ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) –Travelers going through Green Bay’s airport can relive the origins of the Packers through a unique exhibit.
Thanks to the grandson of former Packers player, John Arnold Des Jardins, Austin Straubel International Airport now displays a seldom seen collection of Packers paraphernalia that dates back to the original 1919 team roster.
John Des Jardins, a former Outagamie County Circuit Judge, says he found the items after his grandfather passed away in 1969. He said the items were found in a trunk in the attic.
His grandfather, John Arnold Des Jardins, was a classmate of Curly Lambeau who introduced him to the game of football. He was the offensive center and defensive guard of the very first Packers team and played four of the 11 games during the Packers’ first season, which included games played at their home field, Hagemeister Park.
When Des Jardins discovered his grandfather’s items, he said he knew he had to preserve them.
“It’s a great honor to our family, hopefully it’s a great tribute to the city of Green Bay too as a franchise that started out like a lot of them started out, but it was the love of the people of Green Bay for the Green Bay Packers that allowed this to happen for this franchise. It’s the only one in the world that doesn’t have an owner,” Des Jardins said.
The collection includes John Arnold Des Jardins’ helmet, shoulder pads, jersey and a variety of photos.
“It’s just appreciation of common people that love football and started the franchise, you know, and did it for essentially nothing, just did it for the love of the game and that’s what it’s all about and that’s what Packers fans are all about too, it’s the love of the game,” Des Jardins said.
The items will be on display on the main level of the airport near the elevators/escalators.
Comments