Welcome back to Lombardi Ave's series on the greatest Green Bay Packers players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.
We've got a very special entry here at No. 36, as not only did one of the greatest defenders in Packers history don this digit for his entire career, but that defender also kickstarted the iconic celebration that we all know now as the Lambeau Leap.
There's no need to build suspense, as we're assuming that most Cheeseheads know that the defender is none other than Hall of Fame safety LeRoy Butler. But before we dive into his accomplishments, let's first have a look at every player who's worn No. 36 for the Green & Gold over the years.
- LeRoy Butler, S
- Mike Carter, WR
- Nick Collins, S
- Kenneth Davis, RB
- Jug Girard, E
- Raven Greene, S
- Ladarius Gunter, CB
- Kamal Hadden, CB
- Anthony Johnson, S
- MacArthur Lane, RB
- Mike Michalske, OL/LB
- Jess Quatse, OT
- Howard Sampson, DB
- Bernie Scherer, E
- Vernon Scott, S
- Dick Stahlman, OL
- Frank Steen, E
- Bob Tenner, E
- Hal Van Every, B
- Ben Wilson, RB
Butler certainly isn't the only notable name on this list, as two other members of the Packers Hall of Fame wore the number as well, those being two-way star Mike Michalske, the five-time All-Pro offensive lineman and linebacker who won three consecutive titles in Green Bay from 1929 to 1931 and is also enshrined in Canton, and three-time Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro safety Nick Collins, who won a title with the Packers in 2010.
But Butler is still the call here.
LeRoy Butler invented the famed Lambeau Leap with a touchdown that shouldn't have counted for the Green Bay Packers in 1993
A consensus All-American at Florida State in 1989, Butler was taken in the second round of the 1990 NFL Draft with the 48th overall selection.
The Jacksonville native had played both defensive back positions for the Seminoles, first playing safety but then switching to cornerback to fill the void left by Deion Sanders. He continued to play corner in his first two seasons in Green Bay and played it well, tallying six interceptions between the 1990 and 1991 campaigns.
But he took things to a different level when he switched to safety in 1992, and in 1993, he earned the first of four trips to the Pro Bowl, as well as the first of four First-Team All-Pro selections after recording a career-high six interceptions. And it was also during that '93 season that he made his historic contribution to the franchise.
Facing the then-Los Angeles Raiders on a frigid December day in Green Bay in Week 17, the Packers held a 14-0 lead in the fourth quarter when Raiders quarterback Vince Evans connected on a short pass to running back Randy Jordan, who was quickly hit hard by Butler, knocking the ball loose.
The great Reggie White picked up the fumble, but as he was running the other way, he was about to be tackled by Los Angeles guard Steve Wisniewski near the sideline. He flipped the ball back to Butler, who took it the rest of the way for a touchdown. Upon reaching the end zone, he pointed to the bleachers, made his way in that direction, and jumped into the first row of Cheeseheads. And thus, the Lambeau Leap was born.
He ultimately scored two more touchdowns during his career, one on an interception return and a second on another fumble return, but that first one was obviously one for the history books.
Butler earned his second Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections during the Packers' title-winning season in 1996 after recording five interceptions and a career-high 6.5 sacks, and added another sack in Green Bay's 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 31. He then went on to earn both accolades in 1997 and 1998 as well.
When Butler retired following the 2001 season, he'd recorded 38 career regular-season interceptions, good for the fourth-most in franchise history, and his 20.5 sacks are good for the most by any defensive back in team history as well. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2007 and then got his overdue induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
Other Green Bay Packers jersey honorees
- No. 0: There's literally only one choice here
- No. 1: Micah Parsons isn't the pick just yet
- No. 2: The Packers' all-time leading scorer
- No. 3: The second player in franchise history to have his jersey retired
- No. 4: There's no introduction needed here
- No. 5: This player should have been the last to wear the number but wasn't
- No. 6: A genuine ironman
- No. 7: This player was straight magic (until he wasn't)
- No. 8: This player has the second-most points in Packers history
- No. 9: The winner here has an extremely famous relative
- No. 10: A star on the rise
- No. 11: Packers' first title-winning QB
- No. 12: Obviously isn't up for debate
- No. 13: Had 'no weakness'
- No. 14: The first to have his jersey retired by the Packers
- No. 15: Owns a special piece of NFL history
- No. 16: Shares his name with an MLB legend
- No. 17: Had to beat out several Hall of Famers
- No. 18: Was one of the NFL's first dual-threat quarterbacks
- No. 19: Had his career cut short by the Bears
- No. 20: Has held a record for nearly 100 years
- No. 21: Has the most defensive TDs in NFL history
- No. 22: Also served in the U.S. Congress
- No. 23: Holds several NFL kick-return records
- No. 24: Owns a unique piece of Super Bowl history
- No. 25: Might not be who you think
- No. 26: Holds a historic place in NFL history
- No. 27: Started hot but fizzled fast
- No. 28: A good defender on some bad teams
- No. 29: Still holds an unofficial team record
- No. 30: It's not the one who's the Packers' all-time leading rusher
- No. 31: Had his jersey retired by another team
- No. 32: Is a member of another team's Ring of Honor
- No. 33: Did so much more than people may realize
- No. 34: An underrated dual-threat back
- No. 35: Gave the Packers a unique win over the Bears
This list will be updated daily until all 100 entries are complete, so be sure to check back in with Lombardi Ave for updates.
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