Green Bay Packers kicker Brayden Narveson has some extra motivation to perform for his new team: His wife, Shelby, grew up in Wisconsin and is a life-long Packers fan.
“It’s a dream come true,” Narveson said Sunday. “My wife grew up here in Wisconsin and they are all Packers fans. It’s really, really surreal. Feels good.”
Narveson’s wife grew up in Prescott, Wisconsin, on the western side of the state near the Wisconsin-Minnesota border. He said they talked during the pre-draft process — especially after interviewing with Packers special teams assistant Byron Storer — about how incredible it would be to land in Green Bay.
Not surprisingly, Narveson said his first call after being claimed by the Packers on Wednesday was to his wife.
“When I called and told her that I got claimed by the Packers, she was like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’ She hung the phone up and called her parents immediately. She was more excited than I was,” Narveson said.
Narveson is from Arizona. He kicked at Iowa State, Western Kentucky and North Carolina State in college before landing with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted rookie. With the Titans, Narveson made 6-of-7 field goals during the preseason, including a 59-yarder and a 46-yard game-winner.
Now, he’ll be kicking for the Packers — who went through five different kickers this offseason before claimed Narveson to take over.
Heading to Green Bay means Narveson’s wife gets to be a Packers fan again.
“She’s like, ‘I’m going to be the coolest person in my hometown!” Narveson said.
Narveson said he made 10 of his first 11 live kicks during two practices with the Packers, including a 5-for-5 showing at Lambeau Field last Friday. His first regular season kicks will almost certainly be in Brazil against the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener. Packers fans across the world — including in Prescott — will be watching anxiously.
“Pressure is a privilege,” Narveson said.
Hear more from Narveson below: