Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers fans are a special breed. We are loyal, ferocious in our appetite for everything related to the team, and generally have a pretty high football IQ.

Being a Packers fan is not a passive endeavor, it is a year-round commitment. Packers fans are known nationally for the Cheesehead, beer and of course brats, cold weather and commitment. The question I have been grappling with lately is how does this come about, this becoming and remaining a Packers fan?

Whether we realize it or not, and most likely we do, there is an esteem that comes with being a Packers fan. After all, the Green Bay Packers are America’s Team. Sorry Dallas, but there is a difference between simply proclaiming to be America’s Team and earning the title. And the Packers did so in a landslide.

It could be the team’s history. Established in 1919 the Packers have been around for 94 years. The fact that an NFL team exists in a town of 105,000 people is a good story, as is it being a community-owned team. Furthermore, if the team were ever sold after all expenses were paid the proceeds would go to the Sullivan Post of the American Legion to build a “proper soldiers memorial.” I mean how much more “down home” can it get?

To top it all off, the Green Bay Packers are a winning organization. Thirteen championships – more than any other NFL team. This “Titletown” thing is no joke. Having amassed four Super Bowl victories and nine championships before the Super Bowl era began in 1967.

Wikipedia, Gonzo fan 2007

The Packers have guys who are legendary, players and coaches who are household names around the country. When you hear names like Don Hutson, Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Paul Horning, Jerry Kramer, Ray Nitchske, Brett Favre, Reggie White, and Leroy Butler you think of the Green and Gld. Despite the gap between the Lombardi era and the Brett Favre teams you also think of winning, and dedicated fans leading the way.

I grew up in Wisconsin in Plymouth, a small town about an hour south of Green Bay. I don’t recall the moment I pledged to become a Packers fan. It seems like that’s just the way it is, kind of like the fact that I am Irish. But I do recall traditions. Things like cheese and crackers, Sunday afternoons and games begin at noon, my parents pouring themselves a cold one, throwing the football at halftime, and since I was reared as a Packers fan in the 1980s a lot of cussing and swearing.

Erin Carroll, independent

Currently I reside in Portland, Ore., a city of 500,000 people in a metro area of 2.2 million. In an area that is by no means a metropolis, there are three bars in which every Sunday during the NFL season become Packers bars. I frequent a bar called Saraveza, a place modeled after a classic Wisconsin tavern. Games start here on the west coast at 10 a.m. By 9:30 a. m. there is a line down the street. For the three hours spent there I am transported back to Wisconsin. It is a dedicated collection of fans and the traditions do not miss a beat. It feels like home.

I am curious, Packers nation – why and how did you become a Packers fan. What are your traditions? And how did we become so rabid for the Green Bay Packers. Please, share your comments. Post to the Lombardiave.com Facebook page, tweet me @phughespdx, if it’s a long story, I’ll give you my email address when you tweet. Let me know, I want to hear your stories about your relationship to America’s Team.

With that said, Go Pack Go!

In addition to blogging about the Green Bay Packers for Lombardiave.com, Patrick Hughes blogs about gardening at wheelandbarrowlandscape.com, running and the Portland Trailblazers at Oregon Sports News, and artisans and the connection economy at phughespdx.com.

Datone Jones participates in a defensive drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. He wants to be the best NFL player – ever. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports photograph

As Datone Jones and all the other rookies assemble in Green Bay for the start of their rookie orientation weekend, one can’t help but love how this guy has started out his professional football career.

So far, he’s said all the right things and, in my mind, has come off as a perfect fit to be a Green Bay Packer.

Not only does he seem to have an understanding about the importance of the history of the game (the immediate history, anyway), he certainly shows his true colors by bring up the name of one of the most beloved players in Packers history – Reggie White.

Datone Jones wants to use Reggie White as inspiration.

Here’s what he had to say recently:

“My hero was Michael Strahan growing up, but I loved the nastiness of Reggie White. He was a nasty guy. The Minister of Defense. He was a great player, I want to model myself after. I wish he was still alive so he could take me under his (wing). I want to be the best that has ever played the game of football. I can’t stand losing. I just want to be great.”

