Henry Jordan

the Virginia Cavaliers

Henry Wendell Jordan (January 26, 1935 – February 21, 1977) was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers. He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers and was selected in the fifth round of the 1957 NFL draft. He played in the NFL from 1957 to 1969 and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Early life Jordan was born on January 26, 1935, in Emporia, Virginia. He graduated in 1953 from Warwick High School, in Newport News. At Warwick, Jordan showed himself to be outstanding as a leader, as well as academically and in athletics, among other things.

In 1985, a college scholarship fund to honor Jordan was created to assist a graduating Warwick senior in going to college. In 2008, the Henry Jordan Memorial Scholarship Fund formally was established with the Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia to provide annual college scholarships to a Warwick senior. He was a member of the Beta chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity at UVA.

Professional career Jordan, (right) with Willie Davis (left), sacking Len Dawson in Super Bowl I. Jordan was selected 52nd overall in the fifth round of the 1957 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played in every Browns game for two years (1957–58), but did not start any. After two years, the Browns traded him for a fourth round draft choice to the Green Bay Packers in Vince Lombardi's first season. He would go on to play for Green Bay from 1959 to 1969, as an integral part of five championship teams.

In 1959, Lombardi started Jordan in all 12 games at right defensive tackle. In 1960, he started at both defensive tackle positions, with 7.5 quarterback sacks and five fumble recoveries. He also played in the 1960 Pro Bowl. The Packers reached the 1960 NFL Championship game, with Jordan starting at right defensive tackle, but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. 17–13.

The 1961 Packers went on to win the NFL Championship game, defeating the New York Giants 37–0, Jordan again starting at right defensive tackle. In 1961, he had 8.5 sacks during the regular season, The Packers won the NFL championship over the Giants again in 1962 with Jordan at right tackle. He had 8.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery during the regular season, and was named first-team All Pro by the AP and second-team All Pro by the NEA and UPI.

Jordan was again selected to the Pro Bowl in 1963, and was named first-team All Pro by the AP, NEA and UPI. In 1964, he was named first-team All Pro by the AP and UPI. In 1966, Jordan was again selected to the Pro Bowl, and was named second-team All Pro by the AP, NEA and UPI. He had five, 6.5 and 7.5 sacks in 1965–1967, respectively. 1966 (where Jordan had a sack), and 1967. They were victors in the first two Super Bowls, with Jordan starting: on January 15, 1967 where Jordan had 1.5 sacks, and January 14, 1968. In Super Bowl I against the Kansas City Chiefs, Jordan's hit on quarterback Len Dawson led to a key interception by the Packers Willie Wood. The Rams were 11–1–2 that season and were favored in the game. Jordan had 3.5 sacks, playing against future Hall of Fame guard Tom Mack.

Career Jordan was elected to four Pro Bowls (1960, 1961, 1963, and 1966), and he was the Pro Bowl MVP in 1961. Jordan was All-NFL six times,

Honors In 1974, Jordan was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

In May 2009, he was named to the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, which honors athletes, coaches and administrators who contributed to sports in southeastern Virginia. He was successful in business before his early death.