Donald Driver facts for kids
Driver in April 2014
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| No. 80 | |||||||
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| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | February 2, 1975 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 194 lb (88 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Milby (Houston, Texas) | ||||||
| College: | Alcorn State (1995–1998) | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1999 / Round: 7 / Pick: 213 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Donald Jerome Driver (born February 2, 1975) is a former American football player. He was a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League (NFL).
Donald Driver played college football at Alcorn State University. The Green Bay Packers chose him in the 1999 NFL draft. He played his entire 14-season NFL career with the Packers. Driver holds the team's records for most catches and receiving yards. He was also part of the Packers team that won Super Bowl XLV. After retiring from football, he won Dancing with the Stars in 2012.
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Early Life and School
Donald Driver was born in Houston, Texas, on February 2, 1975. He was the middle child of five siblings. Donald had a difficult childhood. For a while, his family lived out of a U-Haul truck. They also stayed in motel rooms paid for with food stamps.
When he was 14, Donald moved in with his grandmother. This was a turning point in his life. He became a great athlete at Milby High School in Houston. He played track, football, basketball, and baseball. In football, he played wide receiver, defensive back, and kickoff return. He was even named an All-State honorable mention in Texas.
College Sports Career
Driver went to Alcorn State University in Mississippi. There, he played both football and track & field. In college football, he caught 88 passes for 1,993 yards. He was named "Athlete of the Year" five times in his conference. This was for his amazing skills in both track and football.
Track and Field Achievements
Donald Driver was also a very talented track athlete. He was an Olympic-class high jumper. He could jump an incredible 7 ft 6.5 in (2.30 m). He even qualified for the 1996 Olympic Field Trials in the high jump. He earned all-conference honors in his senior year.
Professional Football Career
The Green Bay Packers picked Donald Driver in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL draft. He played his entire professional career with the Packers.
Driver became known as a very consistent wide receiver. In his first three seasons (1999–2001), he wasn't a main player. But after other receivers left, Driver became a starter. He then really shined.
Driver often had seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. In 2006, he caught the most passes in the middle of the field in the NFL. He had a career-best game on November 12, 2006. He caught six passes for 191 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. He finished the 2006 season with 1,295 receiving yards. He also had 92 catches, which earned him a spot in the 2007 Pro Bowl.
On December 16, 2007, Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre broke a record. He passed Dan Marino's all-time record for career passing yards. This record-breaking pass was a seven-yard catch by Driver. Driver was also chosen for the 2008 Pro Bowl.
In a playoff game on January 20, 2008, Driver made history. He had the longest play in Packers' playoff history. It was a 90-yard touchdown catch from Brett Favre.
On October 18, 2009, Driver became the Packers' all-time leader in catches. He had 596 catches. On September 18, 2011, he broke another record. He became the Packers' all-time leader in receiving yards. He caught a 10-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers, passing James Lofton.
On February 6, 2011, Driver was injured during Super Bowl XLV. He had an ankle sprain. But he returned to the game for the final plays. The Packers went on to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25. Driver finished the Super Bowl with two catches for 28 yards.
Retirement from Football
On January 31, 2013, Donald Driver announced his retirement. He had spent his entire 14-season career with the Green Bay Packers. He only missed four games in his whole career.
On February 6, 2013, the Green Bay Packers held a public retirement ceremony for Driver. This was the first time they had ever done this for a player. It was held at Lambeau Field. Hundreds of fans attended. The mayor of Green Bay gave Driver a key to the city. A statue of a receiver in downtown Green Bay was updated to wear Driver's No. 80 jersey. The street leading to the statue was also renamed "Donald Driver Way."
On July 22, 2017, Donald Driver was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
Life Outside Football
Donald Driver is married to Betina Driver. They have three children: Cristian, Christina, and Charity. His son Cristian also plays wide receiver for the Minnesota team. Driver is a Christian.
Since 2004, Driver has co-hosted a TV show called Inside the Huddle with Donald Driver. He also talks about football on a radio show. He used to host a fun softball game with Green Bay Packers players.
Driver has also appeared in ads for many companies. These include McDonald's, AirTran Airways, and Time Warner Cable.
Charity Work and Books
Throughout his career, Driver has done a lot of charity work. He has made over 300 appearances since 1999. In 2001, Donald and his wife Betina started the "Donald Driver Foundation." This foundation helps sick children with hospital bills. It also provides homes for people who are homeless. In 2003, the foundation helped two families get new, furnished homes.
Donald has also helped organizations like Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. In 2001, he won the "Community Service Award." In 2005, his teammates gave him the Ed Block Courage award. He was also named the 2013 AMVETS Humanitarian of the Year.
Driver has written three children's books: Quickie Handles a Loss, Quickie Makes the Team, and Quickie Goes to the Big Game. These books are based on stories he told his own children. "Quickie" was a nickname his mother gave him. In 2013, Driver released his memoir, Driven. It shared personal stories about his childhood and career. This book became a New York Times Bestseller. In 2017, he released a health and fitness book called The 3D Body Revolution.
Dancing with the Stars
On February 28, 2012, it was announced that Driver would be on Dancing with the Stars. He was paired with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd. The judges often praised Driver's energy and athleticism. Driver and Murgatroyd made it to the finale. They won the season on May 22, 2012!
On June 15, 2013, a street was named after Driver. A statue was also dedicated in his honor. The statue is in downtown Green Bay.
In March 2014, Donald Driver started the Donald Driver Driven To Achieve Awards. These awards have honored 18 people. They have given away over $1 million to help others.
Driver now lives in both Texas and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He runs his Donald Driver Foundation in both states. He is also a cultural ambassador for Milwaukee's Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.
Images for kids
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Driver in April 2014
See also
In Spanish: Donald Driver para niños
