Tailgate tradition- Over and out.

Well, what a disappointing season. After last year's 13-3 we had our hopes up. The untimely departure of Brett Favre, injuries and bad luck led to a 6-10 result. By tomorrow it will clear out of the players and a few coaches will be fired.

If the season was based on statistics- we won! Rogers had 4000 yards, Grant had 1000 yards, Jennings and Driver each had 1000 yards, Woodson and Colins each had 7 interceptions. The Packers out scored their opponents in sheer points. Doesn't sound like a 6 and 10 team.

Tailgate tradition- Next Generation

It only hits you years later. It was part of my Dad's plan for the family to be Packer fans or at least to appreciate the Packers. I think it was linked with the feeling of being young and having a winning team. In the 60s, the Packers were awesome and every year everyone expected them to win. Being part of a winning tradition is thrilling and addictive.

As years pass you regain the memory of your youth when they are great again, you remember the city staying up all night after a big victory, when it was Titletown, when you used to sneak into the games in a beer truck before you had tickets....when all they did was win. Hornung, Taylor, Starr, Lombardi..... It was exciting to be a Packer fan and it was exciting to be young. You want to pass that excitement on to future generations.

We had the Holmgren/Favre era to remember.

Let's hope the future has something to cheer about.

Tailgate tradition- The Landscape of Lambeau

The landscape of Lambeau has changed over the past 20 years. The ring has gotten taller, they've added box seats for the corporations and (I guess) more women's restrooms. The atrium is a big plus though you can't see it from the seats. The past 17 years has been particularly successful. Only one losing season. Now we are looking at the second one. The first of the post-Favre era. It is too bad the Favre thing has polarized many of the fans. At the Texan game two guys wanted to fight us for wearing Favre jerseys. Insane.

Remember the success that brought all the improvements to Lambeau. Who is principally responsible? Are there any Hall of Famers currently on the team?

Tailgate tradition- Get to your seat early!

The tailgate tradition that began in 1990 was that we wanted to go in early to see the players warm up and soak in the atmosphere at Lambeau. At the time, Jeff was 7 years old and his first game in Green Bay. We had the same foursome for at least 10 years: Grandpa Bukowski, Grandpa Goetzke, Jeff and me. We were in the Packer fan club and for five dollars you could join a big tailgate right in the shadow of the stadium. It was pretty much all you could eat and drink an hour or two before the game. We used to stop in and visit Great Grandpa and sometimes Toni and Johnnie before the game. We drove to Green Bay from Wisconsin Rapids.

The Packers were playing the 49ers and the Packers starting quarterback was Don Majkowski. We were pumped. We walked into the stadium and took a quick look and there warming up was Joe Montana! Like anyone, just seeing Lambeau for the first time would be enough, but there was Jerry Rice and Sterling Sharpe. What more would you need? It was quite a thrill and ever since we have tried to get to the seats early.

Lambeau Tailgate----Huddle Up

Football is a team sport. You have to rely on everyone doing their part and looking out for each other and sticking together.

Most of today's fans don't remember the 80s and how bleak it was with mediocre teams and excuses. The fans clung to the Lombardi years as the reason to be Packer fans. We always had Vince. Now we will look back on the Favre years as a reason to be a Packer fan.

Lately, there is no team. Some guys play occasionally, some are in the wrong position, some just don't have enough experience and they throw a pick in the last minute to lose the game.

It is time for the Packers to huddle up and come together.

Tailgate tradition- The cigar and True Love

Jeff, his two grandpas and I went to the Packer/ 49er game in 1996. It was a thrilling overtime victory and Don Beebe's night to shine. At our tailgate
before the game Jeff and I noticed that two knuckleheads were living it up with cigars after the meal. The light bulb went on and my Dad, who had long given up smoking, loved the excuse to have a cigar once a year at the tailgate. Ever since, we have had the ritual cigar after the meal. Does that make us knuckleheads? Live it up!



True love is when you go to a game of a rival team with your wife's family during your team's game. It is cold,and there are potentially 70,000 obnoxious fans, but you tough it out. Maybe there is a fantasy football connection.......but we will always welcome new recruits.

Tailgate tradition- It's a family thing.

