Falling in "Love"

So, back in the Majik Man (Don Majkowski) days I became a hardcore Packer Backer. For those of you who....gasp....don't know who the Majik Man is, he was the quarterback before wonderful (now shunned) Brett Favre. I. Loved. Him. Majkowski....not Brett. :) I learned to spell his name so when we were married, it would be an easier transition. Look, I was in the fifth grade....what do you want from me?

I can remember my first training camp. My parents said we were going for a drive, I thought....well, that's dumb. I decided to use that time wisely and sleep. My parents woke me up and when I opened my eyes I saw we were at the Packers training camp! That was the best drive ever!

I thought it was so cool that after camp the players would sign autographs and talk with people. There were also kids who had brought their bikes and the players would ride the bikes back across street to Lambeau Field. While riding the bikes, the kids would hold the players helmet and the players would have a conversation with them. How awesome is that?

After that first time, there were a few other times we returned to Green Bay to, not only visit my grandparents, but to go to the camps, the Fan Photo Days and the Family Night Scrimmages.

There are a few things from the Fan Photo Day that I remember.

The first memory was, waiting in a long line to get my picture taken with Majkowski. When we finally made it to the front, my brother took the picture. I was so excited and couldn't wait to have it developed. Too bad that my brother only managed to get Majkowski from the chin down......I tease him to this day.

The second memory I have is, as we were waiting in the HUGE, long line for Majkowski, my dad looked over and saw there was a player that had NO ONE in his line. He felt bad for the guy and told me that I should go over there and get my picture with him. Well, there was NO WAY I was going to miss my Majkowski photo op. As it turns out, that player was Brett Favre. I'm going to have to say, it's probably better that I never did get his autograph.....there is no way that he would have been half as good as he was. As a matter of fact, I think right about the time my father-in-law bought me a Favre jersey is when things began to go downhill for him. Coincidence?

The third memory I have involves Sterling Sharpe. He would NEVER sign autographs or talk with anyone after the camp. However, he was at Fan Photo Day signing autographs. The entire time he kept his head down He wouldn't look at anyone, take his picture with anyone or speak to anyone. I was able to get his autograph.

Fast forward to Christmas a few years later. My uncle wanted to know what I wanted for Christmas. Every year I asked my parents for a Majkowski jersey and every year they said, "no." So, I asked my uncle for one. Well, when it came time to open my present I was shocked to see a Packer jersey! However, my mom told him not to get me a Majkowski jersey because "if he goes to another team, the jersey will be no good." Lame. He settled on a Sterling Sharpe jersey. Why? Sharpe had signed a 10-year deal around that time. The logic was that I could then wear it for the next few years. That was all fine and dandy until he injured his neck and could no longer play.....Coincidence?

Throughout the Majik Man years I managed to get a whole bunch of autographs and pictures OF him. I had posters all over my room....it was like a shrine. We see where that got the poor guy....an injury that still bothers him to this day! Sorry, Don!

I don't believe in good or bad luck (anymore) but you have to admit.....those things are a little strange.

Since I am a passionate person---I followed and cheered for the Pack during those years with plenty of passion---a little too much. There came a point where I would cry or it would ruin my day if they lost. So, when I was about 18 I had to quit the Pack, cold turkey.

I have watched them on and off throughout the last few years and have managed to keep my cool. However, today's game......all bets are off!

GO PACK, GO!!