Former Packers defensive end Willie Davis dies at age 85

Willie Davis (Google Images)

Former Green Bay Packers defensive end and Hall of Famer Willie Davis of Lisbon, Louisiana passed away at the age of 85 of kidney failure on Wednesday according to Rob Demovsky of the Associated Press. Davis played for the Packers from 1960 to 1969 and was selected to the Pro Bowl for five straight years from 1963 to 1967. During his time with the Packers, Davis was part of the National Football League’s all decade team in the 1960’s and was part of the Packers team that won the first two Super Bowls in 1967 and 1968.

Originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 15th round, 181st overall in the 1956 NFL Draft, Davis played two full seasons with the Browns in 1958 and 1959. He then was traded from Cleveland to Green Bay for wide receiver A.D. Williams prior to the 1960 NFL season.

Davis played 162 NFL regular season games. He had two interceptions for 21 yards, 22 fumble recoveries for 19 yards, one touchdown on a fumble recovery and two safeties.

On November 22, 1962, Davis recorded his lone career touchdown. It came on a fumble recovery in the end zone in a 26-14 Packers loss to the Detroit Lions. On October 6, 1963, Davis recorded his first career safety in a 42-10 Packers win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Davis’s first career interception also came in a Packers loss to the Lions. Davis picked off a George Izo pass for 21 yards in a 12-7 Green Bay loss to Detroit at Lambeau Field on November 7, 1965.

Two years later on October 1, 1967, Davis picked up a safety in Green Bay’s second consecutive Super Bowl championship season. It came in a 23-0 Packers shutout win over the Atlanta Falcons. Davis’s last interception came in a 16-10 Packers loss to the Lions on November 23, 1969.

Davis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981. He was survived by his wife Carol and two children.