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Packers great Taylor dies

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Jim Taylor – Photo Courtesy of the Green Bay Packers and Packers.com

Former Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame fullback Jim Taylor died unexpectedly Saturday at a hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  He was 83.

Taylor played nine seasons with the Packers from 1958-’66 and left as the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.

Taylor was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976.

In a statement issued by the Packers, team President and CEO Mark Murphy said, “He was a gritty, classic player on the Lombardi teams and a key figure of those great championship runs.  One of the best runners of his era, he later was greatly appreciated by multiple generations of Packers fans during his many returns to Lambeau Field with his fellow alumni.  Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Helen, and their family and friends.”

Taylor was a second-round pick by the Packers in 1958 out of Louisiana State.

When Taylor finished his time in Green Bay, he had rushed for 8,207 yards and tallied 26 100-yard rushing games.  He helped the Packers win titles in 1961, 1962, 1965 and 1966.

Kramer honored at halftime

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Jerry Kramer

NFL Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer  saw his name unveiled on the Lambeau Field façade on Sunday, becoming the 25th member of the Green Bay Packers organization to do so.

The 82-year-old Kramer also was presented with his Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence during the halftime ceremony.

Kramer was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past summer after playing all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Packers, winning five NFL titles.

The long wait was worth it for Kramer, who was a finalist 10 times.

The five-time All-Pro is best known for his block allowing quarterback Bart Starr to score the game-winning touchdown in the 1967 Ice Bowl at Lambeau Field.

The long wait is finally over for Kramer (AUDIO)

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Jerry Kramer – Photo Courtesy of Mike Clemens

In his 11th time as a finalist, former Green Bay Packers great Jerry Kramer was finally voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Kramer secured the necessary 80% or more of the votes from the 47 voters who were in attendance and  then found out later when Hall of Fame president David Baker knocked on his hotel room door to relay the news he’s been waiting for.

Kramer admitted afterwards that this might take a while to sink in.

The 82-year-old Kramer becomes the 13th member of the Packers’ 1960’s dynasty to be voted into the Hall of Fame.

Kramer was a modern-era finalist nine times and was a seniors committee nominee one time, back in 1997.  Each time, he failed to secure the needed 80% of the vote.  Now, Kramer is finally in.  [Read more…]

Last chance for Jerry Kramer for the HOF

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Jerry Kramer – Photo Courtesy of Mike Clemens

Former Green Bay Packers great Jerry Kramer has been a finalist in Hall of Fame voting 10 times before and all 10 times, he fell short.

The last time was back in 1997 as a seniors committee nominee and he remembers it well.

AUDIO: Jerry Kramer said he was close in 1997 :21

Kramer will find out if he received enough votes this time around when the results will be released on Saturday.  Many feel this will finally be the time that Kramer will receive entry.

Rick Gosselin is a member of the seniors committee and a radio host for the Talk of Fame Network.  He will present Kramer’s case to the voters.  He will tell the voters that in 1969, the Hall voters chose 15 players as the best at their position in the NFL’s first 50 years.  Kramer was selected as the top guard and is now the only one of the 15 not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kramer has prepared himself for the possibility that he may never get into the Hall of Fame.  He said this week that he’s had a good life and a good career and the Hall of Fame isn’t everything.  But at the age of 82, this is Kramer’s time.  He doesn’t deserve to come up empty an 11th time.

 

Could this finally be Jerry Kramer’s time?

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Jerry Kramer

Green Bay Packers legendary guard Jerry Kramer was nominated as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame by the seniors committee on Thursday.  But Kramer has been here before.  It’s the 11th time that Kramer has been a finalist, more than any current player not enshrined in Canton.

Kramer was a centerpiece of coach Vince Lombardi’s five world titles, which included Super Bowls I and II.

Kramer still must secure 80% of the vote when the selection committee meets at the Super Bowl in February.

Kramer was last a finalist for the Hall of Fame in 1997, when the Packers reached Super Bowl XXXI.  But the votes didn’t come and Kramer failed to gain entrance for the 10th time.  So Kramer is certainly optimistic, but it’s guarded optimism.

Kramer could be the 12th player from Vince Lombardi’s Packers teams to be enshrined in Canton.  Fellow lineman Forrest Gregg and Ringo Starr have already received induction.

