Packers delight at Tomah Tailgate
Posted by on May 17, 2013 – 10:44 pmTomah’s Recreation Park was an electric venue Friday night for the fourth party of the Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour.
Nearly 600 fans were on hand to welcome the players and Mark Murphy for the event to benefit Tomah Area Cancer Support, an organization dedicated to providing monetary support for local area cancer survivors and funding for local cancer research.
After a raucous introduction, the players answered questions for fans that were submitted ahead of time. Mark Murphy drew some laughs from the tour members when he said the question was for Frank Winters and it was about the nature of his nickname, “Frankie Bag of Doughnuts.”
Winters, you see, has been asked that question multiple times this week. And he’s not entirely certain of its origin, but thinks Brett Favre planted the seed to former game broadcaster John Madden, who then spoke of it on the air during a game.
“I’ve been asked that question about thirteen hundred times this week,” he said, with a laugh. “I bet Aaron Taylor $20 that I’d be asked that question tonight. He can give me 20 pushups, or the $20.”
Taylor immediately pulled out his wallet and held it over his head for the answer to Winters. Fans applauded his decision and the party soon transitioned into the autograph session.
Later, while steaming north on the bus toward Wisconsin Rapids, the group reflected on the day.
“I liked the Challenge Academy,” said Randall Cobb. “We connected well with them. The kids coming through the line had a lot of good things to say when we shook hands.”
The final day of the Tailgate Tour is on tap for Saturday, with a party in Wisconsin Rapids to support Opportunity Development Center (ODC) Inc.
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Tour members share life experiences at Challenge Academy
Posted by on May 17, 2013 – 4:08 pm
After spending a portion of the morning with high school students in Fennimore, the members of the tour were excited to visit with non-traditional high school students, young cadets enrolled in Fort McCoy’s ChalleNGe Academy.
A Wisconsin National Guard program, ChalleNGe Academy is a 17-month program for at-risk youth ages 16 years and 9 months through 18. Academy cadets complete a 22-week residential phase during which the cadets can earn their high school equivalency diploma and change their outlooks and viewpoints on life and character.
The guys spent their time talking to more than 110 cadets about character and overcoming adversity in life.
Alex Green shared his story about overcoming dyslexia, a learning disorder.
“I was the youngest of seven kids and it was tough to be the one struggling in school,” he said. “But I am proud that I was able to overcome it and be able to succeed.”
One of the cadets asked the players about what more do they want to accomplish after getting fame and fortune.
“This isn’t the top,” said Randall Cobb. “We need to remember the value of hard work and continue to work hard. And, for me, I like to be in a position to inspire. We can inspire young people to achieve. I had to overcome obstacles, just like you, and hopefully I can inspire others to work hard and reach their potential.”
The crew is taking a break in advance of tonight’s party at the Tomah Recreation Park to benefit Tomah Area Cancer Support.
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Fennimore welcomes the Tour
Posted by on May 17, 2013 – 11:45 am
Back in Wisconsin, the Packers Tailgate Tour just finished a visit at Fennimore High School. More than 300 students in grades 7 through 12 listened as the players discussed the bad effects of drugs and steroids and the positive effects of exercise and proper nutrition.
Aaron Taylor urged the students to resist the temptations that can put you in a bad situation. A piece of advice he offered was a question he learned to ask himself.
“Can I afford to be wrong about…fill in the blank,” he said. “When confronted with one of those situations, take a step back and ask yourself that.”
Jarrett Bush spoke of his basics with exercise and nutrition, and urged the students to hydrate themselves constantly.
Santana Dotson reminded the students about being committed to goals with a story from his own high school days. When he was 16, he played football but wasn’t totally committed to it. His team was headed to the state championship, but he had violated a team rule and was dismissed from the team and wouldn’t be competing.
“It was after that situation that I realized I needed to be fully committed,” said Dotson. “We can’t be afraid of what others think when we pursue our goals. Goals are bigger than fears. You need to stay away from dream killers.”
During the Q&A session, players were asked about their most embarrassing moment on the field.
“I wasn’t feeling well one game,” Bush began, “and I threw up while I was running down the field covering a kickoff.”
The assembly groaned and laughed as they imagined that sight.
Later on the bus, Bush chuckled at the memory.
“It was funny,” he said. “The players on the other team were grossed out and kind of let me run right through. I kept going and made the tackle.”
The Tour continued toward Tomah.
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Packers fever hits Iowa
Posted by on May 17, 2013 – 12:04 am
The Grand River Center in Dubuque served as host for the Tour’s first-ever tailgate party in Iowa. The facility entertained nearly 2,000 people, all who came out to support the popular Camp Albrecht Acres in nearby Sherrill, Iowa.
The camp, which has been operating for more than 30 years, sits on 40 acres of wooded land and provides a unique environment for people with special needs. Camp Albrecht Acres operates exclusively on donations, fundraisers, camp fees and grants, and receives no financial assistance from local, state or federal government.
The evening started off in dramatic fashion as the tour bus pulled into the convention center to the music of Todd Rundgren’s ‘Bang the Drum All Day.’
