Before Super Bowl, Driver Sold Drugs To Support Family

February 1, 2011 9:53 AM

Donald Driver (Photo Credit: Getty Images, By: Chris Graythen)

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Growing up, kids all across America dream of playing in the Super Bowl. Very few of them experience and overcome the things that Green Bay Packers’ receiver Donald Driver did to get there.

“You try to do anything you can to provide for your family,” Driver told USA Today. “I sold [drugs] for a long, long time.”

Jim Corbett, of USA Today, chronicles Driver’s rocky journey from living in a U-haul with his mother, brother and two sisters to playing in the Super Bowl.

Driver will turn 36 on Wednesday, and it’s an age that once may have never been possible. Growing up as a youth in Houston, Driver sold drugs and stole cars with his older brother to help support their homeless single mother and two sisters.

“When I met my wife, Betina, she said, ‘God is testing you. And if you want to be with me, you have to stop.’ That was my turning point,” Driver told Corbett. “I saw a better life for myself, my wife and kids.”

When the Packers take the field on Sunday they’ll be led by Driver, the team’s longest tenured, 12th year veteran. Just as the Packers have had a lot to overcome this season, so has Driver in his life.

Before Super Bowl, Driver Sold Drugs To Support Family

g. willis

Extremely interesting that a CHICAGO outlet would publish this immediately before the Super Bowl WITHOUT mentioning that Donald was the 2002 Packer finalist for the Walter Payton award. Props to Corbett in this regard. The stench of your envy could wilt a flowerbed….. BTW, it’s “led” not “lead” .

Manuel

I think it is extremely interesting that a Green Bay loyalist would read any ill intent into this story. As a Bear fan, after reading the article, I left having a greater understanding and respect for Driver because he was able to turn his life around. Too often one focuses on the crime and the victim without inquiring about the person committing the crime. I’m not here to marginalize what Driver did in his past. I’m just happy to read about how he took advantage of the opportunity to make better choices and contributions in his life.

BEARS 1

BOY I hope there arent any kids reading this, they might go sell drugs to make
money!!
Donald Rozelle

So does him playing in the Super Bowl give him a pass, for selling drugs to someone’s mother,sister,father,etc. “Hey I sold others poison, but I did it for the better good of my family, so I am just in doing so”. What exactly kind of message are you trying to send with this story? Please let me know.
Michigan Bear Fan

Is this supposed to make us feel good? It’s like Hamilton from the Texas Rangers. A ‘feel good’ story about how someone turned their life around and ended up making millions playing a pro sport.

I guess I don’t fault Driver for selling drugs, you do what you gotta do, but it doesn’t make him a better football player.

A ‘feel good’ story is about the drug dealer turned athlete who made millions and then started a not-for-profit rehab center or a cokehead frat boy turned athlete who opened up an inner city rec center.
Chi Town DJ

There you go Michigan Bear Fan, great way to respond, nothing else need to be said. Your comment better than the article
Jeff

This is what typical Chicago Media does. Walter Payton shot a man after all, lord knows many Chicago Bears players have had “issues”. I’d worry more about your current QB being a “quitter”.