After 10 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, wide receiver Jordy Nelson has been released by the team this past Tuesday. This came only a day before the NFL’s free agency period began. The reasoning, stated by the Packers front office, for the release was creating more cap space to sign free agents. It is a tough part of the business side of the NFL. Nelson has been an irreplaceable part of the Packer’s success over the last ten years. On and off the field he has defined what it means to be a team player and a true Packer.

Nelson was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft from Kansas State University. He was a part of the 2010 Packers team that won Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2011 he and quarterback Aaron Rodgers made a deadly passing combination for defenses. Over the next four seasons, Nelson proved to be one of the most productive receivers in the league. In the preseason of 2015, Jordy Nelson tore his ACL in the second preseason game. The Packer’s offense would miss him, as he sat out for the entire season. He came back strong the next year. Nelson led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns. He was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2016.

Green Bay, Wisconsin became Nelson’s second home. Fans were able to appreciate his hard work for a decade. They knew that whenever number 87 in green and gold was in the lineup, they could always count on him to make the tough catches. His friendships with his teammates and coaches make him a role model for all football fans. Not everyone is a Packers fan, but everyone can say something nice about Jordy Nelson. Whether it’s his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, or an opposing cornerback, they can all respect Jordy Nelson.

Aaron Rodgers said via Instagram, “It’s definitely a sad day” Nelson will be missed by fans, teammates, coaches, and opponents. On one hand, football is just a game, and Jordy Nelson embodies what it means to love the game of football. On the other hand, football is a business. The release of Nelson will create cap space to allow the team to spend more money on other players. It is a tough decision to make and it is a very real part of the business side of the NFL. Emotions are hard to set aside in situations like this. These things happen not just in football, but in all sports. Beloved players come and go. Parting ways with those type of players can be hard on a team and a fanbase. Nelson will be missed by Green Bay, but his talents and hard work will be appreciated by his new team, the Oakland Raiders. It certainly has been a joy to watch number 87 fly down the field for a catch on Sundays for 10 years. All we can say now as Packers fans is, thanks for the memories Jordy Nelson.