Ivery did it all at Georgia Tech, running the football, catching passes and returning kicks.
In 1978, he had one of the greatest games in college football history.
In the snow and with an upset stomach, Ivery rushed for 356 yards on 26 carries at Air Force.
On that slippery field, he ripped off touchdown jaunts of 80, 73 and 57 yards.
He became the Yellow Jackets' all-time leading rusher with more than 3,500 yards and was named an All-American his senior year. He was considered a top NFL prospect, and head coach Bart Starr and the Packers made him their first-round pick in the 1979 NFL draft.
Ivery lived up to his billing as a rookie, quickly grasping the pro game and fitting in with his Green Bay teammates.
He impressed the coaches with his work ethic and athletic ability, showcasing his talent in the preseason with several impressive runs.
In his first regular-season game against the Bears in Chicago, Ivery carried the ball three times for 24 yards. On his fourth carry, his season was over.
"I went to cut back against the grain and tore my ACL," Ivery said. "I never did get hit on that play. I played on artificial turf in college and never had a problem.
"It was so unfortunate to be injured like that against the Bears because I felt like I was off to such a good start with the Packers and being a rookie in the NFL."
Ivery rehabbed his knee and returned in 1980 to his old form, leading Green Bay with his career-high 831 yards in 202 carries (4.1-yard average). He rushed for three touchdowns and also finished second to James Lofton with 50 receptions for 481 yards and one score.
Then lightning struck twice.
In the 1981 season opener at Soldier Field, Ivery was having a solid game with 14 rushes for 72 yards.
In the third quarter, he burst into the Chicago secondary and was tackled by a diving defensive back, whose helmet smashed into Ivery's left knee.
Other ligaments were damaged, again ending his promising season.
Ivery went through the arduous rehabilitation process a second time and came back to lead the Packers to a 5-3-1 record in the strike-shortened season with 453 yards. He was rewarded with a new contract entering the 1983 season.