The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame is made up of some of the best players in NFL history. While some are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well, others are in team Hall of Fame in recognition for their contributions to the team in the era in which they played.
The Aaron Rodgers Era has come to an end, but players from his tenure have already begun being inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame. On Monday, the team announced that two more such players, Jordy Nelson and Josh Sitton, will be inducted this year.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Jordy Nelson
Before the Rodgers to Davante Adams combination took the NFL by storm, Rodgers had established an unparalleled connection with wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Rodgers’ first year as a starter, Nelson got off to a slow start to his NFL career. In his first two years combined, he had 55 receptions for 686 yards and four touchdowns.
2010, the year Green Bay won the Super Bowl, Nelson had 45 receptions for 582 yards and two touchdowns. However, it was in the Super Bowl XLV win over the Pittsburgh Steelers that Nelson established himself as Rodgers’ go-to receiver.
In that memorable game, Nelson had nine receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown.
2011 saw Nelson emerge as a true first option at the wide receiver position, hauling in 68 catches for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns.
From 2011-2014, Nelson had over 1,000 yards receiving three times. The only time in which he failed to reach that mark was 2012, when he missed four games with an injury and finished with 745 yards.
In 2014, Nelson made his only career Pro Bowl with 98 catches, 1,519 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns. At the time, the 1,519 yards were the most in Packers history. Davante Adams broke the record in 2021.
Nelson tore his ACL during a preseason game in 2015 and missed the entire regular season. When he returned in 2016, he had 97 receptions for 1,257 yards and a NFL-leading 14 touchdowns. Due to his high level of play in return from injury, he was named the Comeback Play of the Year.
Unfortunately, 2017 saw Nelson’s production and role on the team decline. The Packers decided to move on from him and he finished his career with a productive season with the Oakland Raiders.
Nelson ranks sixth in Packers history with 7,848 receiving yards, fourth with 550 receptions, and third with 69 touchdowns. Only Don Hutson and Davante Adams have scored more touchdowns among Packers pass catchers.
Green Bay Packers Right Guard Josh Sitton
Josh Sitton
Like Nelson, Josh Sitton was drafted by the Packers in the 2008 NFL Draft. A fourth round pick, Sitton played in 11 games during his rookie season, starting two of them.
Over the next seven years, though, Sitton was entrenched as the starting right guard. During that time, he only missed two games due to injury, both coming in 2011.
From 2012-2015, his last season with the Packers, Sitton was named to the Pro Bowl three times (2012, 2014, 2015) and a Second Team All Pro three times (2013-2015).
After the Packers to offer him a third contract, Sitton play two seasons with the Chicago Bears, earning another Pro Bowl nod in 2016.
Sitton appeared in one game with the Miami Dolphins in 2018.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
