Best of the Packers: Top 10 defensive linemen since 1960
By Phil Watson
1. Willie Davis (1960-69)
A year after swiping Henry Jordan from the Cleveland Browns, Vince Lombardi went back to the well in July 1960, acquiring defensive end Willie Davis from Cleveland in exchange for wide receiver A.D. Williams.
In fairness, Williams did go on to record one catch for the Browns in 1960, gaining five yards, so it wasn’t that one-sided a trade.
Yes, yes it was.
Davis played before sacks were an official statistic, but it is estimated he had at least 100 sacks during his 10 seasons with the Packers, helping Green Bay to five championships while being named All-Pro five times and earning five Pro Bowl nods.
Davis was an All-Pro in 1962 and again from 1964-67. He was credited with 22 fumble recoveries and had two interceptions during his time in Green Bay.
He was a 15th-round draft pick by the Browns in the 1956 NFL Draft out of Grambling and played 12 years in the NFL before retiring after the 1969 season. His career was delayed by two years after he was drafted into the U.S. Army.
Davis was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1975 and, after being a finalist five times previously, earned induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981.
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