Chicago Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, a first-round draft choice in1965, had only one challenger for National Football League Rookie of the Year honors, teammate Gale Sayers. That same year Butkus was named first-team All-NFL, an honor he would record five more times. Butkus also played in the Pro Bowl following his rookie season and in each of the next seven years. He even figured in the career statistical columns with 22 interceptions and 27 opponents' fumble recoveries. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alex Karras (71) gets in the face of 49ers Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle (14). Alex Karras was drafted in the first round by the Detroit Lions in 1958. However, before his NFL career got underway, he signed a contract as a professional wrestler on December 13, 1957, earning $25,000 during the six-month off-season. Eight days later, he officially signed with the Lions. Amid scandals, such as being suspended one year for gambling, Karas played as an All-Pro defensive tackle and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. After a tumultuous playing career that ended in 1971, Karas turned to acting. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL)

Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr (15) hands off to Hall of Fame fullback Jim Taylor (31) during Super Bowl I, a 35-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. From 1960 through 1967, Starr's won-lost record was 62-24-4 and the Packers won six divisional, five NFL, and the first two Super Bowl championships. Starr held several NFL passing records, including the lifetime record of completing 57.4 percent of his passes over a 16-year period. He led the league in passing three times. He was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1966 and won MVP honors in both Super Bowls I and II. (Photo by Vernon Biever/NFL)
» Video: Bart Starr retrospective

Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame tackle Bob Brown, nicknamed "Boomer," was an aggressive blocker. The 6-4, 280-pound Brown used his size and strength to neutralize hard-charging pass rushers. He was named All-NFL seven of his 10 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (1964-68), Los Angeles Rams (1969-70), and Oakland Raiders (1971-73). Two of the three years he did not make the All-NFL team, he was named second-team All-NFL. Named the NFL/NFC offensive lineman of the year three times, Brown was also chosen to play in six Pro Bowls. (Photo by Tony Tomsic/NFL)

Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame defensive tackle Bob Lilly tries to get past a Philadelphia lineman. The Dallas Cowboys selected Lilly as their first-ever draft choice in 1961. For the next 14 seasons, his play on defense was so outstanding that he became popularly known as "Mr. Cowboy." As a tackle, Lilly was a first-team All-NFL choice every year from 1964 through 1969, then again in 1971, and 1972. He was selected to play in 11 Pro Bowls and is the first player who spent his entire career with the Cowboys to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (Photo by Tony Tomsic/NFL)

Green Bay wide receiver Boyd Dowler gets upended as he scores on a 16-yard pass from Bart Starr in the Packers 34-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the 1966 NFL Championship Game. Dowler was a key contributor on the Packers Dynasty in the 1960's, assisting the team to 5 NFL championship wins, including victories in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II. Dowler retired with a career record of 474 receptions for 7,270 yards and 40 touchdowns. He led the Packers in receptions for seven seasons. (Photo by Russ Russell/NFL)

Bobby Boyd played for the Baltimore Colts for his entire 9 year career. A quarterback in college at the University of Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson, Boyd played cornerback for the Colts and was a two-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL with 9 interceptions in 1965. He finished his career with 57 interceptions, which he returned for 994 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also recovered 11 fumbles. Most people believe that 1965 was Bobby Boyd's best year, as he picked off 9 passes and ran back an interception for a touchdown. (Photo by Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Washington Redskins Hall of Fame wide receiver Charley Taylor heads upfield in a 17-6 win over the Packers. The 6-3, 210-pounder won Rookie of the Year acclaim in 1964 as a running back and became the first rookie in 20 years to finish in the NFL's top 10 in both rushing (sixth with 755 yards) and receiving (eight with 53 catches for 814 yards). His 53 receptions were a record for running backs at that time. With 1,488 yards rushing and a smattering of kick return yardage, he amassed 10,803 combined net yards to also rank among the best in that category. With 11 touchdowns rushing and 79 on receptions, Charley scored 540 points in his career. (Photo by Nate Fine/NFL)

The Browns chose Gary Collins with the fourth draft pick in 1962 and immediately made him the starting punter, while also using him as a reserve for veteran receiver Ray Renfro. In 1963, he moved into the starting lineup and led the team with 43 receptions and teamed with quarterback Frank Ryan to pace the league with 13 touchdowns catches. The latter mark broke a team record of nine, established by Dante Lavelli in 1947. Collins retired with 339 receptions for 5,299 yards and 70 touchdowns. He remains the Browns' leader in career receiving touchdowns, and his reception total ranks second behind that of Ozzie Newsome. As a punter, he averaged 41.0 yards per attempt for his career. (Photo by Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Defensive end David Robinson #89 of the Green Bay Packers runs in pursuit against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on September 28, 1969. Robinson was drafted by the Packers in the first round of the 1963 NFL Draft, and by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the AFL draft. He signed with the Packers and went on to become a three-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time 1st Team All-Pro over his eleven seasons with the Packers. (Photo by Vernon Biever/NFL Photos)

