Ron Kostelnik was just 20 years old when the Green Bay Packers drafted him in the second round from Cincinnati in 1961. The 6’4”, 260-pound Kostelnik grew into a valued role as the run stopper in the Packers’ 4-3 defense of the mid-60s.

While his teammates rushed the quarterback, Kostelnik hesitated, looking for draws and traps.

In 1964, he took over left defensive tackle from retiring Dave Hanner and became a fixture there through 1968, recovering seven fumbles. Kostelnik also played in the ‘61 and ‘62 NFL championships.

He was a Packer from 1961-68. Like many of his Lombardi-era teammates, Kostelnik was a success in business after his Packers career.