GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Packers shareholders meeting was held today at Lambeau Field, and with training camp kicking off on Wednesday, fans are getting amped up for the start of another season in Green Bay.
Fans from across the country continue gathering at the Mecca of American football this week, as the Green and Gold prepare to suit up for the first time this season. Attending the shareholders meeting is a special experience for people like Kurt from Crown Point, Indiana.
“It is amazing. I have pictures of me from when I was three years old coming to the meetings and stuff like that. So being able to do it with my son now is awesome. It’s absolutely a dream come true,” Kurt told WTAQ News. “I’m in [Chicago] Bears country, and I’ve got to hold the line there. I love it. I love being able to get a rise out of all the Bears fans.”
“It’s just surreal. So surreal. Everything feels like, and I’ve done a tour before and even in the empty stadium, it feels like it’s packed,” said Patrick from Texas. “I don’t go back until August 8th. So I’m going to catch a couple of practices at least.”
“It’s the coolest thing going. It’s the only team like it, and there will never be another,” said Cassandra of Green Bay. “Always [go to training camp]. No matter how long you’ve lived here. And I’ve been here for 22 years…We came from New Jersey and my husband happened to be a Giants fan. But he gave them up for the Packers and anyone who plays against Dallas.”
A lot of those fans and owners are sharing pure optimism for a strong season. With the Packers’ legendary history, many are hoping to see the team bring the Lombardi Trophy back home.
“If we can run the ball and dominate up front, which we have the ability to do so with the players that we have, we’ll be okay,” said Kurt from Indiana. “Thrown in any team in the NFL, if they stack them in the box and we have a darn good running game. And it’s Aaron Rodgers. I mean, come on.”
“Rodgers will have to hit other targets. He can’t rely on Adams anymore, so I think they’re going to be more diversified. They’ve got a lot of talent and they picked up some good rookies,” said Patrick from Texas. “Super Bowl or bust! There it is…there it is. Super Bowl or bust.”
Even younger fans, like Melody, Jackson, and Grace from St. Louis, Missouri were looking forward to the season.
“I’m very excited. I think we’re going to do good,” Jackson said.
“Yeah, definitely!” the girls chimed in.
“We’ve got Rodgers and all of our good players. I mean, okay, we lost Davante and we will miss him. But somebody else is going to step up,” said Cassandra from Green Bay. “This year we’re going to bring it back. We’re going to close it out this year!”
“Tough shoes to fill. But I’m hoping that maybe they’ve got somebody in the draft that you didn’t know was going to step up,” said John from Michigan. “This is fabulous. Coming from downstate Michigan where you had to be a Lions fan and moving up to the Upper Peninsula where you could be a Packer fan – and actually win? It’s spectacular. And it’s a spectacular thing to come here and watch a game…We have a friend that’s a Lions fan. We take every chance we get to rub it in!”
The Packers first preseason game will be August 12th in San Francisco. Their only preseason home game is August 19th, as the New Orleans Saints come to town.
Green Bay opens the regular season on the road in Minnesota on September 11th. Their first home game is September 18th, as the Chicago Bears head up to the road to Lambeau Field.
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