Los Angeles Rams Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones (75) closes in on Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr (15) just as Starr releases the ball during a 1969 game. Jones won unanimous all-league honors six straight years from 1965 through 1970. He also played in seven straight Pro Bowls, 1965-1971, and was selected to an eighth in 1973. In both 1967 and 1968, he was chosen the top defensive player in the NFL by one major news service. Jones missed just five games of a possible 196 regular-season encounters in 14 NFL campaigns. (Photo by NFL/NFL)
» Video: Deacon Jones retrospective

Del Shofner the New York Giants makes a catch against the Green Bay Packers in a 16-7 loss in the 1962 NFL Championship on December 30, 1962 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. Shofner played for eleven seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants from 1957 to 1967. He was a five time Pro Bowler in 1958, 1959, and from 1961 to 1963 and five time All-Pro. (Photo by Vernon Biever/NFL)

Green Bay Packers kicker Don Chandler's (34) extra point sails through the uprights during Super Bowl I, a 35-10 Packers victory on January 15, 1967. Chandler played in the first two overtime games ever in the NFL, in 1958 with the Giants against the Baltimore Colts and again in 1965 when he kicked the winning field goal for the Packers against the same Colts in a Western Conference playoff game at Green Bay. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1967. (Photo by Vernon Biever/NFL)

After defensive end Doug Atkins earned All-America honors at Tennessee, the Cleveland Browns selected him as their first choice in the 1953 National Football League Draft. After two seasons in Cleveland, he was traded to the Chicago Bears and there he developed into one of history's most awesome defensive performers. Exceptionally strong and agile, the 6-8, 257-pound Atkins earned legendary acclaim as a devastating pass rusher who would often leapfrog blockers to get at the passer. An All-NFL choice four times and a veteran of eight Pro Bowls, Atkins wound up his 17 year, 205 game career with three successful seasons with the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Safety Eddie Meador #21and cornerback Clarence Williams #24 of the Los Angeles Rams team up to stop running back Ben Wilson #36 of the Green Bay Packers. Meador played for the Los Angeles Rams for his entire 12 year career, starting 159 games in a row. Most people believe that 1967 was Eddie Meador's best year, as he picked off 8 passes and ran back 2 interceptions for touchdowns. (Photo by Vic Stein/NFL Photos)

Forrest Gregg was the Green Bay Packers' No. 2 draft pick in 1956. He earned an "iron-man" tag by playing in a then league record 188 consecutive games from 1956 until 1971, his final season which he spent with the Super Bowl-bound Dallas Cowboys. As the Packers grew in stature in the 1960s, so too did Gregg. He won All-NFL acclaim eight straight years from 1960 through 1967 and was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls. (Photo by Vernon Biever/NFL)

Gale Sayers makes a catch against the San Francisco 49ers. In his relatively short career, he compiled a record that can never be forgotten. His totals show 9,435 combined net yards, 4,956 yards rushing, and 336 points scored. At the time of his retirement he was the NFL's all-time leader in kickoff returns. He won All-NFL honors five straight years and was named Offensive Player of the Game in three of the four Pro Bowls in which he played. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL)
» Video: Gale Sayers retrospective

Hall of Fame guard Gene Hickerson (66) of the Cleveland Browns provides the lead block for Hall of Fame running back Leroy Kelly (44). Hickerson played in 202 games during his career and started at right guard in four NFL title games that included the Browns' 27-0 win over the Baltimore Colts in the 1964 NFL Championship Game. With Hickerson paving the way, the Browns featured a 1,000-yard rusher in every season but one during Hickerson�s first 10 pro seasons. (Photo by Darryl Norenberg/NFL)