Now, what in there isn’t there to like? He wants to the best ever? Those are huge aspirations. Yes, everyone wants to be the best ever, but do they say it before they’ve even played one snap? That takes courage and I hope he’s the type of player who can not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.

“God’s given me the opportunity to play this game. I’ve had an injury where I had to sit out an entire season, and I cried for months. I’ve had my share of adversity. I ask myself all the time, what do I want out of football? Jerry Rice’s son went to UCLA with me, and I talked to Jerry Rice a few times and he told me, ‘I did what no one else wanted to do.’ I was like, ‘Man, how bad do I really want it?’ I try to put myself in the greats’ footsteps.

“I talked to Jerry Rice a lot that year, and he told me, ‘If you want it, you’ll overcome this situation. When you get back on the horse, you’ll respect the game even more.’

“When this is over, I want to be considered the best player ever to play this game.”

We want more than anything for you to do it in Green and Gold, Datone. This weekend, your quest begins – make the most of it.

LeRoy Butler, a member of the Packers Hall of Fame, was to appear at a church in Wisconsin, but the church cancelled the appearance because of Butler’s public support for NBA player Jason Collins.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

We wonder what Reggie White would have thought.

The man White teamed up with on the football field to initiate one of sports most recognizable celebrations – the Lambeau Leap – stood up on principle to a Wisconsin church that cancelled a speech because former Green Bay Packers safety LeRoy Butler came out in support of Jason Collins.

We all know Collins came out in a Sports Illustrated article this week proclaiming his homosexuality and many professional athletes, Butler included, showed their support.

But when the church officials caught wind of Butler’s support, they cancelled an appearance scheduled for Butler.

Here’s how it all came about:

Wow, I was schedule to speak at a church in WI, and a member said that the pastor wants to cancel my event, I said ok why?

— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013

Then I was told, because I said congrats to Jason Collins on twitter, I said really? we have a contract, he said check the moral cause,

— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013

FYI the fee was 8500$,then I was told if i removed the tweet, and apologize and ask god forgiveness, I can have the event, I said no,

— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013

Only god can judge,

— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013

I found out what happened, I guess some parents went to the church and complained about my tweet for support of Jason Collins, so sad

— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013

I have received an apology from the church, but mainly thanking me for not releasing the church name, too me that’s not important,

— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013

Also my mom says the message is bigger anyway, by the way I was raised in the church, and attend 3 to 4 times a month,

— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013

So, what does it all have to do with Reggie White? Well, you might remember that near the end of his career with the Packers, White was invited to speak to the Wisconsin Legislature where he launched into speech where he said that the United States was moving away from God and that homosexuality was “running rampant.”

Here is more of what White said:

“Homosexuality is a decision, it’s not a race. People from all different ethnic backgrounds live in this lifestyle. But people from all different ethnic bacgrounds also are liars and cheaters and malicious and back-stabbing. I’ve often had people ask me, ‘would you allow a homosexual to be your friend?’ Yes I will. And the reason is because I know that that person has problems. If I can minister to those problems, I will. But the Bible strictly speaks against it.”

But that’s not all. Here’s what White said in another published interview before he died:

“Gay activists are trying to force their agenda on our children and society, and it bothers me,” White said in an interview with Citizen Magazine. “When you look at the gay agenda, their thing is that they deserve the same rights as other minorities, particularly black people. That is very offensive.”

With the intolerance displayed by the church against Butler today, we wonder how Reggie would have reacted. Would the changes in society that have occurred over the past 15 years have changed White’s outlook or would he still have the same views.

It’s all speculative, but it surely is an illustration of how things can change, but stay the same.

We recognize Butler for his convictions and his principles.

We’re glad he stood strong today against intolerance and hope others will follow his lead.

Reggie White’s number was retired not long after he died.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Twenty years ago yesterday, April 6, 1993, the nation moved – at least the Green Bay Packers Nation – when defensive end Reggie White signed a four-year, $17 million contract with the Packers.