The players were introduced and made their way to the stage which featured a digital video screen backdrop and was flanked by two large screen TVs on each side, creating a concert-like setting.
“We’re thrilled to be in Iowa for the first time on our Tailgate Tour,” Mark Murphy said to the cheers of the fans in the convention center. “There are Bears fans in Iowa, but we know there are a lot of Packers fans, especially here tonight.”
During the Q&A, the crowd learned that Jarrett Bush has a dance that is included in his pregame ritual. To the fans’ delight, and at the urging of Randall Cobb and Alex Green, Bush briefly demonstrated his moves on stage.
The Preston family from Dubuque, including Brian, Carrie and Taylor, enjoyed the event and appreciated the group making the stop in Iowa. Carrie, a 5-year-old sporting a pink Packers No. 52 jersey, also had the chance to show off her Clay Matthews post-sack pose.
Deb Rahe, executive director of Camp Albrecht Acres, was pleased with the event.
“It exceeded our expectations,” Rahe said. “It’s the biggest event we’ve ever done and will give us great recognition and long-term support.”
Overall, members of the tour enjoyed the day and relished in taking part in some Tour firsts.
“It was great to have the playground build today,” said Murphy as he reflected on Day 3. “That was a nice addition to the tour.”
The Tour will make its way back to Wisconsin Friday for another string of surprise stops on the way to Tomah.
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How many Packers does it take to build a playground?
Posted by on May 16, 2013 – 3:01 pm
Lincoln Park was the site of another stop in Monroe, as the Tailgate Tour members put on their work clothes to help install a new playground.
The work on the green and gold playground structure, which was donated by the Packers, began a couple days ago and would be finished up by the tailgate crew with the help of Monroe parks and city staff, as well as community volunteers.
No matter the players’ position on the field (skill or line), they proved to be adept with tools and direction. That didn’t preclude a few comments about where or how they were put to work.
“Hey, they’ve got power tools over there,” complained Frank Winters. “We’ve got these hand tools here. What gives?”
RB Alex Green and CB Jarrett Bush help assemble a playground at Lincoln Park. – VIEW PHOTOS
“Supervising,” he deadpanned.
The new playground is greatly appreciated, according to Paul Klinzing, Monroe’s parks supervisor.
“This is a heavily used park and it provides a huge upgrade,” he said. “It’s great the Packers not only donated this, but then to come help install it is outstanding. Our community is going to enjoy this for the next 20 to 30 years.”
After finishing up the install in couple hours, the crew enjoyed a picnic lunch and posed for pictures with the other workers before heading toward Dubuque, Iowa, for tonight’s party.
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Packers Bingo in Monroe
Posted by on May 16, 2013 – 2:00 pm
After departing Beloit – it was the team’s first visit to Beloit since Nov. 23, 1919, by the way, when the Beloit Fairies defeated the Packers, 6-0 – the Tour made a visit to the Behring Senior Center in Monroe, Wis.
The players and alumni had the chance to meet and play Bingo with more than 90 seniors who live at the center.
Bingo card-drawing and announcing duties were shared among the players and after the first shout of “Bingo,” Aaron Taylor drew laughs when he said, “We need verification.”
Later, during a particularly long game, Taylor wryly observed, “You can cut the tension with a knife.”
Jarrett Bush tested all the Bingo players when he sped things up with his version of “No Huddle Bingo.”
RB Alex Green talks with a fan at the Behring Senior Center – VIEW PHOTOS
During a question-and-answer session, Frank Winters was asked why Clay Matthews was wearing his No. 52. The room burst into laughter.
“Funny story about Clay,” said Winters. “My first year in Cleveland, I played with his dad. I told Clay that I remembered him as a boy coming around practice.”
For the seniors, the special guests provided a memorable morning.
“It’s uplifting and humbling at the same time,” Paul Schoenike said, “that these guys would take the time to visit us. Many of us came early we were so excited.”
The group is heading a couple blocks down the street to install a new playground at a park.
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Beloit turns out for The Tour
Posted by on May 15, 2013 – 11:16 pm
The Packers Tailgate Tour ended a great string of visits on the second day with a great turnout for the Tailgate Party at Beloit’s Eclipse Center. More than 1,000 fans took part in the event to support Beloit Regional Hospice.
The boisterous crowd heard from Mark Murphy and the players during a question-and-answer session that touched on many familiar subjects, including the draft, the upcoming season and what it was like playing in the Super Bowl.
Aaron Taylor, the former offensive lineman, drew laughs when he answered a query about what a player enjoys most about playing football.
“There are great friendships and camaraderie that you can develop,” Taylor began, “but there’s no greater joy in life than moving a person from point A to point B against his will.”
The fans in attendance included not only those from south of the border, who ventured in from Bears’ country (Illinois), but also Rhett Flavel, a green and gold backer from Australia. Flavel was visiting friends in the area who surprised him with a ticket for the event.
“It was a great surprise,” he said. “I only learned of it four or five hours ago. It was great to see them in person.”
Sarah Kruse, the director of community outreach for the Beloit Regional Hospice, enjoyed the evening as well. Kruse was pleased about the benefit her organization was to receive on account of the evening, but she also was happy to see that attendees enjoyed themselves.
