Green Bay Packers: 50 greatest players in franchise history

Greatest players in Green Bay Packers history: 33. John Brockington

Frankly, a running back is not going to start his NFL career as well as John Brockington did for the Packers in the early 1970s. After starring in college for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Green Bay used its No. 9 overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft on Brockington. All he did was set the NFL on fire with his ball-carrying ability in his first three years in the league.

As a rookie in 1971, Brockington was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He made his first trip to the Pro Bowl that season, as well as garnering a first All-Pro first team nod. In 14 games, Brockington had 214 carries for 1,105 yards and four touchdowns. Brockington backed up that outstanding rookie campaign of his with another Pro Bowl trip and another All-Pro designation, this time a second team spot.

He rushed for 1,027 yards on 274 carries and eight touchdowns that season. Brockington would make his third and final trip to the Pro Bowl in year three. He set a career high in rushing with 1,144 yards on 265 carries for three touchdowns. Unfortunately, that would be the last time Brockington would rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.

While his 1974 NFL season was solid (266 carries for 883 yards and five touchdowns), Brockington’s production would be cut in half beginning in 1975. Losing running back partner MacArthur Lane that year didn’t help and Brockington’s NFL career would be over two years later. He finished with 5,024 rushing yards on 1,293 carries for 29 touchdowns. Brockington is a member of the Packers Hall of Fame.