Jordy Nelson pledges gift to Kansas State to help with stadium renovations

ByJake Trotter ESPN logo
Thursday, August 20, 2015

Kansas State will name its new locker room after Jordy Nelson because the Green Bay Packers wide receiver has pledged a financial gift to his alma mater. The amount of the gift is undisclosed.

The Nelson Family Locker Room will reside in K-State's Vanier Football Complex, which was recently completed.

The gift from the former walk-on, who became an All-American at Kansas State, will help kick-start the next round of facility renovations. The $15 million phase will connect the east concourse of Bill Snyder Family Stadium to the Vanier complex, fully enclosing the stadium.

Nelson grew up in nearby Riley, Kansas. He and his wife, Emily, said in a statementthat "giving back to the program and university that have afforded us the opportunities that we have now was very important to us."

"Jordy has never strayed from his value system," coach Bill Snyder said in a statement, "and thus remains the same caring, committed, loyal, passionate Kansas State person who believes in his program and is giving back. They are a wonderful family."

Kansas State has spent $165 million to renovate its stadium over the past five years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.