Ask any Green Bay Packers fan, and they will tell you it still does not seem real. For over two decades, they begged and pleaded with the front office to take a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft. But for over two decades, they were constantly disappointed by the Packers’ tendency to prioritize defense and the offensive line (and Jordan Love) on the first night of the draft.
Last Thursday, though, Green Bay President and CEO Mark Murphy took the stage in front of 205,000 people and announced that, for the first time since 2002, the Packers were selecting a wide receiver with their first round pick.
And that is how Texas Longhorns star Matthew Golden became a Packer. Given his position and where he was taken in the draft, he is already a fan-favorite to an extent. And the more he talks, the more fans admire him.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Matthew Golden Changed His Number from 81 to 22
On Friday, Golden and the rest of Green Bay’s draft picks met with the media for the first time as members of the Packers. One of the things that Golden talked about was his number switch immediately following his draft selection.
Shortly after being taken, Golden was assigned jersey number 81. The very next day, though, Green Bay announced he would be wearing number 22, which is uncommon for a wide receiver in today’s NFL.
Many assumed that he chose 22 because 2, his college number, is already being used by backup quarterback Malik Willis.
During his first session with Packers reporters, he revealed the reason for the change:
“My grandma, her favorite number was 2 growing up,” Golden said. “She wanted me to represent that number. So I remember the last [first round] wide receiver that was drafted was in 2002, so I feel like it kind of made sense to me.”
After being asked if he thought he would be wearing number 81 after he was drafted, Golden responded, “I talked to the guy that gave me the numbers, and I asked him if I could take 22. He said it was up for grabs, so I took it.”
When asked if he asked Willis for number 2, he said that he didn’t because “It’s just a jersey number.”
Packers fans can really appreciate Golden for wanting to honor his grandma, whom he referred to as his best friend, and for honoring Green Bay’s history with his number choice.
More Green Bay Packers News from Gridiron Heroics
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- Packers Expected to Pursue 4x Pro Bowler for Jordan Love after NFL Draft
- “Comes Down to Money;” NFL Insider Reveals Key Reason Why Packers Could Not Trade Jaire Alexander
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