Best of the Packers: Top 10 linebackers since 1960
By Phil Watson
9. Lee Roy Caffey (1964-69)
In May 1964, the Green Bay Packers shook up their roster, dealing six-time All-Pro center Jim Ringo and fullback Earl Gros to the Philadelphia Eagles for Lee Roy Caffey, who had just completed his rookie year at left linebacker, and a first-round pick in 1965.
The Packers flipped Caffey over to the right side, where he blossomed into an All-Pro performer in 1966 and was a two-time Pro Bowler while helping Green Bay to three straight championships from 1965-67.
Caffey had three interceptions during the 1966 season and is among a large group of players tied for ninth in Packer history with two career interception returns for touchdowns.
He played in 83 games in his six years in Green Bay, as well as appearing in seven postseason games.
A seventh-round pick by the Eagles out of Texas A&M in 1963, Caffey was traded along with running back Elijah Pitts and offensive lineman Bob Hyland to the Chicago Bears om January 1970 in exchange for the Bears’ first-round pick in the 1970 NFL Draft.
He was later traded to the Dallas Cowboys in September 1971, earning another Super Bowl ring. Claimed off waivers by the San Diego Chargers in September 1972, he played one more season in the NFL before retiring after a 10-year career.
Inducted into the Packer Hall of Fame in 1986, Caffey died from colon cancer in January 1994 at the age of 52.
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