In a game built around quarterbacks and flashy highlight reels, it’s easy to overlook the kicker. But if you ask any true Green Bay Packers fan who they trusted when everything was on the line during the Aaron Rodgers era, one name comes up again and again: Mason Crosby. For 16 unforgettable seasons (2007-2023), Crosby wasn’t the face of the team — but he was its pulse. And now, as the Packers navigate the Jordan Love era without their steady presence, his absence has never been more obvious. A Humble Beginning Mason Crosby joined the Packers in 2007 as a sixth-round draft pick out of Colorado. Quiet, steady, and focused, he didn’t come with the hype that usually surrounds high-profile rookies. But in his very first NFL game, he made a 42-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Philadelphia Eagles. That was the moment Packers fans realized: this guy was built for pressure. Little did they know, that clutch gene would define the next decade and a half of Green Bay football. More Than Just a Kicker Over his 16-year career with the Packers, Crosby played in 268 games — the most in franchise history. He scored 1,918 total points, making him Green Bay’s all-time leading scorer — more than Brett Favre, more than Aaron Rodgers, more than any legendary running back or receiver. But those stats only scratch the surface of what made Crosby legendary. It was the way he showed up when no one else could. The silent confidence he carried in moments that froze even the most elite athletes. His kicks didn’t just add points — they saved seasons. The 2016 Playoff Miracle That Still Gives Us Chills If you ask Packers fans for Crosby’s defining moment, most will point to the 2016 NFC Divisional Round against the Dallas Cowboys at Jerry’s World. With the game tied 31-31 and only seconds left in regulation, Crosby calmly drilled a 51-yard field goal to give Green Bay the lead. But Dallas’s Jason Garrett iced him with a timeout. No problem. Crosby nailed it again. Then, unbelievably, the Cowboys marched down and tied the game, sending it to overtime. In OT, with everything on the line and an entire season hanging in the balance, Crosby walked onto the field and — with ice water in his veins — nailed a 56-yard game-winner. Twice. Because Dallas called timeout again trying to ice him. 51 yards. 56 yards. Twice each. All good. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t loud. But it was the most clutch performance in playoff history by a kicker — and it sent the Packers to the NFC Championship Game. “That’s Mason,” Aaron Rodgers said afterward. “When the lights are brightest, he’s at his best.” Perseverance Through the Darkest Season Crosby’s journey wasn’t always perfect. In 2012, he had the worst season of his career, missing 12 field goals and struggling with consistency. The entire football world — including some in Green Bay — called for him to be replaced. But the Packers stood by him. General Manager Ted Thompson refused to cut him. Head Coach Mike McCarthy believed in him. And Crosby fought back. He bounced back stronger, posting some of his best seasons after that nightmare year. From 2013-2021, he was one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL, consistently hitting 85%+ of his field goals and becoming automatic from inside 50 yards. That resilience earned him not just respect, but deep admiration from coaches, teammates, and fans alike. “Mason’s 2012 could’ve ended his career,” said former Packers punter Tim Masthay. “Instead, it made him a legend. That’s the kind of man he is.” Loyalty, Faith, and Family Part of what made Crosby special was what happened off the field. A devout Christian, he often spoke about how his faith helped him stay grounded through the highest highs and lowest lows of his career. When his wife Molly faced a courageous battle with cancer during his playing days, Crosby balanced the most important game of all: family. He never asked for attention. He never demanded the spotlight. He just showed up, did his job with grace and humility, and let his kicks speak for themselves. “Mason is the kind of person you want your kids to grow up to be,” said Packers President Mark Murphy. “Humble, hardworking, faithful, and resilient.” Saying Goodbye — And What We Lost After the 2023 season, the Packers made the difficult decision to move on from Mason Crosby, ending his 16-year tenure. He signed briefly with the New York Giants in 2024 before officially retiring from the NFL later that year. At his retirement press conference, Crosby held back tears as he thanked his teammates, fans, and family for 16 years of unwavering support. His message wasn’t about records or accolades. It was about gratitude. “I never needed to be the star,” he said, voice cracking with emotion. “I just wanted to be reliable. I wanted to be someone my teammates could count on. And I hope, in some small way, I was that for Green Bay.” The room erupted in applause. Because Mason Crosby was exactly that — and so much more. The Void He Left Behind Since Crosby’s departure, the Packers have cycled through multiple kickers, searching for that same reliability and clutch mentality. And while the current kicker has shown flashes, there are moments — critical moments — where you can feel Crosby’s absence. Fourth quarter. Playoff implications. Game on the line. That’s when Packers fans still whisper: “We need Mason.” Jordan Love is building his legacy as Green Bay’s quarterback of the future. But he’s doing it without the safety net that Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre enjoyed for so many years — the absolute certainty that when the game came down to a kick, Mason Crosby would make it. A Legacy That Lives Forever Mason Crosby may not be the first name that comes to mind when people talk about Packers legends — but maybe he should be. He represents everything great about football that doesn’t make SportsCenter highlight reels: Consistency — 268 games, 16 seasons, never missed a game Courage — Bouncing back from 2012’s nightmare Humility — Never seeking glory, just doing the job Clutch Performance — More game-winners than anyone can count He was the kind of player who made everyone else better simply by doing his job, over and over, no matter the pressure. Brett Favre threw the touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers made the magic. But Mason Crosby won the games. The Heartbeat of Lambeau For 16 years, when the game was on the line, the lights were bright, and 80,000 fans at Lambeau Field held their breath — Crosby was the heartbeat. Steady. Reliable. Unshakable. Now, as the Packers fight for playoff position in the 2025 season without him, that heartbeat feels quieter. The kicks still happen. But they don’t feel the same. Because legends like Mason Crosby don’t come around often. And when they’re gone, you realize just how special they were.