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Packers fans revel in team’s arrival
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Packers' 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Super Bowl XLV football game Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo
Green Bay Packers' Nick Collins (36) celebrates with teammate Clay Matthews (52) after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first quarter of the NFL football Super Bowl XLV game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
Associated Press
GREEN BAY, Wis.
Thousands of exhausted but euphoric Packers fans welcomed their cherished team home to Green Bay as Super Bowl champions on Monday after a nail-biting victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Schools dismissed early and people took time off work to watch the team’s motorcade travel from Austin Straubel International Airport to Lambeau Field along a route that included Lombardi Avenue, named in honor of the legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi.
Fans who spent Sunday night partying picked up right where they left off Monday morning, showing up hours early for the parade.
They jammed Lambeau’s atrium and clogged the stadium’s pro shop as they bought piles of Super Bowl gear and memorabilia. To make room, the team finally had to herd shoppers and visitors into a line that stretched outside the stadium.
Ashley Ellis, 17, and Erica Christensen, 18, of Oak Creek, went to bed at midnight after celebrating the victory. They were up at 4 a.m. to drive to Green Bay and stake out a spot for the parade.
They said the Packers gave them “anxiety attacks” as the Steelers made their second-half comeback, but on Monday all was right with the world in Green Bay. Asked why anyone would get up at 4 a.m. to visit a football stadium, Christensen replied simply.
“Love them,” she said.
By early afternoon throngs of fans in cheeseheads, green and gold beads, jerseys and Packer parkas jammed the team’s route, transforming the streets into human trenches.
“It’s a dream trip,” he said as he waited for the motorcade to arrive.
Rich Winker, 42, of La Crosse, showed up in former Packers linebacker Ray Nitchske’s No. 66 jersey and a replica old-school Packers leather football helmet. He said he decided Sunday at 11 p.m. to make the four-hour drive to Green Bay.
“It is awesome,” he said. “It’s just unreal how many people are here. Who knows when it will happen again?”
The arrival was over quickly, though; the players didn’t make any formal public appearances on Monday.
The real party is set for today, when the Packers are expected to stage a public rally at Lambeau. Gov. Scott Walker, who proclaimed February as Green Bay Packers Super Bowl championship month, was expected to attend.
But there’s a little hitch — Lambeau’s bleachers are covered with snow and ice.
The team announced Monday morning that it would pay people $8 an hour to remove it ahead of the celebration.
Adam Shirek, 23, of Milladore, drove two hours Monday to Lambeau for the parade. He said he’s an unemployed college student with nothing better to do. He saw the line of snow volunteers at the stadium and decided to join them. Decked out in Clay Matthews’ No. 52 jersey, he attacked the ice with a fury.
“Could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience helping shovel snow at Lambeau Field . . . after the Super Bowl,” he said as he worked.
Justin Spes, 31, of Green Bay, took it all in as he sipped a beer from Umentum’s wagon. He remembers the Packers’ 1997 Super Bowl win, but said this time was so much sweeter.
The 1997 team, led by quarterback Brett Favre and defensive end Reggie White, dominated opponents. This version of the Packers scrapped and clawed for everything it got.