Published reports out of Chicago have quoted Goodell saying, “We did speak about this earlier. We are, as you know, hosting a Super Bowl in New York in an open-air stadium in 2014. And we’re excited about that! We think it’s gonna be a great thing for our fans and a great thing for New York. And I think if we can do it successfully there, I think that opens up doors that we’ll all be looking at.”

Goodell was in Chicago to present a plaque commemorating Soldier Field becoming the first NFL stadium to receive LEED status, given to the most environmentally friendly buildings in the country.

Not only does the 2014 open air venue in New York City open the possibility for a Super Bowl in Chicago, but it should also open the possibility for other cold venues being considered for a bid. Should the league be considering Denver? Philadelphia? And how about Green Bay?

Phoenix has been awarded the Super Bowl in 2015. The NFL hasn’t chosn a host city yet for 2016

While many logistics would need to be worked out – things like parking, accommodations and places to host the variety of parties that are held during the Super Bowl week – in my estimation, holding a Super Bowl in Green Bay is certainly not out of the question. And it should be part of the conversation.

While temperatures in Green Bay the first week of February can vary tremendously, it’s also possible that the variation in conditions in Green Bay aren’t that far off from those in Florida. According to the Weather Channel, Green Bay’s average daytime temperature in February is 28 degrees. The average in Florida, in comparison, is 53.

Is it crazy to think the Super Bowl could be held in Green Bay? I guess we should see how the date in New York goes. Should it go well, I could certainly see the big game being held at Soldier Field. And considering that the Packers are adding another 8,000 seats to Lambeau Field, seating shouldn’t be that huge of a factor as the total at Lambeau will be approaching 80,000.

Though it’s not likely the City of Green Bay will be a Super Bowl destination, at least the talk about Chicago gives us renewed hope. We can never say never and only hope that there is some way, somehow that the greatest franchise in the league could have its super day in the sun.

Packers vs Bears 1941

Twenty-one NFL Championships. Forty-eight members in the pro football hall of fame. One hundred eighty regular season meetings and one post season meeting. This Sunday will mark meeting number one eighty-two.

This historic rivalry between the Packers and the Bears dates back to November 27, 1921, a 20-0 Bears win. The last meeting between these two teams resulted in a 10-3 Packers win and catapulted Green Bay in to the playoffs. Every game in-between has been just as entertaining, with the longest winning streak between the two head-to-head at ten games, owned by the Packers from ’94-’98.

When these two teams button their chin straps, it no longer becomes just a football game to the players involved–but much more. For instance, the last meeting between the two, a 10-3 Packers win, meant nothing to the Bears, allegedly. They had the number two seed and a first round bye wrapped up before the game even started. This usually gives a coach an opportunity to rest some of his core players and reduces risk of injury to his stars. Wait a minute, this is Packers vs Bears. (more…)