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Most deserving former Packer overlooked by Hall of Fame?

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  • #1

    Most deserving former Packer overlooked by Hall of Fame?

    Now that the injustices to Jerry Kramer, LeRoy Butler and Sterling Sharpe have been righted, who is the most deserving former Packer who has been overlooked by the NFL Hall of Fame?

    My "nominee" played 10 seasons.
    He was not a starter as a rookie, but shared snaps with a vet.
    He was injured one season, playing only the first two games.
    His final season was played after being retired for one season.

    He was an All-Pro six times ... SIX TIMES! When you consider that he didn't start one season, played only 2 games another season, and played his last after a year retirement, you can see how truly dominant he was, 6 All Pro seasons in seven seasons during the prime of his career. That one non-All Pro season was his second year, his first season as a starter.

    He was the first winner of the NFL Offensive Lineman of the year.
    He was the NFC winner of the NFLPA Lineman Award another year.
    He was a Pro Bowl player 5 times.

    He was a true innovator as a player, being one of the first to focus heavily on weightlifting, at a time when heavy lifting was discouraged by teams, thinking it caused athletes to become "muscle bound," losing necessary flexibility. Widely regarded as one of the strongest players of his time. (Side note - his 3 sons are/were world class competitors and record holders in power lifting and strongman competitions.)

    Why is GALE GILLINGHAM not in the Hall of Fame?
    Last edited by Patler; 02-08-2025, 09:48 AM.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    He got overshadowed because his 1st year as a starter was the last year of the Lombardi era. Tough sometimes for even great players who don't compile stats to get recognition they deserve when they play on bad teams.
    I can't run no more
    With that lawless crowd
    While the killers in high places
    Say their prayers out loud
    But they've summoned, they've summoned up
    A thundercloud
    They're going to hear from me - Leonard Cohen

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Joemailman View Post
      He got overshadowed because his 1st year as a starter was the last year of the Lombardi era. Tough sometimes for even great players who don't compile stats to get recognition they deserve when they play on bad teams.
      Agreed. His All Pro seasons are even more noteworthy because he was on some really bad teams. He was All Pro before and after Devine tried to make him a defensive tackle. He was All Pro the year before his first retirement.

      His career overlapped with those of both Thurston (who he replaced) and Kramer. As his career advanced, some argued that Gillingham was better than Kramer had been.

      One of the most bazaar things I have witnessed as a Packer fan was Dan Devine moving Gillingham to defensive tackle just days before the first game in 1972. No significant practice time, just switch from OL to DL. A guy with four consecutive All Pro seasons at OG, now playing DT????

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      • #4
        Google tells me Verne Lewellen needs a shout out.

        Clay Mathews should be in...but I'm talking about the original. He didn't play for the Packers.

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        • #5
          Cool stuff, thanks for the history old timers. Never heard anything other than his name mentioned. Sounds like he was the first victim of the Packers depression decades.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by MadtownPacker View Post
            Cool stuff, thanks for the history old timers. Never heard anything other than his name mentioned. Sounds like he was the first victim of the Packers depression decades.
            A long long time since I thought of this Packers excellence.
            ** Since 2006 3 X Pro Pickem' Champion; 4 X Runner-Up and 3 X 3rd place.
            ** To download Jesus Loves Me ring tones, you'll need a cell phone mame
            ** If God doesn't fish, play poker or pull for " the Packers ", exactly what does HE do with his buds?
            ** Rather than love, money or fame - give me TRUTH: Henry D. Thoreau

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            • #7
              Billy Howton and Cecil Isbel should be in.

              Howton retired as the All-Time receiving leader. Isbell was a contemporary of Sammy Baugh and considered the better player. He retired after his age 27 season.

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by smuggler View Post
                Billy Howton and Cecil Isbel should be in.

                Howton retired as the All-Time receiving leader. Isbell was a contemporary of Sammy Baugh and considered the better player. He retired after his age 27 season.
                An argument can be made for Howton. His career stats hold up well even now, and especially so when viewed with consideration to the nature of the game when he played.

                Isabel? Not so much, in my opinion. A significant name in Packer lore, but not much from the league's perspective. Very short career, too few games. A few single season accomplishments. That's about it.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by woodbuck27 View Post
                  A long long time since I thought of this Packers excellence.
                  I imagine it’s how Patriots fans felt and now Chiefs fans are living. A long period of dominance must have been awesome.

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