Bob Jeter

Robert DeLafayette "Bob" Jeter Jr. (May 9, 1937 – November 20, 2008) was an American football player renowned for his versatility, excelling as a halfback at the University of Iowa and later as a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL).^[1] Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 200 pounds, he was drafted in the second round (17th overall) of the 1960 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers after a standout college career, but first played two seasons as a running back for the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League before joining the Packers in 1963.^[1]^[2] Jeter's professional tenure spanned 11 seasons, primarily with the Packers (1963–1970) and Chicago Bears (1971–1973), where he recorded 26 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and contributed to two NFL championships (1965, 1966) and victories in Super Bowls I and II.^[1]^[2] His defensive prowess earned him Pro Bowl selections in 1967 and 1969, along with first-team All-Pro honors in 1967.^[1] At the University of Iowa, Jeter emerged as a dynamic running back for the Hawkeyes, helping lead the team to an 8-1-1 record in 1958.^[3] His defining moment came in the 1959 Rose Bowl Game against the University of California, where Iowa secured a 38-12 victory; Jeter rushed for 194 yards on just nine carries, including an 81-yard touchdown, setting Rose Bowl records for single-game rushing yards and yards per carry (21.6) that stood for decades.^[4] Named the game's most valuable player, his performance propelled Iowa to the win and cemented his legacy, earning him induction into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1994.^[3]^[4] In the NFL, Jeter transitioned successfully to defense under legendary coach Vince Lombardi with the Packers, starting opposite Hall of Famer Herb Adderley at cornerback from 1966 to 1969.^[2] During the 1967 season, he led the league with eight interceptions, showcasing his ball-hawking skills in Green Bay's championship runs.^[1] After leaving the Packers, Jeter played three seasons with the Bears, adding three more interceptions before retiring in 1973.^[1] Inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1985, he was remembered for his speed, tackling ability, and contributions to one of the dynasty eras in NFL history.^[2] Post-retirement, Jeter resided in Chicago with his wife Gwendolyn, where they fostered children; he passed away from a heart attack at age 71.^[3]

Early life and education

Early life

Robert DeLafayette Jeter Jr. was born on May 9, 1937, in Union, South Carolina.^[3] His family relocated to Weirton, West Virginia, when he was a young child, settling in the city's segregated Black community.^[3] Jeter was the eldest of six children born to Robert Jeter Sr., a steelworker at a local mill, and Mary Vivian Booker Jeter.^[5] His siblings included brothers Anthony (known as Tony), Leon, and the late Rudolph Jeter, as well as sisters Carol Hudson, Eunice Sykes, and the late Vivian Louise Jeter Nix.^[6] Jeter began his athletic development in Weirton, starting football as a freshman at the segregated Dunbar High School.^[5] He attended Dunbar through his junior year in 1954 before transferring to the newly integrated Weir High School for his senior year, graduating with the class of 1956.^[7] At Weir High, Jeter emerged as a standout running back, earning All-State honors and becoming a key figure in the school's athletic program.^[8] He also excelled in basketball, contributing as a versatile player on the team. Jeter's high school achievements highlighted his speed and talent, drawing attention from college recruiters and establishing him as a promising athlete from a steel town background. His success at Weir High paved the way for a football scholarship to the University of Iowa. In recognition of his roots and accomplishments, the city of Weirton proclaimed "Bob Jeter Day" on October 15, 1969, with Mayor Frank Rybka issuing an official proclamation to honor the local hero during a Green Bay Packers-Pittsburgh Steelers game.^[9]

College football

Bob Jeter enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1957 and played college football for the Hawkeyes as a running back from 1957 to 1959.^[10] During his tenure, he emerged as a key contributor to the team's offensive attack, earning All-Big Ten honors for his versatility and productivity in the backfield.^[11] Jeter's efforts helped anchor Iowa's rushing game, particularly in the 1958 season when the Hawkeyes compiled an 8-1-1 record, co-won the Big Ten title, and earned a bid to the Rose Bowl. One of Jeter's most memorable performances came in the 1959 Rose Bowl against California, where he rushed for a record-setting 194 yards on just nine carries, averaging 21.6 yards per attempt.^[12] This included an 81-yard touchdown run—the longest from scrimmage in Rose Bowl history at the time—which helped propel Iowa to a dominant 38-12 victory.^[12] Named the game's Most Valuable Player for his explosive play, Jeter's outburst not only broke two Rose Bowl records but also exemplified his speed and elusiveness as a halfback.^[2] Over his three seasons, Jeter amassed 1,015 rushing yards on 171 carries (5.9 average) and 240 receiving yards on 18 catches, scoring five total touchdowns while appearing in 27 games.^[10] In 1959, he led the Big Ten in rushing yards with 609 on 108 carries and ranked among the conference leaders in total offensive plays and yards.^[10] These contributions underscored his role in elevating Iowa's program during a competitive era in the Big Ten. His college accomplishments were later recognized with induction into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1994 and the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.^[13]^[12]

