Herman Rohrig

Herman Rohrig, who played three seasons as a defensive back, punt returner and halfback for the Green Bay Packers, died Sunday at the age of 84.

Rohrig played a total of 25 games over seven years and three NFL seasons, his professional football career interrupted by four years of service in the Air Force during World War II.

As a rookie in 1941, he played in what would be a career-high 10 games, making one interception and returning four punts for 46 yards, while gathering only two yards on 21 carries with the offense.

In 1946, after his military tour had ended, Rohrig returned to Green Bay and made a team-high five interceptions, tied for fourth-best in the NFL. He also returned eight punts for 98 yards, but actually finished the season with minus-23 yards rushing on 14 attempts.

In 1947, his final year as a pro, Rohrig had arguably his finest season, playing in only seven games but making five interceptions for the second straight year, returning 18 punts for 213 yards and gaining 22 yards rushing on seven carries.

Ironically, Rohrig's only touchdown came in a game against the Los Angeles Rams in 1946, when he was 2-of-2 passing for 97 yards, including a 32-yard scoring strike to Nolan Luhn.

Following his playing career, Rohrig worked as a football official for both the NFL and the Big Seven Conference.

An All-Big Six halfback for Nebraska, Rohrig was the fourth player taken by the Packers in the 1941 draft. That same year, the Packers selected Tony Canadeo with their seventh pick.

Rohrig is survived by his wife, Martha, two sons and their families.