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Donald Driver was one of the most frightening broad recipients that Green Bay Packers have had in recent memory. He went to Pro Bowl four times and was on the team’s Super Bowl race in 2010.
He had 743 catches in 10,137 yards and 61 touchdowns. The numbers he set up and the accolades he received may be surprised. He was not a broad recipient who was expected to become an NFL star. In fact, Alcorn State -Alunet was elected in the seventh round of 1999 draft. There were 24 wide recipients elected before him.
Driver remembered Pakinomist Digital what his NFL draft experience was when others like him wait for their names to be called between Thursday night and Saturday night.
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Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Donald Driver (Scott Rovak-usa Today Sports)
“Mine were ups and downs,” Driver said. “I think it was exciting at first because you know you have the opportunity to play at the highest level, and this has always been a children’s dream to play in the NFL. But then, during the process, it can be the most stressful that just sits there waiting for your name to be called.
“But I think when your name is called, it’s the biggest feeling in the world, because now you have this opportunity to play the game and hopefully play it for a very long time and play it at a high level.”
Out of the wide recipient draft class, only Torrry Holt had more receiving yards than driver. Other names in the class included David Boston (Pick No. 8), Peerless Price (Pick No. 53), Marty Booker (Pick No. 78), Brandon Stokley (Pick No. 196).
The driver told Pakinomist Digital he thought he would be chosen as high as the fourth round.
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Green Bay Packers Brede Recipient Donald Driver celebrates with fans on September 20, 2009. (Jeff Hanisch -usa Today Sports)
“I was expected to go in the fourth round projection, but unfortunately did not hold the teams that said they would take me in the fourth round,” he said. “They took other recipients instead of me and I had to sit there and see … and when you think back on it when I think back now, I don’t think I was so happy back then than I am now.”
Driver was on the same team as Antonio Freeman, Bill Schroeder, Corey Bradford, Desmond Howard, Charles Jordan and Jahine Arnold.
He only played in six games in his rookie season and voted with three catches of six goals for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Driver explained how he was able to remain motivated to continue playing despite not getting plenty of playing time right away.
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“I think everyone has a passion and a purpose for why they enter the National Football League,” he said. “My purpose was that I wanted to make sure my family didn’t have to work again. My mother was working. She worked more jobs. She worked at House Cleaning. She was also a security guard, and then she traveled four other siblings plus herself and it was just hard.
“There are nights where Mom had no food to eat, and we didn’t know. We struggled to live in U-Haul trucks. We saw the suffering. And for that I would make sure she never had to go through it pain and suffering, so I knew this was a great opportunity for me, and sometimes we have to find a purpose.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Donald Driver (Mark J. Revilas-usa Today Sports)
Driver played 14 years in the NFL.
He currently acts as a main motivation officer for Surge by BSN Sports. He wants to strengthen young girls to stay in sports and help male coaches get the tools to keep these girls properly motivated.
