Jan 15, 1967; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15) in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl I at the Los Angeles Coliseum in the first ever meeting of the AFL vs NFL World Championship. The Packers defeated the Chiefs 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-US PRESSWIRE

Though the general rule of thought is that the “flak jacket” for National Football League quarterbacks didn’t come around until Houston Oilers’ QB Dan Pastorini made a sensation by wearing one in the 1970s, it seems the protective garment was around long before that.

In fact, the Green Bay Packers’ great Bart Starr joined a growing number of quarterbacks in the late 1960s who were turning to a vest-like garment to help protect sore ribs.

Today’s Day in Packers’ History offered by the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame documents that in 1969 Starr, his coach and medical personnel with the team decided that it was the best way to protect the Super Bowl Champion.

It’s an interesting piece of nostalgia. Click here to go to the website or scroll down for a look at the article.

Bart Starr to Wear Vest in 1969

June 25, 1969 – Though out of town on business, Packers quarterback Bart Starr is not forgotten as coach Phil Bengtson’s rookie camp moves into its third day. Starr, who missed 28 quarters in 1968 because of injury, will be better protected in 1969 according to Bengtson. “Bart never thought he needed a protective vest,” Bengtson says. “But he’ll wear one now. A rib injury is very slow to heal and every little jar affects sore ribs more than any other injury.” Starr, 35, plays in 12 of 14 games in 1969.

Wally Cruice – every hear of him?

Nope, me either.

However, he was a valuable scout for the Green Bay Packers who worked under eight different Green Bay Packers coaches, from Lambeau to Starr.

On this day in Packers history, Cruice retired from his scouting job with the team to spend even more time on his full-time business – sounds like a pretty ambitious guy.

The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame provides a bit of information about him in their daily “history” piece about the team … you can also find out more about Cruice at this Wikipedia page.

Packers Scout Cruice Retires

June 14, 1977 – Wally Cruice, a game-day scout who served under eight Packers head coaches, announces he is winding up a 31-year career with the team. Cruice, who reported on the opposition for Curly Lambeau, Gene Ronzani, Lisle Blackbourn, Scooter McLean, Vince Lombardi, Phil Bengtson, Dan Devine and Bart Starr, will devote more energy to his full-time business – Pohlman Studios in Milwaukee – where he is company president. “I want some free time to myself. I want to be able to go to a football game in the fall, enjoy myself and not be working,” Cruice says.

He’s the only member of the All-time Team of the first 50 years who is not in the Hall. It’s a travesty.

With that in mind, today we celebrate this day in Packers history when Kramer announced his retirement in 1969.

It was a sad day, but a great day … bittersweet for all Packers fans.

Today we say thanks to Mr. Kramer for all he gave us and all he’s done to properly represent the Green Bay Packers franchise for nearly his entire adult life.

Here’s the announcement of his retirement, thanks to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

I think you’ll find it as interesting as I did.

As a bonus, I’ve included a picture provided by the Hall …

Enjoy …