'T GET EASIER; WHO'S NO. 3 QB?
MAY 31 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Thousand yard ground gainers? There have been 11 of them in the NFL. They will gather at a huge banquet in Menasha June 9. They are Jimmy Brown, Steve Van Buren, Tony Canadeo, J.D. Smith, Dick Bass, John David Crow, John Henry Johnson, Joe Perry, Jim Taylor, Beattie Feathers and Rick Casares. You know all about the 1,000-yarders. But what about the 200-yard single game barrier? Who broke it? Fresh records via the NFL disclosed that only eight gents surpassed the 200-yard mark stating with Cliff Battles in 1933. This is no easy feat and, unlike the 1,000-yard trick, won't get easier unless somebody comes out with a 70-minute game - or longer. (Please, Mr. TV, don't get any ideas) The 1,000-yard performance was given a shot in the arm when the schedule was upped from 12 to 14 games four years ago. The 200-yard mark was reached 11 times - four by the Browns' great J. Brown, who hit 237 twice, 232 and 223, and once each by Bobby Mitchell with the Browns, 232; Tom Wilson, Rams, 223; Gene Roberts, Giants, 218; Battles, Boston Redskins, 215; Van Buren, Eagles, 205; Dan Towler, Rams, 205, and Crow, Cardinals, 203. Wilson had his big day against the Packers in Los Angeles in the final game of the 1956 season. The Rams won it 49 to 21 and rolled up 628 yards, including 331 rushing. Wilson had 23 attempts and averages just a fraction under 10 yards per trip. Ironically, Wilson, who was sought by the Packers in the next few years, never scored a touchdown. Joe Marconi counted three on short plunges, thanks to Wilson's long-distance running. Bob Boyd got two on Norm Van Brocklin passes. The Packers once came withing 14 yards of having a "200" representative. The battering Jim Taylor reeled off 186 yards for the Packers' one-game record. He set the mark against the Giants in 1961, averaging 6.9 in 27 attempts. Billy Grimes ranks second with his 167 in 10 attempts in 1950 against the old New York Yanks - an average of 16.7. Taylor had 164 in 17 attempts in 1962 vs. the Vikings and 161 against the 49er in 27 attempts in 1960. Taylor's 161 was perhaps his most spectacular day since he ran in a driving rain on a sloppy field. Taylor has gained over 1,000 yards in each of his last four seasons, tops being his 1,474 in 1963 on 272 attempts for an average of 5.4. Canadeo added up his four-figure total (1,052) in 1949, running 208 times and averaging 5.1 in 12 games. Tony's two best days were 122-yarders against the Rams and Cardinals...Speaking about rushing, Nick Skorich, new offense line coach for the Browns who formerly head coaches the Eagles and worked as an assistant in Green Bay, is basking in the thought of coaching a line in front of the great Brown. "When I was with the Eagles, the fans always said I couldn't coach a running game. Watch me coach now - with that Jimmy Brown running for me," Skorich laughed during the hijinks of the Packer-Brown-Lion golf match in Milwaukee the other day...Proceeds of the Lions' intra-squad game Aug. 1 will go toward the education of the four children of the late Scooter McLean, former Packer and Lion coach. Bud Erickson of the Lions said that
over 2,000 tickets have been sold already. He also reported that the McLean scholarship fund has been successful...There's a guessing game going on over the Packers' third and/or rookie quarterback for 1964. While Dennis Claridge and Duke Carlisle are the big namers, Coach Vince Lombardi speaks highly of Marv Holland of George Washington University. He was ranked seventh among QBs in the country last year, and Vince is expecting great things from him.
FRANK MESTNIK BUSIER IN '64
JUN 1 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Frank Mestnik would be a busier fullback in '64. The Packers' No. 3 fullback last year behind Jim Taylor and Earl Gros, big Frank carried but once after being activated on Oct. 3. He gained four yards in the lone trip. With Gros off to Philadelphia, Mestnik stands a good chance of winning the relief job behind Taylor. Mestnik played college football at Marquette and came to the Packers as a free agent after three years with the Cardinals. Mestnik's signing - plus that of veteran Willie Davis - was announced today by Coach Vince Lombardi. Davis is returning for his seventh season in pro football, his fifth with the Packers. He came to Green Bay in 1960 in a trade with the Browns for A.D. Williams.
HILL FILES $2 MILLION SUIT VS. MAGAZINE
JUN 2 (St. Louis) - Jimmy Hill, star defensive back for the St. Louis football Cardinals, filed a $2,150,000 libel suit in circuit court today against Time Inc. and the Pierce News Agency of St. Louis. Hill said the suit is based on an article in Time-published Sports Illustrated Nov. 11, 1963, distributed locally by the Pierce Agency, which "maliciously accused" Hill of a questionable incident. The play involved injuries to quarterback Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers and Hill during a game in St. Louis last season. Hill's attorney, Jack Montrey, said: "We will ask for $150,000 actual damages and $2 million punitive damages." The petition also said that an artist's illustration printed with the story contributed to the alleged libel. Montrey said the story and the picture intimated that Hill "was a dirty football player." "I tackled Starr," Hill said in describing the play in which Starr suffered an injury to his right throwing hand. "He kicked me in the mouth accidentally, and kicked my two front teeth out. I hit him with the back of my hand in the heat of the moment. I wouldn't have done it if I had thought. Those things happen in pro football. Starr and I walked off the field afterwards. We weren't mad at each other after it was over." Hill, a 10-year veteran in the NFL, said he thought he "had a pretty decent reputation as a ball player. I don't blame Bart Starr at all, even though I'm missing two front teeth." Hill has been with the Cardinals since he started in pro ball. He played college football with Sam Houston College in Austin, Tex. He said in his suit that he had been booed at games by spectators because of the article. This exposed him to "public contempt and ridicule," he said. In New York, a spokesman for Sports Illustrated said, "Our lawyers say that we haven't been served any papers in this case, and obviously we cannot comment on something we know nothing about."
'NO COMMENT' - BART
JUN 2 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Reached in Montgomery, Ala., where he is visiting his parents while on vacation, Bart Starr said, "I really don't have any
comment on it. I don't want to get involved." Starr had maintained earlier (shortly after the incident) that he did not kick Hill.
