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Team / Players / Donald Driver
 
WR DONALD DRIVER #80
6' 0" 194 lbs. Alcorn State

Exp: 11th NFL Season, 11th Packers Season
Age: 35
Acquired: Draft 1999 (7b)
Current Status: Active Roster
2008 Bio:
  • Ranks second on the franchise’s all-time list for receptions with 577; needs just 19 to pass Sterling Sharpe for first at 595
  • Set franchise record in 2008 with his sixth 1,000-yard season, and extended his team record with his fifth straight. Indianapolis’ Reggie Wayne is the only other player in the NFL to have a 1,000-yard season each of the last five years (2004-08)
  • Enters ’09 with a streak of 111 games with at least one reception (116 including postseason), the longest streak in franchise history
  • All-time leader in receptions (273) and yards (3,823) at Lambeau Field
  • With 7,989 receiving yards in his career, is one of only four players in franchise history to surpass the 7,000-yard mark, joining Don Hutson (7,991), Sharpe (8,134) and James Lofton (9,656)
  • One of the NFL’s most decorated collegiate track athletes (high jump, decathlon, long jump, triple jump), won his conference’s ‘Athlete of the Year’ award three straight years. Likely could have qualified for 2000 Sydney Olympics in high jump had he concentrated on track
  • Overcoming countless obstacles growing up has inspired him to become one of the team’s most involved players in giving back to the community. In 2000, he and his wife created the Donald Driver Foundation (www.donalddriverfoundation.com), which offers assistance to homeless mothers and underprivileged children as well as scholarships to high school students in three states. In addition, has made more than 500 appearances since 1999, from schools to youth football fields to churches, delivering motivational speeches or offering assistance
Pro Summary
  • A true pro who continues to perform at a high level at age 34
  • Three-time Pro Bowl selection enters the 2009 campaign needing just 19 catches to surpass Sterling Sharpe (595) for the team record for career receptions
  • With 7,989 receiving yards, trails just Don Hutson (7,991), Sharpe (8,134) and James Lofton (9,656) in franchise annals
  • Sits atop the Lambeau Field record book for receptions and receiving yardage
  • Became all-time leader in receiving yards at Lambeau in 2008 with 24-yard grab in Week 7 vs. Indianapolis, surpassing Antonio Freeman’s record of 3,477, and currently has 3,823
  • Surpassed Freeman (213) in ’07 in Week 3 for the stadium record for receptions, and currently has 273 catches at Lambeau
  • Enters season with a streak of 111 games with at least one reception (116 including postseason), the longest streak in franchise history after surpassing Sharpe’s team record of 103 in Week 9 at Tennessee last season
  • Set a team record in 2008 with his sixth 1,000-yard season, surpassing Sharpe and Lofton, and extended his franchise record with his fifth straight
  • Joins Indianapolis’ Reggie Wayne as the only receivers in the league to have five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2004-08
  • Teamed with Greg Jennings in ’08 as each went over the 1,000-yard receiving mark, only the fourth time in team history that a receiving duo accomplished that feat; Driver and teammate Javon Walker each topped 1,000 yards in ’04
  • Has caught 50 or more passes in a season seven times, matching Lofton and Sharpe for the team record
  • Surpassed 70 receptions in ’08 for the fifth straight season
  • Posted six receptions of 40-plus yards in 2008, a career high
  • Is tied for sixth in franchise history with Billy Howton with 43 TD receptions; 36 of those came from Brett Favre, putting Favre and Driver third among Green Bay touchdown combinations
  • Needs four more TD catches to equal No. 3 Hutson on the team’s all-time list
  • With touchdown grab vs. Atlanta in Week 5 in ’08, became only the eighth player in team history to reach 40 career, joining Hutson (99), Sharpe (65), Freeman (57), Max McGee (50), Lofton (49), Howton (43) and Boyd Dowler (40)
  • Has 20 career 100-yard games, which ties him with Freeman for fourth in team history
  • Despite catching only two touchdowns in ’07, was duly recognized by NFC players and coaches as one of the conference’s top wideouts and earned his third Pro Bowl trip (2002 and 2006 were the others)
  • Set personal highs in receptions and yards three straight years beginning in 2004, putting up 92 catches for 1,295 yards in 2006 to earn a second Pro Bowl appearance
  • Those totals ranked third and second in the NFC, respectively; both were fifth in the NFL in 2006, and his career-high 191-yard performance at Minnesota (Nov. 12) was the best single-game total by an NFCreceiver on the season Wants to play until he’s 40, and he just may do that with the tremendous care he takes of his body
  • Sets an example for the team’s younger receivers, both on the field and off, of what it takes to be successful, and credits predecessors Freeman and Robert Brooks for helping him develop his leadership skills
  • His knowledge of the West Coast offensive system, combined with his athleticism as a former college track standout and one-time Olympic hopeful, makes him a threat no matter where he lines up on the field
  • His 82-yard catch-and-run at Minnesota in 2006 gave him three career TDreceptions of 80 or more  yards (not including playoffs), tying a Packers record held by Howton (two in 1952, one in 1953) and Carroll Dale (1966, 1967, 1970)
  • Stepped forward in 2005 when injuries decimated the Packers at the skill positions and was the team’s lone reliable playmaker for the duration of the season, earning the team’s Most Valuable Player award for the second time (also 2002)
  • In 2004, teamed with Walker to register the Packers’ best season by a receiving duo in both combined receptions (173) and combined receiving yards (2,590); yardage total ranked second in the NFL that year behind the Rams’ Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce (2,664)
