Thousands of people say that they wish they were Packers season ticket holders, but they probably don’t realize the other factors involved (other than the cost). It occasionally means that you have a game on Christmas Eve (like last year), or a day before it (this year), which can complicate the preparations for the holidays. But, if you’re fortunate, you have an understanding family where you can attend games under such circumstances. In our case, we headed up last Thursday evening.
Around Sheboygan, Wis., the snow started. Fortunately, they were not calling for a foot of snow like they had earlier in the week. Nevertheless, it made for some alert driving the last hour-plus of the trip.
Seen at a Green Bay grocery store on Thursday evening.
Also seen at the store — LB Clay Matthews as a spokesman for Pistachios.
Green Bay secures a “White Christmas” for 2017.
An evening visit to Lambeau Field on Friday evening (the night before game day).
It was pretty quiet — with a couple of stadium tours going on.
Christmas at Lambeau Field.
The two featured alumni for the Vikings game were former QB Randy White (1984-88) and S Ken Stills (1985-89).
Christmas at Lambeau Field.
Christmas at Lambeau Field.
Christmas at Lambeau Field.
Lambeau Field on a cold December night.
Christmas at Lambeau Field.
Christmas at Lambeau Field.
Vince Lombardi’s home on Saturday morning, the day of the Vikings game.
A look along the Packers’ sideline about an hour-and-a-half before the game.
Your Packerville, U.S.A. editor before the game, bundled up for 5½ hours out in the northern Wisconsin cold.
Another look along the sideline.
Our view from Lambeau Field’s north end zone.
The heated bench system along the Packers’ sideline.
The benches can also heat the helmets.
K Mason Crosby (#2) warming up before the game.
They were showing the Colts-Ravens game on the big screens during pre-game warm-ups.
P Justin Vogel (#8) looks to some fans calling out to him, as LS Brett Goode (#61) keeps his hands warm.
NBC’s Sunday Night Football... on Saturday night.
At least in the stands, we can stand up and get the blood moving, or take a walk to the rest room to warm up, but these network T.V. camera guys just have to sit and shiver until halftime.
Vikings’ K Kai Forbath (#2) also warms up during pre-game.
Special Teams Coach Ron Zook (in stocking hat) chats with his charges.
Packers’ receivers stop to pray before coming out of the tunnel, as they always do.
WR Jeff Janis (#83), WR/PR Trevor Davis (#11), and WR Randall Cobb (#18) come out to warm up. “Warming up” was a relative term on this day.
WR Randall Cobb (#18) plays catch along the Packers’ sideline.
The Packers go through their stretching routine on the south end of the field.
The Minnesota Vikings’ linemen in the north end zone.
This is wrong on so many levels...
Vikings linemen huddle up.
The one man most responsible for the Packers’ disappointing season. It was LB Anthony Barr’s sack of QB Aaron Rodgers in the teams’ first meeting in Minnesota that broke the collarbone that broke the Packers.
We were glad this idiot and his horns weren’t in front of us for the whole game.
The NBC Sunday Night Football crew’s on-field set for the pre-game show.
Packers players kneeling in prayer or reflection in the north end zone.
The giant flag is on the field for the national anthem.
Coming next: Part II