GREEN BAY, Wis. — The NFL is no stranger to the father and son tandems.
One Green Bay Packers rookie is hoping to make the 53-man roster with the hopes of playing for his father’s former team.
Dimitri Stanley is playing for his father Walter Stanley’s former team, the Packers.
The father-son duo both played in college at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Dimitri Stanley said his dad has always been a role model to him and he wanted to be just like him growing up.
“He’s just been with me every step of the way from a football and a life standpoint, somebody that I can really follow in their footsteps,” said Dimitri Stanley. “And [he’s] going to be with me every step of the way. So I’m looking forward to this Father’s Day and spending it with him.”
Dimitri Stanley was picked up by the Packers after not getting chosen by a team during the 2024 NFL draft.
He even had to tryout with a group of other players just to make the off-season roster once the draft process was complete.
Once he signed on the dotted line, Dimitri Stanley said he realized his dreams had come true.
“I was elated, honestly. I sent my parents a picture when I signed because I was a tryout guy,” said Dimitri Stanley. “So my mom was bawling her eyes out, my dad was over there, couldn’t stop smiling. It was just a great feeling to have.”
As a rookie, Dimitri Stanley is working closely with other wideouts on the team. That includes third year playmaker, Romeo Doubs.
The veteran wide receiver said he has seen a big improvement from Dimitri Stanley and other rookies on the team.
“I make sure I tell Dimitri…thankfully and gratefully, I’m a guy that they can come to,” said Doubs. “And continue to tell them every time that playing in this league, it takes one day at a time and ultimately not weeks.”
Dimitri Stanley has been working as a kickoff and punt returner like his father. He said he knows making the team will not be easy, but he’s up for the task.
“I’m doing literally everything I can from a special teams standpoint, returning on flier, on punt,” said Dimitri Stanley. “Then at receiver, just making plays that come to me and doing everything that I can there. From a blocking standpoint and just helping my teammates out.”
The rookie is working hard to make the team while also trying to make Titletown his home — just like his dad did in the 80s.