Not one, not two, but three former Wisconsin Badgers football players saw the field for the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame game.
In a game that was decided on the final play, the Carolina Panthers ended up taking down the Arizona Cardinals, 33-30.
It’s impossible to take this game super seriously, but it was still great to see a pair of Badgers suit up for the Panthers and one for the Cardinals.
Arguably the most impactful alumnus was Bryson Green, simply because his lone reception was a touchdown.
Green’s touchdown stole the show
Finishing with one reception for one yard doesn’t seem great, but with the touchdown thrown in, that makes it a whole lot better.
Green, 23, came to Wisconsin from Oklahoma State in 2023. He played a pair of seasons in Madison, tallying 49 receptions for 699 yards with four touchdowns.
Panthers’ defense got contributions from former Badgers
On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers got four combined tackles out of linebacker Maema Njongmeta and defensive tackle Parker Petersen.
Each Wisconsin alumnus had a pair of tackles, but Badgers fans shouldn’t expect to see these three earn much playing time, if any, should they even make the Panthers or Cardinals roster.
Njongmeta, 25, is on his second NFL team in three seasons. He racked up 158 total tackles to go along with 6.5 sacks in his three-year collegiate career, all of which happened to be with the Badgers.
When it comes to Petersen, the 23-year-old transferred to Wisconsin in 2025 after spending his first three seasons with Tulane. Ultimately, he had just 15 total tackles, eight of which were solo, in his lone year at Madison.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Jordon Lawrenz on X @jordonlaw_pxp.
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Three former Wisconsin football players shine at NFL Hall of Fame Game
Reporting by Jordon Lawrenz, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jordon Lawrenz, Badgers Wire | USA TODAY Network
