Former Packers All-Pro Wide Receiver Jordy Nelson Announces Retirement After 11 Years

Jordy Nelson a former All-Pro wide receiver and Aaron Rodgers‘ favorite target to throw to during his time with the Green Bay Packers, officially announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons on Wednesday.

Ex-packer Jordy Nelson Retires At 33

During his tenure with the Packers, Nelson, 33, was the primary target for star quarterback Rodgers. Nelson, having a knack for finding a way to get open and away from the defense, made the quarterback’s life a little easier. Nelson was always a safe option for the offense, with Quarterbacks having a 120.5 passer rating when he is the targeted receiver.

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Nelson started his career being a second-round draft pick for the Packers. During his career there, he caught 550 passes for 7,848 yards and 69 touchdowns. He ranks second in Packers franchise history in touchdown receptions, third in receptions and fifth in yards receiving. He and Rodgers hold the franchise record for most touchdowns by a receiver-quarterback combination with 65. Nelson also had a pretty strong performance in the Super Bowl, and caught nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Steelers.

Nelson would even go on to win the Super Bowl while playing with the Packers and making the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams, a way of showing that is dominance on the field had not been forgotten.
During the 2015 season, however, Nelson suffered a gruesome torn ACL injury and was forced to miss the entire season.

After a strong rehabilitation process, Nelson was able to come back the following season in his same dominant form and was able to win Comeback Player of the Year at the NFL Awards ceremony in 2016. He also won Comeback Player of the Year at the ESPYS and was honored on stage during the time.

The GM of the Packers, Brian Gutekunst, the team who had drafted Nelson, had this to say regarding his retirement. “We want to congratulate Jordy on an incredible career that included achievements that will result in his eventual induction in the Packers Hall of Fame,”. “He is one of the greatest receivers in franchise history and played a vital role in the team’s success with not only his play on the field but also for what he provided as a great teammate and leader. We wish the best to Jordy, his wife, Emily, and the rest of their family.”

Former NFL player and teammate of Nelson’s James Jones was the first to reveal the news that Nelson would be retiring and congratulated the receiver, who played with the Oakland Raiders last season.

Article by Elijah Fulton

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