We went to the Packer/Texan game last Sunday, December 7. It was -1 degree when I went out to warm up the car that morning. It was definitely cold, but some brats and chicken, a little football and a cigar and we were as warm as a summer day. One of the things my dad had said to me a few years ago, when he decided not to go to the game with me, was that he didn't want tailgating to depend on whether he went to the game. Some day he wouldn't be there and he still wanted the family to go. He said we needed to go without him to be ready when he wasn't there anymore. At the time, I couldn't imagine him not being there or not being around anymore.

This was the weekend we would have celebrated his 79th birthday and had been going to Wisconsin Rapids to celebrate with him.

It was too cold for some of our other tailgate relatives and Joe came in just a few minutes, but we upheld the great tradition.
Now if we can just have the Packers keep up their end of the bargain. They lost in the last 4 seconds on a Texan field goal.

Tailgate tradition- Winning is the only thing.

In the glory years as it is remembered, being mediocre wasn't an option. My dad used to talk about the legendary Vince Lombardi and the championships of the 60s.

I was around and aware of the Packers greatness, but not as interested. What a lot of fans since the Favre era don't realize is that from 1972-1992 the Packers were a very mediocre bunch. Most of my fan years, the Packers were 8-8 or worse. I had to suffer the Vikings and Bears winning the division year after year. Now there is the feeling that the Packers will return to those mediocre times.

We need to start winning.... next week.

Tailgate tradition- We're waiting!

The Packers played the Saints tonight and lost 51-29. It was a sad game for the defense and a few mistakes by Aaron Rodgers and we are down 51-29. Ouch. It would appear that the season is over. How embarrassing.....

Maybe we have all been delusional about how good the players and coach really are. The questions that are still on the minds of some of the Packer faithful are: where is the playoff team from last year? Where is the intensity and of course where is #4. Oh yeah, that's right, he is on the division leading Jets.

We are waiting to pick up where the team left off last year.....we're waiting......

Tailgate Traditions- You have to win!

We all know that there are no moral victories in football. The Packers were lucky to still be in the game (near the end) last Sunday. The Vikings dominated most of the game, certainly the o-line. It reminded me of the days when Don Majkowski would go to the Metrodome and get hammered by Chris Dolman and Keith Millard. They slapped him around like a rag doll, just like Aaron Rodgers last weekend. Ugh. I hope this isn't the new look Packers. The memory of last year's NFC playoffs seems particularly distant......

Tailgate Traditions- Bring on the Purple!

Well, here we are again ready to take on the Vikings. It is a little touchy in our family as you can see in this picture, we are not all of one mind. At least things are more or less a "friendly" rivalry. Viking coach Childress hasn't won against the Packers in his tenure as head coach, so that helps. We have suffered through Mike Holmgren and Brett Favre's struggles to beat Dennis Green's Vikings in the Metrodome. We had some terrible games. I still have a good feeling about this week, but I guess I don't feel like either team is good enough to do much in the post season anyway. It should be an entertaining game, look for Donald Driver to have a big game.

Tailgate Traditions- Things are picking up.

A few weeks ago I didn't think the Packers could win another game. Yesterday they played like a team that could contend. I don't know where that came from....the defense could stop the pass, Grant could run and Rodgers managed the game like an old pro. At first I was just happy to see the victory over the Vikings and that would have been it for the semester. Now I think they can play. I guess every week is a whole new beginning.

Tailgate Traditions- Where is the playoff team?

Where is the team that played Seattle last year in the playoffs? They hit, they ran, they passed, they showed up Old Man Holmgren....It was a great team on a magical night....a Packer fan's dream.

Now what do we have? No blocking, no tackling, an injured quarterback......yet only one man is missing. Hmmmmmm......

Check out an article on the Jet's website: Favre Factor Makes a Difference. 10/07
I think you will find the answers to my questions.

Tailgate Traditions- What do you tell your kids?

Now that the fun is gone, what do you tell your kids? The Packers for the past 16 years were celebration of hope and joy. Recently they turned their back on one of their greatest players. What do you tell your kids? Why did McCarthy and Thompson do this to Favre? He threw 6 touchdowns this week for the Jets. Rodgers threw 3 interceptions and left the game injured. We were left with a rookie who basically lost the game. We were winning at the time, we went backwards, punted and with a short field, the Bucs kicked a field goal to move ahead with only minutes left.

Will the Packers win another game this season? It sure doesn't look like it.

Tailgate Traditions- Something is missing.