“It went smoothly,” she observed. “People were happy and enjoyed seeing the personality of the players. It was a great turnout.”
Day 3 is on tap and features a number of stops on the way to the first-ever stop in Iowa.
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Packers visit a very special school
Posted by on May 15, 2013 – 4:30 pm
After a tasty takeout lunch on the bus from Berres Brothers Coffee in Watertown, the Tailgate Tour made a stop at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delevan, Wis.
The school, founded in 1852, is a learning institution for 100 deaf and hard-of-hearing students that serves the surrounding area as well as the entire state. About 60 students board at the school each week and then return home on the weekends, with five of those coming via airplane.
The players spoke to the students and guests about teamwork and giving back to the community with the assistance of school personnel who used sign language.
The players were impressed with the types of questions the kids asked, with topics varying from the emotion of the game to overcoming obstacles to self esteem struggles.
With regard to emotions, Jarrett Bush shared with the students how football is very emotional.
“I get angry, mad and frustrated,” said Bush. “And then I’m happy and excited. It’s such an emotional game. That’s why we’re so exhausted, both emotionally and physically, after the games.”
Aaron Taylor shared his own experiences as a youth when a student asked about whether any of the players had self esteem challenges. Taylor, who has a white mother and a black father, moved a lot as a youth and didn’t have his father in his life.
Former Packers guard Aaron Taylor waves to students — VIEW PHOTOS
And on a lighter topic, the students learned that Randall Cobb likes to shop for shoes.
Mark Murphy and the players had fun on stage with a young Bears fan, too.
Before the tour members departed, they were presented a jersey and autographed mini-helmet from the school’s football team. Equally steeped in history, the Wisconsin School for the Deaf has fielded a football team for more than 100 years.
After a spirited goodbye at the bus, the group continued on toward Beloit for tonight’s festivities.
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Watertown High School welcomes the Tour
Posted by on May 15, 2013 – 2:57 pm
After visiting with students at Waupun High School, another surprise stop was in store as the Tailgate Tour bus passed through Watertown. Shortly after 11 a.m., the guys stopped by Watertown High School and were greeted by more than 1,200 students at an assembly.
To get things formally started, a ceremonial first toss was conducted with Randall Cobb on the receiving end of a pass from Tarek Yaggi, the Gosling’s star quarterback who in the fall is headed to Bakersfield, Calif., Junior College. Later, during the question-and-answer session, Cobb gave a favorable review of the pass.
“He throws a good ball, certainly,” Cobb said.
“It was fun,” Yaggi said while admitting to being nervous. “I’ve watched him on Sunday catch passes from Aaron Rodgers and now I’ve been able to throw to him. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Santana Dotson reflected on playing with Brett Favre and in Super Bowls XXXI and XXXII, explaining to the assembly that he could tell upon joining the team for his first season in 1996 that expectations were high.
“They had reached the NFC Championship Game the year before, and the Super Bowl was the next step in everyone’s mind. No question about it,” Dotson said. “For me, getting introduced at the Super Bowl was an emotional moment. I knew my mom and wife were up in the stands crying.”
The members of the tour also received an emotional thank you from a student, Jordan Jeanson, for a donated football the Packers community outreach department supplied for a benefit for her mother, Trisha Pieper, who is undergoing kidney dialysis and is waiting for a kidney transplant.
Jeanson gave the players hugs and wished them well for the rest of the tour.
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A surprise stop at Waupun starts the day
Posted by on May 15, 2013 – 11:09 am
Now on the second day, the Tailgate Tour is motoring along toward Beloit after making a surprise stop at Waupun Junior/Senior High School.
The crew surprised more than 800 students at a school assembly and spoke to them about making goals and achieving their dreams, and how hard work and doing well in school are critical to their success.
Randall Cobb and Santana Dotson spoke about the topics, and Dotson stressed that showing up is a good start, but only half the effort. Working hard on the academic part of high school is crucial. He drew laughs telling the kids that osmosis learning through a book under a pillow is not the approach to take.
Aaron Taylor added that professional sports goals are worthy aspirations, but everyone needs to have an alternative goal. He and the other players would be ex-athletes for a much longer period in life, so each of them has to have a secondary career goal.
Aaron Taylor, Santana Dotson, and Randall Cobb stand with a fan — VIEW PHOTOS
Some fun topics were broached, too, with Cobb revealing that among his hardest obstacles to overcome in high school was his love of sleep. He said it still is a challenge today at times.
When asked about early career aspirations other than football, Taylor recalled how he wanted to be a chef. Beyond him being a large fellow and liking to eat, he explained that he had a love of food and recipes, and even went as far as to prepare an intricate Thanksgiving meal as a 9-year-old. His mom did help.
Before throwing footballs to the students, the players did talk some football, too, with topics ranging from leaders on defense to aspirations of a Super Bowl.
As the crew got back on the bus to continue the day’s trip to Beloit, Mark Murphy noticed a news report on the TVs about OJ Simpson and said, “There’s a great example of what we were talking about to the students…you don’t want to end up there.”
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