Ray Nitschke
1936-1998

Green Bay Packers
Middle Linebacker
1958-1972



This page describes the career and the man, the Green Bay Packers' most famous linebacker, Ray Nitschke. Ray was a tough player, hard hitting on the field, but every bit the fans' player off the field. Though his playing days are long over this is a sad loss for the Packers, and he will be missed. I hope you will learn more about Ol' Number 66 through the information in this web site.

Photographs here are reproduced with the permission of Vernon Biever from work published in Mean on Sunday and The Glory of Titletown

-Keith Brewster
Norman, Oklahoma


...News...
Dec 1, 1998
Ray Nitschke Biography Reprinted

Ray Nitchke's Biography, Mean on Sunday, is being reprinted by Prairie Oak Press. This is a paperback version of the original, published in 1973, shortly after he retired. There was only one printing of the original so its been a very hard out-of-print book to find.
Check the Prairie Oak web page.
Thanks to Nitschke reader Jim Geoffrey for the heads-up on this news.


Oct 2, 1998
Ray Nitschke Memorial Bridge Opened

The Ray Nitschke Memorial Bridge was opened to traffic on Oct 2nd. Ray's daughter, Amy, and one of his sons, Richard, joined local dignitaries such as Mayor Paul Jadin and Gov. Tommy Thompson to dedicate the bridge. The structure, formerly known as the Main St bridge, spans the Fox River in downtown Green Bay. It includes a four lane highway, known as "Route 66", walking and bike paths, and a bronze relief plaque of Ray.

Green Bay Press-Gazette story about the dedication
Green Bay Press-Gazette special section on the opening

Sept 22, 1998
Ray Nitschke Bridge Festivities Set
October 1-2, 1998


The Ray Nitschke Bridge will be dedicated on Friday, Oct 2. Events will include a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Governor Thompson, local bands and other events. Festivities start with "The Mayor's Civic Awards" 8-10pm on Oct 1st, then resume with the bridge dedication at 1:30 pm on Oct 2nd. Other events, including live music and other ribbon cuttings continue until 10pm. The bridge is now known as the Main Street Bridge over the Fox River in Green Bay. Events are there and other downtown locations near Main and Broadway.
Read about the bridge in the Press-Gazette.

Aerial photo of old Main St bridge.from the Terraserver site.




July 19, 1998
Amy Nitschke-Klaas Responds to Fan Memories



Please read this message from Ray Nitschke's daughter about your fan memories.





Funeral

Visitation and funeral services for Ray Nitschke were on Saturday, March 14 at Bay Side Christian Fellowship in Green Bay.



The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, any contributions can be made to:

Ray Nitschke Memorial Fund
c/o Norwest Bank
908 S. Fisk Street
Green Bay, WI 54304




Vernon Biever Photo from Mean on Sunday
(c) Vernon Biever, 1973. Used with Permission.

Ray Nitschke Info




Ray Nitschke Fast Facts.

Fan Memories of Ray Nitschke

Ray Nitschke's teammates talk about Nitschke.

Memorable quotes from Ray Nitschke's autobiography, Mean on Sunday.

Ray Nitschke's page at the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Ray Nitschke's page at the Packers' official website.

Ray Nitschke, Thespian.

Rare 1962 Topps Card
Courtesy John Gorman		 1968 Card
Courtesy The South End Zone		 1978 Hall of Fame Card
Courtesy John Gorman


Some video clips (.mov format) of Ray Nitchske, from Packers.com

Vote for Ray as greatest player to wear #66

Ray Nitschke's last column in the Packer Report

Ray Remembered in the Packer Report

Dick Schaap remembers Ray
Special to the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel.

Michael Baumann writes "Nitschke personified the Lombardi Era"
From the Packer Plus Online.

Peter King writes "Ray Nitschke: An Appreciation"
From CNN/SI.

Green Bay Press Gazette Coverage

Packer Plus Ray Nitschke Photo Gallery





Photo from The Glory of Titletown
(c) Vernon Biever, 1997. Used with Permission.


Links to descriptions of some of Nitschke's most famous games


1962 NFL Championship vs. NY Giants.
From the NFL Weather Hall of Fame

The Ice Bowl.
From the NFL Weather Hall of Fame

Super Bowl I.
Courtesy of Scott Crevier's The South End Zone.

Super Bowl I photo.
Courtesy of John Heim's Rufus site.

Super Bowl II.
Courtesy of Scott Crevier's The South End Zone.



A South End Zone graphic



Jerry Kramer Page
Choice Packer links


WWW: Keith Brewster's home page
e-mail: kbrews@cox.net
Packer Home and Away Weather: kBrews Packer Weather Center

Original material (c) 1998-2004 Keith Brewster. Others as noted.
Not endorsed by Ray Nitschke, the Green Bay Packers or the NFL.

Visit ActiveJoints: Total Hip Replacement and Alternatives