Clay's Jock Strap
TRK's Hero
And at what age did you become aware that the Packer ownership group was different then the rest of the league? Ownership was never an issue with me until I was out of college. I had no one following football in my family at the time. It wasn't until I started following the Vikings that the rest of my immediate family really became Packer fans. Not hard core ones mind you. And yes, they do try to convert me to the "dark side". (or the Pack side as they say.) So really, I am responsible for creating at least 8 Packer fans.
The last time they sold Packer stock if I had the money I would have bought some, now wouldn't that confuse you? My son can follow any team he wishes at anytime he wishes. Right now he's not into football.
And logic? Come on man, this is about being a fan. From the word fanatic: " marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion " Logic never comes into play.
As far as making a willing decision to turn my back on them. That would have required some commitment on may part to them in the first place. The Packers or any team don't have exclusive rights to the people who live in their area. If they did, then CJS would have to be a Vikings fan. And I am pretty sure he would not like that one bit.
When Rocky Bleier was playing for the Steelers a lot of people in Appleton became Steeler fans. Now that would be turning your back on you team.
I'm not going to have a contrarian party argument with you - I'm sick of that ****. I don't have the patience to indulge some guy whose MO is to look at things from another angle all the time. I was aware of the Packers unique stature about as soon as I could say my ABCs. My grandmother owned a tavern named after the Packers and I met a few of the glory days Packers at a young age. The Packers were always big in our family. We went to games together and when not at Lambeau we were at home on Sunday watching.
My dad was proud of the Packers' history and taught that to me at a very young age. Do you find that strange or something? Because for families living in the FRV and Green Bay, I think it is closer to the norm.
I can see a kid following other players and therefore their teams even if they don't play for the Packers. However, there are several out there to choose from. I'll let you in on a secret. When I was a kid of 6 or 7 and the Pack was brutal, I took a liking to the Steelers. That was totally benign. As you said, Rocky was from Appleton and they were a great team with great players. That lasted a couple years, and then I was ALL Packers. I don't think my dad gave a damn that I liked the Steelers a little bit - it was no big deal. But had I decided to root for the Vikings or Bears I think it would have been more than a little bit disrespectful since their success automatically diminished the chances of the Packers having success. I respected my pop a lot and would never have, even at an early age, picked the Packers' arch enemy to root for. I would have seen that as very similar to rooting against my dad and that just wasn't going to happen.
Whatever your reasons are or were, I really don't care and I've more than satisfied my curiosity in the matter. I don't understand you most of the time and that is fine.