National Football League

Fuzzy Thurston, offensive lineman for 1960s Packers, dies at age 80

Published Dec. 14, 2014 3:19 p.m. ET

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After several years of battling health problems, Fuzzy Thurston – one of the anchors of the offensive line for the Green Bay Packers’ 1960s championship teams – passed away Sunday at age 80, according to the team’s website.

Thurston spent one season with the Colts in 1958 before he was traded to Green Bay, where he played from 1959 until his retirement after the 1967 season. During that span, Green Bay won five NFL championships and Thurston was either first- or second-team All-Pro in five different seasons.

Thurston played left guard and was well known even though he was an offensive lineman because coach Vince Lombardi’s signature play involved guards pulling on the power sweep.

The Packers website said Thurston and fellow 1960s guard Jerry Kramer served as honorary captains for a game earlier this season but that Thurston’s health had continued to deteriorate in the past several weeks.