Jordy Nelson
Encyclopedia
Jordy Ray Nelson is an American football
wide receiver
for the Green Bay Packers
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Kansas State
.
, and played high school football at Riley County High School, in Riley, Kansas
. During his senior year, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,029 yards and eight touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,572 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per carry with 25 touchdowns. He was named Flint Hills Player of the Year by the Manhattan Mercury and was a two-time first-team All-Mid-East League selection. Nelson was a first team 3A all-state football player and earned Top 22 honors in the state of Kansas as a quarterback/defensive back. In 2003, he played in the Kansas Shrine Bowl. Nelson was also an outstanding track and field athlete winning the 100 (10.63), 200 (21.64), 400 (48.79) and long jump (22-09.50) titles his senior year in Class 3A. He was also an all-state basketball player averaging 17.2 points per game his senior year for the Falcons. Nelson's older brother Mike, a 2002 graduate of Riley, was also an all-state basketball and football player.
, and took his redshirt year on the 2003 Big 12 Championship team
. Nelson was set to play defensive back in college, but during spring practice following his first year, Coach Bill Snyder
moved him to wide receiver. During his sophomore campaign, Nelson caught 45 passes for 8 touchdowns, elevating expectations for the junior wide receiver, as he was listed on the Biletnikoff Award
watch list. Injuries kept him off the field most of his junior year, leading to a disappointing junior season, in which he only caught 39 balls for 1 touchdown.
After going unnoticed his junior year, Nelson broke out during his senior year, and was among the nation's best receivers. He earned consensus All-American honors, and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award
, after catching 122 passes for 1,606 yards and 11 touchdowns. Nelson also showed his versatility by throwing 2 touchdowns and returning 2 punts for touchdowns. After the season, Nelson continued to improve his stock as an NFL
wide receiver prospect for the 2008 draft
. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Nelson demonstrated good speed, running an official 4.37 in the 40-yd dash.
On April 26, 2008 — the first day of the NFL Draft — Nelson was drafted by the Green Bay Packers with the 5th pick of the second round (the 36th overall selection). Nelson was the third receiver taken in the draft. He recorded his first touchdown reception September 14, 2008, a 29 yard pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers
. He recorded his second touchdown reception in week 14 against the Houston Texans
. Nelson finished his rookie campaign with 33 receptions for 366 yards and 2 touchdowns.
2009 season
In 2009, Nelson played in 13 games for the Packers, catching 22 balls for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also saw action as a punt returner.
2010 season
In the 2010 season he set career-highs in receiving yards (582) and catches (45), while catching 2 touchdown passes for the third straight year. Following the injury to Aaron Rodgers against the Detroit Lions on December 12, 2010, it was revealed that Nelson also serves as the Packers' emergency/third string quarterback.
Building on strong outings in the 2010-11 playoffs against Atlanta
and Chicago
, Nelson caught a 29-yard touchdown pass on third-and-1 with William Gay
covering, for the first score of Super Bowl XLV
. "This was Jordy last week: 'I think we need to convert on third downs to win the game.' ... Rodgers
threw a terrific pass,capping an 80-yard touchdown drive," a live-blog reported. In the balance of the game, Nelson struggled some and made no more touchdowns. However, he recovered from a dropped pass early in the fourth quarter to make a 38-yard play on the next down, taking the Packers to the Steelers'
two-yard line. Nelson was the top receiver of the game with 9 receptions for 140 yards (both career highs), while also gaining 19 more yards on a kick return. He also had 3 dropped passes.
2011
Through week 12 of the NFL season, Jordy Nelson has already set career highs in yards (782), Touchdowns (9), and is third in the League with Receiving touchdowns.
! rowspan=2|Season !! rowspan=2|Team !! colspan=2|Games !! colspan=5|Receiving!! colspan=5|Rushing
! colspan=2|Fumbles>
!! Green Bay Packers
| 11 > 5
44
782
17.9
93
9
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
!! Green Bay Packers
| 16 > 4
45
582
12.9
80
2
--
--
--
--
--
3
3
!! Green Bay Packers
| 13 > 0
22
320
14.5
51
2
--
--
--
--
--
3
1
!! Green Bay Packers
| 16 > 2
33
366
11.1
29
2
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
Total
56
11
144
2,050
14.2
93
15
--
--
--
--
--
6
4
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
.
High school
Nelson was born in Manhattan, KansasManhattan, Kansas
Manhattan is a city located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas in the United States, at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. It is the county seat of Riley County and the city extends into Pottawatomie County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 52,281...
, and played high school football at Riley County High School, in Riley, Kansas
Riley, Kansas
Riley is a city in Riley County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was TBD. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Riley is located at...
. During his senior year, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,029 yards and eight touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,572 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per carry with 25 touchdowns. He was named Flint Hills Player of the Year by the Manhattan Mercury and was a two-time first-team All-Mid-East League selection. Nelson was a first team 3A all-state football player and earned Top 22 honors in the state of Kansas as a quarterback/defensive back. In 2003, he played in the Kansas Shrine Bowl. Nelson was also an outstanding track and field athlete winning the 100 (10.63), 200 (21.64), 400 (48.79) and long jump (22-09.50) titles his senior year in Class 3A. He was also an all-state basketball player averaging 17.2 points per game his senior year for the Falcons. Nelson's older brother Mike, a 2002 graduate of Riley, was also an all-state basketball and football player.
