Big week, folks. Big week. I’m back in the swing of things here in Milwaukee – teaching, emceeing, providing footage for the bloopers reel with the people at the BC. I even did a radio interview about the blog with Justin Earl from AM 1130 WISN.
I think that went well. I’ll admit I get nervous for things like that. But it was kind of exciting, seeing as it was a chance for me to share my excitement for this project. Hopefully I did that. At one point Justin asked what distinguishes a Milwaukee fan from other fans. My on-the-spot response had something to do with the loyalty and dedication of our fans, and the lack of those of a more fair weather nature. I think it was a decent answer, but I’ve been thinking about the question ever since. No more so than when I made my way to Lambeau for the Packers/Giants game this past Sunday.
I wish I knew that everyone reading this had been to Lambeau. It would make the task of writing about it a whole lot easier. ‘Cause the fact is, it’s a difficult experience to capture in words. But here goes nothing…
You get to Lambeau well before you reach the gates. Lambeau is Green Bay and Green Bay is Lambeau. (Case in point, I remember going to Bay Park Square mall in Green Bay years ago, and there was a green a gold T.V. viewing area in the middle of a department store – apparently available on the off-chance you find yourself shopping on game day.) I’ve often wondered about the residents of the city – especially those who convert their front yards into parking lots for the thousands of fans who make the pilgrimage to the mecca of American football. I think you gotta love the Pack in order to live in Green Bay. Then again, I think the fans make that an easy task.
The fans, clad in their own Sunday best – jerseys new and old, Packer jackets leather and plush, and cheeseheads topped with sayings and stuff (my favorite being the couple wearing frozen tundra cheeseheads, complete with icicles) – congregate and converge into the parking lots – both real and makeshift – to (well, ‘tis the season) eat, drink, and be merry. It’s a montage of green, gold, hunter’s orange, and camouflage this time of year. Of course, there was a sprinkling of blue and red in the mix this past Sunday. But, as is typical in Wisconsin sports venues, the away fans fraternize with the home fans, as everyone gets ready for a good game.
This is one of the things I think separates Wisconsin sports fans from a lot of the rest – good ol’ good sportsmanship. Now, this doesn’t mean there isn’t trash talking out there. But even the “Bears still suck” chant (which did break out in the fourth quarter…of the Giant’s game) is delivered with a smile.
This is something Packer fans are known for. Well, this, the cheeseheads, and the cheering. During my time in Boston the past few months, I spent most game days at the same local sports bar. I was always decked out in my green and gold, rotating between my Rodgers, Driver, and Matthews jerseys (Kuhn’s jersey will be my next purchase), and I made no secret of my allegiance when it came to cheering. I even got a little help from another Sunday regular. From across the bar, the proud Patriot fan would yell “Dum da dum da da dum dum dum!” and I would respond, “Go Pack Go!”
It’s nice to have that kind of recognition. But it’s nicer to be a part of the crowd, the commotion, the fanatics, and the fandemonium, and I loved being one of over 70,000 Packer backers at Lambeau on Sunday.
Today the headline on FOXSports.com read “Giants finally get out of Wisconsin.” I can see why they wanted out…but I’m happy to stay.
