The Green Bay Packers have had an incredible amount of legendary players play for their franchise. In fact the Packers have the second most Hall of Famers (33) out of any team in the league.
That being said, they were reportedly one pick away from acquiring yet another one.
The Green Bay Packers Were “This Close” To Adding Legendary Hall Of Fame Linebacker
According to Tyler Forness of Sports Illustrated:
New England Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf gave us one during an appearance on The Adam Schefter Podcast about Ray Lewis nearly becoming a Green Bay Packer.
They (Packers) were getting ready to draft Ray Lewis (in 1996) and Baltimore picked him right before. They ended up picking John Michaels. I was (in the war room) and there was some disappointment. They actually had Ray on the phone. They were talking to Ray and Baltimore was still on the clock.
– Eliot Wolf
Something to remember about Wolf: his dad Ron is a Hall of Fame executive, which makes sense why Eliot was in the war room. The Packers ended up winning the Super Bowl in 1996, but you have to imagine they might have an extra ring or two if they ended up being able to select Lewis.
During the 1996 draft, the Packers had Ray Lewis on the phone and were ready to pick him 27th. But moments before they could, the Ravens picked Lewis at No. 26. Patriots de facto GM Eliot Wolf was in the Packers war room that day and remembers it well.
🎧 https://t.co/5ezVIJc52X pic.twitter.com/kkQh6lTUgn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 8, 2024
The Packers Missed On The Very Next Pick Of The 1996 NFL Draft
Ray Lewis was drafted 26th overall in the ’96 draft. Offensive tackle John Michels was taken with the very next pick (27th) by the Packers.
Michels was an immediate starter in 1996. That same year he was named to the NFL’s All-Rookie Team. The Packers looked as if they would have a strong, effective offensive lineman for years to come after winning the Super Bowl that season.
Sadly, Michels was unable to play with the Packers beyond the 1997 season due to a slew of injuries. After the 1997 season, he was out of the NFL.
Michels benefited from the situation in the end. As a result of his experience with career-ending injuries, he became one of the country’s best pain doctors. Dr. John Michels, M.D. has a spine and pain practice in Dallas, Texas.
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