Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden speaks with the media after beig selected in the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24, 2025 inside the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy took the stage outside of Lambeau Field on Thursday night in front of a sea of more than 125,000 NFL fans.

In front of a crowd which was easily 80% Packers fans Murphy had the task of announcing the hometown team’s first round selection.

The crowd waited anxiously in anticipation as Murphy milked the crowd. Then Murphy muttered the words which the green and gold faithful have waited for what felt like an eternity to say: “with the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft the 13-time world champions, for the first time since 2002, draft a wide receiver.”

To say Packer fans were excited was an understatement. Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden is the newest member to join the Green Bay Packers.

“This feeling, man, it’s the best I’ve ever felt,” Golden said. “I put in so much work to get here. I’m excited. I’m ready to go. (Packer fans are) getting a guy that’s willing to come in and work every day. I want to win games. Whatever I have to do for the team, that’s what I’m here to do.”

Golden spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons at the University of Houston where he accumulated 76 receptions for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns across 20 games, starting in 17. He then transferred to the University of Texas, helping the Longhorns reach the College Football Playoff semifinals. Golden, a Houston, Texas native, secured 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024.

He also joins a line of recent Texas receivers that have been selected in the NFL Draft. Adonai Mitchell was a second-round choice in 2023. Xavier Worthy was a first-round selection of the Kansas City Chiefs a year ago.

“It’s definitely the standard,” Golden said. “Going (to Texas), it definitely changed my life as far as coaches and the relationships I built over time. I can’t thank coach (Steve Sarkisian) and his coaching staff enough for trusting me.”

On the field Golden can be described as a burner. At the NFL Combine he clocked in at 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash with a 10-yard split of 1.49 seconds. Both times are the fastest of any receiver in this year’s class. His 10-yard split is the fastest of any player in the draft, and only Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston had a faster 40 time at 4.28 seconds.

It’s only fitting that a player with the last name Golden now gets to wear green and gold on Sundays. The selection is also one which brought many emotions to Golden’s family, especially his Mom.

“She actually grew up a Green Bay Packers fan,” Golden revealed. “She was definitely excited. You could tell. She started crying once I got called down here. I know she’s going to love it down here too.”