Best of the Packers: Top 10 defensive backs since 1960
By Phil Watson
Johnnie Gray (24) of the Green Bay Packers attempts to deflect a pass by Pat Haden (11) of the Los Angeles Rams in an undated photo. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons/This work is in the public domain because it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1977 and without a copyright notice.)
8. Johnnie Gray (1975-83)
The Green Bay Packers signed Cal State Fullerton defensive back Johnnie Gray as a free agent after he went undrafted in 1975 and he turned out to be a great catch by the scouting department.
Gray won the starting job at free safety during training camp and wound up starting at the spot for six seasons before moving to strong safety in 1981.
He had five interceptions in both 1979 and 1980 and wound up with 22 in all in his nine-year career with the Packers that ended when he was released in April 1985 after he missed the entire 1984 campaign with a torn muscle in his leg.
Gray also returned punts at times while with the Packers, averaging 8.3 yards a return as the primary punt returner in 1976.
Inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1993, Gray spent time as a football analyst for FOX 11 in Green Bay and is now a uniform inspector for the NFL.
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