11 NFL GREATS 'ENSHRINED' IN MENASHA CEREMONIES
JUN 10 (Appleton Post-Crescent) - The National 1,000-yard Club Foundation recorded prodigious gains in the spheres of Fox Cities prestige, boys' athletic programs and showmanship here Tuesday night. In short, the first annual enshrinement dinner of the new football organization was a blockbuster. The unique venture, which brought together the greatest collection of football runners ever assembled under one roof, was attended by nearly 200 persons in the Menasha Elks Club. Of these, 121 became charter members of the foundation by contributing $100 apiece to the project...5 CASH AWARDS MADE: In keeping with its "Yards for Youth" theme, the foundation awarded a total of $2,500 to five Fox Cities boys baseball groups. Receiving $500 apiece were the Menasha, Neenah and Appleton American Legion teams, Neenah Baseball Inc., and Boys Sports, Inc., of Menasha. The only 11 players in NFL history to rush for 1,000 or more yards in a single season were enshrined in impressive ceremonies. Ten were on hand, while the 11th - Jim Brown - was unable to attend because of business commitments. Those inducted in person were Steve Van Buren, Tony Canadeo, J.D. Smith, Dick Bass, John David Crow, John Henry Johnson, Joe Perry, Jim Taylor, Beattie Feathers and Rick Casares. Each of the 1,000-yarders received a plaque as an award, while another handsome plaque for each players, complete with photograph and record of accomplishment, is being kept for permanent display by the foundation...INTRODUCED FIRST: With the room darkened, each inductee was introduced and his accomplishments cited as a spotlight caught the unveiling of the plaques. Feathers, of the Chicago Bears, was introduced first as the pioneer of the 1,000-yarders. Feathers gained 1,004 yards in 1934 and averaged 9.9 yards a carry. He now lives in Winston-Salem, N.C., and coaches at Wake Forest. Van Buren, one-time Philadelphia Eagle great, was the first to gain 1,000 yards in two different seasons (1947 and 1949). His total for eight NFL seasons was 5,086 yards. Van Buren is still
in football on a part-time basis, as coach of the semi-pro Newark Bears. Canadeo was the first Packer to crack the 1,000-yard barrier - gaining 1,052 yards in 1949. He stays close to the game as a commentator on Packer telecasts. The 49ers' Perry is still listed as active despite starting his pro career in 1948 - but he may retire. He was the first to gain 1,000 or more yards in two straight seasons (1953-54). Perry's career total is 8,378 yards. He works for a western transportation company. Casares qualified for the elite group in 1956 when he gained 1,126 yards. The Bear fullback, who says he has recovered from last season's injury, operates a bowling alley in Chicago. Cleveland's Brown was the first to accumulate four straight 1,00-yard seasons together. He holds the 1-season record of 1,863, and his career total is 9,322 yards. Green Bay's Paul Hornung accepted the award for Brown. Smith gained 1,036 yards in 1959 and has a career total of 4,315. The 49er fullback works for a chain department store in the offseason...4 STRIAGHT SEASONS: Taylor, who received one of the biggest hands of the night, started a string of four straight 1,000-or-better seasons in 1960, when he gained 1,101. His career total is 5,599. He works for an outdoor advertising concern in the offseason. Crow is the first St. Louis Cardinal to hit the magic figure - having gained 1,071 in 1960. He operates his own construction business. Johnson in 1962 became the first Steeler to qualify for the club with a season's gain of 1,141 yards. He has been attending business school in the offseason. Bass became the game's sole 1,000-yarder in 1962 when he picked up 1,033 yards. He is a bail bondmen in Los Angeles during the offseason. Standing ovations went to Packer Coach Vince Lombardi, the main speaker, and to Curly Lambeau, a surprise guest, who is one of the Packers' co-founders and a long-time coach of the team. Among other guests in the dining room that featured wall-to-wall football celebrities were Packers Dan Currie, Ray Nitschke, Boyd Dowler, Fuzzy Thurston, Jesse Whittenton, Hank Gremminger, Bob Skoronski and Willie Davis; former Packers Tom Bettis and Gary Knafelc; and the Packer coaching staff. Among the missing guests were the Bears' Bill George, who master of ceremonies John P. Carmichael claimed, was home "reading the fine print in his new contract."
VINCE STRESSES NEED FOR CONTACT SPORTS, LAUDS 1,000-YARDERS
JUN 10 (Appleton Post-Crescent) - "This is a very exclusive group. I could develop quite a backfield here," Vince Lombardi, coach and general manager of the Green Bay Packers, declared, in referring to charter members of the 1,000-yard Club at the Foundation's first annual banquet Tuesday night. Lombardi, who said he was flattered to be chosen as guest speaker for the foundation's first program, appreciated the feat of gaining 1,000 yards except those connected with the game. "It is a great feat, no easy accomplishment," he went on. The Packer mentor also was high in his praise of the club's slogan, "Yards for Youth," in which youth groups will benefit financially from the organization. Lombardi pointed out that in each of the 11 men who gained 1,000 yards the eye rather the ego is dominant...DEVELOP LEADERS: He explained that he is concerned with the lack of interest in contact sports. "Military academies have been criticized for playing too much emphasis on competitive athletics, but the best way to develop leaders is through competitive athletics and contact sports," he declared. "America needs leaders, and freedom will succumb to communism unless values are understood by future leaders," the speaker emphasized. "Everything is done to weaken the authority in the family, state and church." Stressing the importance of teaching the strong to know when they are weak and to teach youths to be proud in defeat and humble in victory, Lombardi emphasized that we must understand the attributes of leadership, adding that "we need not just engineers and scientists but people to meet problems with wisdom and courage." He defined leadership as the ability to direct people and also the ability to have people accept orders. Lombardi also stated that another attribute of competitive athletics was the development of "spartanism" or mental toughness.
LOMBARDI 'BACKS' FALK, URGES SEAT OK
JUN 12 (Milwaukee) - Green Bay Packer Head Coach and General Manager Vince Lombardi has asked Milwaukee County Executive John Doyne to urge approval of 2,000 more bleacher seats for County Stadium for Packer football games. In a letter to Doyne, Lombardi indirectly defended Richard S. Falk against possible conflict of interest charges. Falk, a member of the Packer board of directors, proposed erection of more seats in his capacity as a member of the county park commission. Doyne has criticized Falk for proposing to pay for the $23,000 improvement from an emergency contingent fund. "Neither Mr. Falk not any member of the Packer board of directors receive any compensation for their services and their time," Lombardi wrote. "The Packers are a non-profit organization. Should we ever disband or sell, all assets by law would go to a charitable organization in Wisconsin." Lombardi said the extra seats were "badly needed in view of the terrific demand for tickets for our Milwaukee games." Doyne said Thursday he had never in any way accused Falk of conflict of interest.
DOYNE TO SEE COUNTY STADIUM SEAT ADDITION
JUN 14 (Milwaukee) - County Executive John Doyne said Saturday that he will propose to the County Board next week that 10,500 additional permanent seats be added to County Stadium at a cost of some $1.5 million. Doyne said he would favor the expansion only if he had assurances that the Milwaukee Braves and the Green Bay Packers would continue as stadium tenants for at least the next six to 10 years. He indicated he may ask that such assurances be written into the present rental contracts of the Braves and Packers. The additional seats would be in a two-deck addition to the grandstand on the third base side, and a second deck over the open section down the right field line.
