John Brockington, a former All-Pro fullback who ranked fourth on the Green Bay Packers’ career rushing list, died Friday in San Diego. He was 74 years old.
The Packers announced the death but gave no cause.
Brockington played for the Packers from 1971 to 1977, a stretch during which he rushed for 5,024 yards. The only Green Bay players with more receiving yards are Ahman Green (8,322 from 2000 to 2009), Jim Taylor (8,207 from 1958 to 1966) and Aaron Jones (5,284 from 2017 to present).
Brockington was born in Brooklyn on September 7, 1948, and attended The Ohio State University. The Packers selected him with the ninth overall pick in the 1971 draft. In his final season at Ohio State, he rushed for 1,142 yards and 17 touchdowns.
In his first season with the Packers, Brockington rushed for 1,105 yards, which at the time was a National Football League rookie record. He earned All-Pro honors and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
He then helped the Packers win the NFC Central division title in 1972, rushing for 1,027 yards. When he rushed for 1,144 yards in 1973, he became the first NFL running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.
Brockington was selected to the Pro Bowl three straight years from 1971 to 1973.
He finished his career with 5,185 rushing yards, 30 touchdown runs, and four touchdown catches. In his final season, 1977, he played in 10 games, one with the Packers and one with the Kansas City Chiefs.
He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1984.
Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy called Brockington “one of the great runners of his era” in a statement.
Brockington’s survivors include his wife, Diane.