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Bob Jeter
Bob Jeter
Bob Jeter
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Robert DeLafayette Jeter, Jr. (May 9, 1937 – November 20, 2008) was an American professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Jeter was born on May 9, 1937, in Union, South Carolina, the eldest of six children. His father Bob Sr. was a steel worker. At age one, his family moved to the segregated community of Weirton, West Virginia.[1][2][3]

Jeter was raised in Weirton and attended the segregated local school, Dunbar High School. After his junior year in 1954, Weirton's schools integrated, and he then attended Weir High School (class of 1956), where Jeter was a football standout his senior year in the fall of 1955. As a senior, he once took a pitch out in the end zone, and ran over 100 yards for a touchdown in his most memorable high school play. He was named All-State and an All American that year.[4][5][6][3][7] He was also an All-Star basketball player for Weir.[8]

In 1969, Weirton held a "Bob Jeter Day".[9]

College football

[edit]

Jeter had football scholarship offers from every Big Ten Conference school, as well as the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University.[7] He played college football at the University of Iowa (1957-59). As a junior, he rushed for 355 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. In his senior year, Jeter led the Big Ten in rushing with 609 yards (5.6 yards per carry).[10][11] He was named All-Big Ten.[12]

As a halfback with the Hawkeyes, Jeter rushed for a Rose Bowl record 194 yards on just nine carries against California as a junior in the 1959 Rose Bowl.[13][14] This total included an 81-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, another record.[15][16] As a result of this performance, he was the named the game's Most Valuable Player, and Iowa finished as runner-up in the AP poll.[17][18] He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1994.[19]

In 2010, Jeter was inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame.[20]

Professional career

[edit]

Selected by the Packers in the second round of the 1960 NFL draft,[21] Jeter began his pro career in the Canadian Football League with the British Columbia Lions.[22] He was used in Canada as a running back in 1960 and 1961, backing up CFL legend and former Iowa teammate Willie Fleming. Still under contract in Canada, Jeter spent the 1962 season on the Packers' taxi squad,[23] saw limited action as a wide receiver in 1963 and 1964, and was moved to defensive back in 1965.[23][24]

Jeter was part of the Packer teams that won an unprecedented three consecutive NFL championship games and the first two Super Bowls. Herb Adderley and Jeter formed one of the greatest cornerback duos in football history.[25] During this time, Packers defense led the league in fewest points allowed in 1965 and 1966, fewest total yards allowed in 1964 and 1967, and fewest passing yards allowed from 1964 to 1968.[26][27][28][29][30] Prior to the 1971 training camp under new head coach Dan Devine, Jeter was traded to the Chicago Bears,[31][32] where he finished his career in 1973.

In eleven NFL seasons, Jeter had 26 interceptions for 333 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 25 yards. He was inducted into the Packer Hall of Fame in 1985.[33]

After football

[edit]

Jeter had worked in Chicago for the Chicago Park District alongside former Big Ten (Illinois) grappler Patrick Heffernan, coordinating citywide sporting events for kids. He also was a warehouse planner for a food company.[24]

His son, Rob Jeter, is the head coach of the men's basketball team at Southern Utah (as of 2025), after 11 seasons as head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2005-16) and three seasons as head coach at Western Illinois University (2020-23).[34] His brother, Tony Jeter, played at Nebraska and two seasons at tight end with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[35][36]

Death

[edit]

Jeter died at age 71 in 2008 in Chicago of a heart attack.[37]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bob Jeter

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
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). 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. 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. His defensive prowess earned him Pro Bowl selections in 1967 and 1969, along with first-team All-Pro honors in 1967. At the , Jeter emerged as a dynamic for the Hawkeyes, helping lead the team to an 8-1-1 record in 1958. His defining moment came in the 1959 against the , where Iowa secured a 38-12 victory; Jeter rushed for 194 yards on just nine carries, including an 81-yard , setting Rose Bowl records for single-game rushing yards and yards per carry (21.6) that stood for decades. 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. In the NFL, Jeter transitioned successfully to defense under legendary coach with the Packers, starting opposite Hall of Famer at from 1966 to 1969. During the season, he led the league with eight interceptions, showcasing his ball-hawking skills in Green Bay's championship runs. After leaving the Packers, Jeter played three seasons with the Bears, adding three more interceptions before retiring in 1973. 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. Post-retirement, Jeter resided in with his wife Gwendolyn, where they fostered children; he passed away from a heart attack at age 71.

