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Herb Adderley (1939–2020), Green Bay Packers star of the 1960s

by Linnea Crowther

Herb Adderley was a Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback who was a star of Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers in the 1960s and later played for the Dallas Cowboys.

Four Super Bowls

Adderley played college ball for Michigan State University as a halfback. Drafted by the Packers in the first round of the 1961 NFL draft, he was moved to cornerback by Lombardi in his rookie year to cover for an injured teammate. Adderley shone in the position, helping the Packers to victory in his first game. He would go on to win Super Bowls I and II with the Packers, remaining with the team for nine seasons before being traded to the Cowboys in 1970. He played three seasons there and helped the Cowboys to an appearance in Super Bowl V and victory in Super Bowl IV. Adderley was the only NFL player to play in four of the first six Super Bowls. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. In later years, Adderley was a broadcaster and coach at Temple University, and he owned a company that laid television cable lines.

Adderley on his long-lasting loyalty to the Packers

“As far as I’m concerned, I never played for the Dallas Cowboys. I’m the only guy in the country who has a Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl ring and doesn’t even wear it. I’m a Green Bay Packer.” —from the 1985 book “Distant Replay”

Tributes to Herb Adderley

Full obituary: The New York Times

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