Jim Ringo Syracuse, Packers, and Eagles...

November 21, 1931, in Orange, New Jersey, Jim Ringo established himself as one of the premier centers in the National Football League after a solid college career.  

College Career:

Jim Ringo played college football for the Syracuse Orangemen (now Orange). Recruited as part of a large freshman class, Ringo had a steady career at Syracuse. While not considered a major college football powerhouse at the time, Syracuse provided Ringo the platform to develop his skills. He played for the Orangemen until graduating with a B.A. in sociology in 1953. Despite a lopsided loss in his final college game, Ringo's abilities caught the attention of the professional ranks.  

Road to the Pro Game:

Ringo was drafted in the seventh round (79th overall) of the 1953 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Initially surprised by being drafted, Ringo made the team and became the regular starting center in his second season. Despite being considered undersized for the position at the time, his quickness and technique allowed him to excel. He played eleven seasons with the Packers (1953-1963) and then finished his career with the Philadelphia Eagles for four seasons (1964-1967).  

Football Legacy:

Jim Ringo is widely regarded as one of the best centers of his era and a Hall of Fame inductee. He was the anchor of the offensive line for the dominant Green Bay Packers teams under Vince Lombardi, winning two NFL Championships in 1961 and 1962. Ringo was known for his intelligence, leadership, and exceptional blocking ability, particularly on the famous Packers sweep. He started a then-record 182 consecutive games and earned ten Pro Bowl selections, seven of them as a Packer. Ringo was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1960s and is a member of both the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame. Following his playing career, Ringo had a lengthy coaching career in the NFL, including a stint as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills.

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

✦ 2x NFL Champion (1961, 1962)

✦ 7x First-team All-Pro (1957-1963)  

✦ 2x Second-team All-Pro (1964, 1966)  

✦ 10x Pro Bowl (1957-1965, 1967)  

✦ NFL 1960s All-Decade Team  

✦ Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame

✦ Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame

✦ Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1981)  

✦ Career Stats: 187 games played  

Sources and related content
Info courtesy of Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com