Former Packers star passes away
The Green Bay Packers have officially announced that former defensive end Willie Davis has passed away at the age of 85.
Davis anchored a dangerous defensive line in the 1960s.
Over the course of the last year, the Packers have lost Davis, defensive back Willie Wood, and quarterback Bart Starr from the great Vince Lombardi days.
Hall of Famer and @packers Legend Willie Davis has passed away at the age of 85.
More: https://t.co/zyH0XgGuNi pic.twitter.com/y5kT1uJWUi
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) April 15, 2020
As for Davis, he began his career in 1958 with the Cleveland Browns after serving two years in the Army. He broke out as a defensive star with the Packers, becoming one of the premier lineman in the league.
Davis was named to five Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams over the course of his career. Even though he played before tackles and sacks were kept as statistics, historians believe that he finished with over 100 sacks, while others estimate the number to be 120. If this was true, it would be the most in franchise history.
In the playoffs, Davis was prime time, He helped the Packers won five championships over the course of the 1960s decade. His efforts helped land him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981.
Leading up to the Super Bowl, he was named No. 86 on the NFL’s list of the 100 Greatest Players in the game’s history.
For a player that was drafted out of Grambling, he produced one of the most decorative NFL careers in history.
He will be truly missed.
Happy 85th, Willie Davis!
Browns DE 1958-59, #Packers 1960-69• PFHOF Class of 1981
• 5x NFL Champ, 2x SB Champ
• First-Team 1960s All-Decade Team
• 5 Pro Bowls, 5x First-Team All-Pro
• 2nd NFL player ever drafted from Grambling (Browns, 1956)
• Performed SB21 coin toss pic.twitter.com/i2nReLAyhs— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) July 24, 2019