At the time, it was a huge contract and commitment by the franchise from the National Football League’s smallest city. Compare that contract with that signed by former Packer Greg Jennings last month – he received a guarantee of 18 million smackers.

Reggie White on the day he signed with the Packers.

How times have changed – and how that signing by the late Mr. White changed the face of Green Bay and the entire league.

The story at the time by Bob McGinn, one of my favorite Packers beat writers with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, says it all.

It’s tough to remember 20 years ago, but I bet every Packers fan remembers where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news about the Reggie White signing.

Me? I had the radio on and was lying on the floor playing with my two daughters. I just looked at my wife and said, “wow!” But that three-letter word goes a long way in describing what Reggie did for the Packers. He brought respectability; he brought class; he brought a hall of fame attitude that would lead to many, many wins and expectations of excellence.

On the day he signed, according to McGinn’s story, Reggie turned to then-head coach Mike Holmgren and said, ”Me and coach made an agreement. We’re going [to the Super Bowl] this year, aren’t we?”

Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame photograph

Well, they didn’t go to the Super Bowl in 1993, 1994 or 1995, but it was in 1996 and 1997 when the payoff was fully realized. The team immediately improved. Between 1993 and 1998, the Packers made the playoffs every year. The team finished 9-7 in both 1993 and 1994 and then jumped to 11-5 in 1995. In the magical Super Bowl Championship season of 1996, the Packers jumped again, this time finishing with a 13-3 record.

Wolf, who seemed the clairvoyant, had this to say on the day of the signing:

“We’ve now given ourselves somebody the offense has to be concerned with other than [linebacker] Tony Bennett. We’ve improved our defense dramatically. Realistically, the best step we’ve made was the hiring of Mike Holmgren. But this is a very key move.”

Ron Wolf

Though football is a team game, it was the signing of Reggie that made the Packers the premier team in the league and the place to be. It made it possible – through the efforts of GM Ron Wolf and head coach Mike Holmgren – to bring in other players like defensive end Sean Jones, Santana Dotson, and tight end Keith Jackson. Reggie made the team not only better on the field, but more importantly, in the eyes of players and other franchises around the league.

Mike Holmgren

Here’s what McGinn wrote about Brett Favre’s role in the team’s improvement: “White left little doubt that quarterback Brett Favre, 23, is on the threshold of greatness. Eventually, White said, Favre will be better than Philadelphia’s Randall Cunningham.”

He added about White: “In White, the Packers gained instant respect for a defense that ranked 23rd in the league in 1992, when they went 9-7 in their first full season under the leadership of Wolf and Holmgren. No defensive lineman in Green Bay has had more than five sacks in a season since 1985.”

In four of the six years that Reggie played in Green Bay, he registered double-digit sack totals. Here are the years with 10 or more sacks:  • 13 in 1993;

• 12 in 1995;

• 11 in 1997; and

• 16 in 1998

Ironically, in the Super Bowl season of 1996 Reggie had “only” 8.5 sacks and in 1994 he had eight.

In 95 games played with Green Bay over his six seasons, Reggie had a total of 68.5 sacks and even had one interception that he returned 46 yards. More importantly, he had 239 tackles, 62 assists, and 14 forced fumbles. He also played an important role in the advent of the Lambeau Leap when he recovered a fumble, started to return it, and was being forced out of bounds when he lateraled to LeRoy Butler who then took it the rest of the way for the touchdown before leaping into the stands.

There is little that Reggie didn’t do in raising the Packers franchise to elite status. His time in Green Bay was made possible through the efforts of Holmgren and Wolf and had it not been for the personal relationship that Reggie established with Holmgren, the deal would never have been done.

