Best of the Packers: Top 10 linebackers since 1960
By Phil Watson
3. John Anderson (1978-89)
Waukesha native John Anderson left to play college football at Michigan, but the Green Bay Packers brought him home with the 26th overall selection in the 1978 NFL Draft.
He never left.
Anderson was never a Pro Bowler in his 12 seasons with the Packers, despite 25 career interceptions and 19½ sacks over his final eight seasons.
He posted a career-high five picks in both 1978 and 1983 and had three in the 1981, 1982 and 1984 campaigns.
Beginning his career on the right side, he switched to the left outside linebacker spot in 1980 and remained there for the entire decade.
He even showed his versatility in 1979, filling in at kicker in a 1979 game against the New York Jets and booting a 39-yard field goal and an extra point in a 27-22 loss.
The Packer record book credits Anderson with 1,020 stops, the most in team history.
Despite never making a Pro Bowl, the Pro Football Hall of Fame named Anderson to the second team of its All-1980s team. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1996.
His 25 interceptions are tied for the most in Packers history by a linebacker.
Next: A Hall Of Fame Position Switch