Back during the first weekend of December, when there was a chance of some freezing stuff on the roadways, I was called into work on a Saturday morning. They put me and the fearless photo-journalist, Josh, out in the cold rain along I-35. It never froze. It stayed too warm but we were there, just the same, at five in the morning. Remember, this was when the KU and MU football teams were making big news and the lowly Chiefs were sputtering to the end of their season. Well, around my house, when it comes to winter gear, you grab whatever is handy. That morning, I realized I'd not brought a stocking cap along. KMBC does provide us with nice toppers that say KMBC on them. Also, I have one from a charity golf tournament that tees off in February called, appropriately enough, The Idiot's Open. There is a KC Chiefs cap around the house somewhere. However, none of these were at the ready so I reached under my car-seat and pulled out a plum. I really have to clean out my car. Then, I pulled out a green and gold, Green Bay Packer's cap. I plopped it on my noggin.

As I did so, I just knew that someone out there in TV-Land would take note. Sure, it was five in the morning on a Saturday and the weather was a little questionable and there was big news going on all around the world but I just knew someone would say something about my Packer's cap. Sure enough, that afternoon I had a voice-mail asking what I was thinking with that cap on my head! "I'll buy you a Chief's hat if you need me to...or even MU or KU. But, THE PACKERS? Come on!" I called the guy back and thanked him for his concern and offer of new caps. Years before, while doing a story at Arrowhead in a blue sweater, a group of friendly fans actually bought me my one and only Chief's t-shirt, so, clearly, I am not opposed to being the recipient of a viewer's largess. I also explained that the cap just happened to be handy...or would that be "heady?" Of course, being a native cheesehead, I had to admit that I was not at all unhappy to wear the Green Bay colors. Once a Packer Backer...always a Packer Backer. If you're not, the ghost of Vince Lombardi visits your room at night and makes you do a hundred push-ups with Ray Nitschke sitting on your back.

That brings us up-to-date. Now, I'd like to invite you all to join me in climbing aboard the Packer's Bandwagon! (If you are a Patriots fan or a Chargers fan or a Giants fan, I don't wish you ill, but I would like to make your quarterbacks aware of the new Mexico Cruise, hosted by Jessica Simpson, leaving port the weekend of January 26 and 27...just a little rest before the big game.) As painful as it was to watch the Chiefs this season, it was great fun to watch the Pack. In our house we root for both teams. In fact, when I first started at KMBC I offered the following deal to the news director: If the Chiefs and Packers both make the Super Bowl, I get to attend as a feature reporter or cable puller or bag-carrier...anything. He replied with the following: "Are you the new intern? What's your name again? Let me see some ID."
This was back when neither team looked anywhere close to making the big game.

The 1960s were the glory years, of course, for the Packers and us fans. Then we entered a long, dark, stretch punctuated by very few glimpses of sunshine. The 70s and 80s were rough. Then came the age of Favre. Yes, we have a Brett Favre bobble head, right next to our classic 60s Packer bobble head. Yes, we have a Brett Favre Christmas tree ornament. Yes we have some other Brett Favre action figures. Yes, we like Brett Favre. He led us out of the wilderness!

At the start of the 1995-96 season, Sports Illustrated featured the Packers and the Chiefs on the cover. They were half right. When the Packers made the Super Bowl in January 1996, a very nice viewer sent me that cover ready for hanging. Which was a twist on most viewers' demand that I personally be made ready for hanging. Jessica, all four kids and I appeared in the Kansas City Star, along with Hall of Fame Baseball Broadcaster, Denny Matthews, representing Packer fans across the area. I did a silly little feature story about how to be an honorary cheesehead and then we went to Nashville to watch the big game with grandma and grandpa. It was great. The Packers creamed that version of the New England Patriots. After about 30 years, it was terrific to be back in the win column.

The next year, the Packers made it back to the game but got beat by some young upstart quarterback named Elway. In Packerland we call this "The Lost Episode."

Well, now the Packers and a grayer Brett Favre are back on the Super Bowl doorstep. So, if you'd like to join the fun just load up on cheesecurds, pour some black coffee, learn how to play Euchre, order some of those foam cheeseheads, flatten out your speech pattern and come along. There's always room for more.