I was going to write about the Packer tidbits that came out of the Super Bowl on Sunday, but instead with the news of Willie Wood last night, my thoughts have changed.
The Lombardi Era legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, safety Willie Wood passed away at the age of 83 on Monday Night.
Willie Wood played for the Green Bay Packers from 1960 through 1971 and ranks second in team history with 48 career interceptions. He was the starting safety on all five of Lombardi’s championships. Wood was also regarded as one of the best open field tacklers in all of football.
With a team recorded of 48 interceptions, there was probably none bigger than his interception in the second half of Super Bowl I.
Wood was named an All-Pro five straight years and selected to the Pro Bowl eight times. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1977, and then later into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. What’s even more impressive is that before Brett Favre and his consecutive game streak, Willie Wood never missed a game in 12 seasons with the green and gold.
“The Green Bay Packers family lost a legend,” Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy said. “Willie’s success story, rising from an undrafted rookie free agent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is an inspiration to generations of football fans. While his health challenges kept him from returning to Lambeau Field in recent years, his alumni weekend visits were cherished by both Willie and our fans.”
Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag
