Jimmy Graham has played in New Orleans and Seattle, but neither destination was his choice.
In free agency this offseason, Graham chose the Packers, a point he has emphasized many times since coming to Green Bay.
In addition to a certain teammate wearing the No. 12 jersey and the ability to compete for a Super Bowl ring, the fans and environment in Titletown were a big part of that decision for Graham. So at his first charity event, the Jimmy Graham Charity Cornhole Challenge, he was excited to get up close and personal with Packers faithful.
"For me, to really connect and meet kind of this community (is great)," he said. "I remember playing here, I played here many times and you know, had many moments, good and bad in this stadium. I've experienced kind of this crowd, and how much this community, how much Packer nation kind of loves — and it's much deeper than that — it's almost a part of who they are here. And to really see that and be a part of that is going to be really special, it really is."
Jimmy Graham getting up close and personal with the #Packers fans here at his charity cornhole tournament. Lots of No. 80 jerseys around here today - and I’m not talking about Donald Driver. Hear from Graham on @NBC26 tonight. pic.twitter.com/nQqqXdGT70
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) July 22, 2018
Fans had a chance to talk with Graham as well as compete against him. According to event organizers, 49 teams signed up for a chance to beat Graham's cornhole score, with proceeds going to two charities, the Wounded Warrior Project and Angel Flight.
With training camp kicking off Thursday, Graham said he is looking forward to riding bikes to the practice facility for the first time and seeing Packer fans in full force.
His position group to watch? The young running back corps.
"Our run game is really going to surprise a lot of people," Graham said Sunday. "We've got some good, young running backs who are hungry, and I think we can be very balanced with these young kids."
"But I'm looking forward to playing with Randall (Cobb) and Davante (Adams) and hopefully they'll get double (teamed) every play and I'll be one-on-one with a linebacker," he said, laughing.
