Green Bay Packers: 50 greatest players in franchise history

Greatest players in Green Bay Packers history: 29. Cal Hubbard

Few men can claim that they are in two professional North American sports leagues halls of fame. One guy that fits the bill is former Packers tackle Cal Hubbard. While he was a hall of fame tackle and a pioneer for the linebacker position in football, Hubbard was also an umpire in the MLB, earning Cooperstown enshrinement in the late 1970s shortly before his death.

Hubbard first made a name for himself as the linebacker prototype in college for Centenary and Geneva Colleges, as well as during his first two years in the NFL with the New York Giants. But by the time he made it to Green Bay, his linebacking days were over. He just resolved into being a Pro Football Hall of Famer out on the edge at tackle.

While with Green Bay, Hubbard was a four-time All-Pro and a four-time NFL Champion. He made the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1920s and the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team. Hubbard played one final year in the NFL split between the Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates before committing to baseball umpiring full-time in 1936.

Then, the hall of fame honors would start to come up. Hubbard made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. His Canton classmates include Earl Clark, Mel Hein, Don Hutson and Bronko Nagurski. He made it into the College Football Hall of Fame the year prior in 1962. An innovator in the linebacker position and in umpiring baseball games, Hubbard rightfully earned his place in all three halls of fame of note.