  • In 2003, became the first player since Don Majkowski (10th round, 1987-92) drafted by the Packers in the seventh round or later to play five seasons in Green Bay
  • In 2002, was named to the Pro Bowl and became the lowest-drafted Packers Pro Bowler in 19 years
  • Broke through as the team’s No. 3 receiver for much of 2000, when he replaced an injured Corey Bradford
  • Though a low-round draft choice in 1999, initially had carved out a roster spot by regularly making phenomenal receptions in first training camp
  • Enjoyed decorated collegiate track career, demonstrating his athleticism with world-class skills in the high jump, reaching 7 feet, 6½ inches
2008 SeasonBack To Top
  • Started all 16 games for the third time in the last four seasons
  • Ranked second on the team with 74 receptions for 1,012 yards (13.7 avg.) and five touchdowns
  • The 1,000-yard season was the sixth of his career, a franchise record, and also his fifth consecutive season with 1,000 yards, which extended his own team record
  • Ranked 13th in the NFC in receptions and tied for third in the conference with 25 catches on third down, including four of his five touchdown receptions
  • Tied for fifth in the NFL with six receptions of 40-plus yards, a career high
  • Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 8): Went over the 7,000-yard career receiving mark with a 25-yard reception from Aaron Rodgers in the second quarter
  • At Detroit (Sept. 14): Caught season-high seven passes for 52 yards, including a 2-yard TD pass in the second quarter
  • Vs. Dallas (Sept. 21): Posted four receptions for 76 yards, including a 50-yard grab down the right sideline to the Dallas 8 to set up a field goal early in the third quarter
  • Vs. Atlanta (Oct. 5): Caught his 40th career TD pass on a 44-yard grab in the second quarter, making the catch over CB Brent Grimes and S Erik Coleman
  • Vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 19): Became all-time leader in receiving yards at Lambeau Field with 24-yard grab in second quarter, passing Freeman’s career record of 3,477 yards. Passed Lofton for No. 2 on the all-time franchise list for receptions with 3-yard catch three plays later, giving him 532 for his career
  • At Tennessee (Nov. 2): With his 5-yard TD catch in the second quarter, tied Sharpe’s team record of 103 consecutive games with a catch. Matched season high with seven catches for season-best 136 yards
  • At Minnesota (Nov. 9): Broke Sharpe’s record for consecutive games with a catch on his 11-yard grab from Rodgers in the first quarter, giving him a reception in 104 straight games
  • Vs. Carolina (Nov. 30): Caught five passes for 83 yards, including a 6-yard TD pass from Rodgers in the second quarter
  • Vs. Detroit (Dec. 28): Led team with six catches for 111 yards, including a 71-yard TD pass from Rodgers, the longest pass play by the Packers on the season. Ran a stutter-and-go route on CB Leigh Bodden to get open deep down the right sideline. The touchdown put  him over 1,000 yards on the season for a franchise-record sixth time. Provided key blocks on RB DeShawn Wynn’s 73-yard TD run in the first quarter, the longest run by the Packers on the year
2007 SeasonBack To Top
  • In his ninth season, was one of four 2007 Packers Pro Bowl selections
  • Played in first 15 games of the season with 14 starts, did not play Dec. 30 vs. Detroit (coach’s decision), and started both playoff contests
  • Led the team with 82 receptions for 1,048 yards, with two TDs, moving into third on the team’s all-time receptions list with 503 – surpassing Freeman (431), Dowler (448) and Hutson (488) – and fourth on the yards list with 6,977, eclipsing Freeman (6,651) and Dowler (6,918)
  • In the preseason, suffered a sprained foot fighting for extra yards in the second quarter vs. Jacksonville (Aug. 23) and did not play in the team’s preseason finale at Tennessee (Aug. 30)
  • Returned Sept. 2 on a limited basis and was back to full participation by the end of the week
  • At New York Giants (Sept. 16): Had a game-high eight catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, his first of the year
  • Vs. San Diego (Sept. 23): Posted a game-high 126 receiving yards on six catches, with one touchdown, his first 100-yard receiving game of the season and 17th of his career. Made his first reception in the second quarter, a 16-yard gain on third-and-3. The catch moved him into first place on Lambeau Field’s all-time receptions list at 214
  • At Kansas City (Nov. 4): Led the team with five catches for 99 yards, including a 44-yard, one-handed grab between two defenders; Mason Crosby kicked a 32-yard field goal four plays later to put Green Bay up 16-14
  • At Detroit (Nov. 22): Recorded season highs with 10 catches for 147 yards
  • At St. Louis (Dec. 16): Led the team with five receptions for 80 yards. On the Packers’ first offensive play of the fourth quarter, caught a 7-yard pass to give Favre the NFL record for most passing yards in a career
  • At Chicago (Dec. 23): Recorded his 500th career catch
  • Vs. New York Giants (Jan. 20): Had a team-high five catches for 141 yards and one touchdown in NFC Championship. In the second quarter, caught a long pass and outran three defenders down the right sideline on his way to a 90-yard touchdown, the fourth-longest postseason touchdown in NFL history and longest in Green Bay playoff history
  • Pro Bowl (Feb. 10): Had two catches for 31 yards
2006 SeasonBack To Top
  • After signing a contract extension in the offseason, answered with his second career Pro Bowl selection and the best statistical season of his career
  • Started all 16 games for the third time in his career and led the team with 92 receptions and 1,295 receiving yards — both career highs — and eight touchdowns, including an 82-yard score at Minnesota (Nov. 12) and a 68-yarder at San Francisco (Dec. 10)
  • Added seven carries for 16 yards (2.3 avg.)