Now that the Packers have lost to Dallas and Favre was on Monday Night Football without the Packers, there is definitely something missing. It is hard to watch #4 without some melancholy and regret over our football fortunes.

Would the outcome had been different against Dallas? Who knows, but it passed without the sense or hope of heroics, or feeling like next time we'll get them at home..... Rodgers is good, better than I expected, but we are a ways off......and it wasn't as much fun as it used to be....even in defeat.

Tailgate Traditions- One mind is scary

One of the scary things about Lambeau Field is that it is a gathering of one mind.  When you have so many people that think the same, want the same result, and are at an emotional peak there is a strange power(I didn't want to mention that a few of these people may have had too much to drink too).  

You understand the Roman Empire a little better, you understand Fascism or revolution a little better.  It is easy to get caught up in the feeling.  Now if only we could channel this energy in other ways....  

In the mean time, we need to beat the Cowboys.

Tailgate Traditions- Lambeau Field and the fountain of youth!

So how about this one?  The Packers have a pretty good team and when you come to the game, you find the fountain of youth. 

 It is not really a fountain, but it is a young man's game played in an amphitheater and when you enjoy it with relatives,(and 70,000 other cheese heads) you feel young at heart, and it brings back your own youth.  You make the catch, score the touchdown, or at least help the ref make the right call.  It all comes back to feeling emotions like a kid, and that brings you to the fountain.  Totally irrational fun.

We were used to a player at quarterback for the past 16 years who played with joy of youth.  He helped us feel good and we were emotional about his exit from the team. 

 But now, we have another team and another feeling.

Tailgate Traditions- More 2008 Opener!

The Opener brought out the best in the Packers and the best in some of our tailgate comrades.  Here is a shot of Bob and his buddies with their new hats.   Who says cheese heads aren't the latest in high fashion?  We stopped on the way home for some cheese curds and they were "squeaky good". 

 Julia is teaching Joe a little bit about Packer Pride.    "I can take you with my eyes closed..."

Sherri is welcoming Erin and Joe to their first tailgate.  It was like being in a dream.  They went to sleep in California or Colorado and woke up in funny clothes with a brat and a beer and were surrounded by the Packer faithful......

Tailgate Traditions- The 2008 Opener!

The opener is always special.  This year we were joined by Sally, John, Erin and Joe(as far away as Colorado and California).   It was great to catch up a little bit with extended family.

Some of the regulars were missing.   Our Joe and Mike didn't get there yet, and Gail had to work if you can believe it.  I thought all businesses in Green Bay shut down on game day.  The fab four is an incomplete picture too, but still worthy. 

 Bob had ribs and brats going on the grill and I had the chicken already done.   He had another 7 or 8 guys still coming. 

There is so much excitement and good will on the opening day- win or lose- it is always fun.  Of course we like to win and we saw the great debut of Aaron Rodgers.  He played like a veteran and the defense came up big.

Tailgate Traditions- Rev it up for the opener!

Well, let the wild rumpus begin......

Under the lights, Lambeau Field, Aaron Rodgers first night, the Vikings..... bring it on.....    Certain things in life can and should be celebrated.... like the Packer 2008 opener.  Ancient rituals, secret potions, war cries, thundering footsteps, gladiator battles,  blood, all these make up opening night when you are lucky enough to be there.  Our first opener was in 1991 when Reggie was on the Eagles and Don Majkowski was at the helm.  The final score was 20-3 and Majik was hammered- but we did see a great receiver named Sterling Sharpe and a fraud named Tony Mandarich.

Tailgate Tales-- What is cookin' at Lambeau?

Someday years from now, this summer's story will make a great pregame tale.  As we are grilling brats and sipping brews, we will talk about the high expectations of that team,  the old warrior who thought he could come back and lead the team to the Superbowl, the administration and coach who didn't want to expose the team to a "hypothetical" situation and closed the gate.  The season that follows may blow up, it may not.  

A teams mythology grows over such dealings.  We don't know the end yet, and whatever way it turns out, someday it will make a great story.  Why else do they call it a "storied franchise".

Tailgate Troubles- Wake Up Call!

Well, what will this season bring?  I wish last season counted...we had a great record.  Unfortunately that doesn't matter any more.  The teams we play don't remember what the records were....they probably remember getting beat--except the Bears....and the Cowboys(oh yeah, the Giants, too).

