Best of the Packers: Top 10 defensive linemen since 1960
By Phil Watson
Ron Kostelnik, shown on an undated Kahn’s football card.
7. Ron Kostelnik (1961-68)
The Green Bay Packers of the dynasty years of the 1960s had a defensive line that included a pair of Hall of Famers and a well-known defensive end. And then there was that other guy.
Ron Kostelnik, a second-round pick by the Packers out of Cincinnati in the 1961 NFL Draft, was that guy.
Also chosen by the AFL’s Buffalo Bills, Kostelnik came to Green Bay and was part of all five of the Vince Lombardi-era championship teams, becoming a fixture at left defensive tackle.
Despite not getting the fanfare of his more-famous teammates along the defensive front, Kostelnik stabilized his spot after taking over for Dave Hanner in 1963 and is one of those unknown players from the bygone era of football who played before there were detailed defensive statistics.
The only stat of note for Kostelnik is seven fumble recoveries in his 110 games for the Packers over his eight years there.
In August 1969, the Packers traded Kostelnik to the Baltimore Colts for a fourth-round pick in 1970. After one year in Baltimore, Kostelnik retired.
Inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1989, Kostelnik died from a heart attack in January 1993 at the age of 53.
Next: The Man At Right End For 7 Years