Green Bay Packers: 50 greatest players in franchise history
By John Buhler
. RB. (1957-66). Paul Hornung. 12. player. 49
Greatest players in Green Bay Packers history: 12. Paul Hornung
Few football players can claim the accolades that former Packers running back Paul Hornung can. In college, Hornung won the 1956 Heisman Trophy playing for a terrible 2-8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish team. He was everything for the Golden Domers. Hornung was so dominant in college that the Packers took him No. 1 overall in the 1957 NFL Draft.
“The Golden Boy” only played professionally for the Packers. He put together nine hall of fame seasons over the course of 10 years. Though only a two-time Pro Bowler, Hornung would be a part of three NFL championship teams while with Green Bay. He made three All-Pro teams, two first team and one second team during his nine seasons with the club.
In 1960, Hornung led the league in rushing touchdowns with 13. The very next season, Hornung would be named NFL MVP. That year, Hornung rushed for 597 yards on 127 carries for eight touchdowns. However, he would be suspended by the NFL along with the Detroit Lions Alex Karras for gambling for the entire 1963 NFL season.
Hornung’s last NFL game would interestingly be Super Bowl I when his Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs. After trying to stick on the 1967 New Orleans Saints, Hornung would retire from football at age 32. Hornung made the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1960s. He is a member of the Packers Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His Canton classmates include Ken Houston, Willie Lanier, Fran Tarkenton and Doak Walker.