By Darin - Herb Adderley is one of only four players in pro football history to win six NFL championships, anchoring dynasties in both Green Bay and Dallas.
HERB ADDERLEY
College Career
Born on June 8, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Herbert Allen Adderley blossomed into a standout multi-sport athlete at Northeast High School before taking his talents to East Lansing. At Michigan State University, Adderley played under legendary head coach Duffy Daugherty from 1958 to 1960. He primarily operated as an explosive left halfback while also playing safety.
Adderley led the Spartans in all-purpose yards and receiving yards during both his junior and senior campaigns, and paced the team in rushing in 1959. As a senior co-captain in 1960, his versatile skill set earned him First-Team All-Big Ten honors, cementing his status as one of the premier weapons in college football.
Road to the Pro Game
Adderley’s dynamic collegiate film caught the eyes of talent evaluators in both rival professional leagues. He was selected 10th overall in the second round of the 1961 AFL Draft by the New York Titans. However, he chose the NFL pathway after legendary head coach Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers selected him in the first round with the 12th overall pick of the 1961 NFL Draft.
Though drafted to play offense, Green Bay’s crowded backfield led Lombardi to make a franchise-altering decision during the 1961 season: shifting Adderley to cornerback. His rare combination of offensive ball-handling skills, track-star speed, and physical toughness made the transition seamless. He quickly claimed the starting left cornerback spot, transforming the Packers’ secondary into an impenetrable unit.
Football Legacy
Adderley revolutionized the cornerback position, turning defense into an immediate offensive threat. Known as a premier “ball hawk,” his ability to read quarterbacks and jump routes came from his own background as a receiver. He played nine seasons with the Packers (1961–1969) before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys, where he played from 1970 to 1972.
His legacy is inextricably linked to winning. Adderley played in seven NFL championship games over an 11-year span, walking away victorious in six of them. He played in four of the first six Super Bowls, winning Super Bowls I and II with Green Bay, and Super Bowl VI with Dallas. His iconic 60-yard interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl II put the exclamation point on the end of the Lombardi era.
Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats
Adderley retired as one of the most decorated defensive backs in football history and was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
- Career Interceptions: 48 interceptions returned for 1,046 yards and 7 touchdowns.
- Special Teams Impact: 120 kickoff returns for 3,080 yards (25.7 average) and 2 touchdowns.
- Championships: 6-time NFL Champion (1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971) and 3-time Super Bowl Champion (I, II, VI).
- All-Pro Selections: 5-time AP First-Team All-Pro (1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1969).
- Pro Bowls: 5-time Pro Bowl selection (1963–1967).
- Honors: Named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.