Willie D. Davis (born July 24, 1934) is a former American football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. Davis grew up in rural Louisiana and graduated from Grambling State University…..where he played college ball for legendary Coach Eddie Robinson. Davis wore number 87 during his career with the Packers….and for 10 seasons anchored the Packers’ defensive line…..playing 138 consecutive regular-season games….part of 162 consecutive regular-season games for his NFL career. Davis was a member of all five 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″….which included 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….still remains a team record. The Packers honored his retirement with a Willie Davis Day on December 21, 1969. Davis remains on the team’s Board of Directors.