I don't have a good feeling about the season but at least McCarthy and company had a wake up call.  6 sacks in 2 games in 3 quarters of Rodgers football.  That is ugly.  If I didn't know better I would say that there is a conspiracy to get rid of McCarthy.  No quarterbacks with experience?  what's up with that?   "Fasten you seat belts, it is going to be a bumpy ride."

Tailgate Troubles- I'm hope I'm not right.

If you watched the preseason game against the 49ers last night, you had a bad feeling about the season.  Terrible offense, terrible defense, terrible special teams.....hmmmm.  How did the Jets do in their first 2 series with #4?  5 out of 6 and a touchdown....hmmm.....All of a sudden the choice to run the "distraction" out of town looks like a bad idea.  I really hope the coach and general manager know more than I do about this...  If I'm right, this will be the worst season since Lindy Infante was fired.  With ol' #4 there was always hope, (even in his worst season )with #12, I'm not so sure.....  The opener worries me especially,  I hate losing to the Vikings.

Tailgate Traditions- Who's to blame?

It has clearly been a bad scene at Lambeau field this year so far.  Brett Favre will never play as a Green Bay Packer again.  Can you blame Favre for wanting to come back?  Can you blame Favre for wanting to have one more chance to win a super bowl?  Can you blame Brett Favre for thinking he might be given special treatment?

Can you blame Mike McCarthy for wanting to keep the "hypothetical" out of the locker room?  Can you blame Mike McCarthy for wanting to get rid of distractions from "his" team.

Can you blame Ted Thompson for wanting to be the boss of the show?  Can you blame Ted Thompson for not caring what the fans think?  Can you blame Ted Thompson for not knowing how much people loved #4?

Can you blame Packer fans for feeling left out the equation?  Can you blame Packer fans for feeling like they don't really know the truth?..........maybe some day we won't have anyone to blame.

Tailgate Traditions- Training camp 08

Training camp started without #4.  It is always interesting, but more exciting with Favre present.  We prefer watching the receivers and quarterbacks.  This picture is from the first night practice.  The crowd was decent but not overly excited.  Many fans leave after about 45 minutes, so there were a lot of seats available.  

Today, Favre is supposed to come back.  I can't believe there has been talk about a trade to the Vikings!  Doesn't management know we hate the Vikings?  ... and if they make the trade, we will hate them?  Trading Favre to the Purple is a slap in the face to the loyal, money spending fans who have lived or died with Brett Favre for the past 16 years.  Ted Thompson, you can't be serious?

Tailgate Traditions- Let the Dust Settle

I put off commenting on the Favre un-retirement situation, but I suppose it is time.  For most of us this ordeal with Favre is unbelievable!  It is hard to know truth from lies and I guess there have been some on both sides.  

If the greatest player in the NFL and one of the greatest all time- wants to play, it is simple, let him play.  MVP, All Pro, Pro Bowl, 13-3,  NFC Championship...... what was the question?

Or is this just the prolonged sunset on his career?

Tailgate Tradition: Birthdays, Favre's Final Day, and an Australian Greeting

Tailgate tradition- Be Sure to Eat Your Veggies

When it comes to tailgate appetizers, anything goes.  Here is a still life from tailgate meal before the playoff loss to the Vikings on January 9th in 2005.  Note the lavish selection of fresh vegetables!

Actually if you enlarge the picture, you can see a light sheen of snow on the summer sausage.  It is all fuel for the big tilt.  I'm sure you have your favorites, these were our choices that day.

Tailgate tradition- Birthday Wishes on the Frozen Tundra

Happy Birthday!  If your birthday falls on the NFC Championship game, celebrate like it is your last one.  If you stay outside much longer... it might be...  

Carole and I have shared a birthday for 52 years, you would think she could get her own!  Oh well, this one was memorable.  We are in the tent Bob set up for our pre-game gathering.   All of us survived, the Packers survived and the retelling of the experience will produce an epic tale of cruel frost, grit, ice and birthday candles.  It was a great one, and on top of it all it was the last time Brett Favre played at Lambeau.

Tailgate rules- Go Easy on the Potential Converts

Can you tell who the Viking fan is in this picture?

Yeah, I know, I can't explain it, but marriage can do strange things to a family.  When your child marries outside of the fellowship, you have to bide your time and be patient.  I think it is a much safer way to welcome unbelievers into the fold.  We are at the 2007 Opener with the Packers beating the Eagles.  Look for this group at the 2008 Packer-Viking game..... and be patient.

