Micah Parsons endured a difficult end to what had been a strong first season with the Green Bay Packers. After arriving in a blockbuster trade and becoming the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback, Parsons delivered consistent production across the 2025 campaign. He appeared in 14 games, recording 41 tackles and 12.5 sacks before his season was cut short.
His year ended in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos, where he suffered a torn ACL that required surgery and sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
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Since then, Parsons has focused on recovery while maintaining an active presence on social media, frequently interacting with fans and reacting to major sporting events.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
That continued Saturday as he followed the NCAA Wrestling Championships, where his alma mater, Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling, fell short of a historic milestone. Penn State was aiming to become the first program to produce six individual national champions in a single tournament, but the effort ended in the 149-pound final.
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Aden Valencia of Stanford Cardinal wrestling defeated Shayne Van Ness 8-5, securing the title with a takedown 32 seconds into sudden victory after the match was tied at the end of regulation.
Parsons reacted on X following the result: “Heart broken for Shayne! [expletive].”
Before entering the NFL, Parsons starred for the Penn State Nittany Lions football program, where he developed into one of the nation’s top defensive prospects. He later declared for the 2021 NFL Draft and was selected in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys, launching a career that quickly established him among the league’s elite defenders.
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Related: Packers DE Micah Parsons Dealt Bad News on Monday
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.