The Birth of a Packers Fan

The Packers are about to start their game against the Vikings. But I'm not even listening to the pregame right now. I'm watching my son Hunter. He's in his Mason Crosby jersey because "He's the best kicker in the history of ever!" He's anxiously wearing the family cheesehead (all game long). He's got his Packers socks on so he can pull them to help the defense on big plays. He's asking me about why they named the stadium Lambeau and telling me how awesome it is that the Trophy is named after a Packers head coach.

I can't describe how happy it makes me to see him picking up so much about the game. He calls holding on every play (just like his daddy). He looks at the other team's secondary and calls out the open receivers. He wants them to go for it on every 4th and short. Someone got him the Packers team set of football cards and he looks at them constantly during the game. He asks me who my favorite Packer is, who my favorite coach is, who I loved watching that doesn't play anymore.

I know I can thank his Wii Madden football game for some of this. He plays a game or two a day, learning the plays and what the defense looks like. He goes for 2 at least once a game to keep the other team off balance. He lets his 7 year old sister Mackenzie play with him. She plays WR or RB and he does his best to keep her involved too.

As the game goes on, his game face goes on. He jumps up off the couch and runs with Randall Cobb as he returns a punt for a TD. Last year around this time Hunter would maybe make it through a quarter. In a really exciting game it would be a half. This year, after every Packers score Hunter reminds me of a promise I made to him around I think week 3. He had asked me if the Packers could go undefeated. I said, "Hunter...if the Packers go undefeated...I'll take you to the Superbowl." Of course I said it because I didn't think it was possible.The Packers seem determined to prove me wrong.

And I couldn't be happier.