GREEN BAY – With the No. 2 chain still hanging around his neck, Matthew Golden walked into the Lambeau Field interview on Friday morning with "22" proudly displayed across his chest.
It's the number the Packers' first-round pick chose as he readies to make the leap to the NFL and one that sits close to Golden's heart, both literally and figuratively.
"My grandma, her favorite number was '2' growing up," said Golden, who wore No. 2 at both Houston and Texas. "She told me she wanted me to represent that number."
Despite his draft status, Golden didn't inquire about taking the No. 2 off veteran quarterback Malik Willis. Instead, he opted to double it after talking with the Packers' equipment staff.
His selection of "22" not only pays tribute to his grandma Penny – whom Golden refers to as his "best friend" – but also acknowledges the last time Green Bay selected a receiver in the first round: 2002.
The 5-foot-11, 191-pound wideout has never been short on motivation, with his family serving as a driving force in his ascent to the game's highest level.
Grandma Penny's Texas home – the one Golden has vowed to buy back for his family – served as a haven for him and his mother. In less fortunate times, Golden also stayed in hotels and occasionally slept in a vehicle parked at the local Walmart in Brenham, Texas, when money was short.
"Everything that happened to me, everything that I went through, it happened for a reason," Golden said. "That's what got me here. To be in this position, it wasn't easy getting here and I know what I did, the people that I had around me that helped me get to this point – now I'm here, and I'm just focusing on ball right now."
Gold was a four-star recruit out of Houston who initially committed to play at Texas Christian. In fact, Packers third-round pick Savion Williams hosted Golden on his visit to TCU.
In the end, Golden chose to stay close to home and played two seasons for the Cougars before transferring to Texas as a junior.
Despite Golden's credentials, nothing was given to the 21-year-old upon arrival. Former Longhorn defensive lineman Barryn Sorrell, whom the Packers drafted in the fourth round, recalls how initially Golden "wasn't a priority" in Texas' power-packed offense.
As the year progressed, however, Golden quickly became a go-to target for quarterback Quinn Ewers. He averaged 19.7 yards per catch over his last six collegiate games, including a virtuoso performance (seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown) in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Arizona State.
"Whenever I'm on the field, that's when I feel great," Golden said. "I feel like nothing is stopping me from where I'm going, and I can just focus on football. It's definitely something that's keeping me motivated and keeping me grinding."
Golden declared for the NFL Draft after leading Texas with nine touchdown receptions and 987 receiving yards, which were just one yard shy of his two seasons combined at Houston.
Golden cemented himself as a first-round pick after leading all receivers at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.29-second time in the 40-yard dash with a 1.49 10-yard split.
It earned Golden an invite to attend the draft with his mother and grandmother, which he accepted. But he wasn't the only Longhorn to make the trip to Green Bay. Fulfilling a lifelong goal, Sorrell flew to the draft on his own dime.
The two reminisced about their football journeys in Sorrell's hotel room the night before the first round. After the Packers drafted Golden, Sorrell stayed in the lobby of Golden's hotel until 1 a.m. CT to celebrate with his Texas teammate.
As fate would have it, Green Bay would draft Sorrell less than 48 hours later. Predictably, Golden was one of the first to reach out and congratulate him.
"Everybody loves a good underdog story," said Sorrell of Golden. "It speaks to his story. It speaks to his work ethic. Just so proud and happy for him. He has what it takes. The things that he has is what got him here, but it's gonna take him very far."
Packers quarterback Jordan Love and receiver Jayden Reed immediately reached out to Golden after the draft and offered a warm welcome. After flying in for rookie minicamp, Golden said he's enjoyed meeting his new teammates and reconnecting with Williams, with whom he'll now share a position room.
The Packers conducted a light practice with their rookies inside the Hutson Center on Saturday. Although the receivers didn't catch any passes, the weekend did whet Golden's palette for playing at the game's highest level.
"I'm ready. I've been waiting for this moment my whole life and to be here," Golden said. "I'm gonna be present, but I'm gonna let my presence be known and I'm gonna come in here and compete."
As for the No. 2 he proudly wears around his neck, Golden acknowledges it may be time to add an extra "2" to his chain.
"I definitely do," said Golden with a smile. "I need to add a number 2."