Tailgate tradition- Bring the Ladies of Lambeau

When it comes time to return to Lambeau this year be sure to bring your own version of the "Ladies of Lambeau".  The Packer tradition has no gender boundaries.  All are welcome.  They don't spend as much on jerseys, trading cards, mini helmets, shot glasses and other essentials.  But they add color and flavor to the tailgate experience.  Go Packers!

Tailgate tradition- What? All Indoors?

I can't believe it, I just learned that Mike McCarthy is having all mini-camps inside of the Don Hutson center this year.   What a disappointment.  He likes the controlled environment of the indoor practice facility.  Well, cancel my plans to assess the newest version of the Packers.  I think they should practice outside since last year's team didn't do that well facing the elements at Chicago and at Green Bay in the final game against the Giants.  Get tough!

This picture is taken at a mini-camp in 2005.  The last year for Mike Sherman.

Tailgate tradition- Get to a Mini-camp!

Last I heard, the snow has melted off the statues of Vince and Curly and spring is nearly here.  A rite of spring in the Green Bay area is to drive over to the Nitschke Field for the mini-camp drills.  They don't tackle, they don't wear pads, but you can tell who can catch, and who can run and how fast the team will be.  It adds to your appreciation of the new year.  Actually, the flowers smell fresher, the birds chirp louder and the earth feels like it is ready to rumble.

Tailgate rules- Study History!

So, why do we like football?  Why is tailgating such an essential activity?  I think you have to go back in time to the gladiators of another age.  The thrill of competition, the roar of the crowd, the possibility of blood, compelled the Romans to create the greatest amphitheater in the world.  They brought together the strongest, fastest, most skilled players for the sake of entertainment.   The crowd identified  with the winners, the champions.  They felt the rush of adrenaline and screamed and shouted and felt pretty good at the end of it.  It is a part of western culture.....our culture.

Tailgate rules- Make the Pilgrimage

If you are a true fan, you don't need the season to have an excuse to experience true American history.  Hop in the car and head to Green Bay, Wisconsin,  East High Football field and you have one of the most hallowed fields in football history.

This is the field where Curly Lambeau established the Packers as the most stored franchise in the NFL.  Here is where the ghosts of the past hang out: Don Hutson, Arnie Herber, Cecil Isabel, Johnny Blood.  Yeah, Lambeau is awesome, but let's do our homework first!  Get to City Stadium!

Tailgate rules- The Good Old Days

Anytime you have a chance in the off season, you need to remember the good old days.  Here is a foursome that had a decade of going to at least one game a year at Lambeau Field.  Robert Goetzke, Eugene Bukowski, Jeff Bukowski and Bill Bukowski.  We had some great times from 1990 to 2000.  This game is the opener in 1991 against the Philadelphia Eagles.  In the first series the Packers broke Randall Cunningham's leg so they put in Jim McMahon and he killed the hapless Pack with a surprisingly accurate passing game.  Reggie White was still an Eagle and he "beat the heck out of" Donny "Majik" that afternoon.  We tailgated that day with the Pack Fan Club.

Tailgate rules- Retiring the Number

I was looking through the training camp picture files and couldn't help thinking that we won't be seeing this familiar image next summer.  It was always the guaranteed hit of training camp. ( Of course until last year when we went while Favre was at a family funeral.)  It was the return to City Stadium, early in training camp of 2007 and no Favre.  The team looked terrible too.  Looking back now means so much that we saw was historic in the storied franchise history.  I look forward to the opener when they retire #4.  .....Another historic moment.

Tailgate rules- Gear up for the opener!

It is time to get excited about the opener!

Now that the schedule is out for next year, start getting mentally ready for the opening game of the season.

It has been our tradition to go to the opener since 1991. My dad liked the warm weather and the excitement in the air is unlike any other game.  No one has lost yet and hope is in large supply.

This is a shot from last years Philly game.

Tailgate etiquette-Play along

If you happen to be tailgating at Lambeau and a guy dressed like St. Vincent comes along, try not be be offended by his costume.  It is all in good fun.  At times we joke about football as a religion but that is what it is, just a joke.  I think you can enjoy it without going too far.  Speaking of too far, we can drop the "Our Favre" now from the Packer fan prayer list.  That was going overboard.