For now, Kramer is known as the best player not in the Hall of Fame.  Six months from now, Kramer is hoping that distinction no longer applies.

Hall of Fame Refund Policy Approved

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Pro Football Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced today that the Board of Trustees approved a special reimbursement plan for all ticketholders to the 2016 Hall of Fame Game.

Ticketholders will be fully refunded the face-value of their ticket.  Additionally, the Hall of Fame will refund all processing, shipping and handling fees, pre-paid parking purchased through the Hall of Fame, pre-sale reservation fees and one night of hotel accommodations to eligible fans, subject to appropriate review, approval and verification.

In addition to the increased reimbursements, the Hall of Fame announced it will also provide to ticketholders:

  • four admission tickets to the museum to be used once any time during the next five years;
  • a commemorative photo of the Hall of Fame Class of 2016 along with their fellow Hall of Fame members taken on the front steps of the museum;
  • a copy of the 2016-17 Pro Football Hall of Fame Yearbook;
  • the right, before the general public, to purchase a ticket for a future Pro Football  hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony or Pro Football Hall of Fame Game for one year in any of the next five years; and
  • a 30 percent discount for the purchase of any merchandise from the museum’s online store.

 

Favre was one of the best ever

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Brett Favre receives Hall of Fame Jacket / Photo: Thanks to Lance Allen-WTMJ-TV

Brett Favre receives Hall of Fame Jacket / Photo: Thanks to Lance Allen-WTMJ-TV

Being a first ballot Hall of Famer was never in doubt for Brett Favre.  His 20-year NFL career helped revitalize a Green Bay Packers franchise that was on life support.

During his career, he won a Super Bowl and played in two with the Packers.  He was a game away from playing in a third, as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

Ron Wolf, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year, took a chance on Favre.  He traded a first round pick to Atlanta to get him.  Doctors said a hip injury would shorten Favre’s career, but Wolf rolled the dice and it paid off.

Favre’s head coach at the time, Mike Holmgren, as well as quarterbacks coach Steve Mariucci deserve a lot of credit.  Favre was talented, but he was a stallion that needed to be broken.  It took some doing, but the common theme between them was winning. [Read more…]

Favre to be presented by his wife at Hall of Fame

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Brett Favre

Brett Favre

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the list of presenters for this year’s inductees.  Former Packers quarterback Brett Favre will be presented by his wife, Deanna.

Favre said in a release, “She has been by my side throughout this journey and I’m so excited that she gets to play such an important role for me.”

Deanna Favre becomes just the second wife to present a husband for induction into the Hall of Fame.  The only other wife was Kim Singletary, who presented her husband Mike in 1998.

Former Packers linebacker coach Kevin Greene is also being inducted this year.  He will be presented by Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

Capers coached Greene with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers.

Favre should be an easy choice for first ballot induction

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Brett Favre

Brett Favre

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2016 Class will be announced on Saturday night, on the eve of Super Bowl 50.

Former Green Bay Packers great Brett Favre should not only be a shoe-in first ballot Hall of Fame selection, but it should come via unanimous vote as well.

Favre was given the keys to the car as the Packers attempted to turn years of misery into winning.  He arrived in 1992 and in just a handful of seasons, won a Super Bowl in 1996.

During Favre’s 16 seasons in Green Bay, the Packers posted the best record (160-93) during that period.  He started an NFL-record 321 consecutive games (including playoffs).  Favre won three MVP awards and became the first player in league history to throw 500 touchdown passes.

Favre is one of three first-year eligible nominees, joining Alan Faneca and Terrell Owens.

The Hall of Fame selection committee will pick between four and eight finalists for induction.  Former Packers assistant coach Kevin Greene is a five-time finalist and this could finally be the year for the long time sack specialist who had playing stints with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.

Favre one step away from Canton

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Brett Favre

Brett Favre

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre is one step from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Favre is one of three players in their first year of eligibility to make the list of 15 finalists, joining receiver Terrell Owens and guard Alan Faneca on Thursday night.

Former Packers assistant coach Kevin Greene is also a finalist, along with Tony Dungy, Steve Atwater, Morten Andersen, Don Coryell, Terrell Davis, Marvin Harrison, Joe Jacoby, Edgerrin James, John Lynch, Orlando Pace and Kurt Warner. [Read more…]