Double D Has Hung Up The Spurs

[Iron Mike]

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/188228931.html


Donald Driver has announced his retirement, ending a career which garnered countless accolades and a Super Bowl ring from the 2010 season.

He will hold an official retirement ceremony next Wednesday.

Driver owns team records for
- Most receptions
- Most seasons with 50-plus receptions
- Most consecutive games with a reception
- Most receiving yards
- Most seasons with 1,000-plus receiving yards


https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s480x480/295081_10151290338075073_378305268_n.jpg

[Iron Mike]

http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-1/From-humble-start-Donald-Driver-retires-in-greatness/c7fe6b9d-e3ca-4009-8482-a14e6665c72b?campaign=t130130_driver

[Iron Mike]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlxkkLiWtzw

[mraynrand]

This thread title is way too creative. "Donald Driver" would have sufficed.

[mraynrand]

are you sure Thompson isn't going to trade him to the Jets?

[Iron Mike]

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=8900521

[Iron Mike]

This thread title is way too creative. "Donald Driver" would have sufficed.

I was going to go with this:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s480x480/376262_10151376928244014_502692227_n.jpg


Tickets to the Donald Driver retirement ceremony will be available starting at 9 a.m. Friday at the Packers ticket office.

[Joemailman]

I remember in 2002, there was much concern about who would be the Packers other starting WR opposite Schroeder, because Antonio Freeman was now with Philly. Favre publicly said he thought Donald Driver was capable of being a starting WR. I thought it was nice of Favre to show support for a teammate, but I was skeptical, to say the least, that Driver could do the job. It's been well documented that Driver has used the fact that people have doubted him as motivation throughout his career. I'm glad I was able to help Driver achieve greatness as one of the greatest Packer WR's ever.

[pbmax]

SA-LUTE!

[denverYooper]

Great career.

[denverYooper]

Roster turnover is now at almost 4% already. I wonder if JS has a story in the pipes for that one.

[KYPack]

Mad respect for those guys who work hard and play their way into the league & go on to stardom.

I'll go up to GB when he gets in the GBPHOF.

[sharpe1027]

I have nothing but good things to say about Driver. A Packer to the core.

[mraynrand]

Roster turnover is now at almost 4% already. I wonder if JS has a story in the pipes for that one.

:lol:

[QBME]

A good man to ride the river with.

[red]

all time packer great

end of an era

[Guiness]

Love the opening line, with the names "Dee Miller, Jahine Arnold and Zola Davis". Does anyone else remember them? I sure don't, but leave it to humble guy like that to recall them.

+1 to a great Packer

[Bossman641]

Thanks for the memories DD!! An all-time Packer.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmnqQQOHs

[Joemailman]

Driver was the 24th WR drafted in 1999. Only Torry Holt was as good as Driver.

1 6 Torry Holt WR North Carolina State St. Louis Rams
1 8 David Boston WR Ohio State Arizona Cardinals
1 13 Troy Edwards WR Louisiana Tech Pittsburgh Steelers
2 32 Kevin Johnson WR Syracuse Cleveland Browns
2 53 Peerless Price WR Tennessee Buffalo Bills
3 71 D'Wayne Bates WR Northwestern Chicago Bears
3 78 Marty Booker WR Louisiana-Monroe Chicago Bears
3 82 Karsten Bailey WR Auburn Seattle Seahawks
3 93 Travis McGriff WR Florida Denver Broncos
4 98 Craig Yeast WR Kentucky Cincinnati Bengals
4 102 Dameane Douglas WR California Oakland Raiders
4 105 Brandon Stokley WR Louisiana-Lafayette Baltimore Ravens
4 108 Larry Parker WR USC Kansas City Chiefs
4 118 Wane McGarity WR Texas Dallas Cowboys
4 130 Na Brown WR North Carolina Philadelphia Eagles
5 148 Darrin Chiaverini WR Colorado Cleveland Browns
5 152 Charlie Rogers WR Georgia Tech Seattle Seahawks
5 164 Eugene Baker WR Kent State Atlanta Falcons
5 166 Malcolm Johnson WR Notre Dame Pittsburgh Steelers
6 171 Tai Streets WR Michigan San Francisco 49ers
6 193 MarTay Jenkins WR Nebraska-Omaha Dallas Cowboys
6 201 Troy Smith WR East Carolina Philadelphia Eagles
6 204 Chad Plummer WR Cincinnati Denver Broncos
7 213 Donald Driver WR Alcorn State Green Bay Packers
7 218 Billy Miller WR USC Denver Broncos
7 221 Sulecio Sanford WR Middle Tennessee State Chicago Bears
7 240 Darnell McDonald WR Kansas State Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 241 Sean Morey WR Brown New England Patriots

