Jermichael Finley at a Glance…
Heading into his fifth season in the NFL Jermichael Finley is considered one of the best tight ends in the league. Standing at 6’5 and weighing 247 pounds, he possesses outstanding physical tools on the football field. His story and his experience playing for the Green Bay Packers has made him into more than just an excellent player but also an exceptional role model.
Finley began his football career in the small town of Diboll, Texas, where he was able to hone in on his talents, earning him a spot on the All-State team his senior year. He excelled in all the sports he played, and accepted a football scholarship to attend the University of Texas. After redshirting his freshman year in 2005, he played in all 13 games and broke freshman tight end records in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in route to winning the National Championship. At the end of his sophomore year, he forgoed his two remaining years of eligibility and declared himself eligible for the NFL draft, becoming the first sophomore ever to leave Texas for the NFL. He went on to become a third round pick in the 2008 draft to the Green Bay Packers. During his second season as a Packer, he earned the starting tight end spot and continued to shine on the field until he suffered a season ending injury in week 5 of 2010. His injury gave him the opportunity to see the game in a new light and gave him the motivation to make a full recovery in time for the 2011 season.
Finley has become a leader and role model both on and off the football field. For him, being a leader doesn’t necessarily mean being vocal, but is more about demonstrating your leadership abilities. He considers the leadership skills of basketball legend, Michael Jordan in thinking about his own future as a leader. To him, Jordan never had to tell everyone how great he was, but had the championship rings to prove it. Leadership is more about getting things done and training hard. Everything else will follow.
While his career is in Green Bay, his heart will always remain home in Texas. Born March 26th, 1987 in Lufkin, Texas, Finley was raised by his grandmother Clara Mitchell and continues to live in Dallas during the offseason. He attributes much of his success to the way his grandmother raised him. Her influence was invaluable to Finley and she always kept him focused on his schoolwork, sports and faith. Her combination of consistent discipline and love helped Finley become a well-rounded, focused football player and person. Finley and his wife, Courtney are raising their son, Kaydon together and preparing for another one on the way. He considers getting married and being a father one of his biggest accomplishments to date.
Being a good football player is very important to Finley, but giving back is also a huge aspect of his life. Finley has been an active member of the community since his college days where he was part of the community service program, participated in A Hero’s Tribute by welcoming troops back to Fort Hood, and is active in the local Boys and Girls Clubs. Since joining the Packers, Finley has teamed up with Diboll ISD to give Christmas presents to families in need, and has also held a local basketball tournament that he hopes will jump-start his foundation to help keep east Texas kids active. Finley also likes to hold charity events around Wisconsin. He has teamed up with Packers WR Donald Driver to put on a charity softball tournament to help raise money for Special Olympics, and was a keynote speaker for the 2010 Dennis & Janice Klumb Family Foundation which works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. He plans to continue to do more events in his hometown to offer advice to kids involving their futures and how to work hard to get there.
