When And Why
With the offseason picking up, time to generate our own discussions.
I live in Utah. Closes teams are the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos. Most of my community is Broncos fans with some Raiders mixed in. A couple Bears, a Rams fan, Jets fan and two Bucs fans. Oh and those Steeler fans. That is my knowledge.
Yet in my family: Dad is Steelers, Mom is Cowboys, other brother is Cowboys, another brother is Saints and last is a Browns fan (go figure). Then there is me, the Packers fan. I am one of the few Packers fan in my community. I have met one other, so I am not alone. The question gets asked to me all the time. When and why are you a Packers fan?
Truth be told, Dec 8, 1996 was the first time I saw the Green and Gold play. They were playing the Broncos. I rooted for them, since all my friends were Broncos fans. Green Bay beat them down 41-6. I remember watching Brett Favre and being drawn to his style of play. Needless to say, they won the Super Bowl that year. I told everybody I was a Packers fan, when really I was a Brett Favre fan.
The following year, we lose to the Broncos in the Super Bowl. I took it rough. I remember taking hell and feeling like crap about it. But I stay true to the team that had #4. As the years went on, I cared less and less about Favre and more about the team. Sadly as they were in some low spots, I started to lose interest in the Packers and football in general. Then one day I got invited to a boss's house to watch Cowboys vs. Packers.
Of course I wear my Brett Favre jersey. Talk a bunch of crap. Yadda, yadda, yadda, Favre gets hurt. Aaron Rodger steps on the field and it was like I was 7 again. Rodgers looked like that young Brett Favre I remember from my youth and I was once again suck back into the Packers. Since then, I have followed the Packers every offseason, preseason, season and post season.
So when and why are you a Packers fan?
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Was once a 49er's fan
Moved to the UP in 1993 as a die hard Niner’s fan. My wife’s family all lived here and all really big football fans (as well as Packers fans). Over the course of the next 3 years, by the fact that we had family at the house every Sunday, and the Packers were always on. So it just stood to reason that eventaully I learned about the team and learned about the players. So you could say, I kind of grew into it.
I grew up (from 4th grade on) in a suburb of Milwaukee
I really was not a sports fan as a kid. I was always a bit overweight and considered myself unathletic. My older brother, on the other hand, was a natural athlete — good at anything he tried. He loved all sports, but chose to play only golf in high school. In 1987, as a freshman at Bradley University, he died in an alcohol-related accident. It was shortly after his death that something changed in me. I became a fan of sports and began rooting for all the teams in my home state. Later, I took up golf as a way to feel a life-long connection to my brother.
similar to you
first football game I remember seeing was when I was 4 years old in 1996, Packers-Vikings. My father is a Vikings fan, so naturally I cheered for the Packers, and became more attached to them with time after watching them go on to win a Super Bowl that season, and learning more about how unique they are in the world of professional sports, being in such a miniscule town (by pro standards), owned by the fans. Also, I know it’s more fashionable to disparage him now, but Favre was one of the most exciting players ever in his heyday, and he drew a lot of people to the Packers and I was one of them (of course, I was 4 years old, and so quite impressionable).
football does not build character, it reveals character.
I'm raised on it.
My dad is from Milwaukee, but came down to Chicago for school and never quite made it back north. The first Packer memory I have actually isn’t even one of me being excited about anything, or at least I don’t remember it because of my excitement about the situation. It was when Chris Jacke nailed a game-winner, in I want to say 1993, and I got to see my dad and brother go ballistic and run outside to do a lap around our cottage cheering. Even though I was too young to really care, that’s the first time I really associated the Packers with family. 18 years or so later, the Packers won the Super Bowl, and when the final pass was tipped away to seal the win, we all ran outside, dove into the snow drift, and started doing celebratory snow angels.
Baseball, you can't get here soon enough.
Another Favre-drawn supporter here.
The first time I remember really cheering for the Packers was in Super Bowl XXXII. I couldn’t tell you who Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, or even Don Majkowski were at the time (I was 10), I just loved watching Favre play in that game (plus, I was kind of annoyed of hearing about how Elway had yet to win a ring). Pretty much fell in love with the Packers and have followed them regularly since then.
Being a Texan, you’d figure I’d be a Cowboys fan, right? NO… not when you have to put up with their fans’ shit. Luckily, my dad was not one of them (he is freaking awesome; he roots for the Cowboys to lose every week, LOL). My one sister that does follow football was a Vikings fan… yeah (can’t blame her too much; there was talk of moving the team to San Antonio, where she lived).
whats a favre?
aaaaaaaaahh, I gotta go!!
by b3nihana on Feb 9, 2012 2:55 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
BORN AND RAISED, Proper.
been going to games for as long as i can remember, including one’s at old County Stadium.
