Less than 24 hours ago, former Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden earned the honor of being selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Now, the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him, are giving him an even bigger honor.
During the second night of the draft, with thousands of Packer fans watching on, ESPN announced that Golden would wear the No. 81, which was last worn by a Green Bay legend.
Desmond Howard, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXI, which the Packers won 35-21 against the New England Patriots, donned the jersey No. 81 every week for Green Bay while he was on the team.
Introducing 81@amfam pic.twitter.com/meSlzXenIn
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 25, 2025
When Golden's jersey number was announced, Howard was sitting at the ESPN College GameDay desk, alongside Rece Davis, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit, who all made sure to ask the former Packer how he felt about his jersey number being worn again.
Howard was excited for another young wideout to represent the No. 81 well for the Green Bay franchise. During his Super Bowl MVP performance, Howard returned a kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown, setting and tying numerous records.
Records set by Desmond Howard in Super Bowl XXXI
- Longest scoring play - 99 yards kickoff return
- Longest kickoff return - 99 yards
- Highest kickoff return average, career (4 returns) - 38.5 yards (4–154)
- Most punt return yards gained, game - 90 yards
- Most combined yardage gained, game - 244 (tied)
- Most kickoff returns for touchdowns, game - 1 (tied)
- Most punt returns, game - 6 (tied)
- Most punt returns, career - 6 (tied)
SB MVP incoming like Desmond Howard would be nice https://t.co/5JROrML3OU pic.twitter.com/TDjepDfrsw
— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) April 26, 2025
While some additional pressure may linger over Golden's shoulders, it is truly an honor for an NFL franchise to let you wear the same jersey number as a player who helped them win a Super Bowl, especially the MVP of the game.