Best of the Packers: Top 10 running backs since 1960
By Phil Watson
4. Donny Anderson (1966-71)
The Green Bay Packers took advantage of a loophole in the NFL’s draft rules at the time, using the seventh overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft to select Texas Tech running back Donny Anderson, who still had a year of college eligibility remaining.
Anderson signed with the Pack in 1966 and returned kicks for the Super Bowl champions before assuming the punting duties and a larger role in the backfield in 1967.
Anderson was a Pro Bowler in 1968, rushing for 761 yards and five touchdowns and catching 25 passes for 333 yards and a score.
He rushed for a career-best 853 yards in 1970, also grabbing 36 passes for a career-high 414 yards.
After another solid season in 1971, Anderson was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in February 1972 for running back MacArthur Lane.
In six years with the Packers, Anderson had 787 carries for 3,165 yards and 24 touchdowns to go with 125 receptions for 1,725 yards and six scores.
He also punted regularly for five seasons, to the tune of a 39.6-yard per punt average.
After three seasons in St. Louis, Anderson was traded to the Miami Dolphins in May 1975 for wide receiver Marlin Briscoe and running back Hubert Ginn.
But deep on the depth chart in Miami at age 32, Anderson retired during training camp in August 1975.
Anderson was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1983.
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