The @PackersHOF will induct former #Packers @JordyRNelson & @jsitton71 at the 52nd Hall of Fame Induction Banquet
#GoPackGo https://t.co/GKUC2MPCB6
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 1, 2022
Nelson and Sitton’s Packer careers began at almost the exact same time. A wide receiver out of Kansas State, Nelson was drafted 36th overall by the Packers in 2008. Sitton, a guard out of Central Florida, was drafted the next day at 135th overall.
Nelson’s first two seasons saw him join a stacked receiving corps that featured Packers Hall of Famers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. Still, he was able to record over 300 receiving yards in both 2008 and 2009.
The 2010 season saw Nelson nearly double his receiving numbers, tallying 582 yards on 45 catches during the regular season. That year also saw the Packers win Super Bowl XLV in Aaron Rodgers’ third season as a starting quarterback. Nelson and Rodgers had a super connection in the big game, with the wide receiver hauling in nine catches for 140 yards and a touchdown.
Nelson’s performance broke a franchise record for the most receiving yards in a single Super Bowl game, which had been set by Packers Hall of Famer Max McGee all the way back in Super Bowl I.
In 2013 and 2014, he recorded back-to-back seasons with 85 or more catches and over 1300 yards. He had to sit out all of the 2015 season with a torn ACL, but returned in 2016 and recorded 97 catches for 1257 yards and a league-high 14 touchdowns. He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year at the end of 2016.
Nelson would stay with the Packers through the 2017 season, appearing in 136 regular-season games and starting 88 during his time in Green Bay. He ranks No. 4 in team history in receptions, No. 6 in receiving yards and No. 3 in touchdown receptions. He is the only player in team history with three seasons with 13 or more touchdown receptions.
In 2018, Nelson joined the Raiders but he was released after just one season. He signed a one-day contract with Green Bay in 2019 to retire as a Packer.
.@JordyRNelson ranks No. 4 in team history in receptions (550), No. 6 in receiving yards (7,848), No. 3 in touchdown receptions (69) & No. 4 in 100-yard receiving games (25).
Congratulations, Jordy!
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 1, 2022
Sitton was a mainstay for the Packers’ offensive line from almost the moment he landed in Green Bay. He started 112 of 121 regular-season games and every one of the 13 postseason games he appeared in. His 110 starts between 2009 and 2015 were the most by a Packers offensive lineman.
He was named Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2010 by the NFL Alumni Association and was a three-time Pro Bowler. He was also named first-team All-Pro in 2014.
Sitton protected Aaron Rodgers on route to four NFC North titles, six 10-plus win seasons, seven playoff berths and a Super Bowl XLV championship.
He spent two seasons with the Bears in 2016 and 2017 before ending his career with the Dolphins in 2018. In December 2019 he returned to Green Bay to retire as a Packer.
.@jsitton71 started 112 of 121 regular-season games & all 13 postseason contests in which he appeared.
He was named to the Pro Bowl three times (2012, ’14-15) & earned second-team AP All-Pro honors three times (2013-15).
Congrats, Josh!
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 1, 2022
Nelson and Sitton join an elite group of legends including Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi and Ray Nitschke. Last year’s class featured Greg Jennings and Tim Harris. The 52nd Hall of Fame Induction Banquet is scheduled for August 31, 2023.
COPYRIGHT 2022 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
