Lombardi-era linebacker Forester dies
Bill Forester, a starting linebacker on Vince Lombardi's first two
championship teams in Green Bay, died Friday in Dallas at age 74 after
a lengthy illness.
Forester was a third-round draft choice (31st overall) out of Southern
Methodist University and played 11 seasons (1953-63) for the Packers.
He played defensive tackle his first four years before shifting to
linebacker. Forester (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) started alongside
linebackers Ray Nitschke and Dan Currie in 1961 and 1962, when the
Packers claimed NFL titles.
"He was a tough dude, boy, he really was," said Jim Temp, who played
four seasons with Forester (1957-60) and later served on the Packers'
executive committee.
Temp, who lives in Green Bay, recalls Forester playing through
injuries. After one game, according to Temp, Forester's ankle was
severely swollen. "His ankle was as big as his calf or thigh, but by
God, he didn't miss a game," he said.
Forester, a native Texan, had 21 interceptions and three fumble
recoveries in 138 career games. He intercepted four passes in three
different seasons (1955, '56, '57), averaged 13.9 yards on 17 career
kickoff returns and recorded a safety in 1959.
Off the field, Temp said Forester was laid back. "He kind of drawled,
he really didn't talk," Temp said. "He was a prince of a young man."
When the Packers struggled to a 1-10-1 record in 1958, Temp and
Forester were part of a team that stuck together through adversity.
"Instead of going out to dinner after the game, we would go back to
the locker room and the wives would bring something to eat," Temp
said. "That's where we'd spend our evening, having a few beers and
having supper, because nobody wanted to go out in the public and eat."
A burial service will be held Monday morning in Dallas.
http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070427/PKR01/70427194/1989
