Just got tickets to Bears versus Steelers

[Voyageur]

And I wasn't alive, but my father has spoken of that game before........

I've seen Bears/Packers matchups since the 1940s. I even attended the 2-0 Bears preseason win over the Packers in County Stadium back in 1971 when the only score was when Packer QB Frank Patrick stepped out of the back of the end zone for the only points in the game. I've seen games where the best team on the field won, and other games where the best team didn't win. I was there when Charles Martin hit McMahon so late that it embarrassed all of us as Packer fans. I've seen so much. I've seen Halas and Lombardi meet on the sidelines and hug each other and smile at each other like brothers, because in a sense, the Bears and Packers are joined at the hip in this league more than any other teams.

What I'll never understand is how fans on either side of the aisle will be outrageously biased in favor of their team that they'll look past the facts, and the realities of the games. The best fans, on both sides, smile at each other, and when they meet in the hallways of a motel or hotel in Green Bay and Chicago, they exchange "best of luck, hope it's a clean game with no injuries," comments with each other.

For fans to posture like banty hens and roosters, as if they control the barn yard is just plain ridiculous. The rivalry is played out on the field, not by posturing fans.

But that's just my opinion. What would I know. I'm not a banty rooster.

 

[OldSchool101]

Now, that doesn't mean they didn't try. But it does mean that the game plan was vanilla and the rotations on the field weren't intended to put the hammer down.

In the NFL, the best thing is to just be happy that your team got the win because on any given Sunday a team can get zapped by another one regardless of their records going in.

That’s so accurate. Like you says, I did not mean to imply to Caleb that winning a game is bad or anything of that sort. Yet picking Week 18 in a game where we pulled starters in QTr1 just isn’t a game I’d hang my hat on to imply the Packers nearly got swept.

We lost 1 week 18 game in a stay healthy game.

Besides that GB lost 4 Division games to teams with these records.
15-2, 14-3,15-2,14-3
-Then we lost 2 games to the Super Bowl Champion Eagles, who were easily the #1 team last season.

For the youngest team in NFL 2 years running to make the Divisional and Wildcard and lose to a SB contender snd SB Winner is substantial.

 

[OldSchool101]

I heard something on the radio recently. I was listening to a sermon from the late Pastor (from the 70’s-90’s) Adrian Rogers. He said almost exclusively that those that use ongoing criticism of others are always the least qualified to do so. Imo a Bears fan preaching to a Packer fan about not being able to win? That there is a fine example of that remark.

I hope us Packer fans all remain humble if we excel this year. My prayer is we Just remain happy to win and enjoy it with others.

 

[El Guapo]

Somebody buy this man a beer......... because he gets it!!!!!!!!!

Slow the horses a bit. Yes the rivalry is still there, but it is NOTHING like it was in the 60s-80s. Those teams hated one another and the coaches pushed the narrative. Despite Halas and Lombardi being good friends, they pushed the rivalry hard in the week leading up to games and on the field as well.

The coaches these days are trying to push a bunch of pampered players to play harder because of rivalries. Let's be honest about today's coaches as well. Matt LaFleur isn't sending players out to intentionally hurt Bears players and vice versa.

Yes they might play each other harder than say an AFC east game, but there is no Butkus or Nitschke out there gunning to take out players in meaningless Week 18 games. The Ndamukong Suh's of the world have been largely phased out of the game. They all want to high five each other after the game, talk about which Caribbean island each will be visiting, and trade jerseys.

The Packers tried to win that game. Guys played hard. They just weren't playing with that fire. They were Rocky fighting Clubber Lane before Apollo helped him get the eye-of-the-tiger back.

 

[OldSchool101]

Slow the horses a bit. Yes the rivalry is still there, but it is NOTHING like it was in the 60s-80s. Those teams hated one another and the coaches pushed the narrative. Despite Halas and Lombardi being good friends, they pushed the rivalry hard in the week leading up to games and on the field as well.

The coaches these days are trying to push a bunch of pampered players to play harder because of rivalries. Let's be honest about today's coaches as well. Matt LaFleur isn't sending players out to intentionally hurt Bears players and vice versa.

Yes they might play each other harder than say an AFC east game, but there is no Butkus or Nitschke out there gunning to take out players in meaningless Week 18 games. The Ndamukong Suh's of the world have been largely phased out of the game. They all want to high five each other after the game, talk about which Caribbean island each will be visiting, and trade jerseys.

The Packers tried to win that game. Guys played hard. They just weren't playing with that fire. They were Rocky fighting Clubber Lane before Apollo helped him get the eye-of-the-tiger back.