BOWL HERO CARLISLE REALIST; WELCOMES PACKER CHANCE AT DHB
JUN 16 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Emmett Augustus Carlisle III, known to his intimates and knowledgeable football fanatics as Duke, is a realist. Duke, who maneuvered the Texas Longhorns to an undefeated season and the national collegiate championship last autumn - not to mention a Cotton Bowl romp over Navy in which he put the Middies' fabled Roger (The Dodger) Staubach in the shade - would appear to have fair country credentials as a quarterback. Carlisle, here along with 16 other first-year men for a preliminary briefing from Packer Coach Vince Lombardi and his staff, evinces no dismay, however, over discovering that he has been listed as a defensive halfback for Packer purposes. Rather, in fact, he welcomes it. "I think that would be the best chance for me," Duke, who had just completed his first day of indoctrination, explaining matter-of-factly Monday afternoon. "I played defense all my sophomore year at Texas and the majority of my senior year." "That," the gentlemanly Texan added with surprising candor, "would be my only chance in pro football." Reflecting upon his dazzling Cotton Bowl performance, a near-flawless effort that brought him national recognition, Duke admitted "it was a real good experience for me. But I think, mainly, though, the real pleasure for me was that the team could win, that we could prove we deserved to be Number One (Texas and Navy went into the game ranked 1-2)." The fact that he was pitted against Staubach, who had been boomed as the nation's No. 1 quarterback and a super star, was not a personal factor, Carlisle soberly confided in reply to a question. "I don't think you're especially inspired by playing against an outstanding individual," he said. "It's the fact that you're playing against an outstanding team - at least you know you have to be at your best to win." Duke, who was elected the Longhorns' most valuable player following that spotless 1963 season, is a homegrown Texan but now calls McComb, Miss., his home. "I grew up in Athens, Tex.," he reported, "but the year I graduated from high school the family moved to McComb. I have a younger brother, Todd, who is a senior in high school there now. He looks like he's going to be a good football player."...Carlisle's classroom colleagues include four "official" quarterbacks, muscular Dennis Claridge and rangy, rawboned Merv Holland in addition to veterans Bart Starr and Zeke Bratkowski. Claridge, late of Nebraska, was the Pack's No. 3 choice as a junior eligible in 1963 while Holland, a George Washington alumnus, was signed as a free agent. Their fellow scholars include Tommy Joe Crutcher, 6-3, 230-pound fullback from TCU, the Pack's No. 3 draft choice in last December's draft; Turnley Todd, 6-2, 225-pound linebacker drafted as a junior eligible in 1963; Bob Long, an end (6-2 1/2, 190) acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in the Ed Blaine trade as an extra No. 4 choice; Ken Bowman, University of Wisconsin center drafted No. 8; Dwain Bean, 6-foot, 205-pound back from North Texas State who was last year's Noo. 12 choice; and towering Tom O'Grady, 6-4, 205-pound Northwestern end drafted No. 14. Also in evidence are seven free agents, among them Jim Nettles, jet-like former University of Wisconsin halfback who has been clocked at 9.4 in the 100-yard dash. The other hopefuls include Dave Crossan, a center-guard-tackle from University of Maryland; Larry Hunter, a defensive back from Grambling; Ron Boguski, a guard-linebacker and placement artist out of St. Joseph's College; Joe Scarpati and John Humphreys, defensive backs from North Carolina State and Syracuse, respectively; and Findlay College's Odell Barry, a flanker and defensive back. Impressively-built Lee Roy Caffey, the sophomore linebacker acquired from the Eagles in the swap that dispatched all-pro center Jim Ringo and fullback Earl Gros to Philadelphia, also is being briefed on the Lombardi system, which has yielded 35 victories and 1 tie in 42 ventures in the last three years, not to mention two world championships. Classroom sessions will continue through Thursday, then recess until July 15, when all rookies are scheduled to report. They will be joined by 1963's veterans July 19.
PACK'S COWBOY CAFFEY HAD TO GO WEST
JUN 17 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - It seems only fitting that Lee Roy Caffey should have landed in the west - Western Division, that is. Lee Roy, believe it or not, is a real flesh-and-blood cowboy who, Vince Lombardi fondly hopes, will be riding herd on the likes of Rick Casares, Ronnie Bull and Jon Arnett, et al, in NFL skirmishing this autumn. Said cowpoke is a monolithic (he admits to "pushing 6-4" and scales 246 pounds) who came to Green Bay in the recent trade that shipped Jim Ringo and Earl Gros to the Philadelphia Eagles. Caffey, good looking enough to be decorous in a TV oater, currently is absorbing the Lombardian approach to football at Packer headquarters in the shadow of City Stadium, along with 16 rookies and veterans Bart Starr, Zeke Bratkowski, Bob Skoronski, Paul Hornung and Boyd Dowler. Although he pursues beef on the hoof primarily for profit, the Thorndale, Tex., resident has discovered at least one fringe benefit. "I finished up my degree at Texas A&M this spring and I was working out on the weights at school. My weight got up to 251 and I lost all my speed," Lee Roy explained. "So I started cutting down. When I got home and got to punching cows, I took some of that weight off. I came in here about 246. Played last year at 242." Caffey, who operates a 230-acre spread at Thorndale in company with his father, added to the family "empire" only last week, he reported. "I bought some cows, about 70 head," he confided with a smile, "the day before I left to come up here." "Just recently," Lee Roy added, "we cleared a big piece of land and planted it in coastal Bermuda grass. Most cattlemen are going to it out there. They're grazing about one cow to an acre, and not doing to much haying." Caffey, a 9-letter winner at Thorndale High, went to Texas A&M on a basketball scholarship, surprisingly enough. "When I was recruited, I was recruited for basketball," the strapping Texan smiled. "I had been all-state my senior year. And I broke my collarbone during the football season, so nobody saw me play football." "I went to A&M with the understanding that I would play basketball, and also try out for football. When I once got to playing football, that was it," he grinned. "I wanted to play basketball, but I never could quite fit it in." The big blond admits being dealt to the Packers "was a shock," but hastens to confide with a broad grin. "I'm not complaining. These are fine facilities here, and a nice bunch of guys. They all seem to be friendly." Although he performed at fullback as well as linebacker in college, Caffey is pleased to confine himself to the latter as a pro. "When I was in college, I weighed 220," he points out. "When you get up around 240 or 245. as I am now, you lose your quickness, your agility." "There was some talk at Philadelphia about giving me a chance at fullback, but I never did get a shot at it." He chuckled at the suggestion he might get such an opportunity with the Packers. "No, I don't think so," he laughed. "You've got the best backs in the country here."...PACKER PATTER: One of the 16 "summer school" yearlings boomed one of the nation's longest field goals last year. Ron Boguski, a guard-linebacker from St. Joseph's College, booted a 50-yarder against DePauw. Ron, who hails from Berwyn, Ill., also kicked one of 46 yards...Although most local residents are grousing over the "drought" conditions hereabout, Caffey was impressed. "This is sure a green area compared to Texas," he smiled. "It hasn't rained there in so long I can't remember what it looks like. It's really pretty up here."...One of the Packers' most ardent long distance fanatics, Merlin Sleder of Traverse City, Mich., visited the Packer office yesterday in a vain quest for tickets. Sleder, who accepted his fate philosophically, imparted with a wry grin, "When they used to have seats, I didn't have the money. Now that I've got the money, they don't have the seats." Sleder, operator of a package good store in Traverse City, qualified as a genuine Packer buff. "We're down in a hollow there, so I have to drive 50 miles to the short (Traverse City is directly across Lake Michigan) to watch the Packers on television. I've been following them since I was a kid - ever since my dad bought our first radio, when Russ Winnie was the announcer and Lavvie Dilweg and Red Dunn were with the team. If I lived here, I'd be worse than any of you." Sleder also reports he is "converting a couple of others over there. I get into seven or eight fights every fall," he laughed, "because it's all Lions over that way."
