Donald Driver Retires

[TheImmortalGoud]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8900529/donald-driver-green-bay-packers-retire-14-nfl-seasons

Green Bay Packers receiver Donald Driver announced on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" Thursday that he is retiring after 14 seasons.

"I'm going to officially put the cleats on the shelf. I'm going to walk away from the game," the four-time Pro Bowler said.

The Packers announced that he will take part in a formal news conference at Lambeau Field on Feb. 6 at 12 a.m. ET

"I played my entire career in Green Bay and have always enjoyed a special bond with the fans," Driver said in a statement released by the team. "I can think of no better way to retire than to celebrate with them and the Packers organization."

Fans are invited to attend Driver's retirement news conference and tickets will be distributed free of charge.

"I'm going to open my retirement up to the fans ... give them everything they deserve," Driver told ESPN Radio.

Taken in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL draft out of Alcorn State, the 37-year-old Driver retires as the Packers' all-time leader in receptions (743) and yards (10,137). He also had 61 touchdown receptions (third on Packers' all-time list) in 205 career games, all with the Packers.

He's one of only 18 wide receivers in NFL history with 700-plus career catches and 10,000 or more receiving yards in 200 games.

Only Brett Favre played more games in a Packers uniform.

"All 14 years. Every day," Driver told ESPN Radio. "That's a special place to walk out of, and that's something I'll never forget."

He had seven 1,000-yard seasons, also a Packers record for a receiver. He had six straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2004-09, averaging 14 yards per catch during the stretch. He made at least one catch in 133 straight games from 2002 to 2010, another franchise record.

He turns 38 on Saturday.

It wasn't just his performance on the field that made Driver one of the most beloved players in Packers history. Fans were charmed by his bright smile and infectious laugh, and moved by his story of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. Growing up, Driver and his family were so poor that he, his mother and siblings sometimes spent the nights in a U-Haul. He and his brother stole cars to get money, and Driver sold drugs, too.

Driver never forgot that tough childhood, remaining active in the community throughout his career.

"His contribution to the history of the Green Bay Packers has been extraordinary," Bart Starr said in the Packers' statement. "I am honored to congratulate him on all of his achievements on and off the field."

Though Driver had said he hoped to play until he was 40, his retirement was hardly a surprise. He had restructured the final year of his contract to come back this season, but played only a bit role in the offense with Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb ahead of him on the depth chart. Driver's eight catches for 77 yards were his lowest totals since his rookie season, and he was inactive for four games, including the NFC wild-card game, his final contest at Lambeau Field.

"It's always difficult, especially when you feel you can still play the game," Driver told ESPN Radio. "There's other things out there. There's the next chapter of your career and I'm ready for it."

Driver said he is eager to spend more time with his family. Driver and his wife, Bettina, have three kids.

"Someone is always going to be able to tell my kids that their dad was a great football player," Driver told ESPN Radio. "But no one will be able to tell my kids that their dad was a great dad and a great husband, so I have to be able to show them that."

 

[ram29jackson]

sad day...

 

[jms493]

smart...get out before any more concussions.

Seemed like a stand up guy...no bullshit or drama ever surrounded him.

 

[JimLeavy59]

:crying:

 

[Juggernaut]

Always nice to see a player stay with the same team for their entire career.

 

[f16harm]

Always nice to see a player stay with the same team for their entire career.

Don't worry, Mark Sanchez will get that ability, because no one else will want him.

 

[ram29jackson]

Don't worry, Mark Sanchez will get that ability, because no one else will want him.

oh Canada

 

[MrBill]

Donald Driver is one of the best stories ever in the NFL. The odds against him turning into the man he is compared to how he started out in life would be astronomical. His physical skills were slightly above average but he had the work ethic of Jerry Rice and the personal integrity to never put his team or the front office in a bad situation by how he conducted his private life.

Watch these videos if you haven't seen them before-

 

[Primetime]

Sorry 49ers fans...

 

[Juggernaut]

Don't worry, Mark Sanchez will get that ability, because no one else will want him.

I ain't worrying much, I've heard rumors of the Jets being interested in Matt Flynn. An Inside Source told me that Harbaugh is interested in the Jets head coaching gig as well.

Gonna start that Harbaugh-Flynn dynasty any day now.

 

[JBregz]

Gonna miss seeing him on Sundays..one of my favorite players of all-time.

 

[Primetime]

I ain't worrying much, I've heard rumors of the Jets being interested in Matt Flynn. An Inside Source told me that Harbaugh is interested in the Jets head coaching gig as well.

Gonna start that Harbaugh-Flynn dynasty any day now.

LOL. The story was that the Jets passed on hiring Harbaugh in '09. Nothing is appealing about the Jets right now.

 

[Tailback U]

A rare breed, a jack of all trades type. I'll miss watching him play. He's a guy who has his head on right so I'm sure we'll be seeing him on TV doing something soon.

 

[SuperKevin]

I ain't worrying much, I've heard rumors of the Jets being interested in Matt Flynn. An Inside Source told me that Harbaugh is interested in the Jets head coaching gig as well.

Gonna start that Harbaugh-Flynn dynasty any day now.

Jack's coming out of retirement to coach the Jets?

 

[dave]

Fine career. Nothing to apologize for. Got his ring, good guy.

 

[PG24]

One of my favorite players of All-Time as well. Doesn't get classier than Driver. Wish him and his family the best. Certainly one of the best stories in sports, and a very wise man that has helped tons of people in his lifetime. It's never about him.

 

[Len B]

Didn't he just say he has three pro bowl years left if the right team signs him? Or am I misremembering?

 

[Primetime]

Didn't he just say he has three pro bowl years left if the right team signs him? Or am I misremembering?

I dont know about pro bowl level, but he has said that he wanted to play until he was 40. I assume another team will try to sign him. He still has a lot to offer to weaker receiving cores.