10. Tony Canadeo RB (1941-1952): The first Green Bay Packer to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. He was one of the most versatile players in team history. Led the Packers to a World Championship in 1944. He’s the only running back with a retired number in Packers history.
9. Herb Adderley CB (1961-1969): Possibly the best athlete to ever play in Green Bay. There weren’t “shutdown corners” in the NFL when he played, but if there was one, it was him. He impacted the game in so many ways, especially when he go the ball in his hands.
8. Jim Taylor FB (1958-1966): As a fullback he blocked as fiercely as he ran the ball. He was a league MVP and was the only player to ever beat out Jim Brown in rushing in a single season. His will to win was his greatest strength.
7. Ray Nitschke LB 1958-1972: His No. 66 was just as feared in practice and it was on game day. He was the NFL’s best linebacker in a division that featured Dick Butkus. The surprisingly athletic legend spent his entire career in Green Bay — and snagged 25 interceptions.
6. Reggie White DE (1993-1998): The biggest Free Agent signing in NFL history. The Minister of Defense brought the Lombardi Trophy back to Green Bay. He averaged over 11 sacks per season in Green Bay and was named 1998 AP Defensive Player of the Year.
5. Forrest Gregg T (1956-1970): Beloved by Lombardi, Gregg led the Packers to five World Championships. With being named First Team All-Pro seven times and earning nine Pro Bowl trips, he’s in the conversation for best lineman in league history.
4. Brett Favre QB (1992-2007): He brought the Packers back to glory, with the first Championship since Lombardi. That is his legacy (in football terms). He was as tough as he was competitive and was loved for both. Favre played the game with the joy of a child and earned a record three consecutive AP MVP awards. Everyone has a favorite Favre memory.
Now yes, Favre has been accused of doing many horrible things. We aren’t diving into that stuff here, it’s just not the place.
3. Aaron Rodgers QB (2005-2022): The most talented quarterback in NFL history, perhaps. He won a Super Bowl, a Super Bowl MVP and an astonishing four AP MVP awards. He’s a New York Jet now after a less than amicable end to his tenure in Green Bay. But still, he’s one of the best Green Bay Packers ever — and he always will be.
2. Bart Starr QB (1956-1971): Cool, calm and confident. The leader of a team full of Hall of Famers and the quarterback with the most rings in NFL history until Tom Brady came around. He was the only player to stand up to Lombardi and get away with it. No #deflategate or #spygate scandals hurt his legacy and he has a ring for each finger on his throwing hand.
Once a league MVP and MVP of the first two Super Bowls, no one else could have led that legendary team with such poise and grace. He was a better passer than most people give him credit for and it’s incredible he’s not number one on the list.
1. Don Hutson E (1935-1945): Truly a player before his time, no one has dominated the league as thoroughly as him. Not only did he dominate the game — he changed it. He’s not just a Packers legend, but an all-time NFL legend. Nine times he led the league in touchdowns. Nine times. And, three World Championships later, his impact is still felt today. The best to ever do it headlines this incredible list.
There’s nothing else to say. Hutson was the first GOAT and he still is.
This list, as previously noted, will change as time goes on. New players will make their case to be included and others will inevitably fall. But this inaugural list will always exist for us Packers fanatics to enjoy.
There were too many players worthy of honorable mention that we didn’t feel it necessary to include them.
You will notice that one player is glaringly absent from this all-time list. Number 42 for the Packers from 1997-2004 is not to be included because of his unspeakable crimes committed off of the field. Even though his play is more than worthy of inclusion, he cannot be considered one of the greatest Packers ever.
Thanks for checking out this list and tribute to the greatest, and most unique, franchise in professional sports. These 100 players stand for way more than the stats they accrued or acclaim they received — they helped build the Green Bay Packers into one of the best stories in the history of sports. Without these 100 men Green Bay wouldn’t be Titletown USA and Lambeau Field wouldn’t be a weekly sanctuary to tens of thousands. Nationwide bonds wouldn’t be as strong and lives wouldn’t be as rich.
These men built, restored, and maintained the rare culture (football and otherwise) that is found in Green Bay.
Check back in the future to see how this list has changed, and will continue to change, over time!
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