Reggie and Brett

McGinn described how the Packers gained the upper hand in the race to sign Reggie: “Clearly, though, the Packers had a lot more going for them than just big bucks. When White flew here March 10, he admitted it was merely because he had been in the neighborhood the night before in Detroit. Then White met Holmgren, defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes and defensive line coach Greg Blache, among others. He was led into snowy, intimate Lambeau Field. The personal touch was hammered home a week later, when Holmgren and Rhodes flew to Knoxville to meet White’s family.

Reggie’s agent, Jimmy Sexton said about the moves that the Packers made:

“It was huge. They were smart enough and perceptive enough to know that Reggie was a relationship guy. They sold him on the fact that it’s like a big college atmosphere. He was coming out of a place where it wasn’t fun for him the last couple years. But if I had to pick one thing he liked most about Green Bay, Holmgren was it.”

The past 20 years have had many ups and downs, but I would say that had it not been for the signing of Reggie White, this franchise would have had many more downs than ups.

We remember our fallen comrade well.

He was the savior of the franchise.

Keith Jackson was a key component to the Packers 1996 championship run.

There are many who say that the addition of Keith Jackson to the Green Bay Packers roster in 1995 was the tipping point toward their championship in 1996.

Adding the talented tight end to an already loaded offensive unit gave the Packers a one-two punch at the position the team had never seen before. With Mark Chmura, who had become a star in his own right, the Packers added Jackson’s speed, size and power to the lineup – and he turned into the player that general manager Ron Wolf and Head Coach Mike Holmgren believed he could be.

It was on this date in 1997 that Jackson retired from football after nine seasons and a Super Bowl XXI Championship with the Packers.

He was drafted 13th overall in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and was an immediate success. He led the Eagles in receiving, catching 81 passes for 869 yards (10.7 yard average), and six touchdowns. Pretty amazing statistics for a tight end – he was the man at the position who helped usher in a new era for pass-catching tight ends.

He followed that sensational rookie season with three more astounding years with the Eagles. In 1989, 1990, and 1991, he caught 63, 50, and 48 passes, respectively, continuing to rip up the league. He left Philadelphia after his fourth year there and moved on to play for the Miami Dolphins where he played the next three years, catching 48, 39 and 59 passes in each of those seasons from 1992-94 for a total of 1,880 yards, and 18 touchdowns.

Mark Chmura.

When he was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 1995, Jackson balked. He did not want to play for Green Bay. But with cajoling and influence by none other than his friend and former teammate in Philly, Reggie White, Jackson finally made his trek to the frozen Tundra and didn’t look back. In fact, he said upon his retirement that his days in Green Bay were some of the best of his entire career.

“I was a little stubborn and bullheaded at first and didn’t want to come here, but it turned out to be an outstanding time in my life,” Jackson said on the day he retired from football.

“It was a great two years to not only make friends but see how an organization is supposed to be run.”

In all, Jackson played in 25 regular season games over the two seasons he was in Green Bay. Arriving midway through the 1995 season, Jackson played in nine games, catching 13 balls for 142 yards and one touchdown.

But it was in 1996 when he made his presence known. He caught 40 passes for 505 yards and 10 touchdowns. Coupled with the presence of Chmura who caught another 28 passes for 370 yards, the Packers’ tight ends caught 68 passes 875 yards that season.

Not only did he bring his experience and leadership to the Packers, but he helped lift the Packers over the championship hump to bring the Lombardi Trophy home  after decades without.

Like Lombardiave on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Here is a video of the 1996 Championship game at Lambeau Field … just for fun.

Most Packers fans can remember exactly where they were the day it was announced that White bucked all the odds and signed a free agent contract with the team. I was sitting in my living room playing with my 2-year-old daughter, Charlotte, when the news came over the radio.

I really couldn’t believe my ears at the time, but what I was hearing was indeed true.

What brought Reggie back to mind today was a posting I saw today on one of my favorite websites, the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame.

In this post, the Hall has put together a series of photos of Reggie in Green and Gold, bringing back memories of a player who helped put the “title” back into Titletown and brought respectability back to a franchise that had fallen into the scrap heap of the NFL. Since Reggie and that other guy – you know who I refer to – brought a winning attitude and tradition back to Green Bay the team continues to this day to be one of the elite franchises in the league.

