The Green Bay Packers will pay tribute to Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Willie Davis, who died April 15, by wearing a No. 87 decal on their helmets for the entire 2020 season, the team announced today.
Davis, in addition to authoring a Hall of Fame career, was a long-time member of the Packers Board of Directors who was elected in 1994 and became emeritus in 2005.
Other former Packers were similarly honored in recent seasons, including Bart Starr (2019), Reggie White (2004) and Tony Canadeo (2003).
Davis excelled as a pass rusher before the NFL kept tabs on sacks or he'd likely be the Packers' all-time leader. Unofficially, it is estimated that he had more than 100 career sacks, and maybe closer to 140. He also was a highly respected team leader who served as defensive captain of the Packers' 1966 and '67 NFL championship teams – winners of Super Bowls I and II. In all, Davis started on five NFL championship teams. He also was the only member of the Packers organization to have earned all four Packers Super Bowl rings, receiving the first two as a player and the subsequent rings as a member of the Packers Board of Directors.
Named to NFL's 1960s All-Decade Team, Davis was also named Associated Press All-Pro five times and was selected to five Pro Bowls. He holds the all-time Packers record for career fumble recoveries with 21. Davis started his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns (1958-59).