HOLLAND 'SURPRISED BUT HAPPY' PACKER
JUN 18 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - "Surprised? I'll say," Flashing a big grin, lanky Merv Holland confessed, "I'd heard a lot about the Packers - that they have the greatest organization in pro football - and, boom, they come after me. I was real happy, but real surprised." Holland, 6-3, 190-pound George Washington alumnus, is one of two quarterback recruits presently undergoing "basic training" in Coach Vince Lombardi's Highland Avenue summer school these days, the other being Nebraska's king-size Dennis Claridge. His surprise, it should be explained, stems from the fact he was signed by the Packers as a free agent - after being overlooked in last December's draft. The Bays' big brain trust, reportedly impressed with their scouting dossier on the 22-year-old Midway, Pa., resident, also were taken with his credentials. Despite George Washington's lackluster 2-7 record, Holland emerged as the nation's seventh ranking passer, connecting on 101 of 215 for a .470 mark and 12 touchdowns against Southern Conference competition which included West Virginia, VPI, VMI, William & Furman, Davidson, Furman and The Citadel. Merv, of English-Italian extraction, professes no passing preference. "I just throw," he laughed. "Short, long or medium, it doesn't make any difference." The string bean signalist amassed 12 letters in high school, four each in football and basketball, three in track and one in golf...Claridge, Holland's deep-chested fellow QB hopeful, also has been mentioned as a possibility at running back, particularly since his spectacular 68-yard scoring ramble that keyed a 13-7 Nebraska victory over Auburn in last January's Orange Bowl. The 6-4, 230-pound, Robbinsdale, Minn., resident is content to await the high command's decision in this matter. "It takes just an awful lot of time to be a quarterback," he evaluated soberly. "As far as I'm concerned, it's just wherever the coaches think I can help most." Claridge, who along with 15 other rookies toiled through a final classroom session today before scattering to the homes, confesses to be "a little heavy" at this point. "I suppose I'm about 10 pounds over my playing wright," he said, adding with a smile, "I thought I'd take a little break following the football season. Now I'm paying for it."
GROUP FAVORS SEAT INCREASE
JUN 18 (Milwaukee) - The Park and Recreation Committee of the Milwaukee County Board Wednesday recommended the immediate addition of 2,150 temporary bleacher seats at County Stadium for Green Bay Packer NFL games. The proposal faces consideration by the Finance Committee before it can go to the full board. Park Officials had recommended the project, estimating the cost at $23,400. However, the figure was challenged by County Executive John Doyne, and the appropriation was amended to $38,390 by the committee. The money would have to come from an emergency fund. Doyne said that in view of the increased cost, the county should consider completing the stadium with the addition of 10,500 permanent seats costing an estimated $1.5 million. He also suggested that before plans were finalized to add the 10,500 permanent seats the county should receive guarantees from the stadium's chief tenants, the Milwaukee Braves and the Packers, that they will use the stadium for at least the next six or seven years. If the county board finance committee approves the recommendation at its Monday meeting, the entire board will consider the matter. Stadium Manager Bill Anderson said if the bleachers are approved and the Packers continue to sell standing room tickets, the football capacity will be increased to 47,500.
PACK ROOKIE RAN 9.2 IN CENTURY
JUN 19 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers may not own the world's fastest human, presently identified as one Robert Hayes, but they have one of his closest pursuers in their ranks. This swift citizen, who twice has run against the jet-like Hayes in major competition, is Odell Barry, a free agent flanker and defensive halfback from Findlay, O., College, who has been clocked at a blistering 9.2 in the 100-yard dash. Barry, one of the 17 yearlings who Thursday concluded a four-day "quickie course" under the exacting tutelage of Vince Lombardi and his aides, volunteered, however, that the time did not receive official recognition. "I did it in a triangular meet at Hillsdale College - Ferris was the other school - but there was no wind meter that day, so it couldn't be recognized." For the record, that whirlwind performance was just one-tenth of a second off the accepted world record, established by Hayes. Odell, who said he has been caught at 9.4 "several times" under "official" conditions, revealed "once I took second to Hayes in a preliminary heat of a meet." How much did he lose by? "It was about two yards, something like that," the muscular young Negro, a native of Toldeo, recalled. This is not his only claim to fame, it develops. "I took second to Ed Roberts from North Carolina State in the 100-yard dash in the Penn Relays the last two years. He's been taking second to Hayes most of the time." Barry, who didn't begin taking track seriously until his senior year in high school, also has tied the world record in the 220-yard dash on a straightaway, 20 seconds flat. "It was wind-aided, though," Odell confessed with a smile. "The wind that day was 9-point-something miles per hour, and it can only be 4-something to be recognized as a record." The 5-9 1/2, 180-pound speedball has one other statistic to his credit that attracted Packer birddogs. He scored 18 touchdowns, second highest total in the nation, last season...PACKER PATTER: Two of the fledglings took the long way home. Quarterback Dennis Claridge, late of Nebraska, and fullback-linebacker Tommy Crutcher of Texas Christian planed to Buffalo whey they will appear in the first football game of the 1964 "season," the All-American Bowl, June 27. Crutcher found the indoctrination sessions "very helpful. It gives you some idea of what to expect. It's simpler than I expected - it's new and everything, but I think once you get the hang of it, it will be simple."...Barry concedes Hayes is 'awful fast, but he's also strong. He's not that much faster than the other sprinters, but he's stronger than any I've ever seen."
