One of the most popular events of the Green Bay Packers offseason is the charity softball game that is hosted by the team’s franchise-leading receiver Donald Driver.
The annual event, which was held on Friday night, drew fans from all over who came to watch their favorite Packers players participate in a pre-game home run derby and charity game.
There was something a little different about Friday’s event, though. Instead of hosting it by himself, Driver shared hosting duties with current Packers starting quarterback Jordan Love. Later, Driver announced that this year’s event was his last, and he is hereby passing the torch to Love.
In his explanation to reporters, he made one big prediction about Love’s future in Green Bay.
During his interview with reporters, Driver explained that the charity softball game started with Brett Favre, who eventually passed hosting duties to him. For a while, Driver had passed on the role of host to former Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who eventually gave it back to Driver.
This time, though, Driver appears to let the next generation of Packers take on the responsibility of hosting.
“And now, I have this opportunity to pass it to what I feel is the future quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, Jordan Love,” Driver said. “I’ve said it before, he deserves it. And so now, it’s time for the legend that I think, and I know, that he will become, is to pass the torch to him.”
That is certainly high praise from a wide receiver who caught passes from both Favre and Aaron Rodgers, two franchise legends in their own right.
One can only imagine what being a team “legend” will involve for Love. It could be setting passing records, winning MVP’s, winning a Super Bowl (or two) or a combination of all of these things.
When asked if he would at least come back to participate in the game, Driver said that, if he is invited, he will come to support Love, but he is “retiring” from playing in it.
During the festivities, it was announced that Love has launched a new charitable foundation called the “Hands of 10ve Foundation.” Its mission is to encourage kids to participate in sports as well as bring awareness to mental health and suicide. Additionally, it aims to help unite law enforcement with the community.
Love lost his father, a police officer, to suicide. Love was just 14 years old when his father died.
Friday’s charity softball game was the first time the game was played to benefit Love’s new foundation. In recent years, funds raised from the event went towards the Donald Driver Foundation and other charities.