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'I Love Being Here;' Green Bay Packers 1st Round Pick Matthew Golden Speaks Out on City During Jordan Love Charity Softball Game

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated May 23, 2025 11:06 PM ET

Ever since 1992, the Green Bay Packers have been perennial contenders. The arrival of Brett Favre via trade that season set off a series of events and transactions that laid the bases for the past 33 years of relative success. While there have been losing seasons here and there, teams led by Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and now Jordan Love have, more often than not, been in the NFL Playoffs.

And, of course, Green Bay has two Super Bowl titles to show for it with eyes on more in the near future.

But it was not always like this. Prior to Favre (as well as general manager Ron Wolf, head coach Mike Holmgren, and Hall of Famer Reggie White), Green Bay was viewed as the place careers went to die. Other teams used to use threats of trades to the Packers as motivation to get their players to improve both on and off the field.

Times, as they say, have changed.

Green Bay Packers Rookie Wide Receiver Matthew Golden Loves Where He Is

Wide Receiver Matthew Golden of Texas poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers Mark Murphy after being selected twenty-third overall pick by the Green Bay Packers during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay.

Now, Green Bay has no trouble luring top-tier free agents. In 2024 alone, the Packers signed running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney, two of the best players at their respective positions. Both players made the Pro Bowl in their first seasons in Green Bay.

This offseason, for the first time since 2002, the Packers selected a wide receiver with their first round pick in the NFL Draft. Matthew Golden, formerly of Texas, has embraced his new city about as much as any new rookie can.

On Friday night, he even participated in the annual charity softball game, now hosted by Jordan Love, but formerly hosted by stars like Donald Driver and Brett Favre.

After the game, he spoke to reporters about how much he loves the city of Green Bay:

Matthew Golden: “Starting to realize Green Bay not too big, so a lot of people gonna recognize me. But it’s a blessing just to be able to be around people that care about you … for me it’s just being able to show my face and show that I love being here.” pic.twitter.com/1qFPzsMuT0

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 24, 2025

“Starting to realize Green Bay not too big, so a lot of people gonna recognize me. But it’s a blessing just to be able to be around people that care about you … for me it’s just being able to show my face and show that I love being here.”

Golden, of course, is looking to improve Green Bay’s wide receiver room, which was among the NFL’s leaders in dropped passes last season. He recently stated that his goal for the season is to eclipse 1,000 yards and score between eight and 10 touchdowns.

If Golden is able to accomplish this, he would have one of the best rookie seasons by a wide receiver in franchise history.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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