Background, Stats & Links
Gilbert Brown
Gilbert Jesse Brown, (born February 22, 1971) is a former nose tackle who played for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (1993-99, 2001-03). Brown played 125 Packers games (103 starts) recording 292 tackles (186 solo) and seven sacks. Nicknamed "The Gravedigger," in honor of his celebratory dance following a thunderous tackle, Brown played in 15 Packers playoff games. He was a major contributor on strong defenses during the mid 1990s. His best season was 1996, when Green Bay won Super Bowl XXXI. He was also part of the Kansas team that won the 1992 Aloha Bowl, and was selected for the All-Academic Big Eight team in 1991.
Gilbert grew up in Detroit, Michigan with parents Leroy and Ann Brown, older brother Wes, and younger siblings, Sheri, Tommy and Anna (all of whom went to college and became athletes). Like Wes Sr., Gilbert was athletic and fast. Even his brothers could not run home before Gilbert.
During his senior year at MacKenzie High School, he recorded 189 tackles and 19 sacks his senior year to earn all-state honors. Brown also lettered in track, competing in the shot put. He graduated from high school in 1989.
College career
Back in high school, Gilbert never looked at big-time football factories such as Michigan. He wanted to get away from what he saw in Detroit. He wanted a quiet, smaller environment in which to live after one of his classmates was gunned down. So he turned down Bo Schembechler and the University of Michigan to go to a school known for its powerful basketball program, and not for its football ability: the University of Kansas. The Kansas Jayhawks coach Glen Mason said, "The very first play of the first drill, he goes up against a lineman and he absolutely demolished him. We just looked around at each other."
When Gilbert was a Junior, He competed in the state tournament for high jump.[citation needed] He won 6 gold medals. With the Jayhawks, Brown helped build a winning program along with fellow defensive lineman and future NFL first round pick Dana Stubblefield (Kansas went to the Aloha Bowl in '92). But Brown went through more difficult times during his college years: a friend Brown had just met on campus died unexpectedly of spinal meningitis, and Brown's father died of congestive heart failure during Brown's senior year.
He started all but 2 games in four seasons at the University of Kansas (1989-92), and was tied for sixth in school history in tackles by a defensive lineman with 168, fifth in career tackles for loss with 30, and had 7½ career sacks. He finished second on the team in sacks, tackles for loss and fumbles recovered in 1991 while helping the Jayhawks hold opponents to an average of 150.9 yards per game on the ground, which was the best run defense at Kansas since 1968 at the time. A year earlier, as a sophomore, was named as the Jayhawks’ ‘Co-Defensive Most Valuable Player’ and earned second team All-Big Eight Conference recognition. Brown started nine games at nose guard as a freshman…An All-Academic Big Eight selection in 1991.
Still, Brown made a name for himself in football. He was poked in the eye one too many times his freshman year, so he started wearing the tinted visor that he wore throughout his professional career. And he came up with that gravedigger move at Kansas—after a big defensive hit, he would dig an imaginary grave, which became his trademark and nickname.
He majored in human development.
Professional career
Brown was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft (79th overall pick), but was waived during the final roster cutdowns on August 30, 1993 in his first training camp due to his weight. He was listed at 315 in college, but showed up to Vikings camp at a hefty 355. But the Packers, desperate then for defensive linemen, picked him up on August 31. Brown played in just two games that season while he worked off some of his weight in practice. In 1994, he played but his season was cut short with a torn Anterior cruciate ligament. Again in 1995, he played, but an elbow injury cut that season short. In 1996, he started all 16 games next to Santana Dotson, Sean Jones and Reggie White, a defensive unit that allowed a league record low 19 touchdowns. Brown had a career high 51 tackles, and his first complete 16 game season.
Brown became a fan favorite, partly because he was easy to spot, and partly because of his eccentric gravedigger dance. During the 1996 season, it became known that Brown would regularly order the "Gilbertburger" — a Double Whopper with extra everything, cut in half with extra cheese, no pickles — always obtained from the Oneida Street Burger King in Green Bay. Burger King even made it available for a short time as a promotion in the Green Bay/Milwaukee area Burger King restaurants.
Brown was a highly sought after free agent after the 1996 season, but he elected to take a pay cut to stay with the Packers. On February 18, 1997, he signed a three-year, $8.25 million contract, which was 10 times his 1996 salary, but was about $1 million less than the offer he received from Jacksonville. He said that he would rather stay with the team and fans that he knew and loved.
Many people thought that he started getting bigger around that time, and thought that he was as high as 360 or 375, much higher than his listed 345. "That was outrageous, I never got that big," said Brown. "The biggest I ever got up to was maybe 350, something like that." But the Packers were fine with his size. Despite his weight, he posted three sacks during the 1997 season, which tied his career high from 1994.