SCOTT QUITS AS PACKER VOICE IN PROTEST OF CBS-TV POLICY
JUN 20 (Minneapolis) - Ray Scott confirmed today that he is resigning as the Green Bay Packers' television commentator in protest against the Columbia Broadcasting System's new pro football TV policy. The new CBS policy, still not formally announced, will include such departures as field commentary and interviews with players and coaches during the game, splitting of the game narration between announcers from both clubs and pregame and postgame shows. Scott, rated the nation's premier TV football broadcaster, said he made the decision with "extreme regret" because "my association with the Packers is one I've prized more than any other in my 27 years in broadcasting." The Packers' TV "voice" for eight years, Scott admitted, "It's going to cost me money, but I'm completely opposed to the policy. I don't see how they're going to be able to continue it for the full season. They are going into places where they have no business going and they're going to get burned before they're through."
UNSUNG O'GRADY GOOD PACKER BET?
JUN 21 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers, who like most athletic teams are not overly fond of the "clubhouse lawyer," may shortly find themselves with a lawyer in the clubhouse. The budding barrister is Tom O'Grady, strapping red-haired Chicagoan with a ready smile and the map of Ireland indelibly stamped upon his ruddy features, who made a highly favorable impression upon the Packer brain trust during last week's four-day summer school here. Tom, a pre-law student out of Northwestern University with a yen for contact and deft pair of hands, has been largely unsung since last December's NFL draft - most of the rookie fanfare has been accorded to such as Dennis Claridge of Nebraska, Texas Christian's Tommy Crutcher and Duke Carlisle of Texas. This is not surprising, since O'Grady was the Packers' 12th draft choice, a niche not generally considered in the glamor category. But it is likely he will make his presence felt when Packer freshmen begin to skirmish on the S. Oneida St. practice field, along about July 16. For the gentlemanly Irishman - he's football's answer to Frank Howard, who invariably ends a sentence with "sir" - has an impressive collection of tools. Not only blessed with magnetic hands, he stretches to 6-4 and can propel his 215 pounds 100 yards in 10 seconds flat. If this was not enough, his college coaches not that the ex-Wildcat is gifted with unlimited courage and desire, both valuable commodities in the highly competitive NFL. O'Grady, a graduate of Brother Rice High School on Chicago's South Side, presently is attempting to settle upon a law school. "I don't know where I'm going," he says. "Maybe Marquette." "My dad's a lawyer," Tom explained. "He's a general practitioner with a small practice, so I'll probably go with him when I graduate. I eventually would like to go into government or politics." "The big thing right now is to make the ball club," he observed, flashing a broad Irish grin. "I'm confident, but I know I have an awful lot of work to do." There's another O'Grady coming up Tom was happy to report. "I have a younger brother at Brother Rice and he's going to a good one. He played first string quarterback and defensive safety on the varsity as a freshman last year. He's 5-10 1/2 and 160 pounds now and he's only 15. I've worked with him an awful lot - he's picked up all the coaching I've had, so he's a little bit ahead of the other kids."
PACKER POOL SCOUT SYSTEM WITH TRIO
JUN 23 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers, Browns, Colts and Cardinals will pool their area scouting systems. This was verified today by Coach Vince Lombardi following an Associated Press story from Knoxville reporting that John Mauer had resigned as freshman football coach at the University of Tennesse to become a scout for the four clubs. Mauer will scout college players in the Southeastern Conference. Lombardi said the four-team system will permit more areas to be covered, adding: "We will receive more detailed information and the scout in each area will make similar reports to each club." Vince also noted that the four-club program "won't save us any money. It will cost more." Six other clubs in the NFL are involved in pooling their scouting in two groups of three. The Packers, Colts, Browns and Cardinals will meet in New York next week to work out details. Pat Peppler, the Packers' personnel director and chief talent scout, is in Buffalo to look over the talent getting ready for the All-America game Saturday night. Line Coach Bill Austin will join him there Wednesday.
TRANSFER SEAT FUNDS
JUN 23 (Milwaukee) - The Milwaukee County Board's finance committee today recommended transfer of $27,000 from the park commission's street improvement fund to install about 2,100 temporary bleacher seats in County Stadium. The seats would be between the third base stands and the field bleachers in time for Green Bay Packer football games this fall.
CANADEO RETURNS AS COLOR MAN ON PACK TELECASTS
JUN 27 (Milwaukee) - Tony Canadeo will continue as color announcer on Packer telecasts, it was announced at a luncheon at Pappy's Friday by Bill McPhail, CBS television sports director. A successor to Ray Scott, who worked the Packers on TV for the last eight years, has not been named yet and McPhail said, "We're in no hurry." Scott resigned recently over a disagreement on CBS television policy. Canadeo had worked with Scott the past five years. The 1964 pregame and postgame program was revealed by McPhail. Nineteen regular season NFL games, including 11 of them with the Packers, two postseason games, the championship and the Playoff Bowl, and the preseason Hall of Fame game, will be telecast into the Green Bay area via Channel 2.
CBS-TV WILL ADD TO ITS NFL COVERAGE
JUN 28 (Appleton Post-Crescent) - CBS television, which shelled out $28.6 million to carry NFL games in 1964 and 1965, doesn't intend to change the game of football. At those prices, CBS would seem to have the power to change the shape of the football, but not so says Bill McPhail, CBS vice president in charge of sports. McPhail, who explained his firm's role and plans for upcoming coverage of press, radio and TV folks in Milwaukee Friday, said that "we don't intend to change the way we cover pro football. We're just going to add to our good coverage. With the amount of money we have invested, we have an obligation to the public and our sponsors to provide what we feel will be excellent coverage of the game as well as pregame and postgame coverage. The Playoff Bowl (between the Packers and Browns in Miami last year) served as a sort of model for our new system." However, there will be at least one revision at the insistence of Packer Coach and General Manager Vince Lombardi. You'll recall in that game, television went right to the bench and talked to players during the game. "We'll have a man on the team's side of the field, but he won't be in direct contact with the players or coaches. Not with the Packers, at least, because Vince Lombardi wants it that way. The sideline man will help bring the viewers up to date on injuries, complicated officials' calls, unusual plays and other information." Lombardi, incidentally, has gone to bat for the press in TV's postgame interviews, insisting that newspapermen be given the same time for interviews as in the past. McPhail went on: "We've gone from 16 to 18 commercials, but we do not intend to interfere with the game itself. Our only request, as in past years, to the officials - if no score or time out occurs in the first 10
minutes of the first or third quarter, then we want a time out, at the official's judgment. That doesn't mean stopping the game if someone's on the 2-yard line. There will still be no coach or player on live interview during the game. We're still not going into the dressing rooms, before, during or after the game. We'll have before game tapes, in some cases live, before the game and then after the game. We'll run back downfield plays while the teams go into the huddle and this will be something new. We're going to video tape at halftime and afterward to bring back the best plays."...4 ANNOUNCERS AT WORK: On announcers, McPhail said that four announcers (two from each club) will work each game over a single feed. "For example, when Baltimore plays at Green Bay, the Baltimore announcers will do the play by play and color from upstairs in the first half. Meanwhile, the Green Bay play-by-play announcer will be in our TV room, in contact with the other games and can be brought in with important developments, and the color man will be on the sidelines in contact with upstairs. The announcers will switch jobs for the second half." McPhail said that the resignation of Ray Scott, Packer play-by-play man on TV for the past eight years, has been accepted. Scott quit CBS in a disagreement over the network's new program policy.
