NFC North: Jim Schmitt
Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
I continue to be underwhelmed by the hype heading into Sunday’s game between Brett Favre, er Minnesota, and Green Bay at Lambeau Field. I think everyone recognizes it’s a critical matchup in terms of NFC North standings, but to this point, the sideshow has yet to transcend reality. (Yes!!!)
You offered some funny suggestions and a few thoughtful ideas this week in response to our request for how Green Bay fans should handle Favre’s return. Aliahdayne1005 suggested a “waffle” station, manned by former Packers defensive tackle Gilbert Brown, be set up on the Vikings sideline. Exileondaytonstreet would love the Packers to use only two songs on the public address system: “Mississippi Queen” (Mountain or Grand Funk versions) and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” by The Band.
Aliahdayne1005 might have had the coolest idea:
But the appetite for such stunts seems muted, I’m happy to report. (Seriously.) Pinter Neesbak writes: “It is my sincere hope that the fans are as classy as they have been historically, showing respect for a man who they supported for almost two decades while cheering their beloved Packers on to victory Sunday.”
MiracleMan720 went Allison Krauss/Ronan Keating on it and wrote: “You say it best....when you say nothing at alllllllllllllllllll.” Mjschaefer260 had a simple plea: “Is playing the game a possibility? I'd be fine with that.”
My take? As I’ve said, I don’t sense the same tension heading into this game as I did for the Oct. 5 "Monday Night Football" affair. Maybe that’s because I haven’t gotten over to Green Bay yet. But I’m assuming some of the commenters on the original Have at It entry are there, and I didn’t scroll through any evidence of mass hysteria or anything beyond the anticipation of a big game.
Green Bay mayor Jim Schmitt’s insertion into the hype makes me feel a little dirty. I suppose he could be concerned the city will be perceived poorly if fans erupt in, say, a non-traditional fashion on Sunday. But like most politicians, he hasn’t allowed an opportunity for attention to pass him by.
I know this is going to sound quaint, perhaps even silly and out of touch. But I think the best thing fans can do Sunday upon seeing Favre is to cheer the bejeezus out of the Packers. Showing class is always nice. But just as important is this: Every moment directed at Favre, no matter how creative, is another moment suggesting you haven’t gotten past his departure. Essentially ignoring him, while channeling excess emotion toward the team you actually root for, would be the highest form of fandom and a reminder that your support is based on the team, not individual players or components.
Stepping off the soap box …. now. See you all Sunday.
I continue to be underwhelmed by the hype heading into Sunday’s game between Brett Favre, er Minnesota, and Green Bay at Lambeau Field. I think everyone recognizes it’s a critical matchup in terms of NFC North standings, but to this point, the sideshow has yet to transcend reality. (Yes!!!)
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| Genevieve Ross/Getty Images | |
| How are Packers fans going to react to Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field? |
You offered some funny suggestions and a few thoughtful ideas this week in response to our request for how Green Bay fans should handle Favre’s return. Aliahdayne1005 suggested a “waffle” station, manned by former Packers defensive tackle Gilbert Brown, be set up on the Vikings sideline. Exileondaytonstreet would love the Packers to use only two songs on the public address system: “Mississippi Queen” (Mountain or Grand Funk versions) and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” by The Band.
Aliahdayne1005 might have had the coolest idea:
“Bring back the entire '96 team: Butler, Freeman, Levens, Chmura, ... all of them. Seat them right behind the Viking bench. Give Brett a little something to think about and remind him what a special team he used to be a part of. A distracted Brett turns into a turn-over machine.”
But the appetite for such stunts seems muted, I’m happy to report. (Seriously.) Pinter Neesbak writes: “It is my sincere hope that the fans are as classy as they have been historically, showing respect for a man who they supported for almost two decades while cheering their beloved Packers on to victory Sunday.”
MiracleMan720 went Allison Krauss/Ronan Keating on it and wrote: “You say it best....when you say nothing at alllllllllllllllllll.” Mjschaefer260 had a simple plea: “Is playing the game a possibility? I'd be fine with that.”
