Lionel Aldridge
Encyclopedia
Lionel Aldridge was a United States professional football player.
He was drafted in 1963
after a standout college career at Utah State. One of the few rookies to start for coach Vince Lombardi
, Aldridge enjoyed an eleven-year NFL career. As a Packer, he played a role in three straight NFL Championships (1965-66-67) and in Packer victories in Super Bowls I
and II
. Traded to the San Diego Chargers
, Aldridge played two seasons in San Diego before retiring from professional football in 1973
.
After retiring, Aldridge worked as sports analyst in Milwaukee
and for Packers radio and NBC
until manifesting paranoid schizophrenia in the late 1970s. Homeless
for a time, he eventually reached a form of equilibrium, working as an advocate for the homeless and mentally ill until his death in 1998.
He was drafted in 1963
1963 NFL Draft
The 1963 National Football League Draft was held on December 4, 1962.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
after a standout college career at Utah State. One of the few rookies to start for coach Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi was an American football coach. He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight league championships and five in seven years, including winning the first two Super Bowls following the 1966 and...
, Aldridge enjoyed an eleven-year NFL career. As a Packer, he played a role in three straight NFL Championships (1965-66-67) and in Packer victories in Super Bowls I
Super Bowl I
The First AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football, later known as Super Bowl I and referred to in some contemporary reports as the Supergame, was played on January 15, 1967 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.The National Football League ...
and II
Super Bowl II
The second AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football, later to be known as Super Bowl II, was played on January 14, 1968 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida....
. Traded to the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Aldridge played two seasons in San Diego before retiring from professional football in 1973
1973 NFL season
The 1973 NFL season was the 54th regular season of the National Football League. The season featured O.J. Simpson becoming the first man to rush for 2,000 yards in one season...
.
After retiring, Aldridge worked as sports analyst in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
and for Packers radio and NBC
NFL on NBC
NFL on NBC is the brand given to NBC Sports coverage of National Football League games until 1998, when NBC lost the NFL American Football Conference rights to CBS...
until manifesting paranoid schizophrenia in the late 1970s. Homeless
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
for a time, he eventually reached a form of equilibrium, working as an advocate for the homeless and mentally ill until his death in 1998.