Bob Jeter


Robert DeLafayette Jeter, Jr. was an American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears.

Early years

Jeter was raised in Weirton, West Virginia, where he attended the segregated local school, Dunbar High School, until after his junior year in 1954. He then attended Weir High School and was a football standout his senior year in the fall of 1955.
He played college football at the University of Iowa. 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. This total included an 81-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, another record. As a result of this performance, he was the named the game's MVP, and Iowa finished as runner-up in the AP poll. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1994.

Professional career

Selected by the Packers in the second round of the 1960 NFL draft, Jeter began his pro career in the Canadian Football League with the British Columbia Lions. 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, saw limited action as a wide receiver in 1963 and 1964, and was moved to defensive back in 1965.
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. During this time, Packers defense led the league in fewest points allowed in 1965 and, fewest total yards allowed in 1964 and 1967, and fewest passing yards allowed from 1964 to 1968. Prior to the 1971 training camp under new head coach Dan Devine, Jeter was traded to the Chicago Bears, 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.

After football

Jeter had worked in Chicago for the Chicago Park District alongside former Big Ten grappler Patrick Heffernan, coordinating citywide sporting events for kids. He also was a warehouse planner for a food company.
His son, Rob Jeter, was the head coach of the men's basketball team at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. His brother, Tony Jeter, played at Nebraska and two seasons at tight end with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jeter died at age 71 in 2008 in Chicago of a heart attack.