I know I’m a little late for Independence Day, but in honor of those who shoot fireworks all weekend, I’d like to pay tribute to the real America’s Team. A lot of people branded the Cowboys because of their stardom and shiny logo. Others prefer the Steelers based on the blue-collar working man.
But people forget, football isn’t about money or fame or simply doing your job or even winning. It’s about unity. The best football team is the best because they play for the love of the game. They play for each other. They play for the people. America’s Team plays with us, for us.
Here are the top 10 reasons why the Green Bay Packers are the real America’s Team.
Living proof of Packers unity.
- The fans own the team. There isn’t one rich man who calls the shots (sorry Jerry Jones). The city of Green Bay and people all over the world have the opportunity to actually become a shareholder of the great football franchise. For those who say that’s not smart money. Who’s in charge then? That’s why there’s a GM. Last time I checked, the Packers aren’t going bankrupt. So, the Green Bay Packers are literally America’s Team because the people own the franchise. The only reason why I’m not a part-owner is because there’s a long waiting list.
- Green Bay is nicknamed ‘Titletown”. Why? Hey everyone, there was football before the Super Bowl. They’ve won 13 league championships, more than any other team in NFL history. And four of those are Super Bowl titles. The Pack was the first franchise to repeat, winning Super Bowl I and II. The Packers are legendary. After all, it is called the Lombardi trophy. Everyone wants what Green Bay has.
- Cheeseheads are one-of-a-kind. Cowboys don’t even have a name for their fans. That’s proof of how important the spotlight is to Dallas. How bout dem Cowboys? The Pittsburgh Steelers crowd wave around a “Terrible Towel”. But in Green Bay, the fans have an identity. They’re actually part of the team because of their support which creates an amazing home-field advantage. When visiting teams walk onto Lambeau Field, they’re in awe. The fans are special because they’re classy. They don’t boo if the Pack is down, they cheer, even in subzero temperatures, they're a spark. Meanwhile, other home crowds throw stuff on the field. And Cheeseheads love their Packers no matter where we play. They actually are a traveling home-field advantage. Anytime the Packers go away, green and gold jerseys fill the stadium, even at Chicago. Cheeseheads travel all over the country. America’s Team has true fans.
The Green Bay bikini girls are a crowd favorite.
- The Packers always play on national TV. The NFL knows what they’re doing. There’s a reason why the schedule makers make sure Green Bay hosts at least one primetime game every year. Usually, two or three Packer games are nationally televised each season. Not only because they’re contenders every year, but people want to see America’s Team as much as they can. For example, the Pack opens the 2014 season at the champion Seattle Seahawks on NBC. They host the Chicago Bears Week 5 on NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football. In Week 8, they visit New Orleans for a Sunday Night game on NBC. Again on Sunday Night, they welcome the Bears in Week 10. Although it’s not a night game, CBS will make sure everyone will be watching Rodgers versus Brady Week 13. Their Monday Night appearance comes the following week on ESPN with the visiting Atlanta Falcons. That’s six highlight games for America to watch the Packers this year. Numbers never lie.
- Packers are famous. Despite what most people think about Green Bay, Wisconsin being in the middle of nowhere, a lot of Packers make a celebrity name for themselves. Think about how many Packers over time are famous for something along with winning. Aaron Rodgers has done multiple State Farm commercials. His “Discount Double-Check” has reached a stratosphere of its own. Teammates B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews joined in on TV. Matthews does his own thing with Fathead TV spots. Brett Favre made a cameo in There’s Something About Mary as Cameron Diaz’ ex-boyfriend. His Wrangler Jeans commercials were a huge hit as well. And you thought the Cowboys were the only stars of the league.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMjqi8XPyls
- Packers Family Night is a true Amercia’s Team event. Once a year, the Packers host a scrimmage like a carnival. Now in its 14th year, the Packers create a cool atmosphere for the fans with food, fireworks, games, autograph signings, and more. Family Night is part of the Back to Football campaign presented by Bellin Health. All benefits go to Wendy’s Wonderful Kids foster care adoption program from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. They kick off every year with a fun scrimmage introducing each Packer to the crowd as a weekend full of events for families. It’s so popular, NFL Network has picked it up and have been showing it live in recent years.
- Green Bay is the king of cold weather. They personify blue-collar football while the Dallas Cowboys are nice and warm in their million dollar play pin. And the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t seen a real frozen tundra. Let’s face it, not only should America’s Team be winners, they should also be tough. Spoiled brats can’t represent America’s Team unless the NFL is looking for a soap opera. Ironically, the “Ice Bowl”, the coldest game ever 15 degrees below zero, showed America who’s the home team. And the fans showed their Packer pride too as they beat the Cowboys for the 1967 NFL Championship.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfr1STSrBQo
Lambeau faithful creates America's Team.- Lambeau Field is on everyone’s bucket list. Green Bay, Wisconsin might be tough to find on the map, but it’s well known to a lot of people because of the Packers. Streets around town are named after greats like Lombardi Ave., Holmgren Way, Bart Starr Road, etc. It’s funny, the town is so small and big at the same time, they’re actually running out of streets to name after all the legends. The field is widely considered hallowed ground. The 2014 year marks the 58th season of football at Lambeau. Even those who aren’t football fans can respect the stature of this place. It’s just special. Lambeau Field is not only a stadium. It’s a museum. Tours are given year round. There’s the Roman Coliseum, Madison Square Garden, and Lambeau Field.
- The Lambeau Leap is the greatest touchdown celebration ever. It was first done by safety LeRoy Butler on December 26, 1993. Butler took it to the house against the visiting Los Angeles Raiders. Butler forced the fumble, Reggie White scooped it up, lateral back to Butler, and he hugged the Lambeau faithful like we all scored. It was a thing of beauty. Ever since then, it’s a given. When you score in Lambeau Field, and you’re wearing green and gold, you want to say, “I did a Lambeau Leap”. This celebration is a testament to America’s Team because the score brings everyone together; the team with their fans in the “jump zone”.
Super Bowl winners are reminded, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is a symbol of where it all started, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
- America’s Team wins every time. You can’t be America’s Team and only win sometimes. To represent our country, the best should be the best everyday. The Packers are in playoff contention every year, they’re at the top of their division every year, they have legitimate Super Bowl expectations every year. Even when they occasionally rebuild, they’re winners. That starts at the top. Under the greatest owner in the world, us, gutsy GM after another, Ron Wolf, Ted Thompson, genius Head Coach again and again, Vince Lombardi, Mike Holmgren, Mike McCarthy, faces of the franchise and of the league, Bart Starr, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers; leaders live in Green Bay making the Packers the ones we want to follow as America’s Team.