F*%# I’m getting old…….
aaaaaaaaahh, I gotta go!!
"I wanna kiss you. I couldn't care l-l-less about the team strug-guling..." -Joe Namath
by Shamalamadingdong on Feb 10, 2012 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
Don Majkowski and the "Cardiac Pack" of '89
I’m from Fond du Lac, so it was probably just a matter of time. But it was hard to get excited about the Forrest Gregg/Randy Wright era. It wasn’t that they were losing, but Gregg especially just didn’t seem to be a good person (I mean, am I supposed to believe that he didn’t notice the writing on the hand-towel hanging from Charles Martin’s belt and perfectly understand exactly what was about to happen? What kind of a coach doesn’t do something about that?).
But, in ‘89, everything changed. The love grew all year, but I specifically and vividly remember I and my family literally dancing around in our living room after the “instant replay” game. That was it. Ever since then, there ain’t no river wide enough, ain’t no mountain high enough, etc., etc.
The Packers frickin’ rule. I feel sorry for anybody who doesn’t understand that fact.
The Signature Gives It Away
I’ve been a fan since before Lombardi. My aunt, searching desperately for a birthday gift for a teenage boy, gave me a book on the 30+-year history of the Packers, with pictures of Curly, Herber, Isbell, Hutson, et al. I was hooked by the narrative of a small-town, community team and its remarkable professional success. Then I looked at the sports pages: 1-10-1—jeez!
But I’ve been a fan ever since—Vermont, Chicago (tough duty), Florida, New York (more tough duty, especially this week)—flying in from Paris once just in time to see the Packers demolish the Bears at Lambeau.
A quiz born of 50+ years of history: what do Starr, Hornung, McGee, Taylor, Knafelc, Currie, Forester, J. Kramer, Nitschke, Symank, Gremminger, Ringo and Gregg have in common?
Maybe not what you think. They were all members of the 1-10-1 1958 Packers. And the 1960 NFL championship game 8-4 Packers. There’s something there about the right head coach’s ability to make a very large dfference.
The race isn't always to the swift, or the battle to the strong--but that's the way to bet--Damon Runyan
I'm much like you...
It was around the same time, and Favre was a big reason I started following them. Being in Texas, I didn’t get to watch them much, but I did when I could. Having my family and pretty much this whole city being Cowboys fans, I was sick of them.
*Proud Packers shareholder*
With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg!
by RaY210 on Feb 9, 2012 7:48 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Born and Raised in Green Bay...
Born when the Packers were preparing for the season on their way to SB 1 victory. Pretty much was weened on Packers football from birth! I was 7 months old when they won SB 1.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
About three weeks ago...
I had a board with all the team names on it. I closed my eyes and pointed to the board. Lo and behold, my finger was pointed at the Arizona Cardinals, but I said “fuck that” and picked the Packers instead. The rest is history.
Taked baby. Meet at later bar, night or day sometime.
by Charlie Kelly on Feb 9, 2012 9:35 PM CST reply actions 4 recs
Born and raised a packer fan
I grew up in Appleton, WI. Honestly I don’t remember being a big football guy until I was closer to 10 so the Packers were some crazy religion until I was old enough to make a real decision (it was in the late 80s so before we had good teams).
My allegiance was strong around the time Favre and Reggie came up and only got bigger as the team finally looked good in the early 90s. In 1996, I moved to MN for college as a crazy, avid raving packer fan. I admit I was a little over the top in my first year there but I was constantly harrassed all year. But if you remember how that year ended, I had the last word! BOOYAH! I’ve been living in Twin Cities ever since (sans a brief summer in California and a 2 year stint in Chicago) and remained completely loyal to my team. I don’t really have even one Packer fan friend but it doesn’t bug me.
