Former Packers RB John Brockington passes at age 74

Former Green Bay Packers running back John Brockington passed away on Friday at the age of 74, the team announced.

Coming out of Ohio State in 1971, Brockington was a first-round pick — selected ninth overall — by the Packers. He won a national title with the 1968 Buckeyes team.

During his first season in the NFL, Brockington had an immediate impact on the Packers, ultimately being named Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,105 yards in 14 games. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry that season.

Brockington posted three straight 1,000-yard campaigns to begin his career, no small feat at the time considering that seasons were only 14 games long. He made the Pro Bowl all three seasons.

His stats took a step back from that point onward, as the team utilized him less and less. He was waived by the franchise in 1977 and finished his career playing with the Chieffs.

Brockington was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1984. He was the franchise’s second-leading rusher at the time. As of this posting, he still stands as Green Bay’s fourth all-time rushing leader behind Ahman Green, Jim Taylor and Aaron Jones.