HANK GREMMINGER, MASTERS SIGNED
JUL 2 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers' two most prominent insurance men, Norm Masters and Hank Gremminger, have signed their 1964 contracts, it was announced today by Coach-GM Vince Lombardi. Masters, who head the Masters Insurance Agency in Detroit, is in his eighth pro season. He came to the Packers in the Tobin Rote trade in 1957. Gremminger, the Bays' seventh choice in 1956, is back for his ninth season. He played cornerbacker until '63 when he was shifted to safety. A Texan, Gremminger moved to Madison last winter and opened an insurance office...John L. (Tarz) Taylor, former Packer line coach, is in St. Vincent's Hospital recovering from major surgery. Visitors will be permitted starting Saturday. Taylor, who works in Chicago for the Green Bay Poster Advertising Company, became ill at his hotel this week. Charley Brock, president of the first, made a hurried car trip to Chicago, returned Taylor to Green Bay and he underwent emergency surgery an hour later. Taylor has been in football just about all his life, although he now enjoys himself being a Packer fan.
CLARIDGE MAY 'RUN' WHILE LEARNING QB
JUL 5 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Packer rookies start work a week from Wednesday. And that brings to mind Dennis Claridge. This strapping back (6-3, 225) from Nebraska can throw two things - passes and blocks. And that makes him something of an unusual. Dennis, who is a sure bet to pick up the nickname "The Menace" somewhere along the line, set up two touchdowns for the West with his passing and blocking in the All-America game the other night. So what is a quarterback doing as a blocker anyway? Since a good pro QB is such a valuable hunk of machinery, he is rarely asked to lead the interference for the running back. Instead, he is requested to get rid of the ball and hightail out of range of blood-thirsty defensive linemen and linebackers. But Claridge's fine blocking certainly will come in handy if he gets the supreme test as a running back - halfback and/or fullback. And don't be surprised if Dennis winds up a ball carrier instead of a ball thrower - at least in the early stages of his training. Coach Vince Lombardi remarked the other day that he liked the way Claridge passed both long and short and added with a chuckle that "we'll have to teach him what to do with his feet." The coach said Claridge can break an old bugaboo. The Packers haven't had much luck with "future" draft choices. Dennis is one of those animals, having been drafted in December of 1962 for delivery in '64. Probably the most noted "future" in the league is Rick Casares, the Bears' fullback who needs no notices...Past, present or future, the players' status is twofold once Lombardi gets the entire crew together July 19. Then, they will be the veterans and the first year men. This will be a big year for the simon-pures since the player limit was increased from 37 to 40 and six veterans have departed - Jim Ringo, Ken Iman, Bill Forester, John Roach, Earl Gros and Lew Carpenter. Two new veterans already are in the fold - Paul Hornung, who returns after his year's suspension, and Lee Roy Caffey, the linebacker obtained from the Eagles in the Ringo-Gros deal...Packer rookies will report at St. Norbert College July 15 and the veterans will make their appearances July 19. Lombardi and aides Phil Bengtson, Norb Hecker, Bill Austin, Red Cochran and Tom Fears will start cracking the whip on twice-a-day drills Monday, July 20. The Rams will be the first to open camp. LA rookies will come in Thursday, July 9, and the veterans will report July 14. The Lions will bring up the training rear. Detroit rookies report July 20 and the veterans are scheduled to come in July 26...What do the Packers need? The NFL, in its annual survey of coaches, noted that "defensive linemen and backs" are the biggest single needs of Lombardi. Here's what the other coaches termed as their biggest needs: 'Overall defensive improvement" - Don Shula, Colts. "Offensive tackle" - George Halas, Bears. "Defensive halfback" - Blanton Collier, Browns. "Defensive line depth" - Tom Landry, Cowboys. "Offensive linemen" - George Wilson, Lions. "Linebackers" - Harland Svare, Rams. "Offensive linemen" - Norm Van Brocklin, Vikings. "Establishing defensive end" - Allie Sherman, Giants. "Defensive back" - Joe Kuharich, Eagles. "Linebacker" - Buddy Parker, Steelers. "Defensive backs" - Wally Lemm, Cardinals. "Grade A plus running back" - Jack Christiansen, 49ers. "Experienced defensive back" - Bill McPeak, Redskins. It is interesting to note that "defense" was mentioned as the biggest single need of 10 of the 14 coaches. Which again explains why Lombardi gave up such a highly-touted fullback as Gros, plus Ringo, for a defensive regular...The Milwaukee directors of the Packers toasted Lombardi at a banquet in the Milwaukee Athletic Club the other day and the Pack's GM and coach thanked them heartily for their strong backing. Milwaukee industry has jumped on the Packer bandwagon and it has been a big factor in selling out County Stadium. One of Lombardi's first objectives when he took over the Packer throttle in '59 was to woo Milwaukee industry. In fact, Vince noted with a smile in a brief talk before the directors and guests that "it wasn't this easy to get out a crowd like this a few years ago." Dick Falk, a Milwaukee director of the Pack, was host for the Milwaukee affair.
BROWN QUITS BASEBALL, EYES PACK
JUL 6 (Washington) - Bonus boy Tom Brown, a two-year flop with the Washington Senators, turned his back on baseball to try his luck with the Green Bay football Packers. Brown, a two-sport star at the University of Maryland, notified Washington officials Saturday night he will quit baseball after Sunday's game with the Senators' York farm team in the Class AA Eastern League. The first baseman-outfielder is batting below .200. Brown's notice to the Senators didn't say so, but other sources indicated he will sign with Green Bay - he was the Packers' No. 2 draft pick in 1962 - and report when the NFL team opens camp July 15 at West De Pere. The Packers reportedly had been offering Brown a salary of nearly $20,000 and a $6,000 bonus for signing. He is rated as a top prospect for either flanker back or defensive back in professional football. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Brown set records for pass receiving and pass interceptions and also was a top runner in college. But he was a top baseball player also and signed the Senators in January 1963 for an estimated $20,000 bonus, passing up his senior year of baseball at Maryland. Brown was the sensation of the 1963 Washington spring training camp. He finished the training sessions with a .321 batting average and opened the season at first base. But the switch-hitting youngster soon found he couldn't connect in the majors from either side of the plate and was hitting .147 when he was farmed out to York after 61 games. He finished the year with a .228 average in 77 games with Tork. After a long series of conferences with Washington officials, Brown decided to give baseball another try this year. But he never got started as a hitter either with the Senators in spring training or with the York farm team. Brown is married, with a year-old son, and friends said he also was unhappy about living conditions in the minor leagues. He has been living in a small trailer with his wife and son. Red Cochran, Packer backfield coach, said Brown has shown "fantastic ability. With his good hands and excellent speed, he'll be a real asset."