  • His 1,295 overall receiving yards were second in the NFC and fifth in the league
  • His 92 catches ranked third in the NFC and fifth in the NFL, and he became the first Packers receiver to finish in the league’s top 5 since Freeman also finished fifth in 1998
  • Vs. Chicago (Sept. 10): Had a game-high seven receptions for 96 yards, moving into third place in all-time receiving yards at Lambeau, ahead of Sharpe (2,309)
  • Vs. New Orleans (Sept. 17): Playing in his 100th professional contest, accumulated 153 yards on eight catches and surpassed 5,000 career yards from scrimmage on a 16-yard reverse
  • At Detroit (Sept. 24): Surpassed McGee for sixth on the franchise’s all-time receptions list; also delivered the key assist on Jennings’ 75-yard TD reception, screening CB Dré Bly for several yards, allowing Jennings to score up the right sideline for Favre’s 400th touchdown pass
  • Vs. St. Louis (Oct. 8): Caught three passes, to move into second place for career receptions at Lambeau, eclipsing Lofton (178)
  • At Miami (Oct. 22): Had a game-high 10 catches for 93 yards, becoming the seventh player in team history with 5,000 career receiving yards and the 11th Packer with 30 touchdown receptions; caught a 34-yard TD in the third quarter, diving between two defenders to put Green Bay up 20-10 (reversed after a Packers replay challenge, the play originally was ruled incomplete). Later in 34-24 triumph over Dolphins, on a back-breaking fourth-quarter TD drive, ran an end-around for 6 yards to convert a fourth-and-1
  • At Minnesota (Nov. 12): Established a career high with 191 yards on six receptions; caught three passes for 69 yards on a game-opening FG drive, then just before halftime caught a short pass over the middle and blazed by a group of defenders for an 82-yard score — the Packers’ longest 2006 play — giving Green Bay a lead it would not relinquish. In the third quarter, took a lateral from Jennings and ran for 30 yards, setting up another field goal. His 191-yard performance was the best single-game total by an NFCreceiver in 2006
  • At San Francisco (Dec. 10): Went over 1,000 yards receiving on the season and recorded his 400th career catch and 16th career 100-yard game; caught a game-high nine passes for 160 yards and one touchdown, making a long catch down the right sideline, breaking an ankle tackle and running past a group of defenders for a 68-yard score to give Green Bay a 24-13 advantage
  • Pro Bowl (Feb. 10): Had three catches for 38 yards; also finished fifth in the Best Hands competition in the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge, won by Cincinnati’s Chad Johnson
2005 SeasonBack To Top
  • Started all 16 games at wide receiver and led the Packers with 86 receptions and 1,221 yards — then career bests — with five TDs
  • Also carried twice for 13 yards
  • Was selected as team MVP
  • Surpassed No. 7 Paul Coffman (322) on the team’s career receptions list, finishing the year with 329 catches
  • Became just the fourth Packers player with an 85-reception season (joining Sharpe, Brooks and Walker)
  • Posted a career-best five 100-yard receiving games and finished the season with consecutive 100-yard efforts
  • Had the Packers’ three longest catches of the season, a 59-yard reception vs. Seattle (Jan. 1), a 56-yard catch vs. Chicago (Dec. 25) and a 53-yard scoring reception vs. Minnesota (Nov. 21)
  • Earned the ‘Ed Block Courage Award,’ given to one player on every NFL roster who displays commitment to the principles of courage and sportsmanship, as voted by his teammates
  • At Minnesota (Oct. 23): Caught a game-high eight passes for 114 yards and one touchdown, a spectacular, 22-yard, one-handed grab, making the catch despite being held by CB Antoine Winfield (penalty declined) for the game’s first points in tough, 23-20 loss
  • At Atlanta (Nov. 13): Caught season-high 10 passes for 114 yards
  • Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 21): Caught five passes for 84 yards and two scores, the third multi-TD game of his pro career; second TD was 53-yarder on a post pattern in final minute of first half
  • Vs. Chicago (Dec. 25): Brought in six catches for 107 yards, going over 1,000 yards for the season by converting a third-and-3 early in the game
  • Vs. Seattle (Jan. 1): Led the team with six receptions for a season-high 118 yards; his first five catches all converted third downs, while his sixth was a 59-yard grab in the third quarter to the Seattle 5, Green Bay’s longest passing play of the season
2004 SeasonBack To Top
  • Played in all 16 games, with 11 starts; did not start in five contests when club opened in other than base personnel
  • Had 84 catches for 1,208 yards and matched career high with nine TDs (2002)
  • Teamed with Walker to register the Packers’ best season by a receiving duo in both combined receptions (173) and combined receiving yards (2,590), respectively surpassing the 172 catches of Sharpe and Edgar Bennett in 1994, and the 2,253 receiving yards of Freeman and Brooks in 1997
  • Among NFL receiving pairs in 2004, the two ranked second, behind only the Rams’ Holt and Bruce (2,664)
  • In the process of racking up huge numbers, the duo became the club’s first set of 1,000-yard receivers since 1999 (Freeman, Bill Schroeder) and just the third overall (Freeman, Brooks in ’97)
  • At Indianapolis (Sept. 26): Scored his first TD of the season by catching a deep out and gracefully tight-roping along the sideline to cut deficit to 38-31
  • At Detroit (Oct. 17): Caught a game-high nine passes for 110 yards in 38-10 victory, including a pair of touchdowns, his second two-TDgame as a pro (Sept. 29, 2002, vs. Carolina); the second TD came on 20-yard pass from halfback Ahman Green
  • At Washington (Oct. 31): Pulled in career catch No. 200
  • At Houston (Nov. 21): Had a spectacular homecoming in his native Houston, making 10 catches for 148 yards and one touchdown, including a season-long 50-yard bomb, a 24-yard TD catch off his fingertips to bring the Packers within three points, a 15-yard catch on third-and-16 to set up game-tying kick, and a 12-yard catch to the Houston 28-yard line just prior to the game-winning 46-yard FG
