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Packers Rookie Gives Up 53-Man Roster Opportunity to Care for Ill Parents

Green Bay, WI – Just days before final cuts, Green Bay Packers rookie running back Amar Johnson has decided to step away from the 53-man roster battle to return home and care for his seriously ill parents.

Johnson, 22, joined Green Bay as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft. In the preseason, he made his mark with 67 yards on 7 carries and a 39-yard touchdown run against the New York Jets—capped by his first Lambeau Leap—showing depth potential behind Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, MarShawn Lloyd, and Chris Brooks.

Head coach Matt LaFleur praised him after the game: “Amar has speed and toughness. He’s the type of player we want to build with.” 

Within hours, Johnson issued a statement mirroring the heartfelt message fans have seen in other “family-first” moments around the league:

“Thank you Green Bay Packers for the incredible opportunity to chase my NFL dream. But right now, my parents—who sacrificed everything for me—are fighting illness. My father has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and my mother is recovering from breast cancer surgery. I need to be with them. The NFL is a dream, but family is my foundation. Thank you, Cheesehead Nation, and I hope to be back soon. #GoPackGo

General manager Brian Gutekunst offered support : “Amar is a young talent with a big heart. We respect his decision to put family first, and the door is always open for his return.”

Johnson’s choice doesn’t significantly disrupt the Packers’ RB depth—anchored by Jacobs and Wilson while awaiting Lloyd’s full return—but it underscores that football is more than touchdowns and tackles; it’s about human values.

On social media, fans began rallying around the hashtag #AmarStrong. If his family situation stabilizes, Johnson could pursue another NFL shot in 2026—perhaps even rejoining Green Bay’s practice squad—with his preseason tape giving him a real chance.

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Packers Rookie Cornerback Gets a Fan Meeting Organized by His Mother Despite Not Having Played a Single Game for the Team
GREEN BAY — On Sunday night, a community center near Lambeau filled up with green and gold. No sponsor banners—just a small stage, a few rows of folding chairs, an autograph table, and a long line of No. 26 jerseys waiting for signatures. The person who arranged everything was the mother of Micah Robinson—the Green Bay Packers’ rookie cornerback, a 2025 seventh-round pick at No. 237. “You may not have seen him on TV yet, but I’ve watched him for 23 years,” she said, clutching the game jersey. “My son is this team’s HIDDEN GEM. He deserves a chance—and when it comes, he’ll grab it with both hands.” The fan meeting lasted a bit over an hour: photos, jersey signings, and a short Q&A. On the display table were a few college mementos—a photo of Robinson from his transfer from Furman to Tulane, a notebook full of film-study notes, and a faded wristband from his Second-team All-AAC 2024 season. A team media staffer  offered a brief comment after the event: “We appreciate the family’s support. Personnel decisions are based on tactical needs and practice performance—and Micah is trending in the right direction.” On social media, some argued that holding a fan meeting when a player hasn’t logged meaningful snaps is “a little early.” But his mother smiled and answered right into the mic: “I’m not here to ‘demand a spot’ for my son. I’m here to remind him—and everyone—that dreams don’t wait until you’re called on television. Dreams begin the day you dare to believe you’re good enough.” Robinson offered just one line before slipping backstage: “I’ll let the work speak for itself.” Quick scouting note: Robinson brings a “speed + discipline” CB profile: a 4.42-second 40-yard at pro day; over his last three NCAA seasons he recorded 7 INT and 13 PD, showing ball skills and strong zone reactions. He fits special teams/CB depth right away and could crack sub-packages if he keeps stacking standout practices.