Packers' legend Adderley dies at age 81

Oct. 30, 2020

The Brillion News

GREEN BAY - Herb Adderley, a member of all five of Vince Lombardi's championship teams and one of the greatest cornerbacks in the history of the NFL, died Friday, October 30.

Adderley was 81 and had been recently hospitalized.

Adderley played for the Packers from 1961-69 and then finished his career with the Dallas Cowboys from 1970-72, where he won a sixth NFL title. In fact, Adderley played in four of the first six Super Bowls and won three rings.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, a year before he was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame.

Adderley took over as the starting left cornerback in 1962 and in his eight years as a starter, the Packers finished first in pass defense seven times and second once.

They also never ranked lower than fourth in total yards allowed.

The three most decorated players on those defenses were Adderley, Willie Wood and Willie Davis.

Each was selected to five Pro Bowls, when the teams were selected by the conference's head coaches. Adderley also was a five-time Associated Press All-Pro.

Following the 1969 season, Adderley had a falling out with coach Phil Bengtson and demanded to be traded.

He was shipped to the Cowboys, where he played three more seasons. In 12 NFL seasons, Adderley's teams won 127 games, lost 46 and tied 5, a remarkable .713 winning percentage.