After playing all 16 games during the 1998 and 1999 seasons, he spent the 2000 season out of football after his contract with the Packers was not renewed. Before the 2001 training camp, he worked out and lived for a time with Fred Roll, his former strength and conditioning coach at the University of Kansas, and subsequently returned to Green Bay for training camp in July at a perceptibly more svelte 339 pounds — and once again equipped with his former quickness. He was re-signed by the Packers on March 23, 2001, after which Brown announced, “If I didn’t think I could do this anymore, I wouldn't be here".
Brown had two good years after his return to football. However, he ruptured a biceps during the 2003 pre-season, but played on without having surgery. He recorded 14 tackles, one fumble recovery (the first of his career) and one pass defensed. In a victory over Chicago (Dec. 7), Brown posted a season-high four stops, along with a pass breakup.
On March 2, 2004, the Packers released Brown. He had played 125 Packers games (103 starts) with 292 tackles (186 solo) and seven sacks. He also played in 15 Packers playoff games. In franchise history, only Brett Favre (22) has more.
Life After Football
Gilbert was recently featured in the Sports Illustrated special, "Where Are They Now?", featuring former professional athletes and what they are up to. Brown is currently a co-owner of the Milwaukee Mile, a racetrack that is often used for NASCAR races and at one time was the Packers' home field. Gilbert even claims that he will occasionally fit his massive frame inside a race car and take a few laps.
Gilbert, with the strong influence of his mother and family, felt that he wanted to give something back to the community, so he started his foundation which helps inner-city kids, and many other causes such as Breast Cancer and Make A Wish. In 2002, he combined his love for cars with his desire to give back when he organized a car show, Gilbert Brown and Friends, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, which benefited the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
On October 23, 2007, the Milwaukee Bonecrushers of the Continental Indoor Football League announced that Brown had signed a three-year contract to be the team's new head coach. The Bonecrushers began their season in March. However On Tuesday, April 8, 2008, Gilbert Brown resigned as head coach of the Milwaukee Bonecrushers citing irreconcilable differences with ownership.
On December 11, 2007, the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, Inc., Tuesday announced Brown would be inducted into the Hall at the 38th Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, to be held the evening of July 19, 2008, in the Lambeau Field Atrium.
On August 6, 2009, it was announced that Brown would return to coaching as the first head coach of the expansion La Crosse Spartans of the Indoor Football League.
Willie Davis
Willie D. Davis (born July 24, 1934, in Lisbon, Louisiana) is a former American football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. Willie, grew up in rural Louisiana and graduated from Grambling State University, The Cleveland Browns drafted Davis in the 15th round in the 1958 NFL Draft, and he was originally an offensive tackle, but didn't play up to his standards, but in 1959 Green Bay Packers GM/Head Coach Vince Lombardi saw talent in Davis. Lombardi recognized immediately that Davis' cat-like speed and agility would be utilized as a defensive lineman. Thus began one of the greatest careers ever at that position.
For 10 seasons, Davis anchored the Packers' defensive line, playing 138 consecutive regular-season games, part of 162 consecutive regular-season games for his NFL career. Davis was member to all 5 of Lombardi's NFL title-winning teams and played in Super Bowls I and II.
Davis played in an era when neither tackles nor sacks were official statistics. However, John Turney, a member of the Professional Football Researchers Association, and a painstaking, highly respected researcher/statistician, reports that his extensive research indicates Davis had in excess of 100 sacks during his 10-year Green Bay career (1960-69), "possibly more than 120," including a minimum of 40 over the 1963-65 seasons alone. Davis himself is quoted as saying, "I would think I would have to be the team's all-time leader in sacks. I played 10 years and I averaged in the 'teens' in sacks for those 10 years. I had 25 one season. (Paul) Hornung just reminded me of that the other day." Davis earned All-Pro honors 5 times (1962, 64-67). Meanwhile he was voted to the Pro Bowl five times (1963-67).
Davis recovered 21 fumbles over his Packers career, which, more than three decades removed from his retirement, remains a team record. The Packers honored his retirement with a Willie Davis Day on December 21, 1969. Davis remains on Green Bay Packers Board of Directors.
Davis wore number 87 during his career with the Packers.
In the early 1970s, Davis worked as a color commentator on NFL telecasts for NBC.
Davis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981. In 1999, he was ranked number 69 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
In 1986, Davis was named the Walter Camp Man of the Year. In 1987, Davis was given the Career Achievement Award from the NFL Alumni.
Davis is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He received his MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in 1968.
