Albert “Pat” Peppler, a graduate of Shorewood High School (Wis.), who served as Vince Lombardi’s director of player personnel for six years, died this morning.
Peppler was named to the post Jan. 28, 1963. He ran Lombardi’s drafts from 1964 through ’69, and remained with the Packers until March, 1972, when he tired of working for Dan Devine and accepted Don Shula’s offer as director of pro scouting with the Miami Dolphins...
...Among the Packers’ No. 1 draft picks during Peppler’s years of overseeing the draft were guard Gale Gillingham, running backs Donny Anderson and Jim Grabowski, linebacker Fred Carr, fullback John Brockington and cornerback Willie Buchanon.
When Lombardi left to become coach and general manager in Washington in February, 1969, he recommended to the executive committee that Peppler replace him as general manager. Instead, the committee gave Coach Phil Bengtson the dual responsibilities.
“Vince told me, ‘I told (Bengtson) the job is too big for one man anymore,’” Peppler said in a 2006 interview. “What he meant was that it was too big for Phil… Vince told me, ‘I recommended they hire you. You’re the smartest football man here.’ I was astounded that he said that. He also said, ‘If there was any way I could take you to Washington I would, but I had to promise I wouldn’t take anybody off the staff.’” ...
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