He was a key member of the Packers' offensive line during the team's glory years under coach Vince Lombardi, when they won five NFL Championships including the first two Super Bowls. Often paired with fellow guard Jerry Kramer, he led the Packers' vaunted Lombardi power sweep running attack. Thurston was named to the 1961 and 1962 All-Pro teams. Prior to joining the Packers, Thurston played the 1958 season with the NFL champion Baltimore Colts. Along with two former Packer teammates—Herb Adderley and Forrest Gregg—Thurston is one of only three players in pro football history to play on six World Championship teams. He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in January 1975.[3]
Thurston was well known for his response to a sportswriter's question about how he prepared for the famous Ice Bowl game, where the gametime temperature was 13 degrees below zero. Thurston responded that he drank "about 10 vodkas" in order to stay warm.[4] Thurston has remained popular in Wisconsin after his playing days and can often be found at Fuzzy's, a bar he owns not far from Lambeau Field.[5]
Thurston was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. He was the first athlete ever to be voted in by the people of Wisconsin, even though the Hall had been founded in 1951.[6]
Bob Pellegrini • Frank D'Agostino • Don Schaefer • Fred Thurston • Tirrel Burton • John Waedekin • Elroy Payne • John Bredice • Tom Dimmick • Ken Keller • Tommy Harkins • James Sides • Frank Reich • Don Brant • Billy Hix • Joe Mastrogiovanni • Nick Consoles • Delano Womack • Darrell Glover • Jack Adams • Joe Miller • Chet Spencer • John Parham • Johnny Grogan • Earl Lunsford • Al Ellett • Bill Strawn • Bob Hughes • Joe Ulm