CAFFEY, FLEMING SIGN PACKER CONTRACTS
JUL 6 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Sophomores Lee Roy Caffey and Marv Fleming have signed Packer contracts, it was announced today by Coach Vince Lombardi. Caffey, a veteran newcomer, was obtained from the Eagles for Jim Ringo and Earl Gros. The Bays also received the Eagles' first draft choice in the deal. Caffey, who played college football at Texas A&M, was in Green Bay recently and impressed Packer coaches with his size and speed. Fleming, playing for the injured Ron Kramer last season, caught seven passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns. He was particularly impressive in the Baltimore Colt game when he caught three John Roach passes for key first downs and one touchdown to help the Packers to victory.
HOLLER TRADED TO STEELERS; PACKERS SIGN TOM BROWN
JUL 7 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Ed Holler, the Packers' two-game veteran linebacker, has been traded to the Steelers for a draft choice. And Tom Brown, once a baseball fan, has signed a Packer contract. These announcements were made by Coach Vince Lombardi today as final looks were taken at another sport - golf. Holler jumped off the taxi squad last season when Ray Nitschke sustained a broken arm in the Detroit game Thanksgiving Day. Ed was put on the active roster for the last two games in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Holler became expendable when Lombardi made the "trade of the season," sending Jim Ringo and Earl Gros for big Lee Roy Caffey, a 245-pound linebacker with one year's experience. Caffey joins Dan Currie, Dave Robinson and Nitschke to what seems like a Fearsome Foursome at the moment. The Bays had a F.F. a few years ago but it became a Threesome when Lombardi traded Tom Bettis to the Steelers. Bettis later went to the Bears and got in on a championship. Three rookies will enter the linebacker competition - Tommy Crutcher, Ron Boguski and Turnley Todd. It would be an exceptionally spirited fight since the three newcomers, not to mention Caffey, are highly touted. In addition, Robinson started to show real possibility last year when he replaced Bill Forester on occasion last year. Forester has retired. Brown, who quit the baseball chain owned by the Washington Senators over the weekend, quickly signed a Packer compact and will be in the firing line a week from Wednesday. He should be in good condition, having gone through a baseball camp and half a season. Brown, whose best recommendation is "speed," is something of a switch-hitter at the moment. Lombardi said he'll work at both flanker and defensive halfback. The coaches then will move him to the spot they think he is best at. Lombardi and aides Phil Bengtson, Norb Hecker, Bill Austin, Red Cochran and Tom Fears - all golf buffs - have time left for roughly only 126 holes of linksmanship. Once the firing starts, there is little time for golf. And speaking of golf, Packer publicist Tom Miller came in second in the first annual TV Guide golf tournament for the Packers, Braves and press, radio and TV people at the Tumblebrook Country Club in Milwaukee Monday. Bill Anderson, manager of County Stadium, was medalist with a 76. Other prize winners included Braves Manager Bobby Bragan and one of his coaches, Jo Jo White.
JERRY NORTON, ALDRIDGE SIGN
JUL 8 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Second-year Jerry Norton and Lionel (Big Train) Aldridge have returned signed contracts, Coach Vince Lombardi announced today. Norton is actually returning for his 11th season. He was obtained from the Cowboys just before the league opener in 1963 and proceeded to set a Packer punting record, averaging 44.7 on 51 kicks. He broke the mark of 44.1 set by Boyd Dowler in 1961 on 37 punts. Aldridge came to the Packers last year as a top guard prospect, but the coaches changed him to defensive end and he became a regular starter.
PACKER ROOKIE CROP LAUDED BY LOMBARDI
JUL 9 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers open training camp at St. Norbert College next Wednesday, intending to regain the NFL championship. Coach Vince Lombardi has ordered all rookies, veteran quarterbacks and back Paul Horning to report Tuesday night. Other veterans may attend early drills, though they need not report until July 19. After that, there'll be twice-daily workouts until the Aug. 8 exhibition at New Orleans against the St. Louis Cardinals. Lombardi wouldn't say Wednesday if his club is stronger that it was last season when the Packers finished second in the Western Division. He said his biggest need was defense linemen and backs. He also was hopeful that Hornung, returning after a year's layoff, could regain the form that made him the NFL scoring leader in 1961, adding, "If anyone can do it, Hornung can." He termed the rookie crop "perhaps the best I've had here." Asked what rival he considered the strongest threat to the Packers, Lombardi said, "I'm no longer in that position. I'm the threat now. The strongest teams will be the Bears, Lions, Colts and Packers. The other three - Rams, 49ers and Vikings - should be greatly improved." Asked if the Packers would win the Western Division title, Lombardi said, "We'll give it a good try."
BROWN DIDN'T LIKE HIS PRO BASEBALL 'CHANCES'
JUL 10 (Frederick, MD) - Tom Brown decided to seek a football career with the Green Bay Packers because he didn't like his chances of making baseball's major leagues. Brown, the former University of Maryland star in both sports, told Manager Bob Lemon of York in the Eastern League last Sunday that he was quitting after 1 1/2 years of baseball. "Lemon told me I had a 50-50 chance of making the majors," Brown told Arthur D. Postal, a University of Maryland student working for the summer with the Frederick Post. Brown had been unavailable for previous interviews since quitting baseball...WHOLE REASON: "I can't take that much of a chance," Brown said of Lemon's appraisal. "That's the whole reason I quit baseball. It had nothing to do with living conditions or anything else. I just felt that baseball did not offer me the chance to fulfill my responsibilities." Brown, who has a wife and a 10-month-old son, said he was not discouraged by his failure in baseball. "When you find out you can't make a living in one field, then you try another - whether it be in sports or anything else," Brown said. Brown said he felt that going to college hurt his chances of making the grade in baseball, but he would do it over again. "There were people playing at York who had been in the minors as long as 11 years," he said. "The only reason they continued playing was because they did not have the experience or the education to do anything else."...BACK TO SCHOOL: The former Washington Senators' bonus player said he planned to go back to Maryland in the fall and estimated it would take him two semesters to each enough credits for his degree. He will leave Tuesday for Green Bay's training camp in Wisconsin, where he will be tried as a flanker and in the defensive backfield. "I think I'm a better safety than anything else, but I think I can make it at flanker," Brown said.
