The Packer Pundit

Memoirs from Behind the Steel Curtain

Part One:
How I Became a Fan

How should I start this?


How can I put to words My feelings... My devotion...
My Love for My Favorite Sports Team?

I guess it's best to go back to the beginning...

I am Born --
Okay... maybe not that far back. But I do want to go back to 1967 and my first recollection of the Packers.

I was a young lad of 9 when this obsession with 'America's True Team' began. Living deep in the heart of Steeler country... one would think I'd be a Steeler backer. But truth be told... the Steelers sucked back in the 60's (my formative years) and I always tended to back a winner. I mean when you play Cowboys and Indians... what 9 year old wants to be the Indian?

Another influence that needs to be discussed is the era of television I'm speaking of. Back in the 60's we only got 2 good channels... sometimes 3 when atmospheric conditions and Antenna Gods were kind. Even at that... we're talkin' ABC... NBC... and CBS. Independent channels just didn't exist. So with all that said... my broadcast viewing choices were quite limited. And let's also remember... the NFL was only broadcast on one station back then. So... they tended to put their best games on and the best team at that time was... The Green Bay Packers.

All this brings us back to 1967 and the very first Super Bowl.

Now I could lie to you all and tell you how I remember every play like it was yesterday. I could say I recall Max McGee making those two circus catches for Touchdowns. I could mention the nervous anticipation I felt as 'The Hammer' went down and didn't get back up. I could go on and on about the outstanding individual plays and playmakers. Wood's interception... Dowler's big catch... a hit by Nitschke... yes all of that but... it would'nt be the truth.

All I can actually remember was the final out come and my dad (a Steeler fan) saying the AFL just didn't belong on the same field.

I do recall... later on going out in the front lawn... wearing my JC Penny Imitation Authentic NFL Replica Green Bay Packer Helmet with the obligatory disclaimor... (This helmet is not to be used for protection) and playing a pretend game of catch... being both Bart Starr and Max McGee... tossing the ball high into the air and miraculously coming down in the end zone with it for a score!

Good Times! Good Times!

The main difference in my pretend games and the real deal was... in my pretend games the Chiefs never scored. How could they have... I never gave them the ball?

That's what I do remember.

That's when I became a fan.