Sunday Funday
My brother and me with Vince Lombardi outside Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin
Spending time in Oklahoma, one quickly realizes that there are no professional sports teams. Consequently, I inherited my parents’ preferences. I am a third generation die-hard Green Bay Packers fan. My grandfather and my father both love the Packers and they passed their adoration down to me. Growing up, my father traveled a lot, but always made it home for Sunday football. For me, football was a way to spend time with my dad. In fact, I’m pretty sure that the first movie we ever watched together was Rudy. Over the years, I became a staunch Green Bay supporter, closely following the team and researching Packers history. I even gave a ten minute speech on why the Green Bay Packers is the best team in the NFL for my speech class in high school.
Reenacting the Lambeau Leap outside Tony's
One of the most frustrating things about coming to college was that I no longer had access to my family’s subscription to Sunday Ticket, meaning that I ended up missing most Green Bay games. This year, I made friends with a girl from Wisconsin named Chelsea. Being from Wisconsin, she shared my love for the Packers. This past Sunday, we decided to go to brunch. Chelsea proposed that we go to Tony’s, a very classy establishment downtown. I reluctantly agreed. However, upon arrival, I realized the brilliance of Chelsea’s suggestion. The place was a shrine to the Green Bay Packers, full of Packers fans and paraphernalia, and was broadcasting the Packers game in HD. And to top it all off, Green Bay won in a blowout against Chicago. I was in heaven! What more could I ask for on a Sunday afternoon?
My father is currently living in Brazil. With the five hour time difference, it has been difficult to keep in touch. In addition, this will be the first year that we won’t spend the holidays together. Watching Green Bay makes me feel a little closer to him, regardless of how many thousands of miles separate us.
Eve,
I enjoyed reading your blog and especially your thoughts on Green Bay. I remember being an eight year old boy sitting next to my dad and watching football every Sunday.
You may wonder why your Abuelo and I like so much the Green Bay Packers. Well, I still remember quite vividly when he once told me: Vince Lombardi, like Knute Rockne of Notre Dame, is a man who believes in discipline, hard work; and he believes that winning isn’t everything, is the only thing. Dad was right, I saw Vince Lombardi take the Packers to win Super Bowls I and II. He applied his philosophy to his every day coaching, and that made the Packers unique — on and off-the-field.
Because of the Packers, Abuelo and I have a strong bond. During the football season we speak every Saturday and discuss strategy for the game on Sunday. Also, as good Monday morning QBs, we exchange emails on the Packer’s performance and what they should have done. In the off season, we discuss the draft, free agency and hopes for the upcoming season.
Who was going to tell me that many years later, a little baby girl, with beautiful Spanish eyes, was going to be my side watching the Packers? You were the cutest baby girl — dragging your Packer paraphernalia all over the house.
You are not just any Packer fan who cheers for them. You know, like nobdy else knows, its history, statistics; and such legends as Curly Lambeau, Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Ray Nietzsche, Jerry Kramer, etc. But what I see embodied in you is what Vince Lombardi defined as a Packer characteristic: winning attitude, strong work ethic, compassion to those less fortunate than you, respectfull of others; and your relentless pursuit to excel in everything you do.
Though every Sunday I cheer for Green Bay, I cheer every day for you. No matter how far away we are from one another, I think of you, and I love you.
Your # 1 fan,
Papa