Green Bay Packers: Matthews, Winters, Cumby and … Engebretsen – all #52s

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With 52 days left until the start of the Green Bay Packers NFL season, our countdown to the big day continues. Sunday, Sept. 11, is the day when the Packers travel to Jacksonville to take on the upstart Jaguars in the season opener.  

Yesterday, we took a look at Packers Hall of Famer Fred Carr, a big talent who was a star in his own right, but came to the team just as things began to fall apart in the late 1960s and early 70s.

Today we take a look at #52, a number that’s been worn by only eight players since 1950, most recently by none other than Clay Matthews.

Aug 23, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) soaks his head with water prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) soaks his head with water prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

But because there are players who have had interesting careers with the team, past and present, we are taking a look at four who have worn the number.

Think about George Cumby and Frank Winters – they, too, were popular players who had productive years with the team.

Let’s take a brief look at all three of these players, as well as one who isn’t on our list because he played before 1950: Paul “Tiny” Engebretsen.

John Maxymuk, the author of “Packers by the Numbers: Jersey Numbers and the Players Who Wore them,” focuses on Engebretsen in his book.

Here is the list of all Packers players who have worn #52 over the past 50 years:

  From To AV
George Cumby 1980 1985 29
Clay Matthews 2009 2013 50
Jim Melka 1987 1987 0
John Schmitt 1974 1974 1
Cleo Walker 1970 1970 3
Gary Weaver 1975 1979 20
Mike Weddington 1986 1990 5
Frank Winters 1992 2002 65

Let’s take a look at all four of our featured players …

Next: George Cumby