  • At Minnesota (Dec. 24): In division-clinching triumph, had a clutch performance with 11 catches (matching his career high) for a (then) career-best 162 yards and a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, capped a drive by converting a fourth-and-3 with a tough touchdown reception, knotting the game at 31
  • Vs. Minnesota (Jan. 9): Started in NFC Wild Card game and registered game highs in receptions (seven) and receiving yards (78)
2003 SeasonBack To Top
  • Served as Green Bay’s starting flanker for the second straight season, occasionally shifting to split end as dictated by injuries
  • Started 15 regular-season games (13 at flanker, two at split end)
  • Also saw action in both playoff games; he did not start Wild Card contest vs. Seattle (Jan. 4) when Green Bay opened with two tight ends
  • Led the team in receptions for the second consecutive season, with 52 catches for 621 yards and two touchdowns
  • Also tied for the team lead in postseason receptions with eight for 91 yards
  • Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 7): Suffered a sprained neck midway through the fourth quarter of the season opener when he landed on his head after going high to attempt a catch, but missed only one game
  • At Minnesota (Nov. 2): Had a career-long 45-yard run to set up an early field goal
  • At San Diego (Dec. 14): Enjoyed his top performance of the season as he pulled in eight passes for 112 yards – the Packers’ first 100-yard receiving effort of the season – and a 7-yard TD just before halftime to give Green Bay a 17-3 advantage
  • At Oakland (Dec. 22): Keyed the Packers’ final touchdown with a season-long 41-yard reception; he caught the ball between two defenders, over his shoulder, falling backward toward the sideline
  • Vs. Seattle (Jan. 4): Posted his best effort of the playoffs in Wild Card win, pulling in six passes for 66 yards, including a leaping, 23-yard catch between two defenders to set up a field goal just before halftime
2002 SeasonBack To Top
  • Developed into one of the league’s most explosive playmakers in his fourth NFL season
  • Won the starting split end position, vacated when Schroeder was allowed to leave in free agency, with a strong preseason performance
  • Was one of Green Bay’s most consistent performers in training camp practices, edging Robert Ferguson and Charles Lee, among others, to become a full-time starter for the first time as a pro
  • Earning his first Pro Bowl trip, he became the lowest-drafted Packers player (seventh round) to participate in the Pro Bowl since Larry McCarren (12th round) in 1983 (Majkowski, 10th round, was chosen for the game in 1989, but did not play)
  • Led the Packers in receptions (70, 14th in the NFC), receiving yards (1,064, 10th in NFC) and TD receptions (nine, second in NFC) – all three figures eclipsing his three-year NFL totals entering the 2002 season
  • Had more catches (70) in his first year as a starter than any of the top 10 wide receivers in Packers history had in their initial season in the starting lineup
  • Became the eighth 1,000-yard receiver in Packers history – and the first drafted in the seventh round or later – at San Francisco (Dec. 15) when he reached the plateau for the first time as a professional
  • Enjoyed the fifth-highest yards-per-catch average in the NFC (15.2) and tied for fourth in the NFC in third-down receptions (25)
  • Also rushed eight times for 70 yards
  • Had three 100-yard receiving days and a pair of 80-plus-yard touchdown catches over the course of the season
  • Was the Packers’ finalist for the 2002 ‘Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year’ award
  • Vs. Carolina (Sept. 29): Posted the first two-TD game of his career in 17-14 victory. Caught 31-yard TD pass from TE Bubba Franks late in first half, and with 4:10 remaining pulled in the eventual game-winning score  – a high bullet from Favre that he snared near the 10-yard line before darting into the end zone
  • At Chicago (Oct. 7): Enjoyed his first career 100-yard effort in Monday night win, making four receptions for 120 yards, including a career-long 85-yard catch to open the scoring (tied for the longest play from scrimmage in the NFC in 2002)
  • Vs. Detroit (Nov. 10): Posted his top performance of the season, catching a career-high 11 passes for 130 yards. The 11 catches were the most by a Green Bay player in six years (Don Beebe, 11, Oct. 14, 1996, vs. 49ers)
  • At Minnesota (Nov. 17): Caught four passes for 121 yards, including a nifty, 84-yard catch-and-run up the left sideline to tie the game at 21 early in the fourth quarter
  • Vs. Atlanta (Jan. 4): Turned in memorable and gutty effort in Wild Card playoff game, starting and playing through painful shoulder injury suffered a week earlier at the Jets. Aggravated the injury early vs. the Falcons but still willed himself to return to the contest. Caught Green Bay’s lone touchdown – a 14-yard strike from Favre early in the third quarter
2001 SeasonBack To Top
  • Turned in standout preseason to cement his place as one of Packers’ top pass catchers off the bench
  • Played in 13 regular-season games, starting twice when Green Bay opened with multiple receivers; he was inactive for the other three contests
  • Made 13 catches for 167 yards (12.8 avg.) and one touchdown
  • Also had three rushing attempts for 38 yards and one TD, along with six special-teams tackles
  • Vs. Baltimore (Oct. 14): Matched his season high with three receptions for a season-best 69 yards, including a 37-yarder across the middle to set up the TD that gave Green Bay a 24-10 lead late in the third quarter
  • Vs. Tampa Bay (Nov. 4): Made a block of the Buccaneers’ David Gibson to help spring Allen Rossum’s game-winning, 55-yard punt return in 21-20 victory
  • Inactive for games at Chicago (Nov. 11), vs. Atlanta (Nov. 18) and at Detroit (Nov. 22) due to after-effects of quad contusion suffered against the Ravens
  • At Jacksonville (Dec. 3): Returned to action in Monday night contest
