Sitting here, waiting for a game to begin around 5:40 pm CST. Getting anxious by the minute.
I’m a football fan and my forever team is the Green Bay Packers.
No question, will live and die a Packer fan.
You’ve heard of Vince Lombardi, right? The Lombardi Trophy? He was the coach of the Packers from 1959 to 1967. Led the team to five NFL championships and won the first two Super Bowls. Lombardi was ahead of his time as a coach and a great human being as noted in Wikipedia:
“Although Lombardi was noted for his gruff demeanor and ‘iron discipline,’ he was far ahead of his time in creating a supportive environment for gay players, and he emphatically challenged existing Jim Crow laws and provided leadership to break the color barrier in football. He once said that he “viewed his players as neither black nor white, but Packer green.”
There have been other great coaches at Lambeau. Mike Holmgren and Mike McCarthy, both of whom led the Packers to a Super Bowl. This season, new coach Matt LeFleur led the team to a 13-3 record and second seed in the playoffs.
Seeds don’t particularly matter other than to give four teams a “bye” during the first week of the playoffs and home field advantage for their first playoff game. I’m not a fan of bye weeks unless the team needs to heal from injuries. Otherwise, I say keep going, keep playing, keep winning.
I’ve been to Lambeau Field for football games and I can say that it’s a special, magical place for its fans. Freezing cold at times, but the smell of grilled bratwurst and beer, and the sea of green and gold cheeseheads give it an aura all its own.
Every damn Sunday, I get anxious over the fate of a football game.
Today is no exception. I probably won’t eat during the game because of being a nervous wreck. I often wonder if there is a name for this condition. Packeritis, perhaps? Maybe weirdness on my part. I do not know. It’s a lifetime suffer.
The only exception to this is when the Packers blow the competition away and I’m chomping down the chips and guacamole by the third quarter.
When the Packers don’t play well, I pace. Or I’ll turn off the TV for awhile and hope for a change. Or I’ll change my Packer apparel. Or maybe take it off. Or do a dance around the living room, naked, trying to put a hex on the opposing team.
Never mind that last sentence. Just kidding.
Natasha and I also scare the poor cats with shouts of “DEFENSE” or the jumping up and down of joy after a Packer touchdown.
So, here I sit, being anxious, trying to write the icky feelings away; getting ready for what will be a good game for the home team, because…
On any given Sunday…
A team plays well or they don’t. They win or they don’t. They work together or they don’t.
In the words of Vince Lombardi, “Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn’t do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another.”
I hope the Green Bay Packers of today love one another, that they come out as a team and win.
#GoPackGo
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go eat and hope my team doesn’t cause me to require CPR or a brown paper bag later.
I realize it’s silly, but…
Sooo anxious.
We cheer for two teams – Patriots where we live now and Chiefs where we lived most of our married lives. The Patriots are out of business, but we sure did cheer those Chiefs on today. Our WA family cheers for the Seahawks, but I’ll hope for your sake the best team wins, and its yours. 🙂
Thanks Judy! I thought the Chiefs were going to have a bad game this afternoon, but they sure turned that one around.
Just like me and the Saints. If the game gets too close like last week against the Vikings, I just want to walk away from it. It’s worse with LSU. Tomorrow is a huge game for my Tigers. I hope your game goes the way you are hoping it will!
The Packers are holding their own, so far, and the defense is looking good. Thanks for the positive thoughts, Cheryl, and I’ll do the same for LSU tomorrow night.
Thanks Mary! Go Packers!
GoPackGo! Keep putting up points.
Breath Mary.
Breathing. Need.to.get.Wilson. geez
You got him when it mattered most. And, despite what Pete Carroll thinks, you got the 1st down when you needed it. Actually, you guys were dangerous on 3rd down all through the game. I’m sure that didn’t do anything for your blood pressure, but…
The Packers are a scrappy team when they need to be and I hope they bring that out again next Sunday. I’m happy and proud that these guys have gone further this season than anyone thought possible in September.
While others, who were expected to dominate once again, are watching you guys play.
Like the Patriots…
Is it a sin to smirk?
I’ve never had a rabid devotion for any sport. But I love reading and this was very readable. The love comes through. Packeritis it may be, but some conditions one would rather live with than be separated from.
Oh, and one line made me choke with laughter as I mis-read it initially. I thought you wrote “[I] will live and die a Pecker fan.” Which is another condition one might not want to give up, no matter what heartache it brings.
I hope the game brings you joy, whether or not, it brings victory.
Thanks for your fun comment. Your misread made me laugh. Thankfully, they are the Green Bay Packers and not the other.
Football always brings me joy. I love a good game, whether it’s professional or college ball. There’s something exciting about it!
I am a Bears fan but I did watch you and your team win the division. Good for you! I hear you about all the anxiety that builds up before every game. Its only a game. Yeah… try and tell millions that every Sunday!
Thanks, Claudia! I don’t think that anxiety will ever go away on game day. It’s the type of fans we both are…always wanting the team to win.
I admit I’m just not a sports fan, but I can relate to the anxious anticipation. It can be fun — anticipation. And it made a great song… even before the ketchup people found it. 😉 By the way, weeks and weeks ago you left “cosmetics” as a random thing for my story. I’m finally using it in the next chapter. Hugs!
Carly Simon and the ketchup song. That’s a blast from the past!
I understand not everyone is as sports fan and if it wasn’t for football, I probably wouldn’t be either. Not interested in baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, etc. I will watch the Olympics, but that’s a different story.
Thanks for including cosmetics in the next chapter, Teagan. I am guessing you are feeling better and ready to write. Yay! Hugs!
P.S. So sorry for your loss. Maybe next year.
Thank you. At least they scored three TD’s, which was far better than last time. I’m hoping the draft and free agency will help the offense next season.
Obviously I cannot relate, except that like your cats, I am sometimes startled by the yelling. I do like the Vince Lombardi opinions and efforts tho. That’s good stuff.
I’m sorry, but I just asked my husband if the Packers are going to the SuperBowl and I hope you’re okay.
Yes, I’m okay Joey. My team actually did far better than what I imagined they would at the beginning of the season, so it’s all good. Hopeful for what’s to come! 🏈🙂