I bumped into longtime author and good friend Steve Rose of Neenah at a Brewers game a while back. It was great to catch up, and then Steve told me something I didn't expect.
He would be honored to have me contribute to his next book, "Pea Soup for the Packer Fan," out in September. His book "Leap of Faith: God Must Be a Packer Fan" was the number one book in Wisconsin during 96-97, and sold more than 50,000 copies.
Here is my entry:
Growing up in Rice Lake, Wisconsin…I lived and died by what happened with the Packers on Sunday afternoons. And mostly died.
You see, I was born in 1970. After the Lombardi era Packers. I knew the history of Titletown, and the legacy of the Packers. But rarely during those times did I see it. An 8-7-1 season in 1978. A playoff appearance in 1982. And some of the record setting performances of 1983, were all I knew. I still remember, one of my favorite memories was watching games with my Grandfather, and he’d get so mad at the TV…he’d yell that the Packers couldn’t tackle or beat the Weirgor Wildcats. Weirgor is a town, population 100 max. Salute!
It still didn’t diminish my love of the Pack. I still remember going to my first game. I remember going to the Packers Hall of Fame for the first time. And sheepishly and quietly asking Tony Mandarich for an autograph at the Denny’s on Oneida Street, the Sunday morning before the season’s first game against Tampa Bay…when he had just signed his contract, but wasn’t going to play.
I remember another game in 1985…the Snow Bowl against the Buccaneers, when Steve Young didn’t know what hit him…and you couldn’t see the field. I listened to that game while deer hunting, then struggled home as the Packers struggled through the snow…and still won.
To me, a lot of sportscasters have to move away to follow their dreams…and hope they can move back. I went to college at UW-Madison. And then I was able to start my TV career in Rhinelander, and continue it in Green Bay and Milwaukee. I’ve covered the teams I grew up with for 18 years…something I’ll never take for granted.
For more info, go to www.PeaSoupPackerBook.com
Emails at lallan@todaystmj4.com
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.