I was born and raised in Wisconsin about an hour south of Green Bay. A true Packers, Badgers, Brewers and Bucks fan. There really isn't any choice...either you like the Packers or you can find a new home! My wife and I moved to Oregon in 2006 and we love it here, but it's nice to talk to friends back home and browse various sites to get some Packers news. There are actually quite a few Packer fans here were I live...so seeing the old green and gold (not the Ducks either) walk into a grocery store brings a smile to my face.
So, I thought I would submit some articles to PackersHome.com, but not the normal talk about the season and players. There's enough of that with everyone else submitting their thoughts. Instead, I thought I'd write some stories of Packers memories and what really makes us all fans. We all know that the Packers family is special and our memories growing up with the Pack is what sets us apart from other franchises.
I'll start with a story from a more recent time-frame. In 2008, I was waiting for my wife to get back from a work trip in Salem, OR on a Saturday. So, like a true football fan, I walked into a local bar in Redmond, OR to watch some college ball. I ordered my drink and pickled egg and an old man came walking in and sat down next to me. Now, when I say old, I mean 'old'. At first glance I figured around 90. Everyone knew him and greeted him as 'Dick'.
I had my Brewers hat on and Dick looked at me and asked if I was from Wisconsin. I told him yes. He asked if I was a Packer fan too. I said of course. He smiled and sipped his beer. A few minutes went by and he said that he use to play for Curly Lambeau back in the 40's. He said he only played for a few years before he got hurt and couldn't do it anymore.
I thought, yea right...another old guy telling a good story. Dick, went on to talk about playing against the Bears and Redskins. He talked about how different things were now. He played football for Willamette University in Oregon and then joined the NFL. Interesting conversation.
Well, before I left the bar Dick wrote a check for his tab and I took a glance at the last name. Weisgerber. So, being the curious guy I am, I went home and looked up Packers rosters from the 40's. To my shock, there he was. Blocking back from 1938-1942.
Damn...what a small world. Here I was sitting next to a man who played for Curly...not too often that happens anymore.
I'll leave you with this closing statement, well actually quote from when Wisconsin cars still had yellow license plates and a bumper sticker of the same color adorned the rear of half the cars in the state...'You may beat the Pack, but you'll never lick our Dickey'.
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