Right now, the Green Bay Packers are still dealing with a slew of injuries. They have, however, welcomed Rashan Gary back, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury last term. The defensive lineman has played in all of Green Bay’s first three games of the season, but Sunday’s win against the New Orleans Saints was his first game in Lambeau Field in nearly a year.
Green Bay Packers’ Rashan Gary Emotional in Lambeau Field Return
Gary marked his first game in front of the home fans with a massive performance to help the Packers escape with an 18-17 come-from-behind victory against the Saints. In the locker room after the game, an emotional Gary could not hold back the tears as he expressed just how happy he was to be able to return:
“All I wanna say bro, it’s an honor and privilege every Sunday to go out there and go to war with y’all, bro,” Gary said. “I’ve been working my a** off over the past nine months. All I wanted to do is come back and be an impact, bro.”
.@RashanAGary's return to Lambeau was an emotional one 💚💛@Packers | @InsideTheNFL pic.twitter.com/3yLbQhNNk3
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) September 26, 2023
He did just that on Sunday, and Green Bay will be expecting more of the same from him the rest of the way. As he said, Gary has put in the hard work to get himself back on the field, so now the Packers will be hoping that he is able to remain healthy this season and beyond.
Rashan Gary Hungrier Than Ever
Gary spoke to the press on Tuesday after practice and it was an opportunity for him to talk about his emotional moment after Sunday’s win. The 25-year-old noted that his recent injury and the fact that he was sidelined for an extended period just lit a fire under his belly:
“All I did was get surgery,” Gary said, via the Associated Press. “It didn’t change the way I get off the ball, my IQ of the game, how to read things.
“… It for sure made me a hungrier player. And I already was a hungry player.”
Apparently, Gary is the type who wears his heart on his sleeve. A testament to this fact is how the former Michigan standout started crying last month when he was informed that he could start taking part in individual drills.
“Football is something that offered myself, my family a great life,” Gary said. “I just owe the game of football so much. That’s all I wanted to do. This sport gives me the opportunity to provide for my family. There’s no better feeling than saying you’re able to do something or take care of something and you’re able to do it. This game provides me that.
“I’ve got two nephews that are looking up to me. Having this game, showing them how men are supposed to go about their work and how it looks to take care of family, man, it’s important.”
The Packers can definitely count themselves lucky for having not only a very talented DL but at the same time, a player that has this much passion for the sport.
For More Of My Content
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA. You may also reach out to me personally at pao.songco@gmail.com.