Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports
Penn State's Sean Clifford Goes All-In on Retirement Party
Green Bay Packers rookie quarterback Sean Clifford returns to Penn State this week for a retirement party. The State College Spikes are sending the former Penn State quarterback into his next chapter with a farewell that really leans into the theme.
State College's minor league baseball team will host the "Sean Clifford Retirement Party" on July 15 with a grand celebration of the quarterbacks six seasons at Penn State. The promotion at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will feature giveways that include a rocking chair and, the Spikes say, a year's supply of adult diapers. One fan also will receive a Florida "snowbird" trip with a "one-way airline ticket for the retiree."
The first 1,000 fans will receive a Clifford bobblehead depicting his Rose Bowl performance, and the Spikes also will distribute prints of the 1923 Penn State team that played in the Rose Bowl. Before the game, Penn State coach James Franklin joked that he scoured the photo to identify Clifford among the players.
Early entrants to the State College Spikes' July 15 retirement party for Sean Clifford will receive a print of the Penn State team that played in the 1923 Rose Bowl.
Pasadena Tournament of Roses
Other grace notes include a pre-game "Silver Sneakers" stroll around Medlar Field, canasta and Rummy 500 games and a chance to win a pickleball set.
One more nice touch: Since Clifford turns 25 the day before the event, fans 25 and older will receive the Spikes' senior discount for the game.
"All of us at the Spikes have watched Sean Clifford work his magic on the field for quite a long time, and we are honored to welcome him to Medlar Field to celebrate his career with us," Spikes President and General Manager Scott Walker said in a statement. "We are looking forward to giving Sean the sendoff he deserves at the ripe old age of 25, and we hope that in the end, our fans will say we rose to the occasion."
Penn State's record-setting quarterback, ever the savvy entrepreneur, is partnering with the Spikes to host the event through his Limitless NIL Agency. He also has embraced its spirit.
"It’s been the greatest experience of my life to play in Happy Valley, and I’m looking forward to celebrating it with Nittany Nation at Medlar Field on July 15," Clifford said in a statement. "I’m pumped to be part of all of the fun the Spikes have planned, especially the bobblehead, and hopefully I can get some tips from my fellow retirees at the party."
Clifford capped his Penn State career with one of his best performances. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns in the Lions' 35-21 win over Utah at the Rose Bowl. Clifford was the game's offensive MVP, threw the longest touchdown pass in Rose Bowl history and earned Pro Football Focus' highest quarterback grade of bowl season (92.5).
However, the party doesn't signal the end of Clifford's playing career. Green Bay drafted Clifford in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and the quarterback generated some attention for his performance in OTAs. Milt Hendrickson, Green Bay's director of football operations, said that Clifford brought experience and "moxie" to the Packers' quarterback room. "He's an upgrade to our overall roster that way," Hendrickson said.
A VIP package includes a meet-and-greet with Clifford and a limited edition bobblehead. Check out the State College Spikes website for more information on the Sean Clifford Retirement Party.
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