But before I send you over to see the site for yourself, here is a short story about the Reggie White candy bar … when they came out many years ago, I went out and bought a couple of them, just like so many other Packers fans. Of course, I had to eat one of them – delicious, I might add – but the other was meant to be saved for the ages. It was to be saved intact.

It sat for many years on the shelf with the wrapper displaying Reggie’s great name for all to see.

That is until it came to move to a new home. As I was packing up our prized possessions I reached up to pick the candy bar off the shelf when my heart sunk. While the wrapper that sat for so many years appearing to be filled with candy, it was empty. With a sheepish grin, it was my daughter, Charlotte, who admitted to eating the candy bar many years prior. I will never be able to find another like it with the candy intact, but at least I still have the wrapper and experienced a good laugh with my daughter.

And though I digress a bit I now ask you to take a trip on over to the site to see the pictures and while we celebrate Aaron Rodgers’ special day.

Well, below is such an incident, as provided by the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame’s “Today in Packers History.”

Reggie, God rest his soul, wasn’t happy about a low blow he took in a 1993 game against the New Orleans Saints.

Check it out

Wainwright vs. White: Conduct Unbecoming a Saint?

August 14, 1993 – Was it a low blow or just football as usual? Reggie White, the prized free agent signed by the Green Bay Packers in April, thought it was the former. And he was steamed. In the first quarter of Green Bay’s 26-17 loss to New Orleans, Saints tight end Frank Wainwright hit White at about knee level during a running play to the other side of the field. White wasn’t happy. “That was a cheap shot, but that’s OK,” the defensive lineman said. “I went and got his number. We’ll see them again (in November).” Packers coach Mike Holmgren suggested the collision wasn’t particularly unusual. “He (Reggie) was a little upset. People will block like he got blocked.”

In fact, it was on this day in 1997 that Joyner signed with the Packers, though he was presented with better offers from both the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals. He wanted to win a championship and felt his best shot was to sign with the defending champion Green Bay Packers.

The rest is history, as they say.

The following post is presented by the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Enjoy.

Joyner Joins Packers

July 16, 1997 –The low bid doesn’t often land the linebacker, but veteran Seth Joyner spurns more lucrative offers to sign with the defending NFL champion Green Bay Packers. According to Joyner’s agent, Jim Solano, Green Bay’s offer was not as sweet as those presented by the Bengals and Cowboys, but the 32-year-old was looking for the best avenue to reach a Super Bowl. “That’s what it was,” Solano says of his client’s decision to join the Packers. “They’re a great organization. Reggie White is there. They have a great coach. All of the above.” Green Bay reaches the Super Bowl in 1997 and Joyner records two tackles in the game, but Denver spoils Green Bay’s chances for a second consecutive title with a 31-24 victory.

However, McMichael didn’t mind when he was signed by the Packers away from the Bears, claiming he felt like Ponce de Leon after he found the fountain of youth. The signing took place on this date in Packers history as McMichael joined a defensive line that included Reggie White, John Jurkovich and Sean Jones.

It wasn’t the last time one of the players from the 1985 world champion Bears would defect from the Bears to the Packers. Quarterback Jim McMahon would also come north in 1996 when he would play backup to Brett Favre who led the team to the Super Bowl XXXI championship.

The following is from the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame …

Steve McMichael Switches Sides

June 8, 1994 – Steve McMichael’s days of terrorizing the Packers’ backfield come to an end as the defensive tackle signs a one-year contract with Green Bay. McMichael, who played 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears, is expected to be the fourth in a defensive line populated by Reggie White, John Jurkovic and Sean Jones. “I feel like Ponce de Leon,” McMichael tells WITI-TV. “I feel like I’ve found the fountain of youth.” McMichael, who turns 37 during the season, starts 14 games for the Packers in 1994 and is credited with 28 tackles (19 solo) and 2.5 quarterback sacks.

