In celebration of the renovated and rededicated Lambeau Field, this season Packers.com is offering a new desktop wallpaper series that pays tribute to the Packers' storied past.
The Legends of the Green and Gold series depicts some of the renowned individuals from team history, all of whom helped to make the Packers one of the greatest franchises in all of professional sports.
Having already released free wallpapers of Tony Canadeo, Don Hutson, Johnny "Blood" McNally and Bart Starr, among others, this week the series continues with tributes to Ray Nitschke and Jim Taylor.
In future weeks, the series will include wallpapers of greats such as Clarke Hinkle and Jim Ringo, along with Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi and the rest of the Green Bay Packers enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The following is a closer look at this week's legends:
Ray Nitschke --
A fullback at the University of Illinois, Ray Nitschke became one of the most feared linebackers ever to play the game.
In the 1962 NFL title game vs. N.Y. Giants, Nitschke was named the Most Valuable Player as the principal frustration to New York, seeking redemption for a shutout humiliation in the '61 title game.
Early in that contest, Nitschke deflected a Giants pass, triggering an interception that halted the drive at the Green Bay 10-yard line. The linebacker also recovered two fumbles, one that led to the Packers' only touchdown, and another that set up a 29-yard Jerry Kramer field goal, whose trio of three pointers provided the eventual margin.
An All-Pro selection in 1964, '65 and '66, Nitschke, who has played in the second-most games (190) in Packers history, pulled down 25 interceptions throughout his 14-year career and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1964.
Born December 29, 1936, in Elmwood Park, Ill., Nitschke died March 8, 1998.
Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, Nitschke's 66 is one of only four numbers officially retired by the Packers.
One of the Packers' two outdoor practice fields is named in his honor.
Jim Taylor --
Still ranking among the NFL's top 20 rushers, Jim Taylor compiled 8,597 yards over his 10 years in professional football.
A native of Baton Rouge, La., the former LSU Fighting Tiger rushed for more than 1,000 yards five straight seasons (1960-64).
As a Packer, Taylor rushed for 8,207 yards during his nine seasons in Green Bay and still owns the NFL's ninth highest lifetime total of rushing touchdowns -- 83. He also played for the New Orleans Saints in 1967.
Named to five Pro Bowls, Taylor compiled 26 career 100-yard rushing games throughout his career, the most ever by a Packer.
A member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, Jim Taylor was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of fame in 1976.
