Freeman retiring as a Packer

[digitaldean]

http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=2&date=6/15/2007&id=25100

Freeman to retire as a Packer

The Green Bay Packers signed former receiver Antonio Freeman to an NFL contract, a source with knowledge of the signing confirmed Friday morning.

The Packers and Freeman agreed to the deal so he can retire from the NFL officially as a Packer.

Freeman was quarterback Brett Favre's favorite target in the Packers Super Bowl years, leading the Packers in receiving from 1996 to 1999.

In eight seasons in Green Bay, Freeman caught 431 passes, fifth most all-time by a Packer behind Sterling Sharpe (595), James Lofton (530), Don Hutson (488) and Boyd Dowler (448).

In 2002, Freeman played for Philadelphia before he returned to an injury-plagued Packers. In his final year with the Packers, 2003, Freeman caught 14 passes for 141 yards. He signed on with Miami in 2004 but was released in the roster cut down in training camp.

Freeman will best be remembered for two things: his coming out party in 1996 when he earned the starting job in camp and then went on to catch 56 passes for 933 yards and nine touchdowns, despite breaking his left forearm on Oct. 27. The injury required surgery and caused him to miss four games and he had to play the rest of the Super Bowl championship season with a protective cast.

He also made that miraculous catch in a downpour in Lambeau Field on Monday Night football against the Packers bitter rivals, Minnesota.

On Nov. 6, 2000, the Packers and Vikings were tied at 20. Favre threw downfield but the ball bounced off Vikings cornerback Cris Dishman.

Knowing the ball was still live when nearly everyone else on the field and in the stands thought it was dead, Freeman snatched the ball, collected himself at the 15-yard line and raced into the end zone for the 43-yard touchdown completion. The Packers stunned everyone with the 26-20 victory in overtime.

Freeman, known by everyone on the team as 'Free', is 35.
_________________

Now if they can just do the same for Marco Rivera.

[RashanGary]

I just get this wierd feeling that all of these guys that Thompson pushed for and drafted are guys that he is now bringing back and allowing to be a part of a team. A part of me sees a little ego in TT and this is the type of thing that feeds it for him.

This is just a complete guess, but I find it odd that he is bringing these guys back like this.

[MJZiggy]

They were part of the SB team. They should be able to retire as Packers. I'm really happy that so many of our former players would rather retire as Packers than with the teams they played for later.

[HarveyWallbangers]

This is just a complete guess, but I find it odd that he is bringing these guys back like this.

Bringing them back? He's just letting them retire as Packers. Every team does it now. It's more a bone to the player, but it doesn't mean the player has any involvement with the franchise.

[Freak Out]

As it should be.

[Freak Out]

There should be a bandwidth/server one of these.

[RashanGary]

It means nothing. Why even do it? To me it's just a waste of time. The guy was what he was and is gone. Who really cares what team he's on when during his last contract?

[Partial]

His glory days were as a Packer. I think all great packers past and present should retire as one.

[Freak Out]

It means nothing. Why even do it? To me it's just a waste of time. The guy was what he was and is gone. Who really cares what team he's on when during his last contract?

It means nothing to you but that's not what matters in this situation. Freeman wants to retire as a Packer and the Packers want him to retire as a Packer. Hell, Justin Harrell probably wants him to retire as a Packer.

[mraynrand]

That's odd. I thought Freeman retired halfway through the 2000 season.

[Tarlam!]

Re: Freeman retiring as a Packer

Now if they can just do the same for Marco Rivera.

Or, maybe he has another season or two in him, and he comes in and plays and we win a SB.


Then he retires as a Packer.

[packinpatland]

I miss screaming "AAAANTOOOOOOONIIIIIIIIIOOOOOOOOOO" as he caught the ball and raced down the field.

Glad he's retiring as a Packer.

[MadtownPacker]

I just get this wierd feeling that all of these guys that Thompson pushed for and drafted are guys that he is now bringing back and allowing to be a part of a team. A part of me sees a little ego in TT and this is the type of thing that feeds it for him.

This is just a complete guess, but I find it odd that he is bringing these guys back like this.

Dammit JH you dropped the ball on this one. This was a chance for you to praise TT and no one would disagree.

This is nothing about ego. This is TT doing the classy and correct thing for a true Packer. Like others mentioned, I hope he does the same for Marco Rivera.

[woodbuck27]

It means nothing. Why even do it? To me it's just a waste of time. The guy was what he was and is gone. Who really cares what team he's on when during his last contract?

Huh !!

Do you eat salt and pepper as seasoning?

Maybe your just not coming out clearly and suggesting that. . .??

No matter who he last played for. Freeman or any other player who was once a Packer should be able to choose the Packer colors as his official team to retire under, without the formality of signing any other contract with them.

[Fritz]

Here's to hoping they'll bring back Cletidus Hunt so he can retire as a Packer.