Pittsburgh acquired linebacker Tom Bettis from Green Bay on…
Pittsburgh acquired linebacker Tom Bettis from Green Bay on July 17, 1962 for 1963 third- and seventh-round choices that became Dennis Claridge and Olin Hill. Bettis immediately appeared in 11 games for the Steelers before finishing his career with Chicago. Claridge eventually played only one regular-season game for Green Bay, while Hill never appeared in the NFL. Pittsburgh realized the greater direct return.
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 1963 third round pick (#39-Dennis Claridge)
- pick 1963 seventh round pick (#95-Olin Hill)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Tom Bettis
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
Green Bay's linebacker room had changed around Bettis. The veteran had been a long-time contributor, but Ray Nitschke was taking firm control of the middle, and the Packers' own history says Bettis asked to be traded after losing playing time. On July 17, 1962, Green Bay sent him to Pittsburgh for the Steelers' 1963 third- and seventh-round selections. The deal gave Pittsburgh experienced help while allowing the defending champions to turn a displaced veteran into two future choices.
What Pittsburgh Received
Bettis supplied exactly the kind of short-term usefulness Pittsburgh was buying. He appeared in 11 games for the 1962 Steelers and remained an active NFL linebacker rather than a speculative asset. His Pittsburgh stay lasted only one season, so this was not a franchise-altering acquisition, but the Steelers received real snaps from an established player at a position of need before Bettis finished his career with the 1963 champion Bears.
What Green Bay Received
The third-rounder became Nebraska quarterback Dennis Claridge at No. 39, and the seventh-rounder became Furman tackle Olin Hill at No. 95. Claridge eventually appeared in one regular-season game for Green Bay in 1965, completing his only pass for 13 yards. Hill never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Green Bay therefore converted Bettis into two legitimate draft opportunities, but those opportunities produced almost no Packers field value.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh Steelers Win. The return was modest, which keeps Pittsburgh at B-, but 11 games of veteran linebacker service beat one Packers appearance from Claridge and none from Hill. Green Bay earns a C-: the logic of moving Bettis was sound and two picks were reasonable compensation, yet the selections did not turn into meaningful production.