PACKERS' 1-2-3 RUSHERS RETURN; MOORE LOOKS TO REGAINING TITLE - 'THAT'S ALL"
JUL 12 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers' one-two-three rushing punch is intact for 1964. And they're all in town already - Jim Taylor, Tom Moore and Paul Hornung. Hornung, of course, came in shortly after his one-year suspension was lifted and has been working out regularly. Moore arrived late Monday night late, found a furnished house on 13th street bright and early Tuesday and on Wednesday answered the front door. Who was there? None other than Taylor, who had heard about the same house and had come to look it over. The Taylors are house hunting - plus a number of other players. (If you have any furnished places to rent, just call the Packer office.) "I guess I'm off to a flying start," Moore laughed, "because sometimes it takes me a month to find a place. If I had known it was going to be this easy, I might have brought my fishing equipment along." With Hornung back, Moore faces the prospect of backing up the gifted runner, passer and scorer - as he did for four years until Hornung missed most of '62 and all of '63. Moore is not concerned and, as he put it th other day, "I'm looking forward to winning the championship - that's all." As to how much he plays, Tom explained, "I really don't know. It depends a lot how Paul does." The Vanderbilt slasher isn't consigning himself to the bench, of course, and opined: "You need all the running backs you can get. We've always had use for three." Moore already has nearly a week of informal practice under his best, and he plans to continue right
along with the rookies when they start drills Wednesday. The veterans report next Sunday and start practice the next day. Taylor also has started on-the-scene workouts and the big crasher is in excellent condition - at about 215. Hornung has scaled himself down to 208, but he likely will put some back on. Moore is packing 212 pounds at the moment. "That's a little heavier than I was but I may lose a little." With Taylor, Hornung and Moore together again, the Packers figure to pick up their running some this year. Green Bay put running back into pro football when Vince Lombardi took over the Pack in '59, and the Bays reached their rush peak in 1961-62 when they won the rushing championship - not to mention the world title. They dropped off some when Hornung was gone in '63 and the foe ganged up on Jarrin' Jim, who was bothered by a knee and effects of his bout with hepatitis. The Packers finished third in the league in rushing (1,907 yards in 12 games) in 1959 and second (2,150 in 12) in 1960. They won the rush crown with 2,350 yards (14 games) in 1961 and repeated with 2,460 in 1962. They finished second with 2,248 yards in 1963. Note the major dropoff was in first downs rushing, a difference in 31 from 1953 and 1962. The big TD total in '62 resulted mostly from Taylor's powerful crashing which gave him the scoring (114 points) and rushing (1,474 yards) crowns. The one-two-three punch has produced a total of 5.957 yards in 1,252 attempts for an average of just short of five per.
PACKER ROOKIES TO REPORT WEDNESDAY
JUL 14 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The biggest news in the Packer' pre-camp at 1265 Highland Ave., is that Bud Jorgenson has become a first-time grandfather. "There's something for your paper," Paul Hornung remarked, displaying a healthy nose for news as he prepared to take off for the exercise room. Jorgensen is starting his 41st season as a Packer trainer and he already has opened shop in the gleaming white training room in the Packers' Administrative Building. In fact, the place is buzzing. Property Chief Dad Braisher is whipping the equipment and the premises into readiness. He has two assistants, Vince Lombardi, Jr., and John Gordon, both returnees from '63. Jorgensen's aid, Dom Gentile, was busy filling out medical forms in preparation for the players' physicals. Getting back to the news of the day, the daughter of the Bud Jorgensens, Judy, who is Mrs. Thomas G. Kuckkahn, gave birth to a girl in Mason City, Ia. Kuckkahn is a social worker for the Lutheran Service of Iowa there. Players have been drifting in and out of the training room for the past week and among the visitors Monday was Lee Ray Caffey, the linebacker obtained from the Eagles in the Ringo-Gros trade. Caffey had just come up from his native Texas and the cool and rain of the day was a welcome sight. "We've had a drought down there for four years now," he laughed before taking off for the exercise den. Caffey is a real strapper at about 6-4 and 247. One look at him and you just feel that the Packers' defense has been bolstered. And the guy can move. Coach Vince Lombardi took no chances on Caffey's speed. He used his own watch in timing Caffey for the 100 - at 10.2. The big show actually starts at 6 o'clock Wednesday evening when the rookies, quarterbacks and centers report at St. Norbert College (Sensenbrenner Hall). Physical examinations are scheduled for 7 o'clock and Lombardi will meet the group at a squad meeting at 9 o'clock. The first drill, which will include Bart Starr, Bob Skoronski, Zeke Bratkowski and Hornung among others, will be held at 10 o'clock Thursday morning. The two-a-day setup will conclude with the afternoon drill at 3 o'clock. Veterans can join in the practices if they wish but, other than those ordered out, they are not required to report until 6 o'clock Sunday night. A meeting for the entire squad is scheduled for 9 o'clock Sunday night. The entire group takes to the field at 10 o'clock Monday morning. Two-a-day drills will continue until Lombardi decides to call a halt. At any rate, they will be over sometime before the non-league opener - vs. the Cardinals in New Orleans, Aug. 8. The Packers play five preseason games, all on Saturday nights. After New Orleans, they return home to meet the Giants Aug. 15 and then take on the Bears in Milwaukee Aug. 22. They visit Dallas Aug. 29 and then play the second game in a doubleheader in Cleveland Sept. 5...The Packers will start with 63 players - 28 rookies and 35 veterans, give or take a last minute dropout or signee...Bill Heinz, who wrote the Lombardi book "Run To Daylight," is here for a couple of new assignments. He's trailing Hornung for a piece for Life Magazine on Hornung's first week, and also
Green Bay Press-Gazette (January 2nd 1964)
Appleton Post-Crescent (January 4th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (January 23rd 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (January 25th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (January 28th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (February 7th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (February 23rd 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (February 28th 1964)
The final resting place of Ray (Scooter) McLean - Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery (Novi, MI)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (March 16th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (March 17th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (April 4th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (April 5th 1964)
Appleton Post-Crescent (April 9th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (April 14th 1964)
Appleton Post-Crescent (April 25th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (April 26th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (April 26th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (May 5th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (May 10th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (May 14th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (May 17th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (May 27th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (May 29th 1964)
Appleton Post-Crescent (June 10th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (June 17th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (June 24th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 5th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 12th 1964)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 14th 1964)
The Packer Preview in the Dell Sports Football 1964 magazine (Credit - Packerville, USA)
The 1964 Pro Football Almanac had a two-page photo feature on Green Bay running back Paul Hornung, who was returning to the game after serving a one-year suspension for his involvement in gambling. (Credit - Packerville, USA)
getting info together for an hour long television show. Run To Daylight will be the theme for the show except that it will feature preparation for the season instead of a game as in the book...Seven veterans from the 1963 team will not return - Bill Forester and John Roach, who have retired; Jim Ringo, Earl Gros, Ken Iman and Ed Holler, who were traded; and Lew Carpenter, who joined the Vikings as a coach.
Green Bay Press-Gazette (April 25th 1964)
Appleton Post-Crescent (June 10th 1964)