GREEN BAY – On the edge of a bustling room filled with cameras and microphones deep within Lambeau Field, Nate Hobbs’ mother looked on as her son introduced himself to a new chapter in life, the future he always envisioned, on Friday afternoon. In this narrative, his mother is the true hero. “The real trailblazer,” her son said.

Thirteen years ago, when Hobbs’ father passed away, Denise persevered. She raised four kids and inspired her son to chase his dreams. Now, Hobbs is here, having inked a four-year, $48 million contract with the Green Bay Packers this week, a sum that will transform his family’s circumstances. How Hobbs will integrate into the Packers’ secondary remains uncertain until he takes his first practice snap, but the determination needed to reach this point is undeniable.

Initially, Hobbs was a zero-star recruit from Louisville Male High School in Kentucky before committing to Illinois, where he earned a two-star rating. He anticipated going undrafted in 2021, but the Las Vegas Raiders selected him in the fifth round. In an offseason where Packers fans were yearning for Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams, it was Hobbs whom the former Raiders general manager Brian Gutekunst picked up. Standing at the microphones, Hobbs took a moment to reflect on what it all signifies, the long journey playing out in his mind.

“I believe the Packers have faith in me,” Hobbs said. “And I don’t take that for granted. I don’t take people’s belief in me lightly. I won’t delve into too much, but from where I come from, it’s uncommon. What my family and I have been through, and even with the people like my agents, we’ve endured a lot as individuals, as people. So we bond the way we do.” Hobbs then gazed at his mother in the corner of the room.

“She’s been my greatest inspiration,” he said. “My biggest motivator. The reason I’m standing tall here. Because I saw her never give up, never falter. Never, ever, ever quit. That’s why I am who I am. “She’s the reason I signed this deal.” Hobbs’ determination also played a role in his journey. He’s leaving Las Vegas after four years, but there’s a particular picture he wants to bring with him.

It depicts the cornerback standing in the center of Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, a cast on his hand. Earlier in the game two years prior, Hobbs broke his thumb, missing the next five games on injured reserve. But Hobbs heard the cheers beneath the stadium as he was getting X-rays. The Raiders had a rare opportunity to defeat Patrick Mahomes on the road.

They eventually lost by 1, but Hobbs plans to frame that image of him standing in Arrowhead. It’s a reminder of what it took to transition from a no-star recruit to a fifth-round pick to a $48 million corner.

“I’d still be an underdog if I were earning $100 million,” Hobbs stated. “Because I don’t see any articles out there about me being a top corner. Do you? Have you seen any articles about Nate Hobbs being a top (corner)? No. So even if I were a $100 million guy, deep down, I’m an underdog.

Because I’ll never forget that. And I can become a top corner, whatever the scenario is. I’m still the underdog because I had to fight and claw to get here. “Nothing was handed to me. Everything was taken. I say there are two ways to gain respect. You can earn it, or you take it. I prefer taking it. So I’ll remain an underdog until I die.”

Hobbs will have the opportunity to demonstrate why the Packers believed he could be more. He didn’t disclose many specifics on how he’ll fit into the secondary, noting that it’s still mid-March. There’s a long way to go before the season begins. After primarily playing as a slot nickel corner with the Raiders, Hobbs is expected to get more chances on the perimeter.

He also mentioned that versatility is his strength. Wherever the Packers need him to play throughout the season, Hobbs is ready to fill that role. When asked about the possibility of pairing with former Raiders teammate Keisean Nixon at corner, Hobbs said expectations should be high.

“I think it would be legendary,” he said. That word – legendary – was part of what attracted Hobbs to the Packers, beyond the financial aspect. After signing his contract, Hobbs made his way onto his new home turf, the oldest stadium in the NFL. He placed his hand on the dirt of Lambeau Field. He performed a Lambeau Leap. He envisioned what game days might be like.

His mother was with him. Denise stayed by his side throughout this transformative week. “We had our moment,” Hobbs said. “We held hands. We hugged. Shed some tears. Because my mother raised four children on $25,000 a year − $25,000 a year. She raised four children on that. I’m earning significantly more than $25,000 a year. “I think we’re going to be all right.”