A true legend for the Green Bay Packers prior to the Vince Lombardi era, Al Carmichael helped set the tone for the championship teams that would come later.
Carmichael starred for the Packers from 1953-1958 and was a trendsetter during his playing days.
“Hoagy,” as he was known, passed away Saturday in Southern California at the age of 90.
Carmichael might be best known for scoring the first touchdown in the history of the old AFL as a member of the Denver Broncos in a game against the Boston Patriots back in 1960.
That came after a stellar career at USC that saw him put up the only points in the 1953 Rose Bowl as the Trojans defeated Wisconsin by the score of 7-0.
Among his accomplishments, Carmichael held the longstanding record for the longest kickoff return in history at 106 yards before it was surpassed back in 2007. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1974.
Off the field, Carmichael’s fulfilling life included roles as an extra in more than 50 films, including “Jim Thorpe – All-American” and “Spartacus.”
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and four children. Our thoughts go out to the entire Carmichael family and the Packers’ organization. It was a life well lived.