[Kiwon]

Driver's a good guy. I'm glad he's leaving now and finishing his career as a Packer for life.

[Freak Out]

Hat's off to a great NFL player and a Packer for life! Thanks for the memories DD!

[Freak Out]

Time for a "Holy Driver" post. Don't disappoint!

[Guiness]

Driver was the 24th WR drafted in 1999. Only Torry Holt was as good as Driver.

1 6 Torry Holt WR North Carolina State St. Louis Rams
1 8 David Boston WR Ohio State Arizona Cardinals
1 13 Troy Edwards WR Louisiana Tech Pittsburgh Steelers
2 32 Kevin Johnson WR Syracuse Cleveland Browns
2 53 Peerless Price WR Tennessee Buffalo Bills
3 71 D'Wayne Bates WR Northwestern Chicago Bears
3 78 Marty Booker WR Louisiana-Monroe Chicago Bears
3 82 Karsten Bailey WR Auburn Seattle Seahawks
3 93 Travis McGriff WR Florida Denver Broncos
4 98 Craig Yeast WR Kentucky Cincinnati Bengals
4 102 Dameane Douglas WR California Oakland Raiders
4 105 Brandon Stokley WR Louisiana-Lafayette Baltimore Ravens
4 108 Larry Parker WR USC Kansas City Chiefs
4 118 Wane McGarity WR Texas Dallas Cowboys
4 130 Na Brown WR North Carolina Philadelphia Eagles
5 148 Darrin Chiaverini WR Colorado Cleveland Browns
5 152 Charlie Rogers WR Georgia Tech Seattle Seahawks
5 164 Eugene Baker WR Kent State Atlanta Falcons
5 166 Malcolm Johnson WR Notre Dame Pittsburgh Steelers
6 171 Tai Streets WR Michigan San Francisco 49ers
6 193 MarTay Jenkins WR Nebraska-Omaha Dallas Cowboys
6 201 Troy Smith WR East Carolina Philadelphia Eagles
6 204 Chad Plummer WR Cincinnati Denver Broncos
7 213 Donald Driver WR Alcorn State Green Bay Packers
7 218 Billy Miller WR USC Denver Broncos
7 221 Sulecio Sanford WR Middle Tennessee State Chicago Bears
7 240 Darnell McDonald WR Kansas State Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 241 Sean Morey WR Brown New England Patriots

Quite the year for WRs. A few names from that list that had decent careers, and a few others became starters. Bolded ones I think all had decent careers, and Kevin Johnson was talented but couldn't read a play book!

[mraynrand]

Quite the year for WRs. A few names from that list that had decent careers, and a few others became starters. Bolded ones I think all had decent careers, and Kevin Johnson was talented but couldn't read a play book!

Couch to Johnson - who will ever forget that awesomeness?

[Kiwon]

Couch to Johnson - who will ever forget that awesomeness?

And who can forget the lethal Na Brown?

He's currently a Huntington Hammer. They've got a website and everything. It'll be up again just as soon as they pay their GoDaddy bill.

http://www.huntingtonhammer.com/

[MadtownPacker]

Driver was the 24th WR drafted in 1999. Only Torry Holt was as good as Driver.

