Herb Adderley Information

HERB ADDERLEY

his story | the facts | merchandise

Herb Adderley was an All Big-Ten offensive star at Michigan State University, the team's leading rusher in 1959 and its leading receiver in 1959 and 1960.

After making him their first draft choice in 1961 (12^th overall), Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packer coaching staff tried Adderley in a variety of positions on offense. In the book "Run to Daylight" Lombardi wrote: "I had been so stubborn trying to make him something that he didn't want to be - a flanker. He wanted to be a defensive back." As it turns out, Herb had the intelligence, speed and instincts to make the switch. Adderley's training as a receiver and rusher in college transferred readily to the defensive side of the ball. Sure hands and speed made him a threat as a kick returner.

Adderley saw action as a defensive back for just the second half of one game his rookie season (Green Bay's second game vs. the Detroit Lions). Before and after that game, he was used only as a special teams player, returning kickoffs. His rookie season 26.6-yard return average ranks fourth in Packer history. But returning kicks was only part of Adderley's game. In 1962, he began to establish himself as one of the best ball hawks and NFL cornerbacks of all time. He finished the season with seven INT's, in addition to his 27.9 kickoff return average. He would remain a fixture in the defensive backfield for the rest of his career.

A personal highlight reel would certainly include the 1965 season, when Adderley returned three of his six picks for touchdowns. This remains a Packer best. Perhaps his most memorable single highlight occurred January 14, 1968, when the Packers faced the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II. Adderley became the first player in Super Bowl history to score a defensive touchdown, when he picked off a Daryle Lamonica pass and raced 60 yards for the score. Also noteworthy is that this was the only interception TD scored in the first ten Super Bowl games. The fourth quarter INT/TD punctuated a dominating performance by the Packers. It also marked the seventh NFL Championship for Adderley.

After leading the NFL in interception return yards in the 1969 season, Adderley was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys for the 1970 season. He joined Mel Renfro, Charlie Watters and Cliff Harris in the Doomsday Defense's backfield. The Cowboys went on to Super Bowls V and VI, losing a close game to the Colts in Super Bowl V, then tasting victory against the Miami Dolphins in the 1971 Championship. Defense was the key to success in that game, as the Doomsday Defense held Bob Griese, Larry Czonka, Paul Warfield and company to just 185 total yards on offense. By a 24-3 score, the Cowboys had won their first Super Bowl. For Herb Adderley, it was his third ring in four Super Bowl appearances. His total of NFL Championships had reached eight - in 11 seasons!

Retirement from the NFL came after the 1972 season. In his 12-year career, Herb grabbed 48 INTs for 1,046 yards (21.8-yd avg). He played in 164 games, starting as a cornerback in 148. His seven career interception returns for TDs is second only to Hall of Famer Ken Houston, who scored nine times in his first five seasons with the Oilers. Adderley also averaged 25.7 yards on 120 kickoff returns, with 2 touchdowns. He was an eight-time All-Pro, was named to the Pro-Bowl 5 times and is considered one of the NFL's 100 greatest players of all time.

Herb recently retired as owner and president of Tele-Communications, a cable TV, security and phone systems installation company. His immediate goals include "getting serious about playing golf." We look forward to seeing his new swing at the next HOFPA tournament.