As those of you who follow this blog probably know, I am not a Packer fan even though I have lived in Wisconsin my entire life. Last night, one of my friends asked me "Why don't you like the Packers?" My immediate response was "Honestly, it's because of their fans." After reading his expression I felt the need to clarify that my comment was not directed at him. I articulated that I just get sick of how obsessed people in Wisconsin get about the Packers. Watching some of these fans represent the state of Wisconsin on the national news is embarrassing because they provide the rest of the nation with a glimpse of what people from Wisconsin are like. I do not want to be connected to the stereotypes that Packer fans create for the rest of us.
Point in case; this week, the city of Milwaukee experienced the worst blizzard it has seen in over 25 years. Of course, the storm was backpage news in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel which featured a photo shopped picture of Aaron Rodgers next to the Lombardi trophy on the cover. After flipping through four different Milwaukee television newscasts which all featured reporters broadcasting live from Dallas, I had to resort to the internet to find weather updates. Only after watching the weather forecast for the Superbowl was I able to find an update on the snow forecast for Milwaukee. This is the dark side of the culture that is Packer nation. Fans get so obsessed with their team that they forget or ignore everything else happening in the world around them.
On the flip side, these loyal fans are the reason there are NFL games played in Green Bay, WI when other cities of similar size and stature have lost NFL franchises. Even much larger cities such as Los Angeles, CA, which boasts a population roughly 13.5 times larger than that of Green Bay, has lost several NFL franchises.
The Packers franchise reciprocates the love the Green Bay community shows it by drafting and signing players who are also quality people and who embrace the community and get involved in it. Although other professional sports franchises encourage their players to get involved in a similar fashion in their respective communities, volunteer efforts and community involvement reaches a deeper level in Green Bay.
Many of these athletes are excellent role models for citizenship and hard work and Packer fans take advantage of pointing out these players to their children. I do not believe that this is a bad thing as long as it is kept in perspective. Positive role models that provide great examples of behavior for our children are tremendous assets for any community.
Teaching children the value of hard work and dedication to a team and a cause at an early age is a wonderful thing. Teaching them that there is more to life than Packer football, even when Packer football involves the Superbowl, is where I feel far too many Packer fans fall short.
I do think however, no matter what state you are in you will find these kinds of fans. If you had lived and grew up in any other state of a sports team you disliked you would see it there too. What is embarrassing to you may not be embarrassing to me and vice versa - it's all relative. If you were to take a poll and ask every single resident what there life was like growing up in "Packer country" i'm sure you would hear various responses... and i'm quite positive that finding fans that are truly emotionally influenced by these "embarrassing fans", enough to influence your love or hate for a team would be very minimal, definitely the minority and not the majority. Love or hate a team for who they are.... not what their fans make them. - and if other states judge Wisconsinites based off of Green Bay Packer fans... well, let them, cause that's just silly.
ReplyDeleteIt may not be right for others to judge the state of Wisconsin on the conduct of Packer fans but it happens. Yes, there are embarrassing fans of other teams but there are few things that represent a state to the rest of the country that are more embarrassing than some of these hillbillies driving down to Dallas in their extended pick up trucks with a gun rack in the back, a confederate flag decal on the rear bumper, and packer flags flying from each window while drinking a can of Milwaukee's Best wrapped neatly in a Cheesehead koozie and blaring the songs "Da Bears still suck" and "Fly like a Cheesehead" from the CD player. Of course these intellectual behemoths always seem to find their way in front of a news camera too so the entire country gets to witness what it truly means to be a Packer fan.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your headline question Paul, "Part of Wisconsin's Social fabric" is what Packer fans are. Packernation gives all Packer fans something in common which is very important. I personally don't hunt, fish, smoke, or even drink very often, I would never act the way some Packer fans do BUT I love all Packer fans.(even the guy pictured above) They are not an embarrassment to me. To each their own is what I always say and I mean it.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the Milwaukee news, I think they talk way too much about the weather. In fact, it seems like all weather and Packers these days as if there is no other news. I am glad they celebrate the Packers making it to the Superbowl. The bad weather happens every year so to me, less time on that would be great. I love all the Packer songs too.
By the way, for the record, my kids do know there is more to life than the Green Bay Packers. They also know that as a Wisconsinite they should always be loyal to the organization. It is a privledge to root for the Green Bay Packers and be on the season ticket waiting list. These are the best of times right now!!!
Matt Flynn for MVP!!
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