  • Vs. San Francisco (Jan. 13): Made a pair of critical third-down receptions during fourth quarter of 25-15 Wild Card victory. Leapt high to pull down 14-yard catch early in FG drive that put Green Bay ahead of the 49ers, 18-15; he later hauled in a 12-yard pass deep in S.F. territory (the Packers scored a TD one play later for their final points)
2000 SeasonBack To Top
  • Served as the Packers’ No. 3 receiver for much of year with Bradford sidelined by multiple injuries
  • Played in all 16 games for the first time, starting twice
  • Enjoyed an impressive 15.3-yard average per catch as he caught 21 passes (sixth on team) for 322 yards and one TD
  • At Buffalo (Sept. 10): Pulled in a season-long 49-yard grab
  • Vs. Chicago (Oct. 1): Started first career game and caught three passes for 43 yards. Suffered hip contusion on a key, fourth-quarter reception in Bears’ territory
  • At Detroit (Oct. 8): Scored on a two-point conversion in the third quarter
  • Vs. San Francisco (Oct. 15): Made a key downfield block on Freeman’s 67-yard TD reception to open the scoring; he later drew a third-down pass interference in the end zone to set up the Packers’ final TD, in eventual 31-28 victory
  • At Carolina (Nov. 27): Caught 32-yard touchdown pass from Favre in Monday night game, tying the score at 14 late in the first half
  • Vs. Tampa Bay (Dec. 24): Started for an inactive Freeman and picked up four yards on his first NFL carry
1999 SeasonBack To Top
  • Saw action in six games as a rookie, primarily on special teams; he was inactive for nine contests and did not play in the other
  • Considered a long shot to make the team, he consistently impressed the coaching staff during training camp, meriting a roster spot
  • Made three receptions for 31 yards and one TD
  • Inactive for the first eight games
  • At Dallas (Nov. 14): Made his NFL debut, playing as the fourth receiver and on special teams
  • Vs. Detroit (Nov. 21): Came in as the No. 3 receiver with Freeman sidelined by a concussion
  • Vs. Carolina (Dec. 12): Made his first NFL catch a memorable one, pulling in an 8-yard TD pass from Favre
  • 1999 Draft: Was the second of two seventh-round draft choices (213th overall) by Green Bay, a pick obtained from Chicago in 1998 for return specialist Glyn Milburn
CollegeBack To Top
  • Two-year starter and three-time letterman (1996-98) at Alcorn State
  • Coached in college by Johnny Thomas, who once tutored Jerry Rice at Mississippi Valley State, and said Driver had Rice’s maturity
  • Multi-talented, was a member of the Braves’ track team all four years (1996-99)
  • Earned all-conference honors in both sports his senior year
  • Made 88 career receptions for 1,933 yards and 17 touchdowns
  • Earned B.S. degree in accounting
  • Senior season (1998): Earned second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors when he led the Braves in receptions (55), receiving yards (1,128) and scoring (60 points)
  • Posted six 100-yard receiving efforts among 11 games played
  • Established career highs in catches (11) and yards receiving (173) at Prairie View A&M (Oct. 10)
  • Junior season (1997): Averaged 26.5 yards per reception in his first season as a starter
  • Led team with 556 receiving yards on 21 catches, six of which went for touchdowns
  • Caught a career-long 81-yard touchdown reception vs. Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 8)
  • Sophomore season (1996): In first season as football letterman, caught 12 passes for 249 yards (20.8 avg.) and a touchdown
  • Track and field: Possessor of world-class ability in the high jump as a track athlete, he also participated in the decathlon, long jump and triple jump
  • Was named as the outstanding field performer in the SWAC, honoring both indoor and outdoor seasons, three straight years (1996-98)
  • Qualified for the 1996 Olympic Field Trials in the high jump with a leap of 7 feet, 6½ inches (ranked No. 1 in the nation that year), accomplished at the 37th annual Pelican Relays
  • Was the 1996 SWAC champion (indoor and outdoor) in the long jump, triple jump and decathlon, finishing second in the high jump
  • Was the 1997 SWAC champion (indoor and outdoor) in the long jump and triple jump, again coming in second in the high jump
  • Also was the ’97 SWAC (outdoor) champ in the decathlon
  • Qualified for the 1997 NCAA Championships in the long jump with a leap of 25 feet, 5 inches
  • Was the 1998 SWAC (indoor) champion in the long jump (25-5), triple jump (50-2) and high jump (7-2)
  • Was the 1999 SWAC (indoor) champion in the long jump (25-0) and triple jump (51-3); he came in third in the high jump
PersonalBack To Top
  • Given name Donald Jerome Driver
  • Born in Houston
  • Married to Betina, whom he met at Alcorn State and married in 2000; the couple has two children, son, Cristian, 6, and daughter, Christina, 4
  • As a youngster, nicknamed ‘Quickie’ by his parents, who grew tired of chasing him around the house, and because he was a quick learner
  • High school: Lettered four times each in track, football, basketball and baseball at Milby High in Houston
  • Played wide receiver and defensive back, and returned punts and kickoffs
  • Honorable mention all-state in football
  • The middle child in a five-sibling family, which lived for a time during his early teens out of a U-Haul truck after a collection agency confiscated the family’s possessions
  • He also spent multiple holidays without parents and slept several nights in motel rooms his mother, Faye Gray, purchased with food stamps
  • Also remembers several times when his mom skipped meals while working at night
  • Moved in with his grandmother, Betty Lofton, who encouraged him to go to church, at age 14
  • Motivated toward football by college films of his father, Marvin, a quarterback who earned a Texas A&M scholarship, and likely would’ve gone pro but gave up NFL dreams to support his mom after his father’s death (Donald’s grandfather)
  • Community involvement: Overcoming incredible trials has inspired Driver to become one of the Packers’ most involved players in the community
