Donald Driver's smile
Sometimes, words are not the best way to communicate. They are, after all, abstractions. We have to process them and then create the pictures in our minds.
Pictures are much stronger, especially when we want to communicate feelings. A fragrance, a touch, a kiss, a hug—those are also strong ways to communicate. They send a message through a quicker, juicer route than that of words.
This is not psycho-babble. Consider Mona Lisa’s smile. Consider your mother’s smile. And consider Donald Driver’s smile. Even those who are only vaguely aware of the Green Bay Packers know Driver’s ear-to-ear grin of joy, that enormous twinkle in his eye.
The smile I most often remember is the one he flashed as he trotted to the sidelines after pulling off an amazing catch, often after getting hit with a ferocity that would make most of us black out. His joy in the triumph of outwitting and outrunning his opponents made him glow. He had the best smile in pro football.
Here’s the proof of my premise: When you read that last paragraph, did the words link to the image of Driver’s smiling face? Did that make you warm all over? That’s the power of an image. It lodges somewhere in the brain and flows out on cue, sometimes in a powerful flood of emotion. (OK, if you’re not a Packers fan, you don’t have to read this, and you don’t have to let us know about it.)
Driver announced today (Jan. 31, 2013) that he is retiring. Good for him. He’s taken enough nasty blows to the body and brain; I hope not too many.
He’s likely not leaving us. I don’t think he’ll ignore the continued proposals to be a spokesman or pitchman for some product or cause. That smile is worth money. Again, good for him.
So this is a thank-you to Donald Driver, for giving us years of goose bumps and smiles. And if you’re on a tour to promote something, Donald, this corner of the Badger State might not be a bad place to include on your tour. Your fan base is strong here.
Feb 11, 2013 at 6:52 p.m.
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The thing about a smile is that is makes the viewer feel good. I have been making a conscious effort to bring a smile into my boss's office, I smile when I talk to my co-workers, while I walk from my office to my car, and most recently, I kept a smile on my face as much as was appropriate at a family funeral. With few exceptions, people smile back at me. That makes me feel good. It's very nice. H.B. Joe
Jan 31, 2013 at 9 p.m.
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I was at a Packers practice a few years ago, and Driver stopped on his way back to the locker room and signed autographs for 2 little girls about 10 years old, and then stayed and talked to them for several minutes. A real gentleman. We'll miss you, Donald!
Jan 31, 2013 at 8:52 p.m.
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Yes, it will not be the same without Donald Driver on the Packers. He had such an amazing skill and yet he was never obnoxious. He made those fantastic catches and did it with such style and class on and off the field. I will truly miss him, and the Packers will be less without him.
Jan 31, 2013 at 2:31 p.m.
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Plenty of words have been, will be written about Driver's professional skills, but you don't want to hear that from me. I'm a fan, not a sports columnist.
Jan 31, 2013 at 1:33 p.m.
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Thank you, Donald Driver. A classy guy with a great smile!
Jan 31, 2013 at 1:27 p.m.
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Who cares about his smile? So he has a nice smile what does that matter? It's like when people say I love Clays hair. Who cares, lets like them because they are good guys or because they are great players. I'm so sick of hearing about his smile, let's talk about how good of a receiver he was (which by the way was a darn good one)!
Jan 31, 2013 at 12:51 p.m.
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I saw Donald Driver up close in person at some promotional thing years ago and my first thought was, "look at that million dollar smile!" He immediately became one of my favorites. How can you not like a guy that smiles like that?
Jan 31, 2013 at 12:03 p.m.
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Receiver coach ?
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