Donald Driver retires.

Ness · 01-31-2013, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Donald Driver started his career with the Green Bay Packers as a seventh-round draft pick who battled to make the roster, then barely saw the field. He finishes his career as the storied franchise's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.

The Packers announced Driver's retirement Thursday morning via a press release. The team will hold an official ceremony on Feb. 6 at Lambeau Field.

Driver had 37 receptions through the first three seasons of his career, but he emerged as one of Brett Favre's favorite targets during the 1990s, and then provided a bridge to the Aaron Rodgers era. He ranks second in team history in games played (205) behind only Favre.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...s-with-packers

vidae · 01-31-2013, 10:46 AM

Great career and seems like a great guy.

K Train · 01-31-2013, 10:56 AM

he made the announcement with slightly less drama than ray lewis

Ness · 01-31-2013, 10:59 AM

The last statement in that quoted article is quite misleading as Driver was drafted in 1999 and didn't really emerge until 2002. Anyways, he was one of my favorite receivers during the past decade. Very underrated player.

WCH · 01-31-2013, 11:16 AM

We see a lot of idiot players who don't realize what an amazing opportunity it is to be playing in the NFL. Donald Driver wasn't one of those guys.

bigbluedefense · 01-31-2013, 12:17 PM

Donald Driver was a better man than a football player.

And he was a pretty damn good football player. Much respect.

BloodBrother · 01-31-2013, 12:23 PM

Class act all the way. One of my favorite Packers. Gonna miss him. Was glad that he was able to get himself a SB ring. It's always more gratifying when long tenured guys from the team you root for end up finally winning the big one

zachsaints52 · 01-31-2013, 12:25 PM

Always seemed like a stand-up guy. Glad to see he retired with one organization.

mqtirishfan · 01-31-2013, 12:41 PM

After last year, I'm really glad he retired. I was already sad about the idea of him playing elsewhere.

I really hope he joins the organization somehow.

FlyingElvis · 01-31-2013, 12:43 PM

Congrats to him. He always came across as a humble guy and was very easy to like & cheer for. Great story, great guy. It's nice to see guys like this being able to spend their entire career with one team.

BloodBrother · 01-31-2013, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mqtirishfan

After last year, I'm really glad he retired. I was already sad about the idea of him playing elsewhere.

I really hope he joins the organization somehow.

I'm glad he came to terms with the fact that he probably needed to retire. A lot of times these guys just hang on too long because they think they can still do it. It's better to retire on your own terms than to have the NFL retire you(no teams show interest).

J-Mike88 · 01-31-2013, 08:51 PM

Great little dude, great big heart, and smile.
Was the 27th of 30 WR's taken in 1999 IIRC.
Lasted longer than any of them, inluding Torry Holt.

Others taken before Driver? Check it out: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft...wide-receivers

The Bears and Cowboys each took 2 WR's before Donald.
Packers took another WR before Driver. Who was he?

Ness · 01-31-2013, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Mike88

Great little dude, great big heart, and smile.
Was the 27th of 30 WR's taken in 1999 IIRC.
Lasted longer than any of them, inluding Torry Holt.

Others taken before Driver? Check it out: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft...wide-receivers

The Bears and Cowboys each took 2 WR's before Donald.
Packers took another WR before Driver. Who was he?

Trying to think. It wasn't Corey Bradford who I think was a rookie the previous season. For some reason I want to say Robert Ferguson, but I think he was taken a few years later.

EDIT: Oh. Yeah I don't remember him at all.

Giantsfan1080 · 01-31-2013, 09:25 PM

Great player. Great guy. He did the NFL well.

RagingColt · 01-31-2013, 09:34 PM

One of my favorite NFL players from the previous decade. He should easily be in the Packers HOF.

Caddy · 01-31-2013, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Mike88

Great little dude, great big heart, and smile.
Was the 27th of 30 WR's taken in 1999 IIRC.
Lasted longer than any of them, inluding Torry Holt.

Others taken before Driver? Check it out: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft...wide-receivers

The Bears and Cowboys each took 2 WR's before Donald.
Packers took another WR before Driver. Who was he?

Brandon Stokely is on that list.

J-Mike88 · 02-01-2013, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caddy

Brandon Stokely is on that list.

I guess that's an Insider list so might not be visible to some here....

Here was that draft class of WRs.

1)
Torry Holt St Louis
David Boston Arizona
Troy Edwards Pittsburgh
Kevin Johnson Browns

Peerless Price Bills
D'Wayne Bates Chicago
Marty Booker Chicago
Karsten Bailey Seattle
Travis McGriff Denver
Craig Yeast Cincinnati
Dameane Douglas Oakland
Brandon Stokley, WR, Louisiana-Lafayette, Baltimore
Larry Parker Kansas City
Wane McGarity Dallas
Na Brown Philadelphia
Darrin Chiaverini Cleveland
Charlie Rogers Seattle
Eugene Baker Atlanta
Malcolm X Johnson Pittsburgh
Tai Streets San Francisco
Darran Hall Tennessee
MarTay Jenkins Dallas
Dee Miller Green Bay
Troy Smith, WR, Philadelphia
Chad Plummer, Denver
Donald Driver, Alcorn State, 7 (213), Green Bay

To show how lucky that was, even the team who drafted him, Green Bay, had him lower rated than Dee Miller, who the took a round or two earlier. Amazing.

I've met Donald and the guy has skinnier legs than I do.... chicken legs. And he lasted that long.