Green Bay Packers: Top 10 offensive linemen of all time

#2 James Stephen “Jim” Ringo

, 1963 Topps football card. Credit: The Topps Company

At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Ringo was considered vastly undersized when the Packers drafted him in the seventh round in 1953. He was quick, determined, intelligent, and a superb team leader. Both an excellent downfield blocker and pass protector, Ringo went on to have an impressive 15-year NFL career, including 11 seasons with the Packers, as one of the game’s best centers.

Ringo’s speed and mobility made him an ideal blocker for Lombardi’s famous power sweep. He was the savvy veteran that Lombardi built his offensive line around and played a major role in bringing two championships to Green Bay. Ringo was also durable, having not missed a game in 10 years. Jim ended up playing 187 games over his career.

Football legend has it that Vince Lombardi traded the player five minutes after learning he had hired an agent to represent him in contract negotiations with the Packers. That player was Jim Ringo.

That legend has been proven false overtime as the Packers took a step toward revamping their defense by trading Ringo and FB Earl Gros to the Philadelphia Eagles for LB Lee Roy Caffey and a first round draft pick for 1965.

Jim Ringo was a 10× Pro Bowl selection and 2× NFL champion. He was selected to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. He was inducted to Packers Hall of Fame in 1974, to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981 and to the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame in 1987.

Next: So who is the All-Time Packer Offensive Lineman?