How Jordy Nelson Went From Farm Boy To Elite NFL Wide Receiver
Earlier this week, the Internet salivated over the fact that every offseason, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson spends 12 hours a day working on his family farm, despite recently signing a four-year deal worth $39 million.
And rightfully so.
I mean, between Geno Smith getting popped in the jaw over a rumored $600 dispute, and Sheldon Richardson speeding toward a part on HBO's "Ballers," you really have to sit back and applaud a guy like Nelson.
Sure, Rob Gronkowski only spends endorsement money, and Ryan Browles sticks to a strict $60,000 annual spending allowance, but neither of those two are do-it-all wide receivers.
See, it's certainly admirable -- and increasingly impressive in today's NFL -- that Nelson stays out of trouble and remains loyal to his family, but at the end of the day, the NFL is a "show me" league.
And with his speed, hands and footwork, Jordy Nelson is showing us something we've never seen before.
That unreal skill set, combined with his 49 career touchdowns, starts to show why the 30-year-old is now among the elite wide receivers in the NFL.
How he got there is nothing short of amazing.
Before becoming a Pro Bowl wide receiver in the NFL, Jordy Nelson killed it as a quarterback in high school.
And he developed his quick feet on the basketball court.
He also killed it at Riley County High School dances.
.@seangentille talked to Jordy Nelson because this needed to be discussed. http://t.co/16KSqX1uTe @packers pic.twitter.com/hOwBYXKVDH — Tadd Haislop (@TaddHaislop) August 7, 2015
But despite an impressive HS career, Nelson joined Kansas State University as a walk-on safety.
He quickly turned heads, though, by doing things like burning Aqib Talib.
During his senior year at K State, Nelson caught 122 passes for 1,606 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Packers selected Jordy in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft; a selection that's paying off more and more every season.
After showing off a 4.5-second 40-yard dash time, the Kansas native has become a prolific deep-ball threat.
But he's also established himself as one of the best sideline receivers in the league.
Skills aside, Nelson is one of the best teammates a guy could ask for.
And he's definitely earned the respect and admiration of his contemporaries.
Jordy only racked up two regular-season touchdowns in 2010, but he pulled in the opening score at Super Bowl XLV.
And has pretty much patented this little cut-in move from the sideline.
Just ask the Jets' secondary.
I'd like to see Don Hutson try and pull this off.
And I bet Steve Largent wishes he could've been this good back in the day.
Where you at, Orlando Scandrick?
And I know you're not laughing, LaRon Landry.
Seriously, you couldn't catch Jordy Nelson with a bike.
Last year, after racking up 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns, Nelson finally got that Pro Bowl nod.
This year, he's locked in and looking to achieve even more greatness.
Jordy looks it in. #PackersCamp More photos: http://t.co/Z8jKJnCtaF pic.twitter.com/mx90s5YIDO — Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 8, 2015
