The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inc. today announced that Casey Hayward will be honored with the Hall's 'Rookie of the Year' award at the 43rd Packers Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, to be held the evening of July 20, 2013, in the Lambeau Field Atrium. Former players Chris Jacke and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, and contributor Emil Fischer will become the newest members of the Hall that evening.
Hayward, a second-round (No. 62 overall) 2012 NFL draft pick out of Vanderbilt, burst onto the scene last season, leading all NFL rookies with his team-high six interceptions and finishing third in the voting for The Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He demonstrated the playmaking ability that made him a standout at the college level, playing in all 16 games as a rookie, starting seven and finishing with 55 tackles (43 solo), leading the club with six interceptions and 25 passes defensed, and adding a forced fumble. Hayward became the first Green Bay cornerback ever to be named to the Pro Football Weekly/PFWA All-Rookie team and was chosen as the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year by the website ProFootballFocus.com. He also earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors for October after collecting 12 tackles (nine solo), four interceptions and eight passes defensed over a four-game stretch that saw the Packers post a 3-1 record. With the four picks in Weeks 5-7, he became the first Packers rookie with four interceptions over a three-game span since safety Tom Flynn in 1984. Hayward also was a factor on special teams during his inaugural season, ranking second among the club's rookies with five coverage tackles during the regular season and adding two more in the playoffs.
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Tickets for the banquet**, which begins with the doors opening at 4:30 p.m. with a cash bar, and dinner and program to follow at 7 p.m., are $135 each. Tables of 10 also are available for $1,300 and are assigned in the order in which they are purchased. To purchase tickets, call Gwen Borga at (920) 965-6984, or e-mail her at gwenb@packershalloffame.com. No refunds are available 30 days prior to the event.
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inc.is a non-profit corporation independent of the Green Bay Packers that guides the Hall as a historic national sports venue and educational resource to the Green Bay community and the state of Wisconsin. The Hall raises funds through its annual induction banquet, Golf Classic and other events to preserve the history of the Green Bay Packers and expand its archives. Historic memorabilia donated by individuals to the Hall may qualify as tax-deductible gifts. For more information visit the Hall online at www.packershalloffame.com.
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inc. Golf Classic is set for Monday, July 8, 2013, at The Bull in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Tickets are still available and can be purchased through Gwen Borga at (920) 965-6984 or gwenb@packershalloffame.com.
Originally established in 1967 as a temporary display in the concourse of the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena, the Hall moved into its own facility in 1976 near Lambeau Field. In 2003, it was relocated to a spectacular new, 25,000-square foot facility in the Lambeau Field Atrium. The Hall of Fame is open on non-game days from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours may vary on game days and holidays. For more information, contact the Hall of Fame at 920/569-7512.
