R.I.P. John Brockington

[Joemailman]

Passed away at the age or 74.

Man, he and MacArthur Lane were incredible in 1972, combining for over 1800 yards rushing. Brockington was the first running back in NFL history to rush for over 1000 yards in his first 3 seasons.

[beveaux1]

Great RB. That year with Lane and Brockington was one of the few winning seasons during 25 years with few highlights.

[George Cumby]

My first memory of the Packers is my parents talking about Brockington and how good he was.

[Fritz]

He was Earl Campbell before Earl Campbell.

What a great year. What a great tandem, those two. I was a big Packer fan by '72, and that year was fun to watch. Especially important that they ran the ball so damn well because Scott Hunter was a horrible quarterback. Horrible.

And I loved the surprise plays when McArthur Lane threw the ball. I looked it up; he went 2 - 2 as did Ron Widby, the punter, who threw for 102 yards on those two completions. I wish LeFleur would bust out trick plays once in a while. The one he tried on a punt last year was a stupidly executed play.

But Brockington was just so much fun to watch. He just ran people over. And before he got injured, he was nearly unstoppable. Had he played in this era, that injury wouldn't necessarily have derailed his career, and he might just be in the hall of fame.

[Rastak]

When I think of the Packers I still see Lane and Brockington. I liked watching him and was really sad to see he passed.

[George Cumby]

When I think of the Packers I still see Lane and Brockington. I liked watching him and was really sad to see he passed.

Classy, as always, Ras.

[Rastak]

Classy, as always, Ras.

Thanks George, back then I was about 10 years old and didn't realize the team rivalries existed. Most of my favorite players were Vikings but I loved John Brockington, him and guys like Otis Taylor and even Dick Butkus.

[George Cumby]

Thanks George, back then I was about 10 years old and didn't realize the team rivalries existed. Most of my favorite players were Vikings but I loved John Brockington, him and guys like Otis Taylor and even Dick Butkus.

You're a few years ahead of me. The first player to REALLY grab my attentions was Earl Campbell. Man, he was awe-inspiring in his prime.

[Joemailman]

I still remember the first game of the 1972 season. Brockington and Lane combined for over 200 yards total offense and Chester Marcol kicked 4 field goals as the Packers best the Browns 26-10. That was as good as Packer football got in the 1970's.

[QBME]

I still remember the first game of the 1972 season. Brockington and Lane combined for over 200 yards total offense and Chester Marcol kicked 4 field goals as the Packers best the Browns 26-10. That was as good as Packer football got in the 1970's.

Amen

[ThunderDan]

Thanks George, back then I was about 10 years old and didn't realize the team rivalries existed. Most of my favorite players were Vikings but I loved John Brockington, him and guys like Otis Taylor and even Dick Butkus.

I wore a Chuck Foreman and Earl Campbell jerseys as a little kid. I love those guys even though the Pack was my team. Got the Campbell jersey at the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton. My sister got a Jim Zorn jersey.

[ThunderDan]

I still remember the first game of the 1972 season. Brockington and Lane combined for over 200 yards total offense and Chester Marcol kicked 4 field goals as the Packers best the Browns 26-10. That was as good as Packer football got in the 1970's.

My favorite was the Bears game with the blocked FG that Chester picked up and ran for the TD.

[Rastak]

My favorite was the Bears game with the blocked FG that Chester picked up and ran for the TD.

That sounds like a fun game. I recall listening to a Vikings-Lions game in the 70's because it was blacked out on TV and the Vikings won at the end of the game when they blocked an Errol Mann XP.

[George Cumby]

Had to find some highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jbjGryycjA

[Rastak]

Had to find some highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jbjGryycjA

I had forgotten how imposing that guy was.