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

Bob Jeter was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round (17th overall) of the 1960 NFL Draft, a pick influenced by his standout performance as the MVP of the 1959 Rose Bowl while at the University of Iowa.^[1] Instead of joining the Packers immediately, Jeter signed with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League, where he played as a running back for two seasons in 1960 and 1961, rushing for notable yardage including a second-place team ranking in 1960.^[2] He then signed with the Packers on September 13, 1962, spending his first year on the taxi squad before making the active roster in 1963.^[2] Initially used on offense as a running back and wide receiver during his early years with Green Bay from 1963 to 1964, Jeter saw limited action, catching just one pass for 23 yards in 1964.^[14] Coach Vince Lombardi transitioned him to cornerback at the start of the 1965 training camp, a move prompted by injuries in the secondary, where Jeter quickly adapted and became a starter opposite Hall of Famer Herb Adderley.^[2] Over his Packers tenure from 1963 to 1970, he appeared in 107 games, recording 23 interceptions for 333 return yards and two touchdowns, both scored in 1966 on returns of 75 and 46 yards.^[2]^[1] Jeter played a pivotal role in the Packers' dynasty under Lombardi, contributing to three consecutive NFL championships from 1965 to 1967 and victories in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II.^[3] In the 1965 NFL Championship Game, he started at cornerback and helped secure a 23-12 win over the Cleveland Browns, marking Green Bay's first title in over a decade.^[15] During the 1966 season, his five interceptions, including the two touchdown returns, bolstered the defense en route to a 34-17 championship victory against the Dallas Cowboys and a 35-10 triumph in Super Bowl I over the Kansas City Chiefs.^[2] Jeter's career-high eight interceptions in 1967 earned him first-team All-Pro honors and anchored the secondary for the 21-17 championship win against the Cowboys, followed by a 33-14 victory in Super Bowl II versus the Oakland Raiders.^[2] In recognition of his contributions, Jeter was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1985.^[2] His time with Green Bay ended prior to the 1971 season when he was traded to the Chicago Bears along with an undisclosed draft choice in exchange for running back Ross Montgomery on July 22, 1971. However, Montgomery refused to report and was waived, after which the Packers received a sixth-round draft choice in the 1972 NFL Draft as compensation.^[2]

Chicago Bears

In July 1971, Bob Jeter was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Chicago Bears in exchange for running back Ross Montgomery, though the deal was later adjusted to Jeter for a draft pick after Montgomery declined to report.^[2] As a veteran cornerback with prior success in Green Bay's championship defenses, Jeter joined a Bears team in transition under head coach Jim Dooley, providing experienced depth to a secondary that struggled amid the franchise's rebuilding efforts following a 6-8 record in 1970.^[16] During the 1971 season, Jeter appeared in 9 games for the Bears, starting 2, and recorded 1 interception while contributing to a defense that allowed an average of 19.7 points per game in a 6-8 campaign.^[1] In 1972, he played in 10 games without a start, securing 2 interceptions as part of a unit on a 4-9-1 team that ranked near the bottom of the NFC Central in defensive efficiency.^[1] His role diminished further in 1973, his final year, where he played all 13 games without starting or recording an interception, helping anchor a Bears defense during a 3-10-1 season marked by ongoing roster changes and a shift toward younger talent.^[1] Over his three seasons with Chicago, Jeter amassed 3 interceptions in 32 games, offering stability to a Bears secondary navigating injuries and inconsistency in a period of franchise flux before the arrival of new leadership.^[1] He retired following the 1973 season, concluding an 11-year NFL career that began in 1963.^[1]

Later life and death

After football

After retiring from the NFL following the 1973 season, Jeter worked for the Chicago Park District, where he coordinated citywide sporting events for children alongside former Big Ten wrestler Patrick Heffernan.^[15] This role allowed him to contribute to youth recreation and public service in Chicago, fostering community engagement through organized sports programs.^[3] Jeter's family life centered in Chicago, where he and his wife, Gwendolyn R. Jeter, raised three sons—Carlton Wesley, Robert D. III, and Jonathan—while also welcoming several foster children into their home.^[6] His son Robert D. Jeter III, known as Rob Jeter, pursued a career in college basketball coaching, serving as head coach at institutions including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and currently at Southern Utah University.^[17] Jeter's younger brother, Tony Jeter, also had an NFL career as a tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1966 to 1968.^[3] In 1985, Jeter was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions during his professional playing days.^[18]

Death

Bob Jeter died on November 20, 2008, at the age of 71 from a heart attack at his home in Chicago, Illinois.^[18]^[3] The heart attack occurred suddenly around 3 p.m., when Jeter stopped breathing in the presence of his daughter LaShaunta and passed away before medics could arrive.^[19] This came just one week after he had undergone prostate surgery.^[3]^[20] His son, Rob Jeter, the men's basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, confirmed the cause as cardiac arrest and noted the family's shock at the suddenness of the event.^[18]^[19] Jeter was survived by his wife, Gwendolyn; sons Rob, Carlton, and Jonathan; daughter LaShaunta; a brother; a sister; and seven grandchildren.^[18]^[3] Following his death, Jeter was cremated, with his ashes given to his wife.^[20] A memorial service was held on November 24, 2008, at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Chicago.^[6] Initial media coverage highlighted Jeter's legacy with the Green Bay Packers, where former teammate Dave Robinson described him as "one of the fastest guys I ever saw" and expressed personal grief over the loss of a close friend from their championship years.^[19] Another Packers Hall of Famer, Herb Adderley, recounted family accounts of the sudden passing and praised Jeter's speed and contributions to the team's defenses.^[19] The Chicago Bears organization did not issue a public statement in immediate coverage, though obituaries noted his three seasons with the team.^[3]