The Green Bay Packers are welcoming back featured alumni Gilbert Brown and Nick Collins for this Sunday's NFC Wildcard playoff game versus the San Francisco 49ers. Leading up to the game, the alumni will be signing autographs and visiting with fans in the Packers Pro Shop on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Tundra Tailgate Zone will also feature Collins on gameday* *from 2 to 3 p.m., where he will be visiting with fans and signing autographs. More information on the Tundra Tailgate Zone can be found online at www.packers.com/gameday/tundra-tailgate-zone.html.
Also on Sunday, Brownwill be visiting with fans and signing autographs during that same time in the Legends Clubon the Associated Bank Club Level, an area accessible to game attendees with suite or club seat tickets, as a guest of the 'Alumni Meet and Greet.'
Brown, a fan favorite during his 10-year career (1993-99, 2001-03), was one of the greatest run stuffers of his era. He is one of four true defensive linemen to have played 10 seasons for the Packers. Only Dave Hanner (13, 1952-64), Henry Jordan (11, 1659-69) and Ezra Johnson (11, 1977-87) played longer in a Green Bay uniform. Obtained on waivers from Minnesota during 1993 training camp, Brown played 125 games, recording 292 tackles (186 solo) and seven sacks. Brown also played in 15 playoff games, and was enshrined in the Packers Hall of Fame in 2008.
Collins, a second-round draft pick out of Bethune-Cookman in 2005, played seven seasons (2005-11) for the Packers. The talented, athletic defender became one of the top playmakers in the league at the safety position and racked up 21 interceptions among 83 passes defensed in his career. Collins was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2008-10), and became the first Packers safety since LeRoy Butler (1996-98) to earn the honor in three consecutive seasons. His electrifying interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLV staked the Packers to a 14-0 lead in the eventual 31-25 triumph.
Both former Packers players will be introduced on Lambeau Field during pregame festivities.
