Fuzzy Thurston facts for kids
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Thurston's 1963 Topps trading card
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| No. 64, 63 | |||
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| Position: | Offensive guard | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Born: | December 29, 1933 Altoona, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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| Died: | December 14, 2014 (aged 80) Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Weight: | 247 lb (112 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Altoona | ||
| College: | Valparaiso | ||
| NFL Draft: | 1956 / Round: 5 / Pick: 54 | ||
| Career history | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||
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Frederick Charles "Fuzzy" Thurston (December 29, 1933 – December 14, 2014) was a famous American football player. He played as an offensive guard for the Baltimore Colts and Green Bay Packers in the National Football League (NFL). Before becoming a professional, he played college football at Valparaiso University.
Early Life and College Sports
Fuzzy Thurston grew up in a small town called Altoona, in western Wisconsin. He first went to Valparaiso University in Indiana on a scholarship for basketball. He didn't play college football right away because his high school didn't have a football team.
Thurston started playing football for the Crusaders in his junior year (1954). He quickly became a star player. He helped Valparaiso win an Indiana Collegiate Conference title. He was also chosen as an All-American player twice. In 1955, he was named the best lineman in his conference. The Philadelphia Eagles picked him in the fifth round of the 1956 NFL Draft.
Professional Football Career
Fuzzy Thurston became a very important player for the Green Bay Packers. He played as a left guard on their offensive line. This was during a very successful time for the team under coach Vince Lombardi. The Packers won five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls with Thurston on the team.
Thurston worked closely with Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer. Together, they helped lead the Packers' strong running plays, including the famous "Packers sweep." Thurston was recognized as an All-Pro player in 1961 and 1962.
Before joining the Packers, Thurston played for the Baltimore Colts in 1958. That year, the Colts also won the NFL championship. This means Thurston is one of only four players in football history to play on six NFL championship teams. He was honored for his achievements by being inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1975.
After his playing days, Thurston remained popular in Wisconsin. He even owned a bar called Fuzzy's near Lambeau Field and another called the Left Guard. He was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1982. In 2003, he was also inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. He was the first athlete chosen by the people of Wisconsin for this honor.
Later Life and Passing
Fuzzy Thurston passed away at the age of 80 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on December 14, 2014. He had been dealing with health issues for several years.
