The Green Bay Packers made several key roster moves ahead of their Week 8 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers — and one of them sparked both surprise and emotion across Packers Nation. To make room for wide receiver Christian Watson’s long-awaited return, Green Bay waived third-year tight end Ben Sims, ending his two-season stint in green and gold. But what happened next turned a routine transaction into a heartfelt story that moved the entire fanbase.

Just hours after the news broke, the Minnesota Vikings claimed Sims off waivers — a full-circle twist, since the former Baylor standout originally signed with Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2023 before joining the Packers later that year. But instead of expressing frustration or bitterness, Sims took to social media with a message that immediately went viral:

“Green Bay took a chance on me when no one else did. They made me better — as a player and as a man. If I ever have to leave football, I’d rather retire as a Packer than play anywhere else. That’s how much this place means to me.”

Within minutes, the post racked up thousands of likes and comments from Packers fans, with replies flooding in like: “Once a Packer, always a Packer,” and “This is why we love this team — it’s family.”

Sims’ release came as part of a necessary adjustment to activate Christian Watson, who returned from an ACL injury suffered in Week 18 of the 2024 season. Watson wasted no time making an impact — catching four passes for 85 yards, including a 33-yard bomb from Jordan Love — and helping clear lanes for teammates like tight end Tucker Kraft with key downfield blocks.

Meanwhile, Sims departs Green Bay having appeared in 34 consecutive regular-season games since joining the team, recording 8 receptions for 63 yards and 1 touchdown. Though his production was modest, his consistency, energy, and locker-room presence made him one of the most respected young players on the roster.

For fans, his message wasn’t just a goodbye — it was a reminder of what makes Packers culture so unique. In an era of constant trades and contracts, Ben Sims’ loyalty stood out as something timeless.
As one fan put it best: “You can take the player out of Green Bay, but you can’t take Green Bay out of the player.”