  • Has made more than 500 appearances during his NFL career and in 2007 received a JB Award for community service, named for CBS’ NFL Today host James Brown and given to a select group of players for their individual contributions to their communities
  • Named Packers’ ‘Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year’ in 2002, in recognition of his extensive work in the community
  • Also was chosen by The Sporting News as one of the NFL’s “Good Guys” in its July 5, 2004, issue
  • In 2000, created the Donald Driver Foundation (www.donalddriverfoundation.com), with the motto “Strong Hands, Strong Minds, Loving Hearts”
  • Run by his mother, the organization offers assistance to homeless mothers and underprivileged children
  • Since its inception, the foundation has helped at least 17 families in the Houston and Green Bay areas by purchasing homes or providing other housing or mortgage assistance
  • The foundation also provides 10 scholarships worth $1,000 each, annually, to students in Texas, Mississippi and Wisconsin, and has funded several computer labs for inner-city youth centers
  • During the foundation’s big fundraising week last June, hosted the annual Donald Driver Golf Classic at Sienna Plantation Golf Club in Missouri City, Texas, and at The Bog in Milwaukee, Wis.; hosted the Celebrity 9-Ball Shootout at Slick Willie’s Family Pool Hall in Houston; he also hosted the annual Donald Driver Football Camp in three locations: Houston, Milwaukee and Cleveland, Miss., these camps are free for children between the ages of 7-17
  • Also ran drills at an Oneida Nation football clinic in July 2005 and has conducted or helped out at football camps in Green Bay and De Pere in recent years
  • In summer 2008 he took over the tradition of hosting the annual Packers offense vs. defense charity softball game with the proceeds going to support the Donald Driver Foundation
  • In summer 2006, participated in the inaugural Packers Tailgate Tour, visiting four Wisconsin cities as well as other impromptu stops to meet and chat with fans from all over the state
  • Has been a frequent speaker at Green Bay-area schools, addressing the importance of fitness and making good decisions in life
  • Has been involved with ‘Junior Power Pack,’ the Packers’ fan club for kids, local Pop Warner football, and the Brown County Association for Retarded Citizens (now ASPIRO)
  • Appeared in a national United Way commercial on behalf of the NFL and Packers, which started in the 2003 season
  • Received the ‘Community Service Award’ from the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce in August 2001, in recognition of his community involvement
  • Earned the ‘Professional Achievement Award’ at the sixth annual Lee Remmel Sports Awards Banquet in April 2003
  • Additionally has given time and money to the Milwaukee Juvenile Detention Center, the PALS program, Children’s Miracle Network and the Calvary Baptist Church Scholarship
  • Has taken part in the Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game as well as Edgar Bennett’s Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon to benefit the Angel Fund for Children with Cancer
  • Hobbies/interests: Is part-owner of two Chevrolet/Buick car dealerships in eastern Wisconsin
  • Nearing completion of a master’s degree in computer science
  • Hobbies include reading novels and spending time with his family
  • Splits residence between De Pere, Wis., and Flower Mound, Texas
Player StatsBack To Top
ReceivingRushing
Year GP GS No Yds Avg Lg TD Att Yds Avg Lg TD
1999 Green Bay 6 0 3 31 10.3 12 1 0 0 0.0 0 0
2000 Green Bay 16 2 21 322 15.3 49 1 1 4 4.0 4 0
2001 Green Bay 13 2 13 167 12.8 37 1 3 38 12.7 31t 1
2002 Green Bay 16 16 70 1,064 15.2 85t 9 8 70 8.8 17 0
2003 Green Bay 15 15 52 621 11.9 41 2 5 51 10.2 45 0
2004 Green Bay 16 11 84 1,208 14.4 50 9 3 4 1.3 14 0
2005 Green Bay 16 16 86 1,221 14.2 59 5 2 13 6.5 9 0
2006 Green Bay 16 16 92 1,295 14.1 82t 8 7 16 2.3 16 0
2007 Green Bay 15 14 82 1,048 12.8 47 2 2 4 2.0 5 0
2008 Green Bay 16 16 74 1,012 13.7 71t 5 2 4 2.0 6 0
NFL totals (10 years) 145 108 577 7,989 13.8 85t 43 33 204 6.2 45 1

Playoffs
ReceivingRushing
Year GP GS No Yds Avg Lg TD Att Yds Avg Lg TD
2001 Green Bay 2 0 2 26 13.0 14 0 2 25 12.5 16 0
2002 Green Bay 1 1 3 64 21.3 25 1 0 0 0.0 0 0
2003 Green Bay 2 2 8 91 11.4 23 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
2004 Green Bay 1 1 7 78 11.1 16 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
2007 Green Bay 2 2 8 159 19.9 90t 1 0 0 0.0 0 0
Postseason 8 6 28 418 14.9 90t 2 2 25 12.5 16 0

Additional statistics: Recovered two opponent onside kick attempts (at Minn., 9/30/07; vs. Car., 11/18/07). Caught 2-point conversion at Detroit, 10/8/00, and vs. Jacksonville, 12/19/04. Returned kickoff 4 yards vs. Carolina, 11/18/07. Special teams tackles - 6 (3-3) in 2001, 1 in 2004; NFL total: 7. Miscellaneous tackles - 5 in 2000, 4 in 2002, 1 in '02 playoffs, 2 in 2003, 4 in 2004, 1 in '04 playoffs, 6 in 2005, 2 in 2006, 1 in 2007, 1 in '07 playoffs, 3 in 2008; NFL total: 27. Miscellaneous forced fumbles - 1 in 2002. Fumbles-lost - 1-1 in 2002, 2-2 in 2004, 1-0 in 2006, 1-0 in 2007, NFL totals: 5-3. Miscellaneous fumble recoveries - 1 in 2000, 2 in 2002, 1 in 2003, 1 in 2004, 1 in 2006; NFL total: 6.

SINGLE-GAME CAREER HIGHS
Receiving
Receptions: 11, twice: at Det. (11/10/02) & at Min. (12/24/04)
Yards: 191, at Min. (11/12/06)
Long: 85t, at Chi. (10/7/02)
Touchdowns: 2, three times (last: vs. Min., 11/21/05)
Rushing
Attempts: 2, at SF (12/10/06)
Yards: 45, at Min. (11/2/03)
Long: 45, at Min. (11/2/03)
Touchdowns: 1, vs. Min. (12/30/01)

*-Had 90-yard TD reception in '07 playoffs vs. N.Y. Giants, 1/20/08

NFL debut: at Dallas, 11/14/99
First NFL start: vs. Chicago, 10/1/00
First reception/TD: vs. Car., 12/12/99 (8 yards, Favre)

CAREER TRANSACTIONS
1999: Selected by Green Bay Packers as second of two seventh-round choices (213th overall) in '99 NFL Draft, April 18 (pick obtained from Chicago in 1998 for return specialist Glyn Milburn)...Signed first contract, June 2.