Me thinks the Bears are picking the wrong time to become relevant. Any of The Packers, Lions or the Vikings have the potential to be a 12+ Win team. It’s pretty rare you can make that comment with any real substantial argument behind it. Many SB teams of the past benefited from what I’d call mediocre opponents intra division. The 2025 NFC North games appear to be one of the tougher Divisions in the entire NFL. This year you’ll have to earn your keep just to stay relevant.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

You're right Voyager and I mean..... I do come here to have fun and talk a little trash, but I hope it can be believed that if I did run into a Packers fan in a bar before the Bears Packers game, we could rib each other by each other beers and enjoy what is hopefully a he77 of a game.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

Me thinks the Bears are picking the wrong time to become relevant. Any of The Packers, Lions or the Vikings have the potential to be a 12+ Win team. It’s pretty rare you can make that comment with any real substantial argument behind it. Many SB teams of the past benefited from what I’d call mediocre opponents intra division. The 2025 NFC North games appear to be one of the tougher Divisions in the entire NFL. This year you’ll have to earn your keep just to stay relevant.

Never a bad time to be relevant and frankly, I hope we do well and rise to the top despite having one of the hardest divisions in football. I don't want anything given to us. I want my boys to have to earn it so they respect it appreciate it and fight like he77 to hold onto it.

 

[milani]

And I wasn't alive, but my father has spoken of that game before........

George Halas had a lot to do with not only that rivalry but the advancement of the NFL to eventually become what it is today. He never took a football game lightly because he worked so hard 100 years ago to keep the league just in existence. And today look at it. Huge stadiums filled to capacity. Fans all over the world. An NFL Network. Team memorabilia being sold for enormous sums. Halas has to be looking down in awe.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

I have all the respect in the world for Vince Lombardi, but they have the trophies backwards. The NFC championship trophy should be the Lombardi with the NFL's Super Bowl championship trophy being the Halas trophy.

 

[milani]

I have all the respect in the world for Vince Lombardi, but they have the trophies backwards. The NFC championship trophy should be the Lombardi with the NFL's Super Bowl championship trophy being the Halas trophy.

I am thinking it turned out that way because Lombardi died suddenly in 1970 with cancer. Papa Bear still lived into the 80s.

 

[Voyageur]

I am thinking it turned out that way because Lombardi died suddenly in 1970 with cancer. Papa Bear still lived into the 80s.

The reason they did it like they did is pretty obvious. Halas was the man who founded the NFL and what is now the NFC. He deserves that recognition with the NFC Trophy. Lombardi's Packers won the first two Super Bowls, and when he died, they used the Super Bowl Trophy to honor him. There is no slighting of Halas for the way the trophies aligned. If they had named the NFC trophy after Lombardi, Bears fans would have been mad because Halas was the leagues preeminent leader and founder.

 

[OldSchool101]

I’m wondering will Virginia Halas McCaskey be honored in a game this year. She lived to 102 years and passed away just last February. That’s a remarkable legacy in itself

 

[Calebs Revenge]

I’m wondering will Virginia Halas McCaskey be honored in a game this year. She lived to 102 years and passed away just last February. That’s a remarkable legacy in itself

First home game. She was an institution in her own right.
We all loved her and had the greatest respect for her, but she did keep the team in the 1950s.
It's time for the Bears to come in the 21st century.

 

[Voyageur]

First home game. She was an institution in her own right.
We all loved her and had the greatest respect for her, but she did keep the team in the 1950s.
It's time for the Bears to come in the 21st century.

Until those of us who remember the Halas family die, they'll always be the premier name in professional football. Without George, the whole thing would have folded.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

Until those of us who remember the Halas family die, they'll always be the premier name in professional football. Without George, the whole thing would have folded.

We're gonna have a beer irl.
You in your Packers jersey
Me in my Bears Cutler jersey....or Williams....lol
And it will be beautiful.....

 

[Calebs Revenge]

I like you man
You're effin crazy.........
But I like you man.

 

[weeds]

Caleb Williams on Green Bay fans: "They suck"

Williams pointed out that he's 1-0 at Lambeau Field but said he didn't appreciate his encounters with the fans there.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[Voyageur]

Caleb Williams on Green Bay fans: "They suck"

Williams pointed out that he's 1-0 at Lambeau Field but said he didn't appreciate his encounters with the fans there.

www.nbcsports.com

Years ago, I talked to a Packer player who grew up and played high school football in the Minneapolis area. It was back in the days when they were still playing at the Met down in Bloomington. He told me that the Vikings fans wanted to hang him as a "traitor" and even some of what used to be his friends were part of them. About the only support he got going there to play was from close friends and family, and most of the friends were those he bought tickets so they could attend.

He told me that was the worst place for him to play because of it. They really took it out on him.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

The people of Minnesota are an embarrassment.
That's all I have to say about that.

 

[milani]

Caleb Williams on Green Bay fans: "They suck"

Williams pointed out that he's 1-0 at Lambeau Field but said he didn't appreciate his encounters with the fans there.

www.nbcsports.com

For a moment there I had Caleb's Revenge mixed-up with Caleb Williams. Thanks for the clarity. I would hate to think he would have such an encounter.

 

[Voyageur]

The people of Minnesota are an embarrassment.
That's all I have to say about that.

Like I always refer to the state of Minnesota. The Land of 10,000 potholes.

 

[OldSchool101]

Like I always refer to the state of Minnesota. The Land of 10,000 potholes.