Guard Howard Mudd #68 of the West watches from the bench against the East in the 1967 NFL Pro Bowl at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 22, 1967 in Los Angeles, California. He played seven seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears from 1964 to 1970. Mudd was a three time Pro Bowler in 1966, 1967 and 1968. Mudd is currently in his 35th season as an offensive line coach in the NFL, and his 11th season with the Colts. Mudd's tenure of consecutive seasons as an NFL assistant coach is the longest in the league. (Photo by NFL Photos/Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame cornerback Herb Adderley (26) lines up during Super Bowl V. The 6-1, 205-pound Philadelphia native took immediate command in the Packers' defensive backfield in 1961 and, within two years, had won All-NFL honors, an acclaim he was to earn four more times in 1963, 1965, 1966 and 1969. Adderley amassed 48 interceptions, returning them for 1,046 yards and a 21.8-yard average, with seven touchdowns during his 12-year career with the Packers (1961-69) and Dallas Cowboys (1970-72). He doubled as a kickoff return specialist during most of his Green Bay career and wound up with a 25.7-yard average on 120 returns. Included were a 103-yard return in 1962 and a 98-yard thrust in 1963. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Green Bay Packers guard Jerry Kramer (64) leads the blocking for running back Elijah Pitts (22) during Super Bowl I. Kramer had an 11-year NFL career with the Green Bay Packers as an offensive lineman. As a 6'3", 250 lb. right guard, #64 was an integral part of the famous "Packer Sweep", a signature play in which both guards rapidly pull out from their normal positions and lead-block for the running back going around the end. Kramer was an All-Pro five times and was the blocker responsible for Bart Starr's last minute touchdown in Super Bowl II, the infamous "Ice Bowl". (Photo by James Flores/NFL)

St. Louis Cardinals kicker Jim Bakken #25 of the East kicks a field goal against the West in the 1966 NFL Pro Bowl. Bakken was a four time Pro Bowl seleection and set an NFL record in 1967 when he made 7 field goals in one game. The record has seen been equaled three times, and finally broken in 2007. (Photo by NFL Photos/Getty Images)

Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown (32) of the Cleveland Browns carries the football. Brown was more than just a one-of-a-kind running back. He caught passes, returned kickoffs, and even threw three touchdown passes. His 12,312 rushing yards and 15,459 combined net yards put him in a then-class by himself. Jim was a unanimous first-team All-NFL pick eight times, 1957 through 1961, 1963-1965. He played in nine Pro Bowls in nine NFL seasons and was the game's outstanding back three times. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL)
» Video: Jim Brown retrospective

Green Bay Packers center Jim Ringo talks with Philadelphia Eagles center/linebacker Chuck Bednarik (60)--both members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame--before the 1960 NFL Championship Game. Ringo played 11 years with the Packers and four more with the Philadelphia Eagles. He made All-League seven times and played in 10 Pro Bowls. Never weighing more than 235 pounds, he utilized his speed and football intelligence to dominate his opponents. When coach Vince Lombardi took over the Packers in 1959, Jim was the only already-established All-Pro on the roster. Lombardi built his offense around Ringo. (Photo by Vernon Biever/NFL)

Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame fullback Jim Taylor circa 1960. When Vince Lombardi took over the Green Bay coaching reins in 1959, fullback Jim Taylor became the Packers' bread-and-butter guy. Lombardi depended upon him to get the needed short yardage whether it was for a first down or a touchdown. Thousand-yard seasons became a specialty for Taylor. He went over 1,000 yards five straight seasons beginning in 1960 but reached his zenith in 1962, when he had a career-high 1,474 yards and was named the NFL Player of the Year. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

San Francisco 49ers running back John David Crow (44) in 1966. Crow played for the Chicago & St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers between 1958 and 1968. Crow received the annual "Len Eshmont Award" on two occasions, 1966 and 1967. This award is voted by the players to the 49er who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont. Crow played 11 seasons and appeared in 4 Pro Bowls. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey of the Baltimore Colts in a 1966 game. He played nine seasons with the Colts and then finished his 10-year career with the San Diego Chargers in 1972. Mackey was not like other tight ends of his day, who were typically thought of as just another tackle. John added another dimension to the position. His breakaway speed made him a legitimate long-distance threat. Over his career, he caught 331 passes for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns. Perhaps his most famous single play came in Super Bowl V when he grabbed a deflected pass from Johnny Unitas that produced a 75-yard touchdown, a Super Bowl record at the time. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts in 1967. Unitas' first pass was intercepted for a touchdown but from that moment on, he never looked back. For the next 18 seasons, "Johnny U" ran up a ledger of game winning exploits seldom matched in NFL history. Without a doubt, it was his last-second heroics in the 1958 NFL title game, often called "the greatest game ever played," that turned Unitas into a household name. Unitas' career statistics include 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns passing. His record of at least one touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games may stand forever. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

St Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame safety Larry Wilson 1966 game against the Redskins. Wilson anchored the Cardinal's defense, and won first- or second-team all-league honors seven times during his career and played in eight Pro Bowls. He reached his zenith with interceptions in seven straight games in 1966, a year that he led the NFL with 10 steals. Wilson, during his Hall of Fame career, recorded 52 career interceptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Hall of Fame cornerback Lem Barney (20) of the Detroit Lions in action against the Los Angeles Rams. After a sensational rookie season on 1967, he was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and selected to play in the Pro Bowl, something he would do six more times during his stellar career. Barney also tied for the NFL interception lead with 10. Three of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns, just one short of the then-all-time single-season record. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Hall of Fame defensive tackle Merlin Olsen (74) of the Los Angeles Rams. He was a standout as a rookie in 1962, and thereafter stood out in every game he played for the Rams in a 15- year career. As a rookie Olsen was voted into the Pro Bowl. And in the winters that followed they never played a Pro Bowl without him for 14 consecutive years. Ten times he was selected a first- or second-team All-Pro. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Larry Morris played linebacker with the Chicago bears, Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons. In the 1963 Bears-Giants NFL championship game, Morris, intercepted a Y.A. Tittle pass and returned it 61 yards before being taken down at the 6. Chicago scored a momentum-changing touchdown moments later and went on to win, 14-10. Morris was named the game's MVP, but remembers none of it. He was featured in an article in The Sporting News about former football players who suffer from head injuries that happened during their career. According to the article, Morris has little, if any, recollection of his playing days. (Photo by Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame halfback Paul Hornung on a carry in a 23-12 win over the Cleveland Browns in the 1965 NFL Championship Game. Hornung scored 760 points in nine seasons on 62 touchdowns, 190 PATs and 66 field goals. He also gained 3,711 yards rushing and 1,480 yards on pass receptions. In addition to his placekicking, he was a superb blocker and highly effective on the halfback option pass. Known as "The Golden Boy," Hornung was above all a leader to whom the Packers looked for the big plays in the big games. (Photo by Vernon Biever/NFL)

Offensive lineman Ralph Neely #73 of the Dallas Cowboys walks to the sideline against the Los Angeles Rams in the 1975 NFC Championship Game. Neely played 13 seasons and 172 games for the Dallas Cowboys from 1965 to 1977. He was a two-time Pro Bowler in 1967 and 1969 and was an All-Pro four times. (Photo by NFL Photos/Getty Images)

Green Bay Packers linebacker Ray Nitschke pursues a ball carrier in a 27 to 20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on December 1, 1968 at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, California. Ray earned either first- or second-team All-NFL honors seven times in eight years from 1962 to 1969. In addition to being a hard-hitting tackler, he was excellent in pass coverage as his 25 lifetime interceptions attest. He was the first defensive player from the Packers' dynasty years to be elected to the Hall of Fame. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL)
» Video: Ray Nitschke retrospective

Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen #9 of the Washington Redskins sets up to pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the 1974 NFC Divisional Playoff Game. With Philadelphia for seven seasons and Washington for 11 more, Jurgensen � one of the finest pure passers ever � accumulated a seemingly endless list of individual records. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, his stats include 2,433 completions for an impressive 32,224 yards and 255 touchdowns. Even at the age of 40 in his final 1974 season, Jurgensen won his third NFL individual passing crown. (Photo by Nate Fine/NFL Photos)

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Tommy Nobis during a 1967 Pro Bowl game. After a much-decorated collegiate career that included two All-American honors as a two-way player at the University of Texas, Nobis' legendary 11-year NFL playing career started as the Falcons' first No. 1 draft pick in 1966. As a rookie, he made the Pro Bowl (five appearances in all during his career) and was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame defensive end Willie Davis (87) circa the late-1960s. Undeniably Willie Davis was a major factor in Green Bay's winning tradition of the 1960s that included five NFL championships and six divisional titles in eight seasons. He was also as durable as he was dedicated, never missing even one of a possible 162 games in his 12-year tenure. Always on the prowl, he recovered 21 opponents' fumbles during his career, just one shy of the record when he retired. He was an All-NFL selection five times in six years from 1962 to 1967 and selected to play in five consecutive Pro Bowls. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame safety Willie Wood (24) is another of the talented athletes who teamed to give Green Bay pro football dominance in the 1960s. Yet the 5-10, 190-pound USC quarterback was not drafted by any NFL team. He had to seek a tryout before the Packers accepted him as a free agent in 1960. Within a short time, Willie was recognized as a premier free safety in the NFL. He became a starter in his sophomore 1961 season and held that job for more than a decade. He won first- or second-team All-NFL honors nine times in a nine-year stretch from 1962 through the 1970 season and went to the Pro Bowl eight times. (Photo by NFL/NFL)