Green Bay Packers: Top 10 offensive linemen of all time
By Doug Rogalla
#1 Alvis Fo.rrest Gregg
This was an easy choice. After all, Vince Lombardi once said “Forrest Gregg is the finest player I ever coached.”
“Forrest Gregg is the finest player I ever coached.” – Vince Lombardi
At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Forrest was not huge by today’s standards. Gregg overcame his lack of bulk with his athleticism, determination and by developing excellent technique.
He gritted through pain and broken bones. He played through concussions. In 2011, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
Gregg talked with Journal-Sentinel’s Tyler Dunne in an article titled, “Packers great Gregg faces the battle of his life.”
1962 Topps Forrest Gregg Credit: The Topps Company
They call it “seeing stars.” A numbing, out-of-body state. Today, Gregg occasionally forgets which street to turn on to get to the grocery store. But he’ll never forget this sensation.
“Flashes,” he says. “Flashes of light is what you see. I don’t know whether that’s a concussion or not.”
Because then, the word concussion wasn’t uttered. Gregg had his “bell rung.” And from 1956-71, the nine-time Pro Bowl player gritted through every injury to earn his “Iron Man” nickname, playing in 187 consecutive games over his 14 seasons with the Packers.
“You didn’t think anything about it,” Gregg said. “You heard about people getting knocked out all the time. If you watch any cowboy movie, how many times has Roy Rogers knocked somebody out? You didn’t think anything of it. That was just part of the game of football. You might get knocked out.”
"You brought it every game, every year, and I will always remember and respect your UNDEFEATED attitude. Nobody played tackle better before you, during your playing years, and now. Ed O’Bradovich"
All in all, Gregg was a champion (six-time NFL champion and three-time Super Bowl champion). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Packers Hall of Fame in 1977. He is a member of the NFL 50th Anniversary and NFL 75th Anniversary teams. He is also a member of the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team.
Forrest Gregg was the best offensive lineman ever to wear a Green Bay Packers uniform.
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