I am not a wild crazy packer fan now but I am a die hard. My wife is a Viking fan, my best friend is a Packer fan, and its kinda fun…the rivalry makes thing really interesting.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
Can remember the epic days of the forrest fire
those were the bumber stickers on the cars when forrest greg was the head coach in the 80’s. for my money, i can’t think of better memories than coming home after bowhunting for the weekend listening to “oh my max” on the radio with my father. the new guys are all right, but those guys were the best ever in my book. i wouldn’t say it was any single person, moreso somply just that there was this group of people who defied the evil empire i saw the bears to be. they were bullies in the 80’s, little did i know at the time that they just were good and we were not.
winning or losing doesn’t matter, i always think that they can do better than they are – even last year and this year. i joined the army, served in korea, and those three years tried my soul. waking up at 2am to watch a game, only to have armed forces network have the saints vs whoever (because loads of southerners are in the army), someone from a big town like chicago, new york, or boston play, and nascar. so i’d have to watch the ticker on nfl.com and try to find various places that had the game streaming online that wouldn’t reject korean ip addresses. it was tough, but i got to be home for the superbowl last year with my father who has been sick for a while. again, few moments are better than those spent with your father…
favre was god, then he was the devil, now i’d love to see him come back and get honored and his # 4 put up on the old lady’s facade.
this year, i got to take my wife to a packer game, both of our firsts at lambeau. mine in 32 years of being a packer fan; she’s korean and has only been in the country for a year, so she beat me to the punch. got to watch the packers crush the tebowless broncos 49-24.
now i’m in texas, pissed at the cowboys like usual. if they only would have beaten the giants in week 17, not only would eli and the gang have whats rightfully ours, but i would have a chance to go to a packer / cowboy game in the house that jerry built. only a few hours away. i guess i’ll have to drive twice as long to go see them play the texans in houston when they come by.
giants ruined so many of my plans.
but oh well, if we don’t get them week 1, it’s a shame. i want some form of payback right away.
by Nels Winkler on Feb 9, 2012 11:42 PM CST up reply actions
I have followed the Packers since the mid to late 70s
But not full blown the whole time. My dad became a fan in the early 40s so I heard all about it as a kid. I followed and cheered for the Packers with Dad, but also jumped on some bandwagons so I could cheer for a team that won, first the Steelers then the 49ers. But the Packers were always there also. Then Dad got a share of the Packers for a gift and that’s what finally won me over. Seeing how much that meant to him and how much he looked forward to the Meeting each Summer showed me what it meant. So around that time I went from not really having a team and rooting for the Packers and one of the dominant teams to being a full blown Packers fan.
December, 7 1941 may be a day that lives in infamy, but December 6, 2011 is a day that will live in AWESOMENESS!!! The day I became part owner of the Green Bay Packers!
In Cheese We Trust
…more older folk in here than I thought, and just think all us older guys “were put in our place” by a 16 year old “genius” just a short week ago! LOL
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
LOLs for LAL!
Speaking of that 16 year old, I thought of him recently when I read this article:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/tenacious-summer-analyst-applicant-got-laughed-at-by-everyone-else-on-wall-street.html
hahaha oh man
I definitely see why, sounds like a page right out of his sorry ass book
by packermussupreme on Feb 10, 2012 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
What a bunch of assholes we are
Being (& treating each other like) adults on an internet message board…
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
1965 Season... 1966 Pro Bowl... I was 4...
I remember watching Bart Starr in the Pro Bowl and thought the Stars on his shoulders were the coolest thing in the world… Made my Mom sew stars on a Red & White #15 Jersey…
Was so disappointed when we lost… In fact, if I remember correctly, Bart Starr didn’t get to play in the game… Can’t remember why though, I was only 4… The next year we won the 1st Super Bowl, and then the next year was the Ice Bowl, and our second Super Bowl…
My Dad loved Vince Lombardi. He was a HS FB Coach for 30 years, and the best coach I ever had, including college & overseas…
Been a Packer fan since 1965 and wouldn’t have it any other way!!
"SOUTHERN HILLS KENNEL" ~ We Breed The Best Bitches In TEXAS!!!
GO PACK GO!!!
Born and raised!
Was born in 1992, can barely remember the packers win in the 97 super bowl, can’t really recall their loss the next year. Was ecstatic when they finally won a super bowl that I fully watched, understood, and enjoyed last year, one of the best moments of my life.
by packermussupreme on Feb 10, 2012 11:43 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
From WI, but not the reason
My dad is from the Indiana suburbs of Chicago and was a Bears fan most of his adult life, until the early 80s and then he didn’t watch football. Even when they won the Superbowl he didn’t really care. It wasn’t until Favre started playing that he watched football again. Because of that I’m pretty sure I would have been a fan of another team if he had played for them. My mom’s side of the family is from Manitowoc, (45 min from GB), so they are all die-hards, but I didn’t really watch much football with them. Plus my mom isn’t a football fan.