Davis is one of the most powerful business people in the world, as a member or former member of the boards of Alliance Bank, Dow Chemical (1988-2006), Johnson Controls (1991-2006), K-Mart, L.A. Gear, Manpower (2001-), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (1999-), MGM Mirage, Rally's Inc., Sara Lee (1983-), Schlitz Brewing, and WICOR Inc. He has been president of All-Pro Broadcasting, operators of radio stations KCXX-FM, KATY-FM, WLDB-FM, WLUM-FM, and WMCS since 1976.
Jim Gantner
James Elmer Gantner (born January 5, 1953 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin) was a Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers (1976-92).
Gantner was a 12th-round draft pick in the 1974 amateur draft. Gantner spent two years in the minor leagues before being called up to the majors. He was best known for his consistent play, which culminated in a respectable .274 career batting average after 17 seasons. Gantner, or "Gumby" as he was affectionately known because of the way he turned double plays, was the second baseman for the Brewers, who won the American League pennant in 1982 but fell in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. He comprised a stellar infield throughout much of the '80s beside Hall of Famers Robin Yount (SS/OF), Paul Molitor (3B), and former Brewer great Cecil Cooper (1B).
Gantner's last career home run came on August 14, 1992, in the 13th inning, against Boston Red Sox reliever Jeff Reardon. Gantner hit the first pitch into the right field bleachers in Milwaukee County Stadium, giving the Brewers an 8-7 victory. Brewers announcer Bob Uecker had the call with, "Here's the pitch to Gantner. He hits one to right and deep. Get up. Get up. Get outta here - gone! A dinger for Klinger! And this game is over. Woah, Jimmy Gantner!"
Gantner pitched an inning of relief against the Kansas City Royals on August 29, 1979, allowing two hits. Despite the game being a blowout, he was almost ejected for arguing balls and strikes with the umpire.
Leroy Butler
LeRoy Butler, III (born July 19, 1968) is a former American football strong safety who played his entire career with the Green Bay Packers (1990–2001). He spent his childhood in Jacksonville, Florida, challenged by physical problems that forced him to wear leg braces and use a wheelchair at times while undergoing therapy. In 2007, he was named to the Florida High School Association All-Century Team, which selected the "Top 33" players in the 100-year history of Florida high school football.
Butler attended Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, FL, and played under the direction of the all time wins leader for a high school football coach in the state of Florida's history, Corky Rogers. Rogers has coached at both Robert E. Lee High School from 1972–1988, where he coached Butler and fellow NFL star Edgar Bennett, and from 1989–present at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, FL, now having won a total of 8 football State Championships. Before moving onto Florida State, Butler was an outstanding player for the Robert E. Lee High School Generals football program. At Florida State Butler played under head coach Bobby Bowden at Florida State University. He was a three-year starter, collecting 194 tackles and 9 interceptions, but he's most remembered by FSU fans for his role in the, "puntrooskie." In 1988, against rival Clemson, FSU was backed up to its' own 21-yard line, on fourth down, with a minute and 30 seconds left to play and the score tied at 21. Bowden called the famous trick play, a fake punt. The snap went to upback Dayne Williams and he slipped the ball to Butler, who ran 78 yards to set up the game-winning field goal.
Butler was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 1990 NFL draft. He played in 181 games, earned a Super Bowl ring, for Super Bowl XXXI, following the 1996 season, was selected as an All-Pro five times and was selected to the Pro Bowl four times (1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998). He was named to the 1990s NFL All Decade Team, by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and was later inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, in 2007.
After being selected to his first Pro Bowl, the emphasis of his first name was questioned by sports commentator John Madden, who was told by Packers running back Edgar Bennett that his name is pronounced ("LEE-Roy"); but, after hearing a broadcast, Butler's mother sent an e-mail to Madden describing the emphasis as ("L'ROY"). During his 12 seasons with the Packers, he recorded 953 tackles, 38 interceptions, 553 return yards, 12 fumble recoveries, 3 defensive touchdowns and 20 1/2 sacks. He led or tied for the team lead in interceptions in five different seasons. He was the first defensive back in NFL history to gain entrance in the 20 Sack/20 Interception Club.
