R.I.P......Tommy Nobis

[Cabinpenn]

One of the best during his era.

 

[step.eng69]

I still remember the cover of the Sports Illustrated magazine with his picture, I'll try to find the cover.

Wasn't there a picture of Butkus on the cover also?

 

[Option Bob]

One of the best during his era.

Nobis was from San Antonio, a Thomas Jefferson HS grad. He was at UT a bit before my football-following days began, but I remember how much he was loved by the San Antonio press.

 

[psuro]

Legend.

 

[NitNE73]

He was the first college football player I ever wanted to imitate. RIP

 

[Cabinpenn]

I seem to recall Butkus, Nobis and Nitschki all being on the Sports Illustrated cover during their careers. All three were real slobberknockers and fun to watch.

 

[mrtailgate]

He's not in the NFL HOF? Seems impossible to believe.

 

[PSU Dave]

One of the best during his era.

Yes he was. Very sad. Played w/other greats like Mike Curtis, Ray Nitschke, Buck Buchanan and Dick Butkus.

 

[NC2017]

One of the best during his era.

 

[Big Blue12]

Yes he was. Very sad. Played w/other greats like Mike Curtis, Ray Nitschke, Buck Buchanan and Dick Butkus.

The greatest linebacker era EVER. IMHO

 

[Big Blue12]

One of the best during his era.

And I believe he would have been considered the best ever if his team had not been so absolutely horrible during his whole career. Had 12 ints in 10 years as well. Greatest college middle linebacker ever in my book. Sorry Mr. Millen

 

[mrtailgate]

He didn't get the same respect that Nitschke and Butkus got but he was every bit as good as either of these legends. A truly great NFL all timer.

 

[WDLion]

And I believe he would have been considered the best ever if his team had not been so absolutely horrible during his whole career. Had 12 ints in 10 years as well. Greatest college middle linebacker ever in my book. Sorry Mr. Millen

Millen was a defensive tackle in college.

 

[psuro]

And I believe he would have been considered the best ever if his team had not been so absolutely horrible during his whole career. Had 12 ints in 10 years as well. Greatest college middle linebacker ever in my book. Sorry Mr. Millen

Millen played Nose Tackle in college. Middle Linebacker in the NFL.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

What tough, insanely strong guys looked like before steroids, hgh, creatine, etc. That’s farming/ranching strength

 

[83wuzme]

Millen played Nose Tackle in college. Middle Linebacker in the NFL.

Bonus question, what was Millen’s rookie nickname ?

 

[PSU65]

Bonus question, what was Millen’s rookie nickname ?

He was "salt."

 

[83wuzme]

He was "salt."

Hmm. Not the one I heard.

 

[EPC FAN]

And I believe he would have been considered the best ever if his team had not been so absolutely horrible during his whole career. Had 12 ints in 10 years as well. Greatest college middle linebacker ever in my book. Sorry Mr. Millen

Mr. Millen played defensive tackle at Penn State. But you knew that, right?

 

[psuro]

Bonus question, what was Millen’s rookie nickname ?

Future Bad NFL Executive.

 

[psuro]

Hmm. Not the one I heard.

He was salt. Bruce Clark was pepper.

 

[83wuzme]

Alright, this was Millen’s rookie nickname he got with the Raiders ; Spike.
They called him this because his looks reminded people of Spike the Bulldog from Tom and Jerry.

 

[psuro]

Alright, this was Millen’s rookie nickname he got with the Raiders ; Spike.
They called him this because his looks reminded people of Spike the Bulldog from Tom and Jerry.

Spike? Never heard that.

 

[LionJim]

Future Bad NFL Executive.

It's spooky how perceptive people could be in those days.

 

[psuro]

It's spooky how perceptive people could be in those days.

Except for Mr Ford.

 

[EPC FAN]

Future Bad NFL Executive.

Who was the stone cold dope who hired a guy with absolutely no experience in any NFL front office, to run his team? Who paid him $40,000,000 dollars over 10 years?

 

[nittanyjoe]

Hmm. Not the one I heard.

Spike

 

[OldTiredLion]

Yes he was. Very sad. Played w/other greats like Mike Curtis, Ray Nitschke, Buck Buchanan and Dick Butkus.

Buck Buchanan was an All-Pro DT for the Chiefs. Willie Lanier was the MLB on that team.

 

[GeorgiaNittany44]

One of the best during his era.

There is a non profit organization not far from me in Marietta, Ga he was involved in. It's called the Tommy Nobis Center or Nobis Works also. Been around many years and has helped people with disabilities secure employment. Everyone knows he was a great linebacker but by all accounts he was a greater person. R.I.P

 

[massimoManca II]

Future Bad NFL Executive.

Nice... either that or "Bloviator McRunnymouth"

 

[BobPSU92]

He's not in the NFL HOF? Seems impossible to believe.

Exactly what I thought as I read articles about him yesterday. Makes no sense.

 

[BobPSU92]

Millen played Nose Tackle in college. Middle Linebacker in the NFL.

That's on him.

 

[Big Blue12]

Mr. Millen played defensive tackle at Penn State. But you knew that, right?

No I forgot about that...noted. Thanks for correcting. Just often get pissed at his comments and thought I'd take a dig at him. Was a warrior for us though and highly successful in the NFL.

 

[T J]

Alright, this was Millen’s rookie nickname he got with the Raiders ; Spike.
They called him this because his looks reminded people of Spike the Bulldog from Tom and Jerry.