Green Bay Packers, Citizen GM bid farewell to Brandon Bostick
By Jamie Wright
The Green Bay Packers made one of their first roster moves of the offseason today – Brandon Bostick, third year and third-string tight end who was responsible for the botched onside kick recovery by Seattle in the closing minutes of the NFC Championship Game, tweeted out this afternoon that he had been released by the team.
As self-proclaimed Citizen GM of the Green Bay Packers, I feel as though I owe the kid a few words in parting.
So, without further ado:
"Brandon,At the close of the NFC Championship Game, I felt like I might not ever be able to forgive you for what transpired in those closing minutes.Directed solely to BLOCK incoming Seahawks receiver Chris Matthews and allow Pro-Bowl wide receiver Jordy Nelson do all the heavy lifting of the recovery, you literally had one job.Re-watching the tape of that play is like a twist of the jagged dagger that still remains in my heart.More from Lombardi AvePackers: Picks in NFL.com mock draft would be a home runPackers salary cap update following second week of free agencyPackers’ cornerback depth chart after second week of free agencyPackers’ edge rusher depth chart after second week of free agencyPackers’ tackle depth chart after second week of free agencyHowever, with a few weeks separation from the magnitude of it, I can’t possibly imagine what you are still going through.That play will resonate in your mind, dreams and future endeavors forever. It will be like a black cloud that will never cease to follow you.And for that, I am especially sorry.You see, I get it: people make mistakes. Who can forget Sept 24, 2012. Brandon Bostick wasn’t the only Packer who messed up in Seattle, right M.D. Jennings? Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports photographLike M.D. Jennings in the “Fail Mary” game of 2012, you simply reacted to the ball. Jennings could have batted the ball down or out of bounds and the game would have been over, undisputed.But, in that moment, your body does what it does. His instincts were to secure the ball – and though it didn’t go our way, it clearly should have.Your instincts took over, too, it’s clear by your reaction to the ball in the moment and on your face afterward.That lapse in football judgment is most likely what severed your ties to the team. Though people will want to pin it on other things. For example: the bevy of injuries that kept you from the field in your first three seasons. They will say that with the addition of Richard Rodgers and his emergence this year as a threat in the middle of the field, you were simply not needed.I think we all know what happened, however.Though one mistake doesn’t necessarily make or break you in life, it can absolutely make or break you in professional sports. It’s a business; just ask Jeremy Ross.Initially, I was one of the multitude that called for your resignation. It was hurt feelings, bitterness, whatever you call it.Upon reflection and seeing your post-game interviews and posts on social media, I quickly changed my tune. Brandon Bostick scored against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field in 2013. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photographYou’re a good guy, Brandon.You were so heartbroken after the loss. You were so genuine and open and honest.You knew you had screwed up and you didn’t deflect the blame on anyone else. You were specifically asked to block and you instinctively played the ball instead.It could have happened to anyone.I sincerely regret that it happened to you.When Jermichael Finley was injured and wasn’t brought back by the Packers, I felt like you had what it would take to step up and fill that role.A raw talent, sure. But there was a tenacity about you and a ferociousness on the field that I thought was promising.Though not a pure pass catcher, you were a good special teams player and a dedicated blocker. I saw the hard work that you put into it and I admired that.You probably would have made that leap within the next year or so, barring injuries … if … things had played out differently that day.I know you have taken a lot of heat on social media. In the old days, players didn’t have to deal with the barrage of insults they are subjected to over Facebook and Twitter.They could turn off the sports channels and not pick up the local newspaper, effectively rendering outside criticism useless.There is no such luck in this age of technology and some of the trash that I have seen spewed at you over those social media platforms is disgusting. Green Bay Packers former tight end Brandon Bostick. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports photographIn the end, it’s just a game.You’re just a kid and it’s just a play that will eventually fade over time.You still have your entire career ahead of you, God willing. I hope you get the second chance that you deserve.Though it won’t be in Green and Gold, I will still hope to see you find success somewhere. As fans in Packers Nation, we owe you, at least that.Please don’t let this one play, in one game, in one year define you.It doesn’t – though there are some who will still staple your legacy to it.You, really, are the one who decides what sticks.Good luck, Brandon.Just try and stay out of the NFC North.-Citizen GM"