Early life and education

Early life

Robert DeLafayette Jeter Jr. was born on May 9, 1937, in Union, South Carolina. His family relocated to Weirton, West Virginia, when he was a young child, settling in the city's segregated Black community. Jeter was the eldest of six children born to Robert Jeter Sr., a steelworker at a local mill, and Mary Vivian Booker Jeter. 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. Jeter began his athletic development in Weirton, starting football as a at the segregated Dunbar High School. 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. At Weir High, Jeter emerged as a standout , earning All-State honors and becoming a key figure in the school's athletic program. He also excelled in , 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 from a steel town background. His success at Weir High paved the way for a football scholarship to the . 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.

College football

Bob Jeter enrolled at the in 1957 and played for the Hawkeyes as a from 1957 to 1959. 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. 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 , where he rushed for a record-setting 194 yards on just nine carries, averaging 21.6 yards per attempt. This included an 81-yard touchdown run—the longest from scrimmage in Rose Bowl history at the time—which helped propel to a dominant 38-12 victory. Named the game's for his explosive play, Jeter's outburst not only broke two Rose Bowl records but also exemplified his speed and elusiveness as a halfback. 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. 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. 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 Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

Bob Jeter was selected by the 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 . Instead of joining the Packers immediately, Jeter signed with the Lions of the Canadian Football League, where he played as a for two seasons in 1960 and 1961, rushing for notable yardage including a second-place team ranking in 1960. 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. Initially used on offense as a and during his early years with Green Bay from 1963 to 1964, Jeter saw limited action, catching just one pass for 23 yards in 1964. Coach transitioned him to 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 . 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. In recognition of his contributions, Jeter was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1985. His time with Green Bay ended prior to the 1971 season when he was traded to the 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 as compensation.

Chicago Bears

In July 1971, Bob Jeter was traded from the to the in exchange for running back Ross Montgomery, though the deal was later adjusted to Jeter for a draft pick after Montgomery declined to report. As a veteran with prior success in Green Bay's championship defenses, Jeter joined a Bears team in transition under head coach , providing experienced depth to a secondary that struggled amid the franchise's rebuilding efforts following a 6-8 record in 1970. During the 1971 season, Jeter appeared in 9 games for the Bears, starting 2, and recorded 1 while contributing to a defense that allowed an average of 19.7 points per game in a 6-8 campaign. In 1972, he played in 10 games without a start, securing 2 as part of a unit on a 4-9-1 team that ranked near the bottom of the NFC Central in defensive efficiency. 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. 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. He retired following the 1973 season, concluding an 11-year NFL career that began in 1963.

Later life and death

After football

After retiring from the NFL following the 1973 season, Jeter worked for the , where he coordinated citywide sporting events for children alongside former Big Ten wrestler Patrick Heffernan. This role allowed him to contribute to youth recreation and in , fostering community engagement through organized sports programs. Jeter's family life centered in , 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. His son Robert D. Jeter III, known as , pursued a career in coaching, serving as at institutions including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and currently at . Jeter's younger brother, Tony Jeter, also had an NFL career as a for the from 1966 to 1968. In 1985, Jeter was inducted into the Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions during his professional playing days.

Death

Bob Jeter died on November 20, 2008, at the age of 71 from a heart attack at his home in , . The heart attack occurred suddenly around 3 p.m., when Jeter stopped breathing in the presence of his LaShaunta and passed away before medics could arrive. This came just one week after he had undergone surgery. His son, , the men's basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, confirmed the cause as and noted the family's shock at the suddenness of the event. Jeter was survived by his wife, Gwendolyn; sons Rob, Carlton, and Jonathan; daughter LaShaunta; a brother; a sister; and seven grandchildren. Following his death, Jeter was cremated, with his ashes given to his wife. A memorial service was held on November 24, 2008, at Baptist Church in . Initial media coverage highlighted Jeter's legacy with the , 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. Another Packers Hall of Famer, , recounted family accounts of the sudden passing and praised Jeter's speed and contributions to the team's defenses. The organization did not issue a public statement in immediate coverage, though obituaries noted his three seasons with the team.
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