Packers receiver Matthew Golden reflects on personal challenges and childhood losses

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden recently shared details about the personal adversity that shaped his path to the NFL. During a team meeting regarding individual backgrounds, Golden spoke about the death of his cousin, Makaylin, who was killed in 2009 by an intoxicated driver. He also detailed a period of homelessness that he experienced alongside his mother and grandmother during his youth. Golden credits his mother, Alicia Blackshear, for instilling in him the resilience to persevere through those hardships. He currently keeps a photo of himself and his cousin on his nightstand as a reminder of his upbringing. This dedication to his roots continues to influence his approach to both his professional career and charitable efforts, including support for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

• 7:55 PMYahoo Sports — 'If I can go through that, this is nothing': Packers WR Matthew Golden driven by a nightstand photo, bouts of homelessness