The Legendary Career and Enduring Legacy of Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg

On October 18, 1933, Forrest Gregg, the famous offensive lineman from Southern Methodist University, was born.

Gregg was the 1956 NFL Draft’s second pick by the Green Bay Packers. The Pro Football Hall of Fame states that he was considered too small to be a guard by most, as he weighed only 249 pounds and stood 6-foot-4-inches tall, so Vince Lombardi put him in as a tackle. Forrest Gregg learned finesse techniques to nullify the rushes of bigger, more powerful NFL defensive ends.

He won All-NFL acclaim eight straight years from 1960 through 1967 and was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls in 15 NFL seasons. Fourteen of those were with the Packers, and the last was with the Dallas Cowboys. He was on 3 Super Bowl Champion teams during his career and 6 NFL/NFC Championship teams. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Forrest Gregg in 1977.

Gregg went on to coach in the NFL for many seasons after his playing days. But his most incredible honor may have been from his former Coach, Vince Lombardi, who, in his book, “Run to Daylight,” stated matter-of-factly: “Forrest Gregg is the finest player I ever coached!” 

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Additional Contributions and Accolades of Forrest Gregg

• Played Every Offensive Line Position: Gregg played both offensive tackle and guard during his career, showcasing the versatility Lombardi valued.
• 4x First-team All-Pro: (1962, 1963, 1964, 1965).
• NFL 1960s All-Decade Team: Selected as one of the best players at his position for the decade.
• NFL 50th and 75th Anniversary All-Time Teams: Recognized as one of the greatest players in the league’s first 75 years.
• Pro Football Hall of Fame Voting: Was a first-ballot inductee in 1977.
• Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1977.
• Coaching Career: Served as head coach for the Cleveland Browns (1975), Cincinnati Bengals (1980–1983), and Green Bay Packers (1984–1987), leading the 1981 Bengals to Super Bowl XVI.
• Championship Versatility: He is one of the few players to win a Super Bowl with a team other than the one he is most associated with, winning Super Bowl VI with the Dallas Cowboys in his final season (1971).