The Packers Are Nerds, But They Can Beat You Up

The Green Bay Packers are a weird bunch.

Defensive lineman Mike Daniels leads the Packers in many ways, including a love of anime.

Defensive lineman Mike Daniels leads the Packers in many ways, including a love of anime.

Last year, the offensive line made headlines for their love of the board game Settlers of Catan and their appearance (with Clay Matthews) in Pitch Perfect 2.

This year, it's the defense's odd obsession that's garnering media attention. That obsession? Anime, evidently.

Bill Simmons' The Ringer outlines the defense's love of Japanese animation.

"Okay, it may be for nerds," says Mike Daniels in the piece. "But we are a new wave of nerd who can beat you up."

Evidently Daniels is the ring leader of what's described as "the NFL's only known anime ring." Nick Perry, Datone Jones, Clay Matthews, Sam Barrington, Morgan Burnett, and even Eddie Lacy have been known to dabble as well.

I guess if you're going to be a nerd, it's good to have some big friends.