A broken shoulder blade sustained while tackling Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson in the 2001 season forced him into retirement just before the 2002 season when it was discovered it had not healed properly.[3]
Lambeau Leap
Butler is credited with inventing the Lambeau Leap- a touchdown celebration in which the scoring player leaps into the arms of awaiting fans in the stands near the end zone. On December 26, 1993, the Packers were playing the visiting Los Angeles Raiders. On a second-down swing pass to running back Randy Jordan, Butler forced a fumble that was recovered by Reggie White at the Raiders' 35-yard-line. After running with the ball for 10 yards, White lateraled to Butler, who ran the remaining 25 yards into the end zone and then made a spontaneous leap into the arms of fans in the south bleachers. The Packers went on to win 28-0 to clinch what would be the first of six consecutive playoff berths. The move was later popularized by wide receiver Robert Brooks, who carried it a step further by leaping completely into the stands. This move is called the Lambeau Leap and now is used after many Packer touchdowns.
Desmond Bishop
Desmond Lamont Bishop (born July 24, 1984 in San Francisco, California) is an American football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Packers in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at California.
Early years
Bishop attended Fairfield High School in Fairfield, California. While at Fairfield he earned Second-Team All-State from Calhisports.com. He played in the California North-South Shrine All-Star Game as a senior in 2002. He also lettered in basketball.
College career
City College of San Francisco
Bishop attended City College of San Francisco from 2003 to 2004. While there he was a two time letterman. In 2003 Bishop was on the team that won the national championship game that went 13-0. He was ranked by SuperPrep as the fourth-best community college player in the nation and was voted California's 2004 Junior College Defensive Player of the Year by the JC Athletic Bureau/California Community College Football Coaches Association. He was named the Northern California Conference Defensive Most Valuable Player and was a First-team JC Gridwire All-American. He finished the season with 118 tackles 10 regular games. In California's state championship game he had 14 tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss against the College of the Canyons.
University of California
2005
Bishop immediately won a starting job upon his arrival at Cal and picked up Second-Team All-Pac 10 honors. He started all 12 games at middle linebacker and led the team with 89 tackles, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections. He made his Cal debut with seven solo tackles against Sacramento State. He ended the season with eight tackles, a pass break-up and a tackle for loss against BYU in the 2005 Las Vegas Bowl.
2006
In 2006, Bishop started all 13 games and was a Third-team All-American choice by Rivals.com, earning honorable mention from The NFL Draft Report, and being placed on the Butkus Award watchlist. He won All-Pac 10 First-Team accolades, leading the conference in tackles and leading his team for the second straight year with 126. Bishop became the first Cal player to lead the Pac-10 in tackles since Jerrott Willard posted 147 in 1993. He also had three sacks, a team-high 15 tackles for loss (fourth in Pac-10), two pass break-ups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He had at least seven tackles in 11 of 13 games, and was in double digits five times. Bishop ended his career with 12 tackles, with one for loss, in 45-10 win over Texas A&M in 2006 Holiday Bowl.
Professional career
Bishop was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Bishop played in ten games for the Packers during his rookie season, making 10 tackles. During his second season Bishop made his first career start in a week 14 game against the Houston Texans, recording 12 tackles and a sack. He finished the season with 35 tackles
Personal
Bishop's father Dennis played football collegiately at Illinois. and professionally in the USFL. His younger brother Devin followed in his footsteps, also playing at San Francisco City College and transferring to UC Berkeley, where he is currently a linebacker on the football team wearing his brother's jersey number, 10.
In high school, he played against fellow Packers player Jarrett Bush, as the two were from rival schools.
Marv Fleming
Marvin Fleming (born January 2, 1942 in Longview, Texas) is a former professional American football tight end with the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins. He is the first player in National Football League history to play in five Super Bowls — with Green Bay Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II; with Miami Super Bowl VI, Super Bowl VII and Super Bowl VIII.
Fleming was the victim of an identity theft scam in the late 70s and early 80s. One Arthur Lee Trotter posed as Fleming and was arrested in Texas in 1980 for selling phony stock in NFL teams. Caught, Trotter conceded to police that he was not Fleming: he said he was actually former Baltimore Colts star John Mackey. Fleming will be inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
Santana Dotson
Santana Dotson was on born December 12, 1969 in New
Orleans, Louisiana. Dotson played defensive tackle in the NFL. Dotson won
the 1992 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
and played in two Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers.
He is now working to become an NFL broadcaster, and currently appears on the "Bob & Brian Show," on WHQG Radio in Milwaukee, during the NFL season.
The Santana Dotson Foundation was established in 1995 to provide the financial and emotional support needed by challenged, yet deserving high school students to realize their dreams of a college education. Founder, Santana Dotson, defensive lineman for the Washington Redskins. The Foundation is able to meet its goals with the assistance of All Sports Community Service, Inc., a non-profit organization founded by former Chicago Bear, Tyrone Keys and Jerry Ulm, Sr., to serve "at risk" youth. It is based out of Tampa Florida, where Santana played his first four years in the NFL as a starting defensive lineman for the Buccaneers.