Harlan ushered in the glory years that were to follow for the next two decades and beyond by hiring Ron Wolf, Mike Holmgren and overseeing the acquisitions of Brett Favre and Reggie White. The team has seen nothing but success (for the most part) since those early days.

All Packers fans are appreciative of everything Harlan did for the franchise. He brought it back to life and set it on a championship track.

Below is the brief from the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame about the election of Harlan.

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley celebrates a touchdown catch by doing the "Lambeau Leap." Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Coming across this video put a big smile on my face … it’s a look at the Lambeau Leap and why it has become one of the iconic celebrations in the NFL.

You might remember that cold December day way back in the 1990s when Reggie White lateraled the ball to safety LeRoy Butler who rushed into the end zone and jumped into the stands to start a trend that wouldn’t go away. And rightly so. He started something that’s become a right of passage for Packers players who score touchdowns. Their first jump into the laps of fans brings them that much closer to greatness. It puts them into that special ring of honor that has become such an important part of Packers lore.

If you’ve got five minutes to take a look at the video below, you won’t be disappointed. No doubt it will bring a smile to your face as well.

Clipped from: www.packers.com (share this clip)

And there are some good ones: Max McGee scoring one of his touchdowns in Super Bowl I, Brett Favre, Reggie White and Robert Brooks showing their profiles, Jordy Nelson and Aaron Rodgers celebrating the Super Bowl win in 2010.

And so much more.

This is worth a look

Scott Wells, Daryn Colledge and Chad Clifton anchored the left side of the Packers line for several years. All three may be former Packers by the time free agency ends this offseason. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Twitter, Facebook and just about every other NFL blogging site is lighting up this week with the advent of one of the most enjoyable times of the professional football offseason – the free agency signing period.

I like it even more than the draft, actually … and I’m a Packers fan who hasn’t had anything to shout about during this period since Mike Holmgren and Ron Wolf reeled in Reggie White.

But that doesn’t matter. It’s always so much fun watching the other teams meet with, negotiate and sign big name free agents.

We know it’s not going to happen in Green Bay, so we sit back, watch, listen and enjoy.

There are some who look at the holes that seem be appearing in the Packers roster and have wondered aloud whether this might be the year that Packers General Manager Ted Thompson might step out of his comfort zone and jump into the frenzy starting this week. Even Thompson has hinted that he may be open to the right player if he considers them “useful tool” for his team.

After all, one can do only so much through the draft – Thompson’s favorite mode for building and rebuilding a team. The draft is great for bringing in “projects” and molding those players to fit the system. Thompson’s Super Bowl XLV ring is evidence of that.

However, the Packers showed last season that if they are to fill the holes the team has, especially on the defensive side of the ball, they’ve got to do more than just draft. Thompson has always said he likes to sign his own players and he faces that task this year as the team’s most valued free agents, Jarrett Bush and Scott Wells, are ready to test the waters.

Will he get something done and signed before 3 p.m. Tuesday? That remains to be seen. If he doesn’t, most likely Bush will be gone and depending on the temperature of those waters, Wells might be, too. But if Wells doesn’t sign before the start of the period and finds only tepid waters out there, he may be back, ala James Jones.

That’s a risk that Thompson is more than likely to take.

Other free agents such as Harold Green and Erik Walden most likely won’t be signed to offers, but there is a good chance that, like Wells, if the money is available, Ryan Grant may be back in camp.

The real question is the money. The Packers are $5 million under the $120 million salary cap. Should the team shed offensive lineman Chad Clifton and restructure wide receiver Donald Driver’s contract, the team will gain at least $5 million more in cap room. With that money available, my guess is that the Packers could strike a deal with Wells and possibly Bush, but that doesn’t leave much for signing draft picks and other undrafted free agents to round out the roster.

I’m just glad I’m not an NFL team’s accountant because this must be a stressful time of the year.

Whatever happens will be a surprise for all fans …

In the meantime, get your popcorn, turn on your favorite sports station and see where all the money goes and where the players end up.

And while you’re at it, Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.