2002: Re-signed by Green Bay as restricted free agent, April 12...Signed five-year contract extension with Green Bay (through 2007), Nov. 25.
2006: Signed contract extension with Green Bay, May 8.

CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRATION: After 2010

ELIAS Game By Game Packers Stats
Game Date OppReceivingRushingKick ReturnsSacks
NoYdsAvgTDNoYdsAvgTDNoYdsAvgTD
Sep 12, 1999 OAK000.00000.00000.000
Sep 19, 1999 @DET000.00000.00000.000
Sep 26, 1999 MIN000.00000.00000.000
Oct 10, 1999 TB000.00000.00000.000
Oct 17, 1999 @DEN000.00000.00000.000
Oct 24, 1999 @SD000.00000.00000.000
Nov 1, 1999 SEA000.00000.00000.000
Nov 7, 1999 CHI000.00000.00000.000
Nov 14, 1999 @DAL000.00000.00000.000
Nov 21, 1999 DET000.00000.00000.000
Nov 29, 1999 @SF000.00000.00000.000
Dec 5, 1999 @CHI000.00000.00000.000
Dec 12, 1999 CAR33110.31000.00000.000
Dec 20, 1999 @MIN000.00000.00000.000
Dec 26, 1999 @TB000.00000.00000.000
Jan 2, 2000 ARI000.00000.00000.000
1999 Totals33110.31000.00000.000
Sep 3, 2000 NYJ000.00000.00000.000
Sep 10, 2000 @BUF25829.00000.00000.000
Sep 17, 2000 PHI25025.00000.00000.000
Sep 24, 2000 @ARI3279.00000.00000.000
Oct 1, 2000 CHI34314.30000.00000.000
Oct 8, 2000 @DET22713.50000.00000.000
Oct 15, 2000 SF11010.00000.00000.000
Oct 29, 2000 @MIA000.00000.00000.000
Nov 6, 2000 MIN000.00000.00000.000
Nov 12, 2000 @TB2136.50000.00000.000
Nov 19, 2000 IND12424.00000.00000.000
Nov 27, 2000 @CAR13232.01000.00000.000
Dec 3, 2000 @CHI000.00000.00000.000
Dec 10, 2000 DET199.00000.00000.000
Dec 17, 2000 @MIN166.00000.00000.000
Dec 24, 2000 TB22311.50144.00000.000
2000 Totals2132215.31144.00000.000
Sep 9, 2001 DET000.00000.00000.000
Sep 24, 2001 WAS12424.001-1-1.00000.000
Sep 30, 2001 @CAR000.00000.00000.000
Oct 7, 2001 @TB000.00000.00000.000
Oct 14, 2001 BAL36923.00000.00000.000
Oct 21, 2001 @MIN2178.50000.00000.000
Nov 4, 2001 TB2115.50000.00000.000
Nov 11, 2001 @CHI000.00000.00000.000
Nov 18, 2001 ATL000.00000.00000.000
Nov 22, 2001 @DET000.00000.00000.000
Dec 3, 2001 @JAC11010.00000.00000.000
Dec 9, 2001 CHI000.00188.00000.000
Dec 16, 2001 @TEN2178.51000.00000.000
Dec 23, 2001 CLE000.00000.00000.000
Dec 30, 2001 MIN000.0013131.01000.000
Jan 6, 2002 @NYG2199.50000.00000.000
2001 Totals1316712.8133812.71000.000
Sep 8, 2002 ATL77811.10000.00000.000
Sep 15, 2002 @NO45112.81000.00000.000
Sep 22, 2002 @DET59418.81000.00000.000
Sep 29, 2002 CAR59719.4211515.00000.000
Oct 7, 2002 @CHI412030.0111313.00000.000
Oct 13, 2002 @NE34314.30155.00000.000
Oct 20, 2002 WAS44411.00000.00000.000
Nov 4, 2002 MIA36020.00000.00000.000
Nov 10, 2002 DET1113011.80000.00000.000
Nov 17, 2002 @MIN412130.31000.00000.000
Nov 24, 2002 @TB33210.7111616.00000.000
Dec 1, 2002 CHI56513.00133.00000.000
Dec 8, 2002 MIN22512.5011717.00000.000
Dec 15, 2002 @SF44210.51122.00000.000
Dec 22, 2002 BUF55210.41000.00000.000
Dec 29, 2002 @NYJ11010.001-1-1.00000.000
2002 Totals70106415.298708.80000.000
Sep 7, 2003 MIN22713.50111.00000.000
Sep 14, 2003 DET000.00000.00000.000
Sep 21, 2003 @ARI2126.00000.00000.000
Sep 29, 2003 @CHI45012.50000.00000.000
Oct 5, 2003 SEA77210.31155.00000.000
Oct 12, 2003 KC7598.40000.00000.000
Oct 19, 2003 @STL45313.30177.00000.000
Nov 2, 2003 @MIN12626.0014545.00000.000
Nov 10, 2003 PHI2189.00000.00000.000
Nov 16, 2003 @TB2126.00000.00000.000
Nov 23, 2003 SF4317.80000.00000.000
Nov 27, 2003 @DET44711.801-7-7.00000.000
Dec 7, 2003 CHI144.00000.00000.000
Dec 14, 2003 @SD811214.01000.00000.000
Dec 22, 2003 @OAK37826.00000.00000.000
Dec 28, 2003 DEN12020.00000.00000.000
2003 Totals5262111.9255110.20000.000
Sep 13, 2004 @CAR33913.00000.00000.000
Sep 19, 2004 CHI5499.80000.00000.000
Sep 26, 2004 @IND66410.71000.00000.000
Oct 3, 2004 NYG4317.80000.00000.000
Oct 11, 2004 TEN1015015.00000.00000.000
Oct 17, 2004 @DET911012.22000.00000.000