What about this EPIC day in their History
Tony Mandarich is a former football offensive lineman of the NFL. He was the first round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1989, second overall behind quarterback Troy Aikman, and ahead of the third selection, running back Barry Sanders, the fourth selection, linebacker Derrick Thomas, and the fifth selection, cornerback Deion Sanders. Mandarich is the only player of those five not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Yeah, but Mandarich was like a Joe Thomas on steroids.
In fact, that’s exactly what he was.
Baseball, you can't get here soon enough.
I'm glad we didn't get Aikman or Deion
Bummer on the other two…
but go back to DN (CHRIS GATES STOP CO-ORDINATING TROLLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
by Wiedmann on Feb 10, 2012 10:11 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
eh…I would have been fine with Deion…for all the crap he got, the dude was seriously in a league of his own. He was a showboater, but so were some packers that have come through (Sharper, Howard, Gilbert Brown?)
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
Gilbert Brown wasn't even close to the showboater that Deion was.
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
no one was...
but Gilbert also wasn’t even 1/2 the player Deion was and he showboated quite a bit. You could argue Favre was a showboater with his running down the field after a TD…he didn’t crap about it. Showboating is no reason to not want a guy on your team. He wasn’t a cancer in the locker room, just a completely dominant player that liked to flaunt it.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
I don't think Gilbert showboated much at all
so he did the gravedigger after a sack & stuffing a run. That’s a little different than high-stepping down the sideline.
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
In the interest of fairness,
we get on Jared Allen’s case for his rodeo celebration.
Baseball, you can't get here soon enough.
Jared Allen is also a toolbag
Har har Culinary Academy har har 69!
Taked baby. Meet at later bar, night or day sometime.
by Charlie Kelly on Feb 14, 2012 6:08 AM CST up reply actions
How is that different? Sack dances, TD dances, high stepping, etc…they are all celebrations and showboating. My point is that Deion wasn’t that much different in that way you just saw it a lot more cause he was such a freak of a talent.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
One shovelful of dirt
There’s mini-celebrations, which I don’t have much problems with (like DD’s 1st down shimmy, AJ Hawk’s “salute”), and then there’s extended epic celebrations, which I consider showboating. If it lasts longer than 5 seconds, that’s showboating; if it lasts less than 5 seconds, that’s celebration. There is a difference.
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
Do you remember when...
the Vikings sold their soul for Hershel Walker…
when the Vikings lost their final game to the measly Arizona Cardinals on a hail mary to miss the playoffs…
the Vikings had a successful season in which they can claim they were the best team…
the Vikings won a Super Bowl…
One game at a time...
by Jabooty on Feb 10, 2012 10:23 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
LMFAO!!! : ) Good one Jabooty! : )
"SOUTHERN HILLS KENNEL" ~ We Breed The Best Bitches In TEXAS!!!
GO PACK GO!!!
We didn't really just get a Viking fan bashing our teams history, did we?
I mean, really? I’m too lazy to post all the Viking embarrassments, but WHY DO YOU EVEN PONDER PASSING!?! I MEAN, YOU CAN TAKE A KNEE!!!!
Taked baby. Meet at later bar, night or day sometime.
by Charlie Kelly on Feb 11, 2012 8:47 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Jim 'Wrong-Way' Marshall
He thinks he’s scored a touchdown; he has scored a safety!
"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence!"
After further review,
The Munsters of the Midway still suck,
Skol is a four-letter word,
abd those upstarts in Detroit couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.
by NorthStarr on Feb 11, 2012 9:33 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Maybe in 1993
I was born in Wisconsin. I don’t remember the very first game I watched, but being raised in a family that were die hard Packer fans was enough to draw me in. I still remember watching Sterling Sharpe and Leroy Butler play. Favre’s performances certainly drew my attention and got me more and more interested in the game, but I would argue that it was my family that made me a Packer fan more than anything. All the football parties and discussions. It was something special to be a part of. I still remember the very first Lambeau Leap by Leroy Butler! The memories are endless.
One game at a time...
Do you really have nothing better to do than troll Packer fans on the internet?
Baseball, you can't get here soon enough.
by Tepo6688 on Feb 10, 2012 8:15 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Clearly he doesn't!
Otherwise he wouldn’t be here… But he’s vikes fan so what can you expect?!
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
He can't talk to Queens fans... Most are illiterate, don't have computers, or are in prison...
LOL
"SOUTHERN HILLS KENNEL" ~ We Breed The Best Bitches In TEXAS!!!
GO PACK GO!!!
Littering and? Littering and? Littering and?
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
LMAO ~ Copied this to iPhoto so I can use it periodically! : )
Thanks packermussupreme… : )
"SOUTHERN HILLS KENNEL" ~ We Breed The Best Bitches In TEXAS!!!