1 6 Torry Holt WR North Carolina State St. Louis Rams
1 8 David Boston WR Ohio State Arizona Cardinals
1 13 Troy Edwards WR Louisiana Tech Pittsburgh Steelers
2 32 Kevin Johnson WR Syracuse Cleveland Browns
2 53 Peerless Price WR Tennessee Buffalo Bills
3 71 D'Wayne Bates WR Northwestern Chicago Bears
3 78 Marty Booker WR Louisiana-Monroe Chicago Bears
3 82 Karsten Bailey WR Auburn Seattle Seahawks
3 93 Travis McGriff WR Florida Denver Broncos
4 98 Craig Yeast WR Kentucky Cincinnati Bengals
4 102 Dameane Douglas WR California Oakland Raiders
4 105 Brandon Stokley WR Louisiana-Lafayette Baltimore Ravens
4 108 Larry Parker WR USC Kansas City Chiefs
4 118 Wane McGarity WR Texas Dallas Cowboys
4 130 Na Brown WR North Carolina Philadelphia Eagles
5 148 Darrin Chiaverini WR Colorado Cleveland Browns
5 152 Charlie Rogers WR Georgia Tech Seattle Seahawks
5 164 Eugene Baker WR Kent State Atlanta Falcons
5 166 Malcolm Johnson WR Notre Dame Pittsburgh Steelers
6 171 Tai Streets WR Michigan San Francisco 49ers
6 193 MarTay Jenkins WR Nebraska-Omaha Dallas Cowboys
6 201 Troy Smith WR East Carolina Philadelphia Eagles
6 204 Chad Plummer WR Cincinnati Denver Broncos
7 213 Donald Driver WR Alcorn State Green Bay Packers
7 218 Billy Miller WR USC Denver Broncos
7 221 Sulecio Sanford WR Middle Tennessee State Chicago Bears
7 240 Darnell McDonald WR Kansas State Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 241 Sean Morey WR Brown New England Patriots
That's badass!!

DD deserves his own street. Call it "Donald Drive".

[swede]

I'd rep you for that, Mad, but it wouldn't do your rep much good.

Donald Drive for the win.

[Jimx29]

Sad/Great day for not only Packer fans, but all NFL fans worldwide

[HarveyWallbangers]

Love the opening line, with the names "Dee Miller, Jahine Arnold and Zola Davis". Does anyone else remember them? I sure don't, but leave it to humble guy like that to recall them.

+1 to a great Packer

I remember Zola Davis. The other two? Not so much.

[Jimx29]

http://i.imgur.com/ZIplRAE.png

[Iron Mike]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s480x480/602785_10151386223454437_792188182_n.jpg

It's currently -5 here. This is the line to get tickets for the DD retirement ceremony...

[mraynrand]

I think the guy on the right has passed

[George Cumby]

I think the guy on the right has passed

A fan-cicle.

Thanks to Driver for all the effort, heart and performance over the years.

Way to walk away from it the right way.

I'm confident that he's one of those that lands on his feet.

[pbmax]

http://www.packersnews.com/article/20130131/PKR01/301310471

Nice Dougherty article on how Driver was found by Alonzo Highsmith and why he succeeded as a 7th round pick.

[Jimx29]

http://deadspin.com/5980998/donald-driver-says-he-owes-it-to-the-fans-not-to-wear-any-other-color

[Pugger]

:worship:

[easy cheesy]

Time for a "Holy Driver" post. Don't disappoint!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCcvKloTiik

[woodbuck27]

http://i.imgur.com/ZIplRAE.png

That was fun to read. :-D

[woodbuck27]

Reading of his retirement leaves nothing but a big lump in my throat.

I have total respect for this Packer great. He's the last of a Green Bay Packer era.

