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Hall of Famer Hornung passes away

GREEN BAY – Pro Football Hall of Fame halfback Paul Hornung, who played for the Packers from 1957-62 and 1964-66, passed away Friday, Nov. 13, in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, after battling dementia.

Hornung was 84.

“The Green Bay Packers Family is mourning the loss of Paul Hornung,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “Paul was one of our special alumni whose mere presence in Lambeau Field electrified the crowd during his returns. His performances in big games were unparalleled, and over time, were appreciated by generations of Packers fans. He played a key role in four of Vince Lombardi’s championship teams of the 1960s.”

Described by Lombardi as “the greatest player I’ve ever coached,” Hornung was one of the most versatile players in pro football history.

He won the National Football League (NFL) scoring title three consecutive years (1959-61) and set a league record by scoring 176 points in 1960 (12-game season), a record which stood until 2006, when the season was 16 games.

He was named the Associated Press (AP) Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1961 and was also named MVP of the 1961 NFL Championship game.

As the starting left halfback, he was the ball carrier in the heyday of Lombardi’s signature power sweep.

The legendary coach viewed Hornung as his biggest playmaker and best clutch player.

He was named all-pro at halfback by the AP in 1960-61 and was named to the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team.

He doubled as the Packers’ kicker from 1958-62 and again in 1964.

He scored 760 career points.

Hornung was born Dec. 23, 1935, in Louisville.

A full story is online at packers.com.

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