My take? As I’ve said, I don’t sense the same tension heading into this game as I did for the Oct. 5 "Monday Night Football" affair. Maybe that’s because I haven’t gotten over to Green Bay yet. But I’m assuming some of the commenters on the original Have at It entry are there, and I didn’t scroll through any evidence of mass hysteria or anything beyond the anticipation of a big game.
Green Bay mayor Jim Schmitt’s insertion into the hype makes me feel a little dirty. I suppose he could be concerned the city will be perceived poorly if fans erupt in, say, a non-traditional fashion on Sunday. But like most politicians, he hasn’t allowed an opportunity for attention to pass him by.
I know this is going to sound quaint, perhaps even silly and out of touch. But I think the best thing fans can do Sunday upon seeing Favre is to cheer the bejeezus out of the Packers. Showing class is always nice. But just as important is this: Every moment directed at Favre, no matter how creative, is another moment suggesting you haven’t gotten past his departure. Essentially ignoring him, while channeling excess emotion toward the team you actually root for, would be the highest form of fandom and a reminder that your support is based on the team, not individual players or components.
Stepping off the soap box …. now. See you all Sunday.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
I’ll admit it: I was originally turned off by Green Bay mayor Jim Schmitt’s decision to insert himself into the hype for Favre-Packers II this week. As you might recall, Schmitt began soliciting suggestions to “tastefully” commemorate Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field in a Minnesota uniform.
Schmitt took to the ESPN airwaves this week, appearing on ESPN2’s "First Take" to continue promoting the idea. In the video below, Schmitt says the common thread among Green Bay citizens is that “they like Brett Favre but they love the Packers.”
Politicians rarely miss an opportunity for attention, but I suppose I’m fine with a mayor trying to steer the behavior of his citizenry when it’s the subject to national interest in the sports world. Among the ideas he’ll likely pursue, Schmitt said, is changing the name of a local “Minnesota Ave.” to “Rodgers Dr.” in order to honor current Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Another has been for schoolchildren to write “12 reasons 4 staying in Green Bay” as a civic venture that plays off the jersey numbers for Rodgers and Favre.
Finally, Schmitt said he’s planning some sort of stunt revolving around waffles, a dig on Favre’s inability to make a decision. That’s pretty funny, but I wonder if it’s an appropriate message coming from a mayor’s office.
So I’ll turn it over to you: What’s the best way for Green Bay citizens, Wisconsinites and Packer fans to treat Favre’s return? Think in terms of the values and ideals you want to reflect and project.
I’ve got some strong thoughts on the matter, but I’ll hold them for our usual Friday morning post, where I’ll also compile a representative sample of your responses. Have at It.
I’ll admit it: I was originally turned off by Green Bay mayor Jim Schmitt’s decision to insert himself into the hype for Favre-Packers II this week. As you might recall, Schmitt began soliciting suggestions to “tastefully” commemorate Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field in a Minnesota uniform.
Schmitt took to the ESPN airwaves this week, appearing on ESPN2’s "First Take" to continue promoting the idea. In the video below, Schmitt says the common thread among Green Bay citizens is that “they like Brett Favre but they love the Packers.”
Politicians rarely miss an opportunity for attention, but I suppose I’m fine with a mayor trying to steer the behavior of his citizenry when it’s the subject to national interest in the sports world. Among the ideas he’ll likely pursue, Schmitt said, is changing the name of a local “Minnesota Ave.” to “Rodgers Dr.” in order to honor current Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Another has been for schoolchildren to write “12 reasons 4 staying in Green Bay” as a civic venture that plays off the jersey numbers for Rodgers and Favre.
Finally, Schmitt said he’s planning some sort of stunt revolving around waffles, a dig on Favre’s inability to make a decision. That’s pretty funny, but I wonder if it’s an appropriate message coming from a mayor’s office.
So I’ll turn it over to you: What’s the best way for Green Bay citizens, Wisconsinites and Packer fans to treat Favre’s return? Think in terms of the values and ideals you want to reflect and project.
I’ve got some strong thoughts on the matter, but I’ll hold them for our usual Friday morning post, where I’ll also compile a representative sample of your responses. Have at It.
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Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and children.
