In recent years, the number 89 has been given to wide receivers in Green Bay, specifically James Jones and Robert Ferguson. Jones enjoyed a nice career with the Packers while Ferguson never quite lived up to his second-round draft status. Previously, it was the number donned by tight end Mark Chmura in the 90s. Currently, rookie tight end Richard Rodgers wears the number.
But several decades ago, before the NFL instituted its current numbering rules, numbers in the 80s were frequently worn by defensive players. In fact, the most successful player to ever wear the number 89 as a Packer was linebacker Dave Robinson, who was a terror in the middle of the Packers' defenses in the 1960s. A three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro (during the Packers' 1967 championship season), Robinson was fast, athletic, and a fantastic playmaker, and he earned induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
Here's Robinson talking to the Green Bay Press-Gazette's Mike Vandermause about his career:
Here is a video of Robinson's Hall of Fame induction speech from 2013. Jump ahead to about the 10:20 mark to see a compilation of highlights from his terrific career.
Congratulations to Dave, the best player ever to wear number 89 for the Packers.
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