The Aura Of Lambeau Field
December 1st, 2017
Joe will scratch off a bucket list item this weekend.
Even though “this Joe” is from Illinois, he had never stepped foot in Minnesota before this season, and this weekend only will be Joe’s second visit to Cheeseland, Wisconsin. Roughly 20 miles north of the Illinois-Wisconsin border had been Joe’s greatest northern journey and Saturday it will be farther north to Green Bay.
Joe has heard how neat Lambeau Field and everything around it is. It seemed Bucs coach Dirk Koetter is a big fan of Lambeau when he recounted his two previous visits to the NFL cathedral yesterday.
“The first time I went there was for a preseason game and I think every single person in the crowd had a Green Bay Packers jersey on,” Koetter remembered. “I’d never seen anything like it. It was a summer night. It was in August and I’d never seen anything like that where it was that high volume of Packers jerseys.
“Then we went another time when it was in December like this and before the game the field was covered. They had the blowers going. [It was] horrible weather. You couldn’t even see. It was snowing. The second those gates opened, there was people in those seats two hours before game time. It’s with complete snowmobile gear, fans sitting there like it was nothing with the weather. [It is] a very cool place to play.”
Joe isn’t sure how many readers have ever been there, but if you have, please feel free to share a story. It just seems like a wonderful place to watch a game.
Wonder what would happen if DeSean Jackson caught a touchdown from America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and did a Lambeau Leap? Would the cheeseheads give him a beer or throw it on him? Joe’s guessing they would give him a beer.
Just a hunch but that “Go Pack, Go!” jingle will be ringing in Joe’s ears all Sunday night. At least the weather doesn’t look too awful. Sunday’s highs should be push 50 with no precipitation. Man, 49 degrees in December in Green Bay, Joe’s guessing folks will be walking around in shorts.
Maybe one of these years Joe will have to go up there as a fan to experience the tailgate scene.
December 1st, 2017 at 11:20 am
Truly an awesome experience! I went in 2005 to see the Buccaneers play there in what was kind of billed as Favre’s last season. Bucs won on a strong running day from Cadillac Williams and a GB missed field goal.
It’s something every NFL fan should do at least one. Beautiful stadium, classic old school halftime bands and great food and fans. And there’s a Packers Hall of Fame area in the stadium. Got to sit at Vince Lombardi’s desk among other cool things.
So go if you can. Should be on everyone’s bucket list.
December 1st, 2017 at 11:23 am
August ’99 I was there for a preseason game against the Jets. Even though it was preseason, you couldn’t tell based on fan enthusiasm, it was on par with a playoff game in Tampa (been to one of those too). On top of that, there was something almost mystical about the place, can’t really describe.
Another thing, the fans are extremely friendly (as long as you’re not a bears fan). While I didn’t wear any Bucs apparel to the game, the people I went with knew I was a Bucs fan, and they told everyone in the section we were sitting in (not teasing, more like even though he’s not a packer, this guy’s a huge football too and the Bucs are his team) and we would just talk football between plays. I was surprised how friendly they were considering the teams were still division rivals at the time.
Great time, if I had the means to go again for a regular season game, I would in a heart beat.
December 1st, 2017 at 11:23 am
I was there for the 97 playoff game when Sapp wreaked havoc on Favre. Before the game in 18 deg weather, 2 shirtless Yoopers came up to us with a pump up sprayer full of Alabama Slammer. They’d tell you to “open up” then spray your mouth full of Alabama Slammer drink.
After the game they had coldcut sandwiches for the players out by the bus. I heard Erict Rhett say “Coldcuts? I ain’t eating no coldcuts!” He walked over by my ex-wife and buddy’s girl and asked if they had any hot food left. They apologized because everything was put away. He said “It’s OK” and went and found an old lady Packer fan in a motor home and she took him in and gave him a hot meal. True story.
I’ll be at the game this Sunday.
