Bernard ‘Boob’ Darling

Class of 1926: Green Bay Packers

Bernard Edward “Boob” Darling played 36 games for the Green Bay Packers football team in 1927-32, starting 16 as a center, and was a member of the NFL Championship teams in 1929, 1930 and 1931.

He was born Nov. 18, 1903, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He earned his unique nickname from a younger sister, who always called him “Boo Boo,” later shortened to just “Boob.”

He attended Ripon College for two years and then Beloit College, where he was an All-Conference guard.

He had a professional sports career in both basketball and football. He played professional basketball with the Oshkosh All-Stars, who were founded and coached by his older brother, Alonzo “Lonnie” Darling, founder of the National Basketball League, forerunner of the National Basketball Association.

He played his entire five-year football career with the Green Bay Packers. With the 6’3″, 215-pound Darling at center, the Packers won three consecutive championships in 1929, 1930 and 1931. He played in 36 games and started 17.

The Green Bay Packers website, reports: “(Boob Darling) had a willingness to play that was undying – he wanted to play in the worst way,” said former teammate and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Michalske. “He was an unsung hero, always worked hard and never was hurt.”

After his football career ended, Darling worked as an agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., 30 of those years as district manager. He also was active in the Green Bay community, including service as president of the Lions Club.

He also was an official for more than 500 football games and 400 basketball games at the high school and college levels. He was a Big Ten referee for 14 years and worked the 1949 Rose Bowl.
He was elected to the Packers Board of Directors in 1955 and served until his death. He also was a member of the team’s executive committee from 1955 to 1959, during which time Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach and general manager.

He died March 5, 1968, at age 64. He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1970.