*All athletes have that one game, that one contest, that ranks as the most unforgettable of their lives. It can be memorable because of a personal or team achievement, a dramatic finish, a sentimental moment, or a number of any other factors.
Continuing a series begun last summer, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2008 draft class to ask them about the game they'll never forget. It could be a game at any level of competition that took place at any time. They're all hoping their new NFL careers will give them new memories and new games to cherish, but for now, these rank at the top.*
As a local boy out of Riley, Kansas, Jordy Nelson received a promise from Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder during the recruiting process, when he made his official visit to the Manhattan, Kan., campus.
"He said, 'If you walk on and become a two-deep player, you'll get a scholarship,'" Nelson recalled. "And that's what happened. He was able to stick to his promise and be honest about it, which I didn't doubt."
Which is why, two years later, it became all the more meaningful for Nelson to play a key role and be one of the players helping carry Snyder off the field following his final game as Wildcats' coach.
In November of 2005, during the week leading up to Kansas State's season finale, Snyder announced he was retiring after 17 years at the school. The leader of the dramatic revival of one of college football's moribund programs, Snyder had decided to hang it up, and the only thing on his players' minds was ending the team's current five-game losing streak and sending Snyder out with a win.
They were able to, and in somewhat dramatic fashion to boot.
Trailing Missouri 28-21 heading into the fourth quarter at what was immediately renamed Snyder Family Stadium, Kansas State was headed for the tying touchdown when a fumble gave Missouri the ball on its own 2-yard line. But the K-State defense stoned a first-down running play for a safety, pulling the Wildcats within five points.
On Kansas State's ensuing drive, Nelson - the Packers' first draft pick in 2008 who was then a redshirt sophomore - caught a 17-yard pass on third-and-6 to move the Wildcats out to midfield. Eight plays later, Kansas State decided to go for it on fourth-and-5 at the Missouri 10-yard line, and Nelson hauled in a touchdown pass to cap his 7-catch, 74-yard day and put Kansas State ahead with 7:28 to go.
{sportsad300}The Wildcats' defense held on and eventually sealed the win, returning an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in the final two minutes to complete the 36-28 triumph.
"We weren't doing too well his last two years, but we were able to get him a win to send him out right," Nelson said. "He's obviously the best coach we ever had and he led the biggest turnaround in college football history."
Nelson's not sure how he became one of the players hoisting Snyder on his shoulders, but more than that, he remembers the appreciation and respect the fans showed for the school's longtime coach.
"It was a great atmosphere," Nelson said. "Everyone knew he was going to retire, so everyone came out to his last game. He had a speech afterwards, and everyone stayed. The stadium was full probably a good couple hours after the game. Everyone appreciated everything he had done for that community and that university, and that's the way they showed their support."
Nelson said he and Snyder are still in touch regularly. The former coach is not in a position to make any more promises, but he does offer advice on occasion to his former walk-on turned star. After getting his career started under Snyder, Nelson went on to set numerous school and Big 12 Conference receiving records.
"He just says to keep myself level-headed, and he's glad to see everything's going well," Nelson said. "He tells me to stay focused and good things will happen."