Oct 24, 2004 DAL35217.31000.00000.000
Oct 31, 2004 @WAS24824.00000.00000.000
Nov 14, 2004 MIN3289.3011414.00000.000
Nov 21, 2004 @HOU1014814.81000.00000.000
Nov 29, 2004 STL68514.21000.00000.000
Dec 5, 2004 @PHI33311.001-1-1.00000.000
Dec 12, 2004 DET48721.81000.00000.000
Dec 19, 2004 JAC47418.51000.00000.000
Dec 24, 2004 @MIN1116214.71000.00000.000
Jan 2, 2005 @CHI14848.001-9-9.00000.000
2004 Totals84120814.49341.30000.000
Sep 11, 2005 @DET44812.00000.00000.000
Sep 18, 2005 CLE610517.51000.00000.000
Sep 25, 2005 TB24924.50000.00000.000
Oct 3, 2005 @CAR69215.31000.00000.000
Oct 9, 2005 NO5489.60000.00000.000
Oct 23, 2005 @MIN811414.31000.00000.000
Oct 30, 2005 @CIN57615.20199.00000.000
Nov 6, 2005 PIT56412.80000.00000.000
Nov 13, 2005 @ATL1011411.40000.00000.000
Nov 21, 2005 MIN58416.82000.00000.000
Nov 27, 2005 @PHI35016.70144.00000.000
Dec 4, 2005 @CHI8648.00000.00000.000
Dec 11, 2005 DET4328.00000.00000.000
Dec 19, 2005 @BAL35618.70000.00000.000
Dec 25, 2005 CHI610717.80000.00000.000
Jan 1, 2006 SEA611819.70000.00000.000
2005 Totals86122114.252136.50000.000
Sep 10, 2006 CHI79613.70000.00000.000
Sep 17, 2006 NO815319.1011616.00000.000
Sep 24, 2006 @DET3206.711-1-1.00000.000
Oct 2, 2006 @PHI55010.00000.00000.000
Oct 8, 2006 STL3248.00000.00000.000
Oct 22, 2006 @MIA10939.31166.00000.000
Oct 29, 2006 ARI5489.60000.00000.000
Nov 5, 2006 @BUF99610.71000.00000.000
Nov 12, 2006 @MIN619131.81000.00000.000
Nov 19, 2006 NE24221.00000.00000.000
Nov 27, 2006 @SEA38929.71000.00000.000
Dec 3, 2006 NYJ34113.71000.00000.000
Dec 10, 2006 @SF916017.812-6-3.00000.000
Dec 17, 2006 DET77010.00177.00000.000
Dec 21, 2006 MIN99911.00000.00000.000
Dec 31, 2006 @CHI3237.711-6-6.00000.000
2006 Totals92129514.187162.30000.000
Sep 9, 2007 PHI66611.00000.00000.000
Sep 16, 2007 @NYG8739.11000.00000.000
Sep 23, 2007 SD612621.01000.00000.000
Sep 30, 2007 @MIN7588.301-1-1.00000.000
Oct 7, 2007 CHI45112.80000.00000.000
Oct 14, 2007 WAS5387.60000.00000.000
Oct 29, 2007 @DEN3289.30000.00000.000
Nov 4, 2007 @KC59919.80000.00000.000
Nov 11, 2007 MIN46315.80000.00000.000
Nov 18, 2007 CAR58316.60155.00144.000
Nov 22, 2007 @DET1014714.70000.00000.000
Nov 29, 2007 @DAL7669.40000.00000.000
Dec 9, 2007 OAK33812.70000.00000.000
Dec 16, 2007 @STL58016.00000.00000.000
Dec 23, 2007 @CHI4328.00000.00000.000
Dec 30, 2007 DET000.00000.00000.000
2007 Totals82104812.82242.00144.000
Sep 8, 2008 MIN4389.50000.00000.000
Sep 14, 2008 @DET7527.41000.00000.000
Sep 21, 2008 DAL47619.00000.00000.000
Sep 28, 2008 @TB188.00000.00000.000
Oct 5, 2008 ATL36822.71166.00000.000
Oct 12, 2008 @SEA6538.80000.00000.000
Oct 19, 2008 IND4358.80000.00000.000
Nov 2, 2008 @TEN713619.41000.00000.000
Nov 9, 2008 @MIN5469.201-2-2.00000.000
Nov 16, 2008 CHI46015.00000.00000.000
Nov 24, 2008 @NO44310.80000.00000.000
Nov 30, 2008 CAR58316.61000.00000.000
Dec 7, 2008 HOU37525.00000.00000.000
Dec 14, 2008 @JAC56513.00000.00000.000
Dec 22, 2008 @CHI66310.50000.00000.000
Dec 28, 2008 DET611118.51000.00000.000
2008 Totals74101213.75242.00000.000
Sep 13, 2009 CHI4399.80000.00000.000
Sep 20, 2009 CIN69916.51000.00000.000
Sep 27, 2009 @STL49523.8111313.00000.000
Oct 5, 2009 @MIN45513.80000.00000.000
Oct 18, 2009 DET710715.30000.00000.000
Oct 25, 2009 @CLE28442.01000.00000.000
Nov 1, 2009 MIN66310.50000.00000.000
Nov 8, 2009 @TB47117.81000.00000.000
Nov 15, 2009 DAL45012.50000.00000.000
Nov 22, 2009 SF5408.00000.00000.000
Nov 26, 2009 @DET714220.31000.00000.000
Dec 7, 2009 BAL33110.31000.00000.000
Dec 13, 2009 @CHI2115.50000.00000.000
Dec 20, 2009 @PIT37625.30000.00000.000
Dec 27, 2009 SEA33311.00000.00000.000
Jan 3, 2010 @ARI66510.80000.00000.000
2009 Totals70106115.2611313.00000.000
Packers Totals647905014.049342176.41144.000

Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau
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