Jermichael Finley finds new football passion after Packers career
GREEN BAY, Wis. (BVM) – Sometimes, a football career is taken away from a player much too soon. It’s an unfortunate part of the game, but something that happens every so often. Jermichael Finley is one former NFL player that knows this all too well.
A college star at Texas, Finley was drafted by the Green Bay Packers to become a weapon for new starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. For several years, he became just that, playing alongside an elite core of receivers for a Super Bowl-contending team.
However, just as Finley had reached the height of his powers, a serious neck and back injury ended his career. Where has the former Packers tight end been since?
Jermichael Finley’s early life, college career
Finley grew up in Texas and attended Diboll High School. There, he was a football star, as well as a basketball and track standout. On the football field, Finley played multiple positions, set several program records and was a first-team all-state player in his senior year.
The four-star had multiple Power 5 offers coming out of Diboll, including from most of the major programs in his home state. When it came down to it, he decided to join the Texas Longhorns, and ended up thriving.
After redshirting in 2005, the tight end showed his promise in his first collegiate game action in 2006, catching 31 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns. Finley became even better in his second year in Austin, making 45 grabs for 575 yards and two scores as he was named honorable mention All-Big 12.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end’s size, quickness and strong hands proved he could be a matchup nightmare, and after just two seasons playing in college, Finley declared for the NFL draft.
#TBT: Jermichael Finley was a monster. 🤘 pic.twitter.com/PggPmrtRQm
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 15, 2021
Jermichael Finley’s NFL career
Finley was selected No. 91 overall in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. In his rookie season, Finley put up pedestrian numbers as primarily a reserve tight end.
But by 2009, the Texas product broke out, becoming a top weapon for a terrific Packers offense. He amassed 55 catches for 676 yards and five touchdowns on the season, but perhaps his most dominant performance came when the lights were brightest, as Finley caught six passes for 159 yards in the Packers’ devastating playoff loss to the Cardinals to end the season.
Already at 301 yards on the year, Finley would suffer a season-ending knee injury in Week 5 of the 2010 season. That year, the Packers would go on to win Super Bowl XLV despite their star tight end being sidelined.
Finley returned for a 15-1 Packers squad in 2011 and had a special year, posting career highs in yards (767) and touchdowns (8). However, he would not be a part of another Super Bowl run, as the Packers were upset by the eventual Super Bowl-champion New York Giants in the Divisional round.
After signing a new contract with the Packers, the 2012 season saw Finley come back strong once again, posting a career high in catches (61) to go along with 667 yards and two scores.
Remember how good Jermichael Finley was? @JermichaelF88 pic.twitter.com/dvMEG7ajph
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) July 19, 2022
In 2013, Finley looked back to peak form with 300 yards and three scores about a third of the way through the season. However, that’s when his life changed.
In a Week 7 game at Lambeau Field against the Cleveland Browns, Finley caught a pass on a slant pattern and began running toward midfield. There he was met by Cleveland safety Tashaun Gipson who delivered a brutal blow to his head and neck area – this just four weeks after he had suffered a concussion against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Taken off the field on a stretcher, Finley was diagnosed with a spinal cord contusion. He was admitted to the ICU, having difficulty breathing and speaking as well. Thankfully, a day later, Finley was out of the ICU and able to walk again.
I want to thank my family, friends, teammates, fans and Packer Nation for the prayers and support over the past 24 hrs. I'm happy to report
— Jermichael Finley (@JermichaelF88) October 22, 2013
that I have been transferred out of the intensive care unit and that I have full feeling in my arms and legs. As importantly,
— Jermichael Finley (@JermichaelF88) October 22, 2013
I was able 2 walk to & from the shower today, which was badly needed after yesterday's victory! Thank u again 4 the support, and Go Packers!
— Jermichael Finley (@JermichaelF88) October 22, 2013
In an article with The Players’ Tribune in 2017, Finley recalled the frightening moment and what he felt as he went to the ICU.
“But it wasn’t even a concussion that put me in the ICU that day,” Finley said. “When it happened, I thought it was just a stinger — one of those hits where you get popped and everything goes numb, or you get a tingling sensation … like that pins-and-needles feeling when one of your limbs falls asleep and the feeling starts coming back.
“Immediately after the hit, I was conscious, but I let go of the ball because my hands stopped working. I lay on the ground because my legs went numb.”
Following the scary hit, Finley had to have surgery on his neck, but eventually worked his way back. He became a free agent in 2014 and still had a desire to play football. Despite interest from a few teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Finley was not able to work out the contract he desired, instead filing a claim on a $10 million insurance policy he had set up in his contract in case he suffered a severe injury.
