Green Bay faced a critical third-and-three at the San Diego 37-yard line while trailing, 7-0, in the second quarter. Brett Favre completed a 16-yard pass to his favorite target for a first down. That man was the ever-reliable Donald Driver.
On the surface it was just another catch by the nine-year veteran as he would record six receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown in the game. However, that reception was his 214th at Lambeau Field, passing Antonio Freeman (213) for most receptions at the historic stadium.
"It hasn't sunk in yet," Driver said after that game, a 31-24 Green Bay victory. "I'm still taking it in. Today Coach (McCarthy) gave me a ball and said I passed one of my idols, Antonio Freeman. I think I'm going to have to cherish that moment for a while."
Driver has been quietly climbing all of Green Bay's receiving lists. Through the first six games of 2007, his career numbers stand at 457 catches for 6,341 yards and 38 touchdowns. He's just six yards from moving into sixth place on the Packers' all-time list in that category, and he has earned two trips to the Pro Bowl and was named the Packers MVP on three occasions.
However, when the best receivers in the NFL are discussed...
"My name doesn't come up," said Driver, who admitted that he doesn't mind being overlooked. "My whole thing is, I know I can play. That's all that matters to me. So I don't go out there wanting people to give me the credit. As long as I know that I can play this game, that's all that matters to me."
Being overlooked is nothing new to Driver.
Former general manager Ron Wolf traded return specialist Glyn Milburn to Chicago for a seventh-round pick in the 1999 draft (213th overall). It was with that selection that the Packers picked the young receiver from Alcorn State.
Driver was stuck behind Freeman, Robert Brooks and Corey Bradford on the depth chart. It wasn't until his fourth season in Green Bay that he became a full-time starter. Since that time he has averaged 77 catches for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns per season, while progressing in receptions and yards the past three seasons.
"When I walked in (here) in 1999 a lot of people told me I wasn't going to make the team," recounted Driver. "Now you look at it nine years later, I'm a two-time Pro Bowler. I always try to prove people wrong."
"I'm sure a lot of teams thought they could get him as a free agent if they didn't take him in the late rounds," said Packers wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson. "Green Bay decided to step up and use a late pick on him. I'm quite certain that the organization is thankful that they did."
Driver's relentless effort and toughness have allowed him to overcome many obstacles in his career. He has missed only one game since becoming a full-time starter while recording a reception in 86 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in team history behind Sterling Sharpe's 103-game string.
Before breaking the Lambeau Field receptions record, Driver shook off a vicious hit from Chargers safety Marlon McCree that knocked off his helmet.
"Donald's a guy that you can't keep down for long," Robinson said. "He's a guy that can't stand to be on the sideline. He wants to be in the action. Short of having a broken leg I think Donald's going to be out there regardless of how he feels, and trying to make something happen."
But despite all of Driver's records and accomplishments, there is one thing missing.
"My biggest thing right now is to win the Super Bowl," he said. "That's everybody's dream to win the Super Bowl. Once you get that ring you feel like you have truly accomplished something in the National Football League."
