Edited Biography
Jordy Ray Nelson, born on May 31, 1985, is a former American football wide receiver best known for his time with the Green Bay Packers. He was born in Manhattan, Kansas, to Alan and Kim Nelson, who were lifelong farmers. Despite his high-profile athletic career, Nelson remains involved in agriculture and farming. He has an estimated net worth of $18 million.
Nelson attended Riley County High School, where he played football for the Falcons. During his senior year, he completed over 60% of his passes and recorded eight touchdowns. He also excelled in track and field, finishing second in the state in one of his events. Over the course of his high school football career, Nelson accumulated 206 receptions for 2,822 yards.
In college, Nelson played for Kansas State University. In 2003, he converted from defensive back to wide receiver and displayed one of the most prolific single-season performances of his college career in 2007. That year, he earned All-American honors. He graduated with a degree in social sciences.
After his college career, Nelson was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He went on to spend the majority of his professional football career with the Packers, quickly becoming known for his strong hands, route running, and chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Nearing his seventh NFL season, Nelson had established himself as one of the league’s premier wide receivers. Known for his ability as a deep threat, he amassed impressive career statistics, including 42 touchdown receptions by 2014. He was one of only two players in franchise history to record 1,300+ receiving yards and 85+ receptions in multiple seasons—specifically in 2011 and 2014. In 2014, he set a single-season franchise record with 1,519 receiving yards, surpassing Robert Brooks' previous record of 1,497 yards.
Nelson gained national attention during Super Bowl XLV, where he made an impact by catching the first touchdown in the Packers’ 31–25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. That same year, the team also won the NFC Championship. He became just the second player in franchise history to register seasons with 13 or more touchdown catches twice. Additionally, Nelson was a finalist for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award during his college years.
By the end of the 2014 NFL season, Nelson had played in 105 out of 112 regular-season games. Unfortunately, a torn ACL sustained in a preseason match against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 sidelined him for the entire season.
In 2007, Nelson married his longtime girlfriend Emily Rothlisberger, a former basketball player. The couple has two sons, Royal and Brooks. Nelson is a devoted Christian and actively supports several charitable causes. Together with his wife, he contributes both time and resources to philanthropy, particularly in his home state of Kansas.
In recognition of his achievements and generosity, Kansas State University announced on August 20, 2015, that it would name its new football locker room “Nelsons’ Family Locker Room” in honor of the Nelson family's donation, the amount of which remained undisclosed.
| Net Worth 2021: | 25 million |
