Forrest Gregg dead at 85

Posted at 10:20 a.m. on April 12, 2019

The Brillion News

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Alvis “Forrest” Gregg, the anchor of the Green Bay Packers offensive line in the Lombardi era, died Friday, April 12, at age 85 in Colorado.

He had suffered with Parkinson’s Disease for nearly a decade.

A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, Gregg also served as Packers head coach for four years before returning to take over the athletic department at his alma mater, Southern Methodist University, where he helped to clean up a program that had fallen into disrepute.

His wife, Barb, survives him. Funeral services are pending.

Green Bay Packers CEO/President Mark Murphy praised Gregg, who never severed his ties with the team or community.

“He was a legendary player for the team, one of the greatest in our history. The ultimate team player, he raised the level of play of those around him,” Murphy said. “He also had a great connection with the organization over the years. We enjoyed welcoming him back to Lambeau Field and seeing fans appreciate him around the state.”

Gregg was born and raised in Birthright, Texas, a small  unincorporated community near Sulphur Springs.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame, which lowered its flags to half-staff upon hearing of Gregg’s death, posted an excellent tribute to the man: https://www.profootballhof.com/forrest-gregg-1933-2019/