I used to either walk or ride my bike across the bridge between WI and MN with a group of childhood friends destination, “Millers Pond” in MN. Looking back it’s probably every bit of 5 Miles (each way) but back then all we had was time. After about 5 miles We’d follow a 1/2 mile walking trail that zig zagged between the swampy areas and eventually come to an old train bridge. We spent several hours jumping off that bridge into that connecting pond. You had to be careful because depending on water height there were old railroad ties under that water. Every so often to brush one with your foot.

Anyway I’ve spent lots of time in MN visiting family and friends from a teenager to young adult. I don’t even want tell you about our party trip to Minni one weekend with the guys but I was lucky to be alive! Literally woke up in the middle of a divided Highway after falling asleep driving at 4am and spinning in circles, literally. Everyone else pretty much slept through it though maybe it wasn’t so exciting after all?

Anyway I have many ties to the area… literally! Railroad ties! Lots of Good people in MN don’t let Caleb Fool you he has no idea.

PS. I decided to call an old WI friend about a month ago. I graduated with him and we bumped into each other in High School and learned we had went to Kindergarten and 1/2 of 1st grade together many years earlier. He still cusses like a sailor he lives in the Metropolis of Sparta, WI. Anyway he told me a story that one of our derivative friends-friends drown at Millers Pond. He apparently had stuffed his pockets with so many beers that when he jumped in he apparently never surfaced. I swear he said it’s true … if that’s not a WI to MN story I don’t know what is!

If I go home to the good Lord while I’m MN? That’s how I want to go!!

 

[Voyageur]

I used to either walk or ride my bike across the bridge between WI and MN with a group of childhood friends destination, “Millers Pond” in MN. Looking back it’s probably every bit of 5 Miles (each way) but back then all we had was time. After about 5 miles We’d follow a 1/2 mile walking trail that zig zagged between the swampy areas and eventually come to an old train bridge. We spent several hours jumping off that bridge into that connecting pond. You had to be careful because depending on water height there were old railroad ties under that water. Every so often to brush one with your foot.

Anyway I’ve spent lots of time in MN visiting family and friends from a teenager to young adult. I don’t even want tell you about our party trip to Minni one weekend with the guys but I was lucky to be alive! Literally woke up in the middle of a divided Highway after falling asleep driving at 4am and spinning in circles, literally. Everyone else pretty much slept through it though maybe it wasn’t so exciting after all?

Anyway I have many ties to the area… literally! Railroad ties! Lots of Good people in MN don’t let Caleb Fool you he has no idea.

PS. I decided to call an old WI friend about a month ago. I graduated with him and we bumped into each other in High School and learned we had went to Kindergarten and 1/2 of 1st grade together many years earlier. He still cusses like a sailor he lives in the Metropolis of Sparta, WI. Anyway he told me a story that one of our derivative friends-friends drown at Millers Pond. He apparently had stuffed his pockets with so many beers that when he jumped in he apparently never surfaced. I swear he said it’s true … if that’s not a WI to MN story I don’t know what is!

If I go home to the good Lord while I’m MN? That’s how I want to go!!

You must remember the days when Don Riley was writing for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The guy was an institution of coming up with insults against Wisconsin and the Packers. He was good at it. He would get mail from people who were seething because of snappy comments about Wisconsin, and he'd make their heads explode with a zinger. I loved reading his columns because they were actually a fun read. His column was called "The Eye Opener." The only person that I've ever found that I liked nearly as much was Jim Murray out of the Los Angeles Times. They were to sports columns what Don Rickles was to stand-up comedy that knew absolutely no boundaries.

I loved it when Riley would refer to the Packers as Green Bush. In those days the insult type joke was well deserved. The Packers were horrible. They were pathetic. Riley would go on and on about how Minnesota was so great, and Wisconsin was just a wasteland that connected them to Illinois. The funny part was that he lived in Wisconsin. His home was in Hudson, WI, and he was actually born in New Richmond, WI. I do believe though that later in life, Don moved to Minneapolis, but that part I can't be certain about.

He pointed out, with his comments, that we need to learn to laugh at ourselves and others. It's a good philosophy for life.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

Again, I'm not gonna deny that there may be one or two decent folks in Minnesota, but as a whole.......the state is an embarrassment.

 

[OldSchool101]

Again, I'm not gonna deny that there may be one or two decent folks in Minnesota, but as a whole.......the state is an embarrassment.

I will admit. It’s gotten much worse since my time spent there. It’s why My Sister moved most of her family out of Delano MN and has a nice home on a Mountain 30 miles down in the Valley from the Massanutten Ski Resort. As usual the worst behavior is in the Twin Cities. I lived in Eden Prairie in the latter 1980’s for short durations working for Menards Cashway Lumber
It’s completely changed I don’t even hardly recognize the area.

I bet you can find some pretty unworthy people in Chicago just guessing. Heck Chicago is like modern day Samaria. Most People would prefer to go around it to avoid that mess or just close their eyes as they go through it heading to anywhere else. Lol. I definitely wouldn’t stand in Chicago calling others derelict, that’s like standing in quicksand and doing the Hula Hoop