Big Red's Green Bay Packer heads to Wisconsin May 9

JC Tretter
Rachel Philipson
JC Tretter was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round April 27. His roommate, Luke Tasker, signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers.

All-America offensive lineman JC Tretter ’13 will play big-time football come this fall. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the NFL draft April 27.

While it is unclear what position Tretter will play, Packers' offensive line coach James Campen did reveal a few thoughts about his new player in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report. “Tretter's a very versatile player, a very smart player," Campen said. "He has very good strength … A very mature kid that understands the game of football and has a lot of upside.”

“Smart” is a word the sports world seems to be using a lot when referencing Tretter. Not every NFL player posts a 3.4 GPA at an Ivy League school.

Academics dropped to the backfield during the April 26 draft drama.

Tretter was at home in western New York watching the draft on TV with his parents, sister, uncles and grandfather when his cell phone rang shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday.

Green Bay was on the line.

Tretter listened, smiling at the news that benchmarked a long, tough journey of grueling workouts, five broken noses and demands for endless endurance. His career as a professional football player had begun.

His mother, in an interview, said, “I cried as soon as I saw the smile.”

“He dreamed big, went for it, worked hard for it, made it and it's awesome,” said Cindy Tretter.

Named after his father, Joe Tretter, and 81-year-old grandfather, Carl Tretter, of Batavia, N.Y., the ILR senior heads to Wisconsin May 9 for the Packers' Rookie Mini Camp.

Tretter’s roommate since freshman year, communication major and senior wide receiver Luke Tasker, signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers. He becomes the fourth former Big Red player on active NFL rosters.

Veteran offensive lineman Kevin Boothe '05 will enter his eighth season in the NFL and his seventh with the New York Giants, where he has won two Super Bowls. Former receiver Bryan Walters '10 will enter camp with his hometown Seattle Seahawks, his third NFL spot in his fourth season.

Mary Catt is assistant director of communications for the ILR School.

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John Carberry