NFL Greatest Players

Ray Nitschke: Forget the rumors: Ray Nitschke never ate barbed wire or spit nails. But he could take responsibility for many of the other legendary stories that circulated through the NFL during his 15-year journey to the Hall of Fame.

Nitschkes true legacy is intertwined with Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers, a team that fed off Nitschke's fierce determination to capture five NFL championships over a seven-year period in the 1960s.

Off the field, Nitschke was a tall, balding, intelligent, thoughtful and conservative businessman, complete with horn-rimmed glasses and traditional suit.

But once he pulled a helmet over the bald head and removed his upper bridge, he became a ferocious, body-slamming middle linebacker.

The 6-3, 235-pound Nitschke who entertained rabid Green Bay fans on Sunday afternoons had the strength, quickness, lateral speed and toughness to back up the toothless, animalistic aura he used to intimidate opponents.

To say he was the heart of the Packers defense during the teams glory years is an understatement.

Nitschke inspired greatness in teammates with his all-out, never-say-die hustle, a never-wavering enthusiasm and a leader-by-example mentality.

He played mean and his reputation as one of the greatest run-stuffing linebackers was well deserved. He also was a cat-like pass defender who rattled receivers and ran back 25 interceptions for 385 yards.

The image of a scowling Nitschke, with blood-spattered on his No. 66 uniform and white tape wrapped tightly around various parts of his body to hide and protect his numerous injuries, will live long in Green Bay football lore.

Curiously, he was selected for only one Pro Bowl during his outstanding career. But he was named a linebacker on the NFL's 75th anniversary all-time team that was selected in 1994.