(WNFL/PACKERS) – If you’re looking to amaze your friends with things about this Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field, there are many things you can share over a barley pop or other beverage to demonstrate you knowledge.
- The Green Bay Packers will take on the Indianapolis Colts in the home opener at Lambeau Field
- It is the first time the Packers will