Former Green Bay Packers middle linebacker Jim Carter passed away on Thanksgiving Day at the age of 75. Carter played eight seasons for the Packers and had a very difficult time in Green Bay due to a thankless situation that was not his own making.
Carter played fullback at the University of Minnesota and was drafted by the Packers in the third round of the 1970 NFL Draft. The Packers converted him to linebacker.
Carter became the Packers starting middle linebacker by his second season but that’s where he got into trouble. He took over the job from the legendary Ray Nitschke who was a future Hall of Famer and one of the most popular players on the team. Although it was no fault of his own, the fans turned on Carter because they loved Nitschke.
The fans often booed the young middle linebacker and yelled at him relentlessly when he missed a tackle and even during player introductions. No matter how well he played, Carter couldn’t win over a large portion of the fan base.
Carter did play well. He was a key part of the Packers defense during the 1972 season that saw the team go 10-4 and win their only division title after Vince Lombardi’s retirement and before Brett Favre’s arrival.
The strength of Carter’s game was defending the run. He was a hard hitter who covered a lot of ground in the middle of the field.
While the fans didn’t fully appreciate what Carter could do, his teammates always did. “Carter was an excellent linebacker," cornerback Willie Buchanon said. “We didn't ask him to cover. All he had to do was go between the tackles. And he did a good job of that. But the fans loved Nitschke. They did more booing of [Carter] than anybody. That was a shame.”
“He was the perfect middle linebacker for our ’72 team and defense … tough, smart, leader on the field, the locker room, and when we were having a cold one in De Pere during training camp or at Boot’s place on Broadway after practice,” former Packers quarterback Scott Hunter told the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
His best season came in 1973. He intercepted a career-high three passes that season including a 42-yard pick-six against Archie Manning of the New Orleans Saints in the Packers 30-10 win in Milwaukee. He was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first and only time in his career and was named the team’s defensive MVP.
In also served as the team’s defensive captain for three years before stepping down from that position.
“Jim was a great guy. Easy going. Loveable. An encourager, tough.” said former Packers defensive tackle Mike McCoy.”
Carter suffered a broken leg in the team’s intrasquad game early in training camp in 1975. He toughed it out and managed to play in 12 of the team’s 14 games during Bart Starr’s first season as head coach.
In 1976, Carter broke his arm in the preseason and was out for the entire season. His absence was clearly felt. The following season, he returned to the lineup and regained his starting job.
Carter’s final season with the team came in 1978. He lost his starting job to second round pick Mike Hunt and decided to retire after that. He bought a car dealership and became a successful businessman.
Carter also overcame a drinking problem after he retired. “I spent a lot of time in recovery,” Carter said in 2022. “I haven't had a drink in 40 years. And we had plenty when we drank in Green Bay, and we never needed any more.”
Because of his negative experience with the fan base, Carter stayed away from alumni events for many years. In 1996, he told author Jerry Pohling, “If I ever went to Green Bay for an alumni game, I fear I'd get booed. I never want to go through that again. It had a profound effect on me. It was degrading.”
He eventually did return to Lambeau Field, and the fans gave him a warm reception. He was even an honorary captain for the final game of the 2022 season.
Carter has not been inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame although he deserves that honor. He was a good, tough, middle linebacker who played well on many struggling teams. Rest in peace number 50.
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