Former Green Bay Packer and Oakland Raider Jordy Nelson has announced that he is retiring from the NFL. Nelson was drafted by the Packers in 2008, and joined a receiving crew that already sported Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and James Jones. Together with Aaron Rodgers and a host of other pass catchers, the fourseome would go on to help the Packers offense obtain, and retain, dominance for nearly a decade. Of the four, Nelson became Rodgers’s favorite target. Though the time to say goodbye is nigh, he will be missed.
Nelson’s career did not really take off until the Packers Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers following the 2010 season. In that game Nelson caught 9 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. While some fans have an unhealthy focus on his drops that day, the fact is that with Driver hurt, Nelson stepped up and played a critical role in bringing home the Lombardi Trophy. He will, therefore, always be a Packer legend.
Nelson went on to have at least 1,200 yards in four of his next five seasons, missing out only in his injury-plagued 2012. In three of those years he also surpassed 13 touchdowns. That run from 2011 to 2016 (having missed 2015 with a torn ACL) proved to be the prime of Nelson’s career, and one that sadly came to a quick close.
In the end, Nelson will be another NFL footnote. He finishes his career with 613 receptions, 8,587 yards, 72 touchdowns, and a whole lot of respect. We wish him well in his next venture. Let’s remember some additional things: