Jordy Nelson, the Super Bowl XLV winner and one of the Green Bay Packers legends, announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday afternoon. He played 10 seasons for the Packers and spent his last year in the league with the Oakland Raiders, who decided to release him on March 14 after acquiring former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown.
Nelson is second all-time in Packers franchise history in touchdown receptions, third in receptions and fifth in yards receiving.
Many former and current NFL players wished him all the best in future and congratulated Nelson on a fantastic career.
Nelson’s former teammate and now NFL Network Analyst, James Jones, was the first one to reveal Jordy’s decision and offer some kind wishes to him and his family.
🚨After more than a decade in the NFL, my brother, former #Packers & #Raiders WR @JordyRNelson is calling it a career. He’s stepping away from the game with more than 8,500 yards…72+ TD’s and as a SB Champion! I’m proud of him and happy for him and his family! #Ese’ #Respect
— James Jones (@89JonesNTAF) March 27, 2019
Undoubtedly, Nelson was one of the most important players in Green Bay Packers history and the team acknowledged his legendary status on their official Twitter account.
A #Packers legend.@JordyRNelson is calling it a career after 10 NFL seasons.
Thanks for the memories & enjoy retirement, 8️⃣7️⃣! #ThankYouJordy pic.twitter.com/aR8B5XlmBz
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) March 27, 2019
Michael Cohen, who is covering the Green Bay Packers for The Athletic, shared what Packers GM Brian Gutekunst had to say about Nelson’s retirement.
Here’s #Packers GM Brian Gutekunst on Jordy Nelson’s retirement: pic.twitter.com/mHpbsgxb4B
— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) March 27, 2019
Marshall Newhouse, an offensive tackle who played with Nelson in Green Bay between 2010 and 2013 said how professional Jordy was and how he always found time to ask for other people feelings.
Got to witness @JordyRNelson in practice and in games at his best, no one defined professional and “make difficult look routine” quite like him. But when he would ask how I was in between meetings, I knew it was genuine. That’s just who he is. Enjoy retirement! #respect #Packers pic.twitter.com/ufXNRUZV0G
— marshall newhouse (@MNewhouse73) March 27, 2019
Donald Driver, a three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and another Green Bay’s legend, was a veteran when Nelson came to the Packers but they also won the Super Bowl together and Driver said that it a pleasure to work next to Nelson.
It was truly a pleasure to work next to this young man. @JordyRNelson Enjoy retirement & Good luck on the next chapter. #PackersFamily #PackerForLife #Family #SBXLVChamps pic.twitter.com/jKUTUsaIt6
— Donald Driver (@Donald_Driver80) March 27, 2019
One funny tweet comes from Kyle Brandt, a television host and media personality. He compared Nelson with the character of Hugh Glass, the protagonist of Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Oscar-winning film “The Revenant”, saying that Nelson was a great Bear killer. Brandt obviously meant on the Chicago Bears, the Packers arch-rivals and NFC North divisional foes.
Jordy Nelson is one of the great Bear killers to ever play. Many visions of No.87 running free through the Chicago secondary.
He was The Revenant.
Respect that man. pic.twitter.com/vYCmeOBoVn
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) March 27, 2019
