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Friends and family remember the life of Forrest Gregg

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COLORADO SPRINGS – On Wednesday, Forrest Gregg, a legendary lineman for the Packers and longtime NFL coach, was laid to rest.

“He loved life, he loved football, he loved the folks that he played with and coached with, we all have a huge extended family because of it,” stated Karen “Gregg” Spehar, Forrest’s daughter.

Gregg starred at tackle and guard for the mighty Packers teams of the 1960s. Green Bay coach Vince Lombardi called him the “Best player I ever coached.”

Gregg began his NFL career in 1956 and played a final season with the Dallas Cowboys in 1971. He went on to coach in the NFL for 11 years.

He played on six NFL/NFC championship teams and three Super Bowl winners. He was elected to the NFL’s all-decade team of the 1960s and its 75th-anniversary team.

He also called Colorado Springs home following his football career, living near the Broadmoor. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011 and said he thought it was likely brought on from repeated concussions during his playing career.

Immediately after his diagnosis, Gregg’s family say he began working to raise awareness, promote healthy living practices, and support research in regards to Parkinson’s.

Gregg coached Cleveland, Cincinnati and Green Bay, guiding the Bengals to their first Super Bowl during the 1981 season.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story)