Spotlight shines on Hundley, Pack’s backup for Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers’ broken collarbone could force him to miss the remainder of the season, leaving the Green Bay Packers without their star quarterback and prompting NFL fans to ask: Who is Brett Hundley?
Here is a quick primer on Hundley, who took over for Rodgers in the first quarter of Sunday’s 23-10 loss to Minnesota and will step in as starter.
uHundley grew up in Chan- dler, Ariz., and was the No. 2-rated dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2011, according to Rivals .com. The recruiting service ranked Hundley just behind Houston Texans wide receiver Braxton Miller and just ahead of QB Jacoby Brissett, who has been starting for the Indianapolis Colts in place of Andrew Luck.
uHis father, Brett Sr., played running back at Arizona State, while his uncle Albert was a quarterback at Wichita State.
uHe was a three-year starter for UCLA and threw for 9,966 yards and 75 touchdowns, second and first, respectively, in the Bruins’ record book.
uAs a redshirt freshman, Hundley became the first African American to lead UCLA in passing yards since Jackie Robinson, ac- cording to the Los Angeles Times.
uHundley slipped to the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft, which he said continues to motivate him. “It (ticks) me off to this day,” Hundley said in June.
He threw his first NFL pass in garbage time against Tennessee last season. He went 2-for-10 for
17 yards and an interception in spot duty in 2016 and recorded a
14-yard run in the playoffs against the Atlanta Falcons.
uThe Packers came close to trading Hundley in April, according to ESPN, but were unable to finalize a deal.
uAfter an injury limited Hundley to one preseason appearance in 2016, he completed 63% of his passes in the preseason this year and cemented himself as Rodgers’ backup. “He’s picking up where he left off after his rookie season,” Rodgers said in August. “It’s just, he gets out there, and once he finds his rhythm and his comfort, he makes plays.”
uAfter Rodgers’ injury on Sunday, Hundley completed 18 of 33 passes for 157 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions — including a pick on his first attempt of the game.