[Iron Mike]

http://deadspin.com/5980998/donald-driver-says-he-owes-it-to-the-fans-not-to-wear-any-other-color


What he thinks of Randy Moss saying he is the best wide receiver ever:

"What defines greatness is when you hold all the records and what you mean to your fans on and off the field, because that is who ranks you as the greatest receiver of all-time. The guy that holds all the records, the guy that has set the stage for all of us, you have to give it to Jerry Rice. I think Randy would probably be No. 2, then you have Cris Carter, Tim Brown, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and the list goes on and on. For me, I have to give it to Jerry Rice because he is the greatest to ever play, put that uniform on and be successful at it."

Waitaminute, doesn't Don Hutson still hold a bunch of records???

[gbgary]

(delete)

[gbgary]

retires as a Packer...as it should be. class on and off the field. realizes his legacy what he means to the fans.

[pbmax]

The early view of Donald Driver, immediately after the draft, via Jason Wilde:


Funny to read quotes from the 1999 #NFL Draft about @Donald_Driver80. Then-#Packers off. coordinator Sherm Lewis:
''He had a good year this year. We think he has a lot of athleticism. He made a lot of big plays. We took him basically because of our scouts, because I've never seen him before on film. He's kind of a raw kid, and we think he's got some great athletic ability." about 8 hours ago

You just couldn't sneak things by ol' Sherm Lewis.

[denverYooper]

Anyone at the retirement ceremony?

I'm watching it online. Wow, it really shows why the Packers are a class organization with great fans.

[denverYooper]

"I've always said I never wanted to wear another uniform, but always the Green and Gold"

[denverYooper]

Lists Rob Davis as one of the greats to put on a Packers uniform, lol.

[denverYooper]

He says Wolf the same way my 3 year old daughter does: "Wuff".

[denverYooper]

"The man who don't talk too much, plays the poker face. I love this guy. He doesn't get too emotional for anything: The great Ted Thompson."

[denverYooper]

Gives thanks to Alonzo Highsmith, the scout who worked him out and promoted him to Wolf.

[denverYooper]

Gives thanks to Alonzo Highsmith, the scout who worked him out and promoted him to Wolf.

Highsmith became Senior Personnel Executive for the Packers last summer.

[pbmax]

Reading the coverage, McCarthy got emotional and extolled the virtues of watching Dancing With The Stars. Loved his time out in LA with the Drivers. Said any man in WI who claimed not to be watching it was likely lying.

There isn't much nuance to M3 sometimes, is there? :lol:

[denverYooper]

Favre instilled in Driver the toughness of the game, "never let 'em know that you're hurt".

[mraynrand]

Favre instilled in Driver the toughness of the game, "never let 'em know that you're hurt".

what's your evidence that came from Favre?

[swede]

From everything I heard the only things Favre instilled in the locker room were whoopee cushions and fake vomit.

[Patler]

JSO has republished Driver's rookie diary, a weekly write-up he did for them in training camp 1999. Even then he talked about his willingness to go across the middle, if that is what it was going to take to make the team. He said he was fearless.

I suspect his youth situations, being on the streets, in shelters and the like instilled a rather stoic attitude. You can't show a lot of weakness and survive those situations. I doubt anyone on the Packers needed to actually teach him to be tough. Being tough and determined is what got him there in the first place.

[pbmax]

It was a rough quote from the reporter's Twitter feeds during Driver's Q&A after his speech. He was asked about the impact both QBs had on him:

Mike Vandermause ‏@MikeVandermause
DD: Brett taught me not to let anyone know I'm hurt. He instilled in me the toughness of this game.

Mike Vandermause ‏@MikeVandermause
DD: Aaron Rodgers has instilled in me the love for game, the way he stepped in. he had that chip on shoulder that I loved.

