Driver to retire after 14 seasons

[Captain Erv]

Thought this deserved its own thread. Good decision. Thank you, Donald, for 14 years.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

From 7th round pick out of Alcorn State to the Packers all time leading receiver. Gonna miss you Double D.

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

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG-Nc4_sFts[/youtube]

[Newz]

[MickeyDavis]

Green Bay Packers receiver Donald Driver, who went from being a seventh-round draft choice in 1999 to the team's all-time pass catcher, will announce his retirement next Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 11 a.m. at the Lambeau Field Atrium, according to a statement released by the Packers this morning.

A limited number of tickets, free of charge, will be available to fans on a first-come, first-served basis in person at the Packers’ ticket office, beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1. Distribution will be limited to four tickets per person.

The 37-year-old Driver is Green Bay's all-time leading receiver in receptions and yards and a member of the Super Bowl XLV championship team.

“I played my entire career in Green Bay and have always enjoyed a special bond with the fans,” Driver said in the statement. “I can think of no better way to retire than to celebrate with them and the Packers organization.”

Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy, general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy will be in attendance. All three will speak about Driver, his career and his legacy.

A look at Driver's career:

• Has 10,137 career receiving yards, which ranks No. 1 on the franchise’s all-time list. Surpassed James Lofton (9,656) at Carolina in Week 2 of 2011.

• Surpassed Sterling Sharpe (595) in 2009 to become the franchise’s alltime leader in receptions. Driver now has 743 career catches.

• Had a reception in 133 consecutive games, besting the franchise’s previous long streak of Sharpe’s 103 (1988-94), before not catching a pass in Week 7 of 2011 against Minnesota.

• In 2010, had 50-plus receptions for the ninth time, extending his franchise record. Lofton and Sharpe each had seven seasons with 50-plus catches.

• Holds Lambeau Field records for receptions (363) and receiving yards (5,000).

• Topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark for a seventh overall season and sixth consecutive in 2009, extending his own team record in each category.

• Ranks No. 2 in team annals with 27 TD catches at Lambeau Field, trailing only WR Antonio Freeman (36) in the stadium’s history.

• Has 22 career 100-yard receiving games, which is No. 5 in team history.

• With 61 career TD receptions, ranks No. 3 in team history behind only Hutson (99) and Sharpe (65).

• Is tied for No. 5 in team history with Paul Hornung with 62 overall touchdowns. Is four shy of No. 4 Sharpe (66).

• Ranks No. 2 all-time in yards from scrimmage with 10,354, trailing only RB Ahman Green (11,048).

• Ranks No. 2 in team history for the most games played with 204, trailing only QB Brett Favre (255)

Driver was the longest tentured Packer on the roster; he was drafted in the seventh round in 1999 out of Alcorn State. In 2012, Driver had 8 receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

[emunney]

DD! Love this guy. I think he could have still played, but I assume he'll be transitioning to the coaching staff where he'll be a welcome addition.

How often does a guy get to play his whole career with one team? Retire #80 imo.

[MickeyDavis]

Packers Hall of Fame, Packers Ring of Honor. But we have a lot of hall of famers (real HOF's, not just Packers) who don't have their numbers retired. It's a good debate to be sure but with only 5 numbers retired I personally don't think #80 should be.

[emunney]

Soon to be 6 with #4.

I acknowledge it'd be more of a McGlocklin retirement than a Kareem retirement. He just deserves the honor, imo. Great player, better person. Pretty much the perfect Packer.

I'm pretty certain it'll never happen. Just saying I'd do it.

[Newz]

Packers Hall of Fame, Packers Ring of Honor. But we have a lot of hall of famers (real HOF's, not just Packers) who don't have their numbers retired. It's a good debate to be sure but with only 5 numbers retired I personally don't think #80 should be.

Of our current group of players the only ones that I think should be in consideration are Rodgers and Matthews... and those guys still have some work to do before I would retire them. I would definitely retire #4 at some point. I don't think Woodson quite makes it either, to be honest... even though he was an incredible player here.

Of the up and coming guys I guess Cobb has an outside chance if he keeps doing what he is doing for another 10+ years. Casey Hayward maybe if he develops into a true lock down corner and does it for 10+ years.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

If Favre was smart, he would ask DD to come to this make a little speech,ignore questions on the current team and head out. He has so much potential to get his legacy back but just needs to start making positive appearances

[humanrefutation]

If Favre was smart, he would ask DD to come to this make a little speech,ignore questions on the current team and head out. He has so much potential to get his legacy back but just needs to start making positive appearances

It's Donald's day and it should only be about Donald. Favre crashing it would be in poor taste.

[humanrefutation]

He's one of my favorite Packers of all time. He's always carried himself as a good guy with a loving disposition. I'm glad he'll get his due in Green and Gold, as he should.

He's one of the last faces of the Favre era on the team, and I always had the impression that DD felt slighted by Rodgers and the new team that formed around him, like he was being left behind. This past season, I always felt a little bad seeing Driver on the sidelines, trying to force a smile onto his face even though you know it was killing him to watch the game pass him by. If he comes back as a coach, that would be awesome.

[Turk Nowitzki]

He's been my favorite Packer since I was about 10 or 11 years old. It always killed me these past couple of years when everyone on here was calling for him to be traded or released even though it might've been logical. I'm so happy he's going out like this instead. Thanks for all the memories Donald.

[trwi7]

Holy crap. I didn't think sports radio could get any worse in this city but they are spending all of their time talking about Driver retiring. Really? I mean he's great and all but what can you really talk about for 4 hours on this?

[BUCKnation]

Im really glad he went out this way instead of pulling a Favre. He had a great career and he was one my favorites throughout the whole way.

[jakecronus8]

Gobble gobble

[Turk Nowitzki]

Holy crap. I didn't think sports radio could get any worse in this city but they are spending all of their time talking about Driver retiring. Really? I mean he's great and all but what can you really talk about for 4 hours on this?

How about you just turn it off then? I guess it's not that surprising that you would feel compelled to complain about something stupid in this thread rather than just say something pleasant about Driver.

[humanrefutation]

Holy crap. I didn't think sports radio could get any worse in this city but they are spending all of their time talking about Driver retiring. Really? I mean he's great and all but what can you really talk about for 4 hours on this?

Apparently they've found enough to talk about to keep you listening.

[RiotPunch]

Thanks for the memories, Donald! Most beloved Packer of all time.

Make this man a WR's coach! Let Edgar focus on reviving the running game.

[Buck You]

Awesome that he decided not to embarrass himself with trying to be a #1 on some garbage team. One of the best packers to watch in my time, will really miss his always upbeat personality and never say die attitude.

I say retire his number.

[ReasonablySober]

One of my favorite athletes ever. So glad he was a Packer for life.