GREEN BAY, Wis. -- It didn't take long for Packers' second-round pick Jerel Worthy to embrace his new life as a Cheesehead.
Less than 24 hours after being drafted by Green Bay, the 308-pound defensive lineman out of Michigan State was already wearing the signature hat of Packers fans.
Worthy spent three seasons in the Big Ten making life stressful on college football fans in the state of Wisconsin, at least those of whom were Badgers fans. But Worthy is hopeful that Packers fans won't hold it against him.
"I'll make a couple plays and I think they'll warm up to me," Worthy said in a phone interview. "I just want to come in make some plays and they'll warm up. They'll be just fine."
Once Worthy gets to Green Bay, he'll be expected to immediately compete for a starting job along the Packers' defensive line. Last season, Green Bay's defense struggled in nearly every area, finishing 27th in sacks and giving up the most passing yards in the history of the NFL.
So, if Worthy is able to play a significant role in turning around that defense, especially while embracing the local customs such as wearing cheeseheads in public, he should fit in well.
"I couldn't ask to be any place better than Green Bay," Worthy said. "The tradition up there is just unbelievable. I'm just so very excited to be a Packer."
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