Former Wesley College quarterback Joe Callahan’s delayed NFL debut was a case of good things come to those who wait.
Callahan started the Green Bay Packers preseason contest with Cleveland and helped the Packers post a 17-11 win over the Browns in Green Bay.
Callahan was slated to start in the Packers’ preseason opener against Indianapolis in the NFL’s Hall of Fame game last Sunday, but it was canceled by poor field conditions.
Friday night, Callahan played the entire first half, going 16-24 through the air for 124 yards.
"It was a great experience to go out in front of a crowd like that tonight," saidCallahan in an interview with Packers.com after the game. "(It was) a dream come true, being a Packers fan growing up. Tonight was really special, but I made sure I didn't let my emotions get the best of me."
Callahan finished his stint by directing a two-minute drill at the end of the half, capping an 80 yard drive with a 2 yard TD pass Green Bay’s Jon Crockett with 7 seconds left before halftime. Callahan was 8-10 passing for 60 yards on that drive, which put Green Bay ahead 10-5 at the time.
"That's something we practice every week," Callahan told Packers.com after the game. "To execute it on the field the way we did was really exciting. We communicated well. I had great protection the whole time. And obviously the receivers did what they did once they got the ball."
The Packers next preseason game is Thursday night against the Raiders in Green Bay.
You can see Callahan's TD pass here.
You can see his post-game interview with Packers.com here.
