Grasshopper No. 1 gave us a copy of the DVD "The Longest Yard" recently. Ray Nitschke was in the movie. He plays a mean spirited linebacker on a Prison Guards football team (no front teeth and all). He meets his match when the quarterback (Burt Reynolds) throws a football into his groin and renders him unconcious.
It dawns on me that I have never talked about meeting Ray Nitschke, one of the most famous Green Bay Packer players from the 1960's dynasty. People would stand in line for hours to get Ray's autograph and to shake his hand.
I want you to know that your Mom and I got to spend personal time with Ray. Grasshopper No.4 had met Amy Nitschke while taking a class at the Fox Valley Techical College and the Nitschke's had requested a chance to meet our family (in the early 1990's). One evening, while we were living on Greenfield Street, Ray and his wife, Jackie came to visit.
Your Mom and Jackie ended up in one room and "us" guys in another. I was watching Indiana (coached by Bobby Knight) on TV smash some Big 10 foe when he arrived. We had an instant connection because Ray knew Bobby personally.
What do I remember about our encounter? I remember a friendly, gentle balding man with huge hands. His hands were massive (somewhat like Grandpa George's). He wasn't as big as I thought. I think he was on all 5 Lombardi coached Packer NFL Championship teams of the 60's. He talked more about growing up in Chicago and playing fullback on his high school football team than the Packers. He went to the University of Illinois where the transition to linebacker took place.
7-8 years after our encounter, Ray Nitschke died at the early age of 61. I guess the years of physical abuse and perhaps cigar smoking took its toll. I'm sure that Ray would not lament about an early death. He would celebrate the fairy tale life he had led. He became a legend.
How many people can say they had a legend as a guest in their house? Hey! Living in Wisconsin? Having a personal connection with the Green Bay Packers? Then getting to walk with greatness? Does it get any better? My regret is that I didn't get a picture but it didn't seem appropriate to ask at the time.
Is being a Green Bay Packer stockholder great or what?
Love,
Dad