Even though a brisk wind swirled through making its charming bench seats cold and uncomfortable, and our quarterback played a confounding game, and our opponent shut out the Packers at home for the first time in a decade, Lambeau Field still proved to be a worthy bucket list destination for the people we know.
Mike, for instance, has been a Packer fan since 1962 even though he’s a lifelong Chicagoan. Despite battling health troubles, Mike made his way to Green Bay to see his first game at Lambeau. I took Mike’s picture in the stadium’s shadow yesterday and he said, “I can’t wait to show this to my son.” Mike told me he runs into Packer fans wherever he goes, even during a trip to Grenada.
We had two examples of overseas Packer fans like that at our tailgate. Marcel, who started following the NFL from his home in Germany, and his friend Alejandra joined Marcel’s host family (and our friends) the McKenzie family for their first trip to Lambeau.
My nephew Michael, who lives in Indiana, wore an old school jersey with his grandfather’s number, and brought another Lambeau first timer, his girlfriend Taylor. We really enjoyed the opportunity to hang out with them.
Of all the Lambeau rookies, though, the one that had the best time had to be the kid who sat behind me. An avid Ravens fan, he spent the game cheering loudly and taunting his parents, two lifelong Packer fans.
I asked if I could take their picture, and they said, “Sure!” They asked if I was a season ticket holder and I told them I was.
“You’re lucky,” they said.
And, even with our team’s current frustrations, I have to agree. Even in less than ideal circumstances, Lambeau Field is an ideal place to make memories.
Go Pack Go!
I’m sorry I missed this! Looks like there were a lot of fun people watching a not so fun game.
That is an accurate assessment. We missed you though. Next time.
You are a faithful fun, as it should be.