So, if you were born anywhere near Wisconsin, you should have a good handle on the Top Ten Things a Green Bay Packer Fan Should Know.
Sara, my 11-year-old daughter, is more of a Green Bay Packer than a football fan. She was very excited about attending her first Packer game at Lambeau Field. Her grandmother, a season ticket holder for some 40 years, gave her tickets to the NY Giants game, scheduled for the day after Christmas. Sara and I packed warm clothes for our holiday visit.
A 3:15 kickoff gave us plenty of time to soak in the pre-game atmosphere, as fans dressed in Packer Green and Deer Hunter orange prepared by tailgating in parking lots around the stadium. The home team did not disappoint, as Aaron Rodgers’ return spelled doom for the Giants, as he threw 400+ yards and four touchdowns. It would be hard to imagine a better venue for experiencing a football game.
Sara had many questions about the Packers, the stadium, and the game throughout the event. Based on our conversations, I’ve compiled this list of “Top Ten Things a Green Bay Packer Fan Should Know.”
Here’s What Packer Fans Need to Know
If you want to call yourself a Packer fan, here are a few things you should know.
1. Fans own the Green Bay Packers
The team is the only non-profit, community-owned major league American professional sports franchise. While most professional teams are owned by individuals, partnerships, or corporate entities, the Packers are owned by the community.
To strengthen the team financially, the Packers organization has sold stock to fans on six occasions: in 1923, 1935, 1950, 1997, 2011, and 2022.
2. The “Lambeau Leap”
When Packer players jump into the end zone stands to celebrate a touchdown, it’s known as the “Lambeau Leap.” Invented by LeRoy Butler, a defensive safety for the team, Butler jumped into the crowd after scoring a TD on a Reggie White fumble recovery and lateral.
3. The Bicycle Tradition
In a long-time Packers tradition dating back to Vince Lombardi’s reign, Packer players frequently ride to the practice field from Lambeau Field on the bicycles of young Packers fans. Read more about the bicycle tradition.
4. Kroll’s
With one location conveniently located across Lambeau, Kroll’s is a Packer tradition for many fans. Kroll’s menu includes cheese curds, butter burgers, Wisconsin chili (served with noodles), and a decor suggestive of the 1950s.
Kroll’s is a must-visit if you’re attending a Packer game for the first time. Don’t expect anything too fancy, as 90% of the orders are delivered to your table in wax paper, not plates. Packer memorabilia, including photos of past coaches and autographs, lines the walls.
First-timers should try the butter burger.
5. The Ice Bowl
In the coldest NFL game ever played, Bart Starr scored a TD on a quarterback sneak behind the block of Jerry Kramer as the Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys in the 1967 NFL Championship game. The score came with just 16 seconds left in the game.
The Packers went on to beat the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II. Vince Lombardi stepped down as head coach after this game. A highlight film from the game referred to “the tundra of Lambeau Field” and “Frozen Tundra” as they become synonymous with the field.
6. Packers Have Six Retired Numbers
Of all the Packer greats, only five players’ jerseys have been retired: Don Hutson, Tony Canedo, Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke, Reggie White, and Brett Favre. All six players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
7. Vince Lombardi
The coach of the Packers in the 1960s, Lombardi’s record in postseason play was 9 & 1. He led the team to 3 consecutive NFL championships. Lombardi said, “Think of only three things: your God, your family, and the Green Bay Packers in that order.” His success and leadership style earned him fans across the world.
8. Titletown, USA
At the 1961 NFL Championship Game, Packer fans hung up signs around the stadium that read Welcome to Titletown USA. The nickname caught on when the Packers beat the Giants in that game by a score of 37 – 0. Lambeau Field has been home to six NFL world championship seasons.
9. Curly Lambeau
Earl Louis “Curly” Lambeau was the founder, player, and first coach of the Green Bay Packers. He coached the team to 6 NFL championships, and Lambeau Field is named in his honor. A 14-foot statue of Lambeau greets visitors to the stadium. Lambeau pioneered the forward pass and daily practices in professional football.
He is the reason Lambeau Field is called Lambeau Field.
10. Packer fan loyalty
With only about 107,000 people, Green Bay is the smallest city to have an NFL team. Despite its small population, every Packer game since 1960 has been a sell-out. Packer fans, sometimes referred to as “Cheeseheads” due to the state’s cheese production, are famous for their loyalty.
By Mike O’Halloran
Founder and Editor, Sports Feel Good Stories
Originally Published: January 2011
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