Donald Driver #80 after Super Bowl 45 (photo: Kathy Kramer)

Donald Driver announced that he is retiring. #80 spent all fourteen of his seasons with the Green Bay Packers.  He will make the official announcement on February 6 at Lambeau Field.

Donald Driver was a fan favorite, long before Dancing With the Stars. The sports radio talking heads will argue over whether he was the best receiver for the Packers ever, but that is beside the point.  His greatness was not just his play on the field. Donald Driver’s greatness and legacy is just as much about what kind of person he was off the field, too.  That may not warrant retiring a jersey or a spot in Canton, but those who argue this are missing the point.

Thank you, DD, for your time in a Packers jersey. Win or lose, you were always a joy to watch on Sundays. You were a class-act off the field, a role model, and such an important member of the community. You exemplify what it means to give back.

When the Packers won the Super Bowl a couple of years ago, and I saw you on TV holding that trophy, I had a lump in my throat because now, you had the ultimate prize in football and whenever you decided to hang up the cleats, you would be going out as a Super Bowl Champion.

Green Bay will miss you. Wisconsin will miss you. Packer Nation will miss you.

Packer 4 Life!

P.S. I hope you continue the charity softball game every summer.