Herb Adderley

Hall of Fame cornerback who won six NFL championships and played in four of the first six Super Bowls.

Herb Adderley was a cornerback who spent most of his career with the Green Bay Packers and finished with the Dallas Cowboys. Born in Philadelphia on June 8, 1939, he was a three-sport star in high school and initially saw himself as a basketball player before his football coach convinced him to switch. He went to Michigan State, where he played halfback and safety, led the Spartans in rushing as a junior and receiving yards as a junior and senior, and was a first-team All-Big Ten pick.

The Packers selected him 12th overall in the 1961 NFL draft, and he also drew interest from the AFL’s New York Titans. He started his pro career on offense but was moved to cornerback after an injury to a teammate, a switch encouraged by veteran defensive back Emlen Tunnell. Adderley became a five-time first-team All-Pro and a key part of Vince Lombardi’s defenses. He won five NFL championships with the Packers, including the first two Super Bowls, and later added a sixth title with the Cowboys in Super Bowl VI.

He is the only player to appear in four of the first six Super Bowls and played in seven NFL championship games overall. Adderley was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980. He died on October 30, 2020, at age 81.

Quick Facts

Number: 26
Position: Cornerback
Born: 8 June 1939
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: 30 October 2020
Place of death: Mantua, New Jersey, U.S.
High school: Northeast (Philadelphia)
College: Michigan State (1957–1960)

Facts from the source article.

Background

Adderley played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was an All-Big Ten offensive star as a halfback. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Northeast High School in 1957. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 1961 NFL draft, the 12th overall pick. He began his professional career as a halfback but was switched to cornerback during the 1961 season. He played for the Packers from 1961 to 1969, then played his final three seasons (1970 to 1972) with the Dallas Cowboys. While with the Packers, he won rings for five NFL championship teams, including wins in the first two Super Bowls. He was on the Dallas Cowboys 1970 National Football Conference (NFC) championship team, and the Cowboys Super Bowl VI NFL championship team.

Did You Know?

He was originally a halfback in college and early in his pro career before being moved to cornerback.
He wore jersey number 26 to honor Michigan State running back Clarence Peaks.
Adderley and his high school backfield teammate Angelo Coia were known as the 'Touchdown Twins'.