Jim Ringo involved in one of the more memorable Packers trades

Raymond Rivard — Sat, 05 May 2012 22:38:50 +0000

Courtesy of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, we offer today’s look at team history … and it involves a center who went by the name of Ringo …

Though it’s not included here, there are many who believe there is a deeper reason for the trade of Ringo.

This is how Wikipedia describes it: “For years it was said that following the 1963 season, Ringo showed up in Lombardi’s office, with an agent in tow, looking to negotiate a raise. Lombardi, according to this account, was so angered that he excused himself for five minutes only to return and announce that he had traded Ringo to the Eagles. Over the years it has been suggested that that story is more fiction than fact. In reality, Lombardi had probably been negotiating a trade for some time.”

Whether it’s fact or fiction, the trade was made and the rest is history.

Packers Trade Earl Gros and
Jim Ringo to Eagles

May 5, 1964 - Jim Ringo, who hasn’t missed a game in 10 years, and Earl Gros, the Packers No. 1 draft choice in 1962, are traded to the Eagles for Philadelphia’s first-round draft choice in 1965 and linebacker Lee Roy Caffey. The trade leaves Green Bay without an experienced center. “Our defense just had to have help,” coach Vince Lombardi says. “We fell down a little bit on defense last year and we had to help it.” Caffey plays in all 14 games (starting 11) for the Packers in 1964 while tackle Bob Skoronski and then rookie Ken Bowman start at center. Green Bay uses its extra first-round pick in 1965 to select running back Donny Anderson.

Photograph of Jim Ringo

Lombardi Ave » Jim Ringo

Jim Ringo involved in one of the more memorable Packers trades