Green Bay Packers: Who wore #87 best?

Willie Davis: One of Lombardi’s best trades

We remember Willie Davis well.

His cat-like quickness and powerful presence on the defensive line helped to solidify Phil Bengston’s defense during the 1960s. Clearly he was one of the best of his time and could have succeeded in any era

Here is how Maxymuk describes Davis:

"“…Willie Davis – one of the greatest defensive ends ever to play the game. Davis had starred for Eddie Robinson at Grambling University and was one of the first of many NFL stars to emerge from that small black college in Louisiana. He was a 15th-round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns where another legendary coach, Paul Brown, switched him back and forth from offense to defense before finally trading him to Vince Lombardi for end A.D. Williams in 1960. Lombardi put him at left defensive end, where Willie’s great speed, strength, quickness and agility made him a five-time All Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection in the 1960s. He had a knack for making the big play, and still is the career team leader in fumble recoveries with 21. He was durable, never missing a game in 12 years with the Browns and Packers, and had the effervescent personality of a natural leader, known to his teammates as “Dr. Feelgood.” He was elected to the Packers Hall of Fame in 1975 and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981. In retirement he used all of those qualities to become an even bigger success in the business world. He often would say that whenever he went into a sales meeting, the words and lessons of Lombardi went with him. He became the second black member of the Packers Board of Directors in 1994.”"

Davis will long be remembered as one of the best in Green Bay.

Here are his career statistics as provided by Pro Football Reference:

Next: Ty Montgomery: Time to prove it

Provided by Pro Football Reference, here is the list of players over the past 50 years who have worn #87.