That occurred this morning when I read the headline that Larry McCarren, the well-known, respected and well-liked former Packer-turned-journalist, announced he would be leaving WFRV, Channel 5, out of Green Bay.

He’s been with the station for 24 years and is the sports director. His final newscast is tomorrow, Friday, March 30. With his departure, officials at the television station said that the status of his “Larry McCarren’s Locker Room” program is unknown.

Station management earlier this month said the future of the show, which would be entering its 25th season, was under discussion.

McCarren, the former Packers lineman, has also been the color commentator on Packers Radio Network for the past 18 years, working his first couple of years with the late Jim Irwin and Max McGee and with Wayne Larrivee for more than a decade.

McCarren said he would continue in that capacity.

Not all NFL cheerleaders are supermodels; Check out the video slideshow after the jump. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

OK, color me surprised – Darren Rovell of NBC’s SportsBiz, recently released his list of the NFL’s top 10 best cheerleading squads and nowhere on that list was the squad that works their butts off at every home Green Bay Packers game.

Check out Rovell’s list … it’s eye candy to the max.

But my argument is that these gals (no, I didn’t see a single dude) are not cheerleaders – they are dancers. No doubt they are skilled dancers. They can shake with the best of them and to watch their synchronization is well worth the time. Not only do these “cheerleaders” entertain the crowds across the league during halftimes, time outs, and probably before and after each game, but they have their own websites, swimsuit photo shoots, personal trainers and many other marketing ventures that make them well-known within their cities and football communities.

And to become a member of these groups is indeed a highly competitive venture. Have you ever seen the reruns of the programs about some of these units on the NFL Network? They are broadcast seemingly nonstop throughout the offseason when most dudes are back into baseball mode.

Anyway, my point here is that while this is a great list put together by Rovell, nowhere mentioned are the “real” cheerleaders that represent the Green Bay Packers.

We know why.

See the video slideshow after the jump and while you’re at it Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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