Thanksgiving Day renews the most played and greatest rivalry in football. The Packers versus the Bears this Thursday is just going to be as good as it gets…and then some. With high hopes that the legend Bart Starr will be there, at Lambeau Field, to participate in the unveiling of Brett Favre’s Jersey just gives me goosebumps. Here is to the great history of NFL football, here is to this great rivalry, and the possibility that three great Packers quarterbacks will be present, together at Lambeau Field. The game itself is important, to keep the Packers on top of the division with another division win. But also, this game is an opportunity for the Green Bay Packers to tie the all time series against the Bears (currently 93-92-6 Bears including playoffs) and take away one of the few things the Bears could hold over the Packers and their fans.
Mr. Starr, we hope you can make this game. You are one of the bedrock players of the NFL and your championship character shows in the way you have worked to get to this game after what must have been an excruciating year for you, your wife, and your family. We in Packernation are fortunate to name you as one of the great legends of our beloved team. Your quarterback sneak in the Ice Bowl may very well be the most famous play ever in the history of the National Football League. And yet, you were a gentleman-warrior. Always polite, seeing and saying and doing things that exemplify for all of us the fact that there is more to life than football. You have done so much for so many…multiplying the blessings that football afforded you to others. Again, we are fortunate to name the likes of you when other teams (and even ours from time to time) find their players named in association with domestic abuse, drug, or violence allegations. It will be epic if you get a chance to smell the grass of Lambeau Field and listen to the roar of the crowd, and we…we will be so grateful to have you back in that moment. May the loving roar of the crowd be ever with you, as it is well deserved.
Brett…we use your first name as if we all know you because you are the one who wore your heart on your sleeve and played each game with as much heart as anyone I have ever seen. Too much of football sacrifices passion for precision and while you had both things it is your passion that we remember most. You were always there because you loved the game and it is good to have you back and see good ole number 4 get hung up in the North Facade, enshrined, back at Lambeau where it belongs. Welcome back, enjoy it. With a gunslinger like you behind center, every snap of the ball was exciting and we always felt like we had a chance to win when our quarterback was Brett Favre.
Aaron Rodgers, if Bart Starr is the gentleman, perhaps you are the scholar. Your cerebral approach by no means negates your athleticism and laser arm. Your continued confidence and expectation of excellence on the field is a boon for young receivers that want to make a way in the league. No matter what anyone says you are a champion and we are very fortunate to have such a great quarterback leading this team after years with the “Iron Man” behind center. I hope that you are able to enjoy this historic moment at Lambeau…for a moment…and then go out and crush those Bears!
I wish the game was today. This is an important game and it is going to be an exciting one. Thanksgiving is here and Winter will soon grip Lambeau Field. If Eddie Lacy can continue to perform then teams will rue the day they have to come to Lambeau to meet the Packers, and it all starts Thursday. The Vikings game felt like a turning point, no? With the “return” of Eddie Lacy and an offensive showing that was more to the standard that Packers fans have come to expect. But this game is more than a game, it is a celebration of NFL history. I hope everyone in Packernation gets a chance to enjoy it.
Go Pack!
What a great tribute to my favorite player of all time in Mr. Bart Starr. I was 9 years old when the ice bowl was played and remember it as if it was yesterday. I most defiantly had one of the best role models a kid could hope for.
You also nailed it with your tribute to “Brett”. As you said “…every play was exciting…”. They sure were, you never knew what was going to happen but you knew that it would probably end up being something only Brett could do. I to felt betrayed when he put on the other shade of green and then cringed when he wore the purple. Somewhere down deep in my heart I knew that he would come back to the fans that showed him so much love over the years. And don’t forget about his/our Super Bowl win after a thirty year drought. I hope they can at least stream the halftime show if they don’t show it on T.V.
As far as Aaron goes, he already has a ring and will get another one(hopefully) this year. Aaron’s story is still being written as God willing, he will play another 8 to 10 years. There are more records for him to beat and more Super Bowls to win. There is no doubt that his performances so far has already reserved a spot in the hall of fame and I look forward to see his Jersey retired.
Thank you so much! Wow…I love Bart Starr too even though I was not around for the Ice Bowl myself. What an awesome thing to remember exactly where you were when it happened! Yep, this Thanksgiving is going to be another special moment in the history of the Packers…just amazing. Go Pack!
this is gonna be a great game i cant wait to see it i hope that they show us fan at home them hanging bretts jersy being raised i would love to be at Lambeau in person to watch it but i cant be will just be at home and hope to get to see it in cali i was not around to see bart starr play but i remember hearing about him from my dad brett i remember very well watching each game each season thinking we have a good chance this year to win it all i get the same filling from rodgers when i watch them now 3 of the greatest QBs in history at Lambeau same time the atmosphere at the game is gonna be amazing i have been a packers fan 20+ years now and i will be a packers fan till i die i love this team and we have the best fans in the hole NFL GO PACK GO
Totally Kenny, I can’t wait! I think Rodgers is going to have a great game and it is just going to be a fantastic day for Packernation. And coming even with the Bears in the all-time series will be the icing on the cake! Go Pack!