[pbmax]

Longer Quote from Dunne at JSO: (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/190076471.html)


On how Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers helped him: “I guess we’ll start with Brett. When I first walked in here in 1999, Brett kind of just took me under his wing. He threw his first ball to me and I ran it back to him. I was so excited, I was like, ‘You’re Brett Favre.’ He was like, ‘Don’t worry there’s many more to come.’ He instilled in me that don’t ever let anyone know that you’re hurt. Every time I’d get knocked out across the middle, I’d get up and smile. Even though I was hurt, I’d just show that beautiful smile and then get back to the huddle, and I didn’t know what’s going on, but I knew it was a run play. He instilled in me the toughness of this game.

“Aaron Rodgers, I’ve seen this guy grow up a little kid to a grown man. He’s instilled in me as an older man than he is, the love for the game. The way he stepped in and he knew that no one can be better than Aaron Rodgers. He had that chip on his shoulder that I loved. I saw him go through training camp and he fought and fought and fought. When it was all said and done, he stood among and now he’s one of the best to ever play this game. One thing I continue to learn from Aaron is you can continue to believe. People are going to doubt you, but if you continue to believe you could be anything, you’re going to be that and that’s what he did.”

[mraynrand]

that's pretty solid proof there, PB.


I continually believe I am going to be an NBA center with a hook shot like the Dobber. Well, shit, that didn't happen.

[Freak Out]

Hats off to DD! Great Packer and a inspirational human being. Just seems like an awesome guy all the way around.

[MadtownPacker]

what's your evidence that came from Favre?Nice job calling out DYoop when you didn't even know what the fuck was going on.

[Patler]

Nice comments from Driver about basically the only two guys he has caught any significant number of passes from. Kind of special when you think about it. I wonder how many passes he has caught from anyone not named Favre or Rodgers? Can't be very many.

He was asked about the two QBs, He had to have expected it was coming. He provided answers that were fitting for each. However, I suspect he would have been just as tough without input from Favre, and would not have loved the game any less without input from Rodgers. But, it seems in his nature to credit others and not seek glory for himself.

It really was time for him to retire, but the organization and fans will miss him nonetheless.

[Patler]

Only two other times was I so sorry to see a career come to its end.

The first was Bart Starr. Everyone knew it was coming, and even though the Lombardi era was long gone, his retirement put an emphasis on it. Many of the great ones came and went. Even Lombardi himself. Through it all, Starr was there. He was there when they were bad before Lombardi and he was there at the start of the decline after Lombardi left. It was hard to imagine the Packers without him.

The other was Ray Nitschke. He had stayed a couple years too long, and sadly the fans took it out on his replacement, Jim Carter. It was a very small scale version of what happened in TC when Rodgers replaced Favre. It was different because both were on the field together, but Carter was playing and Nitschke was not. Carter would get booed just for being there and Nitschke would get cheered just for being there. Nitschke was loved by the fans. He retired, but never really left, staying in GB, starting (I think) the publication "Packer Report". Died way too young.

[MadtownPacker]

So he is like a guy who has only slept with two women in his whole life? :lol:

[Patler]

So he is like a guy who has only slept with two women in his whole life? :lol:

With just a couple meaningless indiscretions thrown in!

[woodbuck27]

Nice comments from Driver about basically the only two guys he has caught any significant number of passes from. Kind of special when you think about it. I wonder how many passes he has caught from anyone not named Favre or Rodgers? Can't be very many.

He was asked about the two QBs, He had to have expected it was coming. He provided answers that were fitting for each. However, I suspect he would have been just as tough without input from Favre, and would not have loved the game any less without input from Rodgers. But, it seems in his nature to credit others and not seek glory for himself.

It really was time for him to retire, but the organization and fans will miss him nonetheless.

I'm not attempting to upset or annoy you; simply understand you.