GO PACK GO!!!
1968/1969
I read a Scholastic Book Services book that my brother had, called Bart Starr (and sub-titled, somewhere, ‘Bart the Cool’, which was what I remembered for a long time as the title), by John Devaney.

Back cover text:
“Bart the Cool…” Is what they call him: his coach, his teammates and his opponents. They know him as the calm, quick thinking quarterback of the Green Bay Packers – a quiet, courageous man, friendly, easy going and relaxed: a superstar.From that point, I was hooked on football, the Packers and Bart Starr, my boyhood idol and all-time favorite Packer!
But to know Bart Starr you must also know what it’s like to walk the streets in despair, ignored by your coach; to brood over three interceptions that cost your team a victory-and to know the joy of becoming a champion after years of bitterness and frustration.
All these things have happened to Bart Starr. Here you will learn how they happened, and how they forged a champion.
"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."
"We're nobody's underdog!"
"We don't play scared!"
After further review,
The Munsters of the Midway still suck,
Skol is a four-letter word,
abd those upstarts in Detroit couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.
by NorthStarr on Feb 10, 2012 11:42 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Hey ~ I still have that book!!! : ) Great minds... : )
Bart will always be my favorite Packer too! Take care my friend!
"SOUTHERN HILLS KENNEL" ~ We Breed The Best Bitches In TEXAS!!!
GO PACK GO!!!
Also, being a Wisconsin native doesn't hurt. ;)
"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."
"We're nobody's underdog!"
"We don't play scared!"
After further review,
The Munsters of the Midway still suck,
Skol is a four-letter word,
abd those upstarts in Detroit couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.
by NorthStarr on Feb 10, 2012 11:45 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
It’s a family thing for me. My dad was born and raised in Wisconsin, and was/is an avid Packer fan. I guess it just rubbed off on me. I think the first season I remember is the 1996 season.
Fire Slocum
by packallday555 on Feb 11, 2012 11:23 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Wow pack... You're young!! : ) NorthStarr and I are OLD! : ) lol
"SOUTHERN HILLS KENNEL" ~ We Breed The Best Bitches In TEXAS!!!
GO PACK GO!!!
OK... Maybe not old... Experienced Packer Fans... : )
"SOUTHERN HILLS KENNEL" ~ We Breed The Best Bitches In TEXAS!!!
GO PACK GO!!!
by BirdDogUni on Feb 11, 2012 12:40 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Experienced
Thats a much better word. I fit that category too…
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
by Strohman on Feb 11, 2012 4:33 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
At 46,
you’re a whippersnapper. :)
"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence!"
After further review,
The Munsters of the Midway still suck,
Skol is a four-letter word,
abd those upstarts in Detroit couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.
by NorthStarr on Feb 11, 2012 9:37 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
LMAO ~ Good One Pat!! : )
We need to remind some of these Whippersnappers to respect their elders… lol
I turned 50 on Thanksgiving Day watching OUR PACKERS!!! : )
"SOUTHERN HILLS KENNEL" ~ We Breed The Best Bitches In TEXAS!!!
GO PACK GO!!!
Don't know NorthStarr's age
But I’m guessing we’re of the same generation. Pretty close anyway. So how old are you Pat?
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
55
56 in April.
"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence!"
After further review,
The Munsters of the Midway still suck,
Skol is a four-letter word,
abd those upstarts in Detroit couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.
grew up in Maryland but dad is from Wisconsin
First game I clearly remember watching was Super Bowl XXXI and I haven’t missed many games since.
by tmoneyttime1 on Feb 11, 2012 12:42 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I had a Don Majkowski poster on my wall
Then Favre showed up, and then Don busted his ankle, and my poor life was never the same again.
Always been and always will, and I've live through the darkest days...
My family and I have always watched the Packers. I was born in ‘72 and I cannot remember a Sunday when we didn’t watch the Green & Gold. My first memory of Packer football was in ‘77 and my father constantly screaming at the TV. Those days through the ’93 season were pretty lean with only a few winning endeavors. My favorite player to this day is Paul Coffman, the Packers TE in the mid ’80s. I actually got to meet him at the Inaugural Big XII game in Manhattan, KS where the KSU Wildcats played the Texas Tech Red Raiders, where he and I went to college, along with Lynn Dickey. I was totally in awe of a guy I watched every Sunday and I’m now having a beer with him in Aggieville!
There are no other teams, just OUR team…..
by DefenseWinChampionships on Feb 11, 2012 9:13 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

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