Packers Hall of Famers enjoy a game of golf

SHEBOYGAN FALLS, Wis. On July 23, William Henderson and Marco Rivera will be inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame. On Monday, they got their first taste of the prestigious club by playing in the Packers Hall of Fame Golf Classic.They learned of the honor in December but it still hasnt sunken in for Henderson, a third-round selection from North Carolina who played fullback for 12 seasons in Green Bay (1995 through 2006). Henderson played in 188 games for the Packers only Brett Favre, Bart Starr and Ray Nitschke played in more and made 112 starts. Upon Hendersons arrival, the Packers hadnt had a 1,000-yard rusher since 1978. Incredibly, he led the way for seven such seasons: Dorsey Levens in 1997 and 1999, and Ahman Green in 2000 through 2004. Henderson, an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2004, ranks 10th in Packers history with 320 receptions.No, actually, Im still surprised, he said behind the ninth green. Im in the company of some amazing gentlemen and theres still so many names that played with me, before me, that I think are worthy candidates. For them to choose me to be inducted this year, Im just very humbled.Rivera, a sixth-round draft choice from Penn State, played nine seasons (1996 through 2004) for the Packers. He started 111 games at left and right guard for the team, including his final 99. He was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Only Jerry Kramer started more consecutive seasons at guard (nine) for the Packers since 1958.Rivera knew Kramer but got to know him on a deeper level on Sunday night.Its pretty incredible, he said. It started sinking in last night when we were having the dinner. I was sitting at the table with Jerry Kramer and Boyd (Dowler) and just rubbing shoulders with the legends of the past. You can appreciate what they did for the game and what they did for the Green Bay Packers and why the Green Bay Packers are such a historic franchise. You look at these guys across the table and you realize youre joining a select group of individuals. God, what an honor. Its awesome. Former lineman Greg Koch, who was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame last year, is in his 18th year as a trial lawyer in Houston. He also went through the strike-shortened 1982 season, so he had some insight on the ongoing lockout.Koch said some give-and-take will help deliver an agreement. Among the sticking points from the players perspective are a rookie wage scale and the owners desire for two additional rights-of-first-refusal beyond the current format of a franchise player and two transition players.I think the players are balking a little bit at that but I think they give, the owners give on the money side a little bit and you get a deal done, Koch said. People have to remember that this isnt a pamphlet youre handing out. This is a 1,200-page document. You have lawyers poring over this thing, crossing every t and dotting every i. Theyre going to get it done. We might miss one preseason game but I dont think were going to miss a regular-season game and Im looking for the Packers having a two- or three-peat.Kochs teammate, tight end Paul Coffman, was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1994. He also was with the team in 1982. Coffman mentioned pensions as an issue. A baseball player with 10 years of experience gets about 100,000 or almost double what a football player with the same level of service.Obviously, the players need to be taken care of, Coffman said of todays players. But you dont want to shoot the goose that lays the golden egg. The challenge for the 2011 edition of the Packers will be to withstand every teams best shot and repeat as world champions. Thats something Vince Lombardis teams did twice including a three-peat from 1965 through 1967 and Mike Holmgrens team failed to do in winning Super Bowl XXXI but losing in Super Bowl XXXII.The coach didnt allow us to relax, said former receiver Boyd Dowler, who was part of all five of Lombardis championship teams. That was from Day 1 of training camp all the way through. He did not allow anybody to sit back and say, Well, well get ready on the weekend or well get ready after training camp. He started the first day of training camp. It was not easy. He set a goal early in his tenure with the Packers that hes going to win three straight world titles. Asked about Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, who died on Wednesday, Packers Hall of Fame tight end Gary Knafelc said: I dont care if it was first-and-5 or third-and-30, he was going to make it. Not only that, he was such a great character off the field. He had great respect for the game and great respect for everyone he played with. He was the kind of guy that you wanted to have as your friend, because you knew if you had any trouble and you needed to go to anyone for help, he was there. He was that kind of guy. Coach Mike McCarthy was supposed to play but was with his wife, who was delivering their child, according to emcee Wayne Larrivee. Team spokesman Aaron Popkey did not have an update on Monday night.For more coverage on the Green Bay Packers, please visit PackerReport.com.