Until you become Donald Driver's biographer!? Can we simply accept that he said this about the relationships and influences that DD felt for Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers? :

On how Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers helped him:

“I guess we’ll start with Brett. When I first walked in here in 1999, Brett kind of just took me under his wing. He threw his first ball to me and I ran it back to him. I was so excited, I was like, ‘You’re Brett Favre.’ He was like, ‘Don’t worry there’s many more to come.’ He instilled in me that don’t ever let anyone know that you’re hurt. Every time I’d get knocked out across the middle, I’d get up and smile. Even though I was hurt, I’d just show that beautiful smile and then get back to the huddle, and I didn’t know what’s going on, but I knew it was a run play. He instilled in me the toughness of this game." Donald Driver

Comment woodbuck27:

Patler what's Brett Favre best known for as a positive quality if it's not his toughness? That fact supports DD's statement RE: him and Brett Favre and the greatest influence that Favre had on him.

“Aaron Rodgers, I’ve seen this guy grow up a little kid to a grown man. He’s instilled in me as an older man than he is, the love for the game. The way he stepped in and he knew that no one can be better than Aaron Rodgers. He had that chip on his shoulder that I loved. I saw him go through training camp and he fought and fought and fought. When it was all said and done, he stood among and now he’s one of the best to ever play this game. One thing I continue to learn from Aaron is you can continue to believe. People are going to doubt you, but if you continue to believe you could be anything, you’re going to be that and that’s what he did.” Donald Driver

Comment woodbuck27:

Isn't Aaron Rodgers known for his excellence and his desire to strive for such? Can't you imagine that as the new Packer leader; that Aaron Rodgers might have had an influence on a long standing Packer such as Donald Driver? A man who continually grows as a person and human being to be the best? As leaders in excellence we continually look up to others to provide us with constant food for growth. I believe that Donald Driver discovered such in Aaron Rodgers.

GO PACKERS !

[MadtownPacker]

I think P-Money meant DD was gonna be DD no matter who was throwing him the ball. I have to agree based on the shit DD rose up from.

[woodbuck27]

I think P-Money meant DD was gonna be DD no matter who was throwing him the ball. I have to agree based on the shit DD rose up from.

I love Donald Driver. I've pulled for him for almost every minute that he's been a Green Bay Packer.

I think that Favre had a special liking for Donald Driver. Without that being a fact. DD would not have had the illustrious career we enjoyed as Packer fans. Brett Favre is an emotional man, but he certainly and on many ocassions demonstrated that with Donald Driver. We all saw that.

Brett Favre paid special attention to Donald Driver and gave that man a special respect. It will be a long time before we get to enjoy a better man than Donald Driver in the Green and Gold.

[Freak Out]

So glad he got his ring.

[Joemailman]

So glad he got his ring.

So was he.

http://www.insidethehuddle.tv/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/image/images/Superbowl%20ring.jpg

[Patler]

I'm not attempting to upset or annoy you; simply understand you.

Until you become Donald Driver's biographer!? Can we simply accept that he said this about the relationships and influences that DD felt for Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers? :

On how Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers helped him:

“I guess we’ll start with Brett. When I first walked in here in 1999, Brett kind of just took me under his wing. He threw his first ball to me and I ran it back to him. I was so excited, I was like, ‘You’re Brett Favre.’ He was like, ‘Don’t worry there’s many more to come.’ He instilled in me that don’t ever let anyone know that you’re hurt. Every time I’d get knocked out across the middle, I’d get up and smile. Even though I was hurt, I’d just show that beautiful smile and then get back to the huddle, and I didn’t know what’s going on, but I knew it was a run play. He instilled in me the toughness of this game." Donald Driver

Comment woodbuck27:

Patler what's Brett Favre best known for as a positive quality if it's not his toughness? That fact supports DD's statement RE: him and Brett Favre and the greatest influence that Favre had on him.

