Former Packers guard Ed Blaine dies at 86
Played as rookie on Lombardi’s 1962 title team
Ed Blaine, a guard drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round in 1962, died March 22, 2026, in St. Louis following a short illness. Blaine was 86.
Blaine appeared in 14 games in 1962, as the Packers won their second straight NFL championship under coach Vince Lombardi. Blaine was the third guard behind Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston.
Blaine was traded to Philadelphia in early September 1963, for what turned out to be a fourth-round draft pick. Blaine played four years for the Eagles, starting all 56 games at left guard over that span.
🧾 A short but memorable NFL career
- Blaine was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 1962 NFL Draft.
- As a rookie, he was part of the 1962 NFL Championship team under legendary head coach Vince Lombardi.
- He later played for the Philadelphia Eagles, starting all 56 games across four seasons.
👉 In total, Blaine played five NFL seasons, appearing in 70 games with 55 starts.
🎓 A remarkable life after football
What truly set Blaine apart was his post-football career:
- He earned a Ph.D. in physiology
- Became a leading cardiovascular researcher
- Served as a professor at the University of Missouri
He spent over 45 years studying blood pressure and heart disease, making significant contributions to medical science.
🏆 Notable achievements
- 🏆 1962 NFL Champion (Packers)
- 🏈 Consensus All-American (1961, college)
- 🧠 Renowned cardiovascular scientist and research leader
- 🎖️ Inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