College career
Nelson began his college career as a walk-on at Kansas State UniversityKansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
, and took his redshirt year on the 2003 Big 12 Championship team
2003 Kansas State Wildcats football team
The 2003 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. The team finished the season with a win-loss record of 11 and 4, and a...
. Nelson was set to play defensive back in college, but during spring practice following his first year, Coach Bill Snyder
Bill Snyder
Bill Snyder is the head football coach at Kansas State University. He was rehired to the position on November 24, 2008, making Snyder one of the rare college football head coaches to have non-consecutive tenure at the same school. Snyder previously served as head coach at the school from 1989 to...
moved him to wide receiver. During his sophomore campaign, Nelson caught 45 passes for 8 touchdowns, elevating expectations for the junior wide receiver, as he was listed on the Biletnikoff Award
Fred Biletnikoff Award
The Fred Biletnikoff Award has been presented since 1994 to America's top college football receiver by the TQC Foundation, Inc. , an independent not-for-profit organization which created the award in 1994 and has sponsored it since...
watch list. Injuries kept him off the field most of his junior year, leading to a disappointing junior season, in which he only caught 39 balls for 1 touchdown.
After going unnoticed his junior year, Nelson broke out during his senior year, and was among the nation's best receivers. He earned consensus All-American honors, and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award
Fred Biletnikoff Award
The Fred Biletnikoff Award has been presented since 1994 to America's top college football receiver by the TQC Foundation, Inc. , an independent not-for-profit organization which created the award in 1994 and has sponsored it since...
, after catching 122 passes for 1,606 yards and 11 touchdowns. Nelson also showed his versatility by throwing 2 touchdowns and returning 2 punts for touchdowns. After the season, Nelson continued to improve his stock as an NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
wide receiver prospect for the 2008 draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Nelson demonstrated good speed, running an official 4.37 in the 40-yd dash.
Green Bay Packers
2008 seasonOn April 26, 2008 — the first day of the NFL Draft — Nelson was drafted by the Green Bay Packers with the 5th pick of the second round (the 36th overall selection). Nelson was the third receiver taken in the draft. He recorded his first touchdown reception September 14, 2008, a 29 yard pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
. He recorded his second touchdown reception in week 14 against the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Nelson finished his rookie campaign with 33 receptions for 366 yards and 2 touchdowns.
2009 season
In 2009, Nelson played in 13 games for the Packers, catching 22 balls for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also saw action as a punt returner.
2010 season
In the 2010 season he set career-highs in receiving yards (582) and catches (45), while catching 2 touchdown passes for the third straight year. Following the injury to Aaron Rodgers against the Detroit Lions on December 12, 2010, it was revealed that Nelson also serves as the Packers' emergency/third string quarterback.
Building on strong outings in the 2010-11 playoffs against Atlanta
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Chicago
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Nelson caught a 29-yard touchdown pass on third-and-1 with William Gay
William Gay (cornerback)
William Gay is an American football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, formerly of the University of Louisville football team. He was chosen by the Steelers with the 170th pick of the 2007 NFL Draft.-College career:...
covering, for the first score of Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV was an American football game between the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers to decide the National Football League champion for the 2010 season. The game was held at Cowboys Stadium in...
. "This was Jordy last week: 'I think we need to convert on third downs to win the game.' ... Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
threw a terrific pass,capping an 80-yard touchdown drive," a live-blog reported. In the balance of the game, Nelson struggled some and made no more touchdowns. However, he recovered from a dropped pass early in the fourth quarter to make a 38-yard play on the next down, taking the Packers to the Steelers'
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
two-yard line. Nelson was the top receiver of the game with 9 receptions for 140 yards (both career highs), while also gaining 19 more yards on a kick return. He also had 3 dropped passes.
2011
Through week 12 of the NFL season, Jordy Nelson has already set career highs in yards (782), Touchdowns (9), and is third in the League with Receiving touchdowns.
Career Statistics
! colspan=2|Fumbles>
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
!! Green Bay Packers
2011 Green Bay Packers season
The 2011 Green Bay Packers season is the franchise's 91st season in the National Football League, the 93rd season overall and the sixth under head coach Mike McCarthy...
| 11 >
2010 NFL season
The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
!! Green Bay Packers
2010 Green Bay Packers season
The 2010 Green Bay Packers season was the 90th season in the National Football League for the Packers and the 92nd season for the team overall. With a record of 10–6, the Packers entered the playoffs as the NFC's sixth seed...
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2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
!! Green Bay Packers
2009 Green Bay Packers season
The 2009 Green Bay Packers season was the 89th season in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and the 91st season for the team overall...
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2008 NFL season
The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the...
!! Green Bay Packers
2008 Green Bay Packers season
The 2008 Green Bay Packers season was the 88th season in the National Football League for the Packers and their 90th overall. They looked to continue success after posting a 13-3 record in 2007, but finished the season with a losing 6-10 record and missed the playoffs.- 2008 NFL Draft :The Packers...
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