Former Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jordy Nelson certainly had his share of highlights during his solid 11-year NFL career. Had it not been for Nelson's exploits, it would've been hard for Cheeseheads to imagine the Pack winning Super Bowl XLV eight years ago.
Nelson, the star wide receiver out of Kansas State, retired from the NFL on Wednesday. His former Packers teammate and current NFL Network analyst James Jones broke the news on Twitter.
šØAfter more than a decade in the NFL, my brother, former #Packers & #Raiders WR @JordyRNelson is calling it a career. Heās stepping away from the game with more than 8,500 yardsā¦72+ TDās and as a SB Champion! Iām proud of him and happy for him and his family! #Eseā #Respect
ā James Jones (@89JonesNTAF) March 27, 2019
Nelson's 69 touchdown receptions place him second in Packers franchise history behind Don Hutson (who finished with an unbelievable 99 touchdown catches from 1935 to 1945). Nelson also finished third in receptions with 550 and fifth in receiving yardage with 7,848.
He and quarterback Aaron Rodgers formed a one-two punch that put opposing defenses on their heels from 2008 to 2017. This duo helped the Packers win their fourth Super Bowl title.
Without a doubt, Nelson played a key role in Green Bay's illustrious history. Reminiscing his top moments in Packers Green and Gold should help NFL fans pay tribute to one of the best wideouts we've seen in recent memory. A call to the Packers Hall of Fame is not a question of if, but of when.
For the purposes of this article, we will rank Nelson's most memorable moments according to the āwowā factor. The more they made you stand up from your seat, the better.
5. Getting the Better of Orlando Scandrick in 2014
Tragedy struck the Packers when Rodgers fractured his left clavicle during a game against the Chicago Bears in Week 9. The Packers had won five of their first seven games at that point. Without Rodgers, they stumbled to a 5-6-1 record.
One of the key wins was against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14. Backup quarterback Matt Flynn threw a pass to Nelson which came up just short of the end zone in the third quarter.
Moments later, Nelson scored an incredible leaping touchdown over Dallas cornerback Orlando Scandrick for a 26-10 Packers lead. Green Bay went on to win, 37-36, and gain momentum heading into the postseason. Nelson finished with 61 yards on five receptions.
4. Establishing Career-High 209 Yards vs. New York Jets
Packers fans can never forget the career day Nelson had against the New York Jets on September 14, 2014. On that day, he amassed 209 receiving yards and a touchdown to help the Pack overcome a 21-3 deficit.
Nelson's 80-yard touchdown reception with 2:08 left in the third quarter broke a 24-all deadlock. Green Bay went on to win the game, 31-24. Not only was it a comeback for the ages, but it was also Nelson's first 200-yard receiving game in his NFL career. It's something which is etched on every Cheesehead's memory forever.
3. Crushing the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football in 2014
A win against the Minnesota Vikings is always memorable for every Green Bay Packers fan. Beating the Chicago Bears ā their long-time NFC North nemesis ā is just as sweet.
Perhaps no victory against Chicago with Nelson in Green and Gold was more memorable than the one on November 9, 2014. Nelson's 152 receiving yards on six receptions helped Green Bay crush Chicago, 55-14, on Sunday Night Football. The Packers led 42-0 at halftime and never looked back.
Throughout his career, Nelson earned a reputation as a Bears killer. His cumulative total of 1,060 receiving yards against Chicago was the most against any Packers opponent. The Pack also faced the Bears 17 times with Nelson in tow. Guess what? Green Bay won 14 of them.
2. Winning Comeback Player of the Year Honors in 2016
Nelson sustained a season-ending torn ACL injury in a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2015 NFL season.
The setback didn't deter Nelson, who bounced back with 1,257 receiving yards, 97 receptions, and 14 touchdowns in 2016. He won the 2016 NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors in the process. He also beat out other worthy candidates such as the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck and the Dallas Cowboys' Dez Bryant.
Nelson helped the Packers win six consecutive games to finish with a 10-6 win-loss record. Green Bay made a serious run during the postseason. However, Nelson and Co. lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2016 NFC Championship Game, 44-21.
Despite the loss, Nelson exemplified toughness and grit by coming back strong a year after his season-ending injury.
1. Winning Super Bowl XLV
Without a doubt, the pinnacle of Jordy Nelson's 10-year tenure with the Green Bay Packers was their 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX.
Green Bay drew first blood after Rodgers threw a 29-yard touchdown strike to Nelson for a 7-0 lead. The Packers led at the half, 21-10. They went on to edge the Steelers by six, 31-25.
If some fans downplayed Nelson's star prowess, they didn't do so anymore after this game. Aside from his touchdown, he also had 140 receiving yards on nine receptions. The third-year wide receiver not only wowed everyone with his performance, but he also served notice he would become a force on offense for the next eight seasons (including his final one with the Oakland Raiders).
Thank you for the memories, Jordy.
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