“Aaron Rodgers, I’ve seen this guy grow up a little kid to a grown man. He’s instilled in me as an older man than he is, the love for the game. The way he stepped in and he knew that no one can be better than Aaron Rodgers. He had that chip on his shoulder that I loved. I saw him go through training camp and he fought and fought and fought. When it was all said and done, he stood among and now he’s one of the best to ever play this game. One thing I continue to learn from Aaron is you can continue to believe. People are going to doubt you, but if you continue to believe you could be anything, you’re going to be that and that’s what he did.” Donald Driver

Comment woodbuck27:

Isn't Aaron Rodgers known for his excellence and his desire to strive for such? Can't you imagine that as the new Packer leader; that Aaron Rodgers might have had an influence on a long standing Packer such as Donald Driver? A man who continually grows as a person and human being to be the best? As leaders in excellence we continually look up to others to provide us with constant food for growth. I believe that Donald Driver discovered such in Aaron Rodgers.

GO PACKERS !

Isn't that exactly what I wrote? That he attributed things to each that are entirely consistent with the character and reputations of each? I don't doubt that Favre may have said what Driver said he did, or that Favre and Rodgers exemplified exactly what Driver said they did, or that their words or actions had meaning to Driver, just as they would have meaning to others, too.

My point is simply that after reading what Driver wrote as a rookie in his diary reports for JSO in 1999, reading the recaps of what his life was like leading up to college, reading about the promises he made to his brother and mother long before the NFL was even a possibility, listening to an interview with his HS coach last week, etc., I firmly believe that Driver would have succeeded without the words or actions from Favre and Rodgers. Driver had it in his own makeup to do what he needed to do to be successful. He is also one to credit others for his and the teams success, so naturally he mentions them and says they made him who he is.

This is not a slam against Favre or Rodgers; it is simply my belief that Driver is one heck of a person who would have succeeded anyway, and one who will not take the credit that he should, but will instead credit all of those around him.

Maybe Favre showed him toughness, but Driver was tough anyway, even if he won't admit it.
Maybe Rodgers showed him a love for the game, but Driver had more than enough anyway, even if he won't admit it.

Support and encouragement by others always helps, but in the end it is the fire inside that makes you succeed. Driver had that fire the day he showed up in GB. Others just reinforced it.

[pbmax]

http://www.packers.com/media-center/videos/Donald-Driver-tribute-Greatness-is-born/2663a5ef-0049-47bb-9521-0721c3e2bedd

Driver tribute video that aired during his ceremony.

[pbmax]

Visits a local fan before departing town yesterday, apparently. She seems a bit surprised.

http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/sports/packers_and_nfl/donald-driver-surprises-longtime-fan

[woodbuck27]

Isn't that exactly what I wrote? That he attributed things to each that are entirely consistent with the character and reputations of each? I don't doubt that Favre may have said what Driver said he did, or that Favre and Rodgers exemplified exactly what Driver said they did, or that their words or actions had meaning to Driver, just as they would have meaning to others, too.

My point is simply that after reading what Driver wrote as a rookie in his diary reports for JSO in 1999, reading the recaps of what his life was like leading up to college, reading about the promises he made to his brother and mother long before the NFL was even a possibility, listening to an interview with his HS coach last week, etc., I firmly believe that Driver would have succeeded without the words or actions from Favre and Rodgers. Driver had it in his own makeup to do what he needed to do to be successful. He is also one to credit others for his and the teams success, so naturally he mentions them and says they made him who he is.

This is not a slam against Favre or Rodgers; it is simply my belief that Driver is one heck of a person who would have succeeded anyway, and one who will not take the credit that he should, but will instead credit all of those around him.

Maybe Favre showed him toughness, but Driver was tough anyway, even if he won't admit it.
Maybe Rodgers showed him a love for the game, but Driver had more than enough anyway, even if he won't admit it.

Support and encouragement by others always helps, but in the end it is the fire inside that makes you succeed. Driver had that fire the day he showed up in GB. Others just reinforced it.

OK I understand you.

[woodbuck27]

Visits a local fan before departing town yesterday, apparently. She seems a bit surprised.

http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/sports/packers_and_nfl/donald-driver-surprises-longtime-fan

WOW ! Thanks pb. That was simply amazing to watch ... experience.

I shed a few tears watching that video. Donald Driver is truly special. I'm going to miss him alot.