Thursday, January 31, 2013

Donald Driver Will Always Be a Green Bay Packer


By Bob Fox

Don't believe the rumors you are hearing about the Minnesota Vikings showing interest in Donald Driver (via Fox Sports 11). Driver should instead retire as a member of the Green Bay Packers this week.

It would be apropos for Driver to retire on Super Bowl week, as it was just two years ago when Driver finally got his first Super Bowl ring as a Packer, after first joining the Packers in 1999 as a seventh-round draft choice out of Alcorn State.

Driver started his Green Bay career slowly, as he only had 37 receptions and three touchdowns his first three seasons in the league.

But that all changed in 2002, when Driver caught 70 passes for 1,064 yards and nine touchdowns. That season, Driver was selected to the NFC Pro Bowl team, the first of four times he would be selected.

Driver was also named the team MVP in 2002, as well.

Driver has had a fabulous career in Green Bay. So much so, that he is the all-time leader in receptions for the Packers with 743, plus the all-time leader in receiving yardage as well, with 10,137 yards.

Driver was also fantastic in the postseason as well, as he is second all-time for the Packers in both receptions (49) and yardage (675).

Donald could also excel on the dance floor, as he won the Dancing with the Stars competition in 2012.

The one thing that I will always remember about Donald is what a class individual he is. Also, I think he has learned how the legacy of Brett Favre was certainly harmed in Green Bay after he became a Viking, after 16 glorious years in Green Bay.









Driver has been a Packer for 14 seasons. That number is ironic too. No. 14 was the number of wide receiver Don Hutson, who is considered the greatest Packer of all time by many. There were other great receivers in Green Bay history too, with Sterling Sharpe, James Lofton, Boyd Dowler and Greg Jennings among them.

But great things were expected of all of those receivers. That was not the case with Driver, who was drafted in the last round in 1999.

Driver far exceeded his expectations and has become a champion on and off the field.

Yes...Donald Driver will always be a Green Bay Packer.

Bob Fox contributes content  to our site, he is a featured columnist at Bleacherreport.com.


No comments:

Post a Comment