Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg, who was described by Vince Lombardi as “the finest player I ever coached,” passed away Friday at age 85. Gregg starred at tackle, and guard for the Green Bay Packers from 1956-1970 and one final season with the 1971 Dallas Cowboys.
Gregg, named All-NFL eight straight seasons and who played in nine Pro Bowls, was a member of six NFL/NFC championship teams and three Super Bowl winners. He was elected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s and the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Following his playing career, Gregg embarked on a long coaching career that included 11 seasons as a head coach in the National Football League (1975-77 Cleveland Browns, 1980-83 Cincinnati Bengals, and 1984-87 Green Bay Packers). During the 1981 season, he led the Bengals to their first-ever Super Bowl.
Gregg was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. The Pro Football Hall of Fame flag on Hall’s campus will be flown at half-staff until Gregg is laid to rest.
Reactions and Remembrances
I’d like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of a true Packers legend, Forrest Gregg. This picture has been hanging in my home office for the last 10 years and serves as a great reminder of what a tough competitor Forrest was.
#Packers
#GoPackGo
pic.twitter.com/4TRXhvjcNX
— Matt LaFleur (@CoachMLaFleur)
April 12, 2019
We honor the life and legacy of Hall of Famer and
@packers
legend Forrest Gregg
#RIP
pic.twitter.com/xu12Ii59if
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF)
April 12, 2019
#Packers
great Forrest Gregg discusses the move to new City Stadium (now Lambeau Field) and the arrival of Vince Lombardi in this video from 1969. Watch the full video here:
https://t.co/xdwW7uDNgB
pic.twitter.com/i6GE834ULz
— WLUK-TV FOX 11 (@fox11news)
April 12, 2019
SMU Remembers NFL Hall-of-Famer Forrest Gregg
He is remembered as a dominant SMU tackle on both sides of the ball from 1952-55, earning All-SWC honors in 1954 & 1955. Gregg coached
@SMU_Football
in 1989 and 1990 and served as AD from 1990-1994.
pic.twitter.com/8vuQzJsCsE
— SMU Athletics (@SMUMustangs)
April 12, 2019
RIP Forrest Gregg
pic.twitter.com/AzkD1Cyz6a
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL)
April 12, 2019
Forrest Gregg on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Oct. 28, 1968:
pic.twitter.com/nMrlau4HOB
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch)
April 12, 2019
RIP
#ForrestGregg
…When the HOFer was the HC of the
@TorontoArgos
, my dad was playing on the team and coach let me suit up and go through drills with the team. I was 11 yrs old, had a locker, watched film and did everything as if I was on the team.— Eric Metcalf (@EricMetcalf21)
April 12, 2019
Three in this picture. Rest In Peace to an absolute legend, Forrest Gregg. Say hi to Vince for us all.
pic.twitter.com/VcA4ZBDxOp
— Maggie Loney (@MaggieLawler)
April 12, 2019
Packers Hall of Fame Inc. lost one of its members today with the passing of Forrest Gregg, one of the game’s best offensive lineman. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1977. We send our deepest condolences to Gregg’s family and friends.
https://t.co/Uo5IdNJYLf
pic.twitter.com/zJBJgVezGY
— Packers Hall of Fame (@PackersHOF)
April 12, 2019
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
pic.twitter.com/KIyrcrdP7o
— NFLPA Former Players (@NFLPAFmrPlayers)
April 12, 2019
.
@ProFootballHOF
tackle +
@packers
legend Forrest Gregg dies at 85.
pic.twitter.com/cfxpfVNnBp
— NFL (@NFL)
April 12, 2019
“He was the best drive blocker I’ve ever seen.” —Deacon Jones
Remembering the life and legacy of Hall of Famer and
@packers
legend Forrest Gregg, who passed away today at age 85.
pic.twitter.com/i491gtOuZ5
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms)
April 12, 2019
Forrest Gregg was inducted into the SMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.
pic.twitter.com/zX6e0aBo9j
— SMU (@SMU)
April 12, 2019
During his time with the Packers, Forrest Gregg selected our GM John Dorsey with the 99th overall pick
Full statement from Dorsey »
https://t.co/oyRqZueRVK
pic.twitter.com/HvoMIWmm5R
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns)
April 12, 2019
Rest in peace, Forrest Gregg. An all-time NFL great—nine Pro Bowls, seven times All Pro. Lombardi said Gregg was the best player he ever coached.
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay)
April 12, 2019
Sending our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Forrest Gregg. The Hall of Fame lineman and Texan native, who spent the final year of his career with the
#DallasCowboys
, passed away on Friday at the age of 85.→
https://t.co/SugCmXw6ED
pic.twitter.com/ZqwcWHDFGl
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys)
April 12, 2019
We just lost a great man, great player- Forrest Gregg. My prayers go out to Barbara Gregg and family. I love the man, my first NFL head coach and fellow HOFer. .
@Bengals
@ProFootballHOF
— Anthony Muñoz (@AnthonyMunozHOF)
April 12, 2019
Forrest Gregg was greatest
#Packers
lineman ever and it’s not open for debate. Failed as coach in Green Bay, but he was fun to cover. Though gruff and intimidating, he was very honest and would often go on rants that would write your story for you.— Tom Oates (@TomOatesWSJ)
April 12, 2019
Tough as a player, gruff as a coach. Forrest Gregg has passed away at 85. Lombardi called him greatest he ever coached, had bad teams as Packers coach but really enjoyed covering him. RIP Number 75.
— Mark Daniels (@markdanielsWNFL)
April 12, 2019
We got to interview Forrest Gregg during The MMQB Super Bowl road trip in 2016. He was sharp, funny, fly and extremely kind. We’ll miss him. RIP.
pic.twitter.com/JYffRN76cu
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko)
April 12, 2019
As part of our 50th Season in 2017, Forrest Gregg was recognized as one of the
#Bengals
’ all-time legends with a banner inside of Paul Brown Stadium.Rest in peace, Coach.
GALLERY – Forrest Gregg Through The Years :
https://t.co/fko0ZSG1H1
pic.twitter.com/rmbrZWxt1W
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals)
April 12, 2019