December 1st, 2017 at 12:06 pm
Never been to Wisconsin period . But I can see every Sunday..Win or Lose. Rain/sleet or Snow, them Packer fans support the Pack. Then again, the Packers have great history. They have Won consistently before. Their fans are diehards and faithful. You get that feeling when you watch Green Bay at home on TV,..My God how can anybody play in that Snow? But there they are. Proud and playin their tails off. And my man..Arguably the greatest coach of all time…The Great Lombardi. No more need be said. Good Luck in Packer land and have a great time Joe!!
December 1st, 2017 at 12:06 pm
Been to Green Bay a few times for work. The stadium is incredible. The new restaurant doesn’t even have Sunday ticket though (I was there in October for our loss to the Cards). I wish Tampa could have a place where people can go (and want to go) during all times of the year for unique dining and shopping. That place always has people.
December 1st, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Great stories! Thanks for sharing guys.
Halftime bands at halftime? Damn, that is old school. The 12-minute halftimes are too short (for folks at the game). But, as we all know, the NFL is a TV show more than an in-game experience.
Sounds like Lambeau bucks the trend.
December 1st, 2017 at 12:16 pm
Joe,
My 14 yr old son somehow became a Packers fan and we are also heading to Lambeau this weekend for the first time. I grew up in Tampa but been in Chicago suburbs since 1980. No reason to see Lambeau before this.
Looking forward to the experience. Not sure about the quality of the game. =)
December 1st, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Still wonder why the Den of Depression doesn’t have a “Bud Zone” type of place like at the Gator Bowl. You can get out of the heat into an air conditioned sports bar and still watch the game live in front of you.
December 1st, 2017 at 12:19 pm
If the Packers fans here at RayJay are any indication, prepare to see a lot of pasty white fat chicks.
December 1st, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Of course! It’s Wisconsin in December.
Not expecting to see much skin with temperatures in the 40s.
December 1st, 2017 at 1:53 pm
Lol…this is how far we have fallen…..feel good stories about the Packers great culture…
December 1st, 2017 at 2:22 pm
I live 1 hr 15 minutes from Lambeau. It’s funny cuz the state does support the Packers but as a whole they are NOT a knowledgeable fan base. With diehard exceptions, most of the fans I talk to can’t name more than 4 or 5 players. It’s just one of their traditions and they follow the Pack, but they really don’t get into them that strongly during the week (again with exceptions). Besides, there really isn’t much else to do this time of year except have a party and watch the Packers.
December 1st, 2017 at 2:38 pm
My wife and I will be visiting there the next four days for the first time from Boise, Idaho. She’s a Packer fan and I’m a Bucs fan. My nephew from Tampa will be joining us as well. We plan on touring the stadium and Packers hall of fame tomorrow and enjoy the game on Sunday with some pretty decent seats. It should be a blasty.
December 1st, 2017 at 3:38 pm
I really wanted to go this year but went to the Arizona game instead. I was hoping we’d play there next year but it looks like we will be in chicago since we will both be last in our division. It will be at least 3 more years before we go. I’m sad I won’t get there.
December 1st, 2017 at 5:18 pm
I lived in Green Bay when I was 6-7 years years old, 2 blocks away from the stadium. I used to ride my bike to watch them at their practice field and was fortunate to go to a few games as a kid as well. We moved to Tampa shortly after and instantly became a Buccaneers fan, because we were actually able to go to games often. I traveled back this weekend to Green Bay to attend the battle of the Bay’s, I want a Bucs win but hey if they lose I’d rather it be to the Packers.
December 1st, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Forgot about the Yoopers!
(Yoopers = Michigan Upper Peninsula)
Yoopers are much more likely to be Packers fans because Green Bay is significantly closer than Detroit.
December 1st, 2017 at 11:07 pm
I just arrived in GB today. Excited to root on my Bucs. Saw a few of us arriving at the Milwaukee airport today.
December 1st, 2017 at 11:51 pm
Cool. Joe should arrive later afternoon tomorrow.
December 2nd, 2017 at 10:35 am
Joe, my wife and I want to greet the team when they arrive at the hotel in Appleton. Would you have any clue what time they arrive on Saturday?