In October 2015, the once promising tight end announced his retirement from football. The Packers had just gone through a similar experience with safety Nick Collins who suffered a serious neck injury in 2011, and that reportedly factored into Finley’s decision to hang it up.
Finley finished his career with 223 receptions, 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns. This despite playing in all 16 games just two of his six pro seasons as the tight end almost constantly battled through ailments, also suffering five known concussions in his career in addition to the knee and spinal cord injuries.
Jermichael’s Finley’s net worth, career earnings and personal life
Over the course of his Packers’ career, Finley made over $28 million in career earnings. His net worth is estimated to be around $11 million.
Finley is married to his wife, Courtney, and has four kids. The former NFL tight end is also the half brother of former Texas A&M running back Jorvorskie Lane, as well as the cousin of former Houston Cougars and Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Rex Hadnot.
Finley has lived in Aledo, Texas throughout his retirement, about an hour west of Dallas.
Jermichael’s Finley’s post-playing life
Since moving back to Texas in retirement, Finley has lived a busy, yet peaceful life. The former Packer and Longhorn has taken up CrossFit and works out frequently. He also invested in a local barbeque joint and can often be found on the golf course.
What an epic day our 2nd Annual #.ElevaTEU Charity Golf Tournament was. Blessed to have had such incredible support!@LancePinnick @kimmiefranchize pic.twitter.com/OnOnPkusd5
— Jermichael Finley (@JermichaelF88) September 20, 2022
However, Finley’s love of football has never waivered despite his injuries. Throughout retirement, Finley has offered up his football training services, and runs a football camp. His training has now become part of a brand called ElevaTE U, where he specifically trains tight ends and linebackers to help take their game to the next level. He has also had the opportunity to train his sons over the last several years.
ElevaTEU is changing the GAME one player at a time!
Let’s GOOOOO!@spinwithjfin @JermichaelF88 #elevateU pic.twitter.com/Z0SpQKXUuV
— Jermichael Finley (@JermichaelF88) February 25, 2022
Yet, in the initial stages of retirement, Finley was not always thriving. In his Players’ Tribune article, he detailed his struggles to adjusting to life without football. He suffered from depression and anxiety, was often forgetful, and isolated himself even away from his family soon after leaving the NFL.
“Most of the time, I was just trying to find a way to slow my dadgum brain down,” Finley said in his article with The Players Tribune. “I was used to waking up every morning and having a schedule and a ton of stuff to do. Now, I had nothing. My days were wide open, and I had to try to find a way to fill them.
“So I was depressed because I felt like my identity as a football player had been taken away from me, I was lonely because I felt abandoned by the game and my friends, and I had anxiety because my entire future felt like an empty calendar that I had to fill up somehow.”
Finley even claims that if it wasn’t for Courtney and the rest of his family, he’s not sure if he would still be alive. He went and got help in California, and ever since, he has been thriving while sharing his story with others – particularly former players who shouldn’t be afraid to get the same help he needed.
Now, the tight end continues to stay close to the game he loves through coaching, but he is also still a frequent football viewer, especially when it comes to his former teams in Texas and Green Bay. Having a rocky, up-and-down relationship with his former quarterback over the years, Finley made headlines last September after calling out Rodgers on ESPN’s “Keyshawn, JWill & Max” following his abysmal Week 1 performance in a 38-3 loss against the New Orleans Saints.
“Bro, it’s the National Football League,” Finley said. “Each offseason you’ve got to work like it’s your last season. And, I just don’t see a work ethic in Aaron Rodgers that I have in previous years.
“Actually, you can see it right through his helmet. The eyes and the face tells everything as a personality. And, I just don’t see that NFL hunger and just the hunger to go win another championship.”
Although the negative comments generate the headlines, Finley has also been quick to praise his former teammate as well.
It’s official 12(@AaronRodgers12) is the baddest man ever at QB!!! OFFICIAL #GoPackGo
— Jermichael Finley (@JermichaelF88) September 28, 2020
While Finley may have an up-and-down relationship with Rodgers, some Packers fans have also had a roller-coaster relationship with the tight end over the years. However, there is no denying that if Finley had stayed healthy, he may have become one of the game’s best at the tight end position, and perhaps the Packers would have had more success throughout the back half of the 2010s.
We’ll never know what could have happened. But for now, Finley is focusing on what he can control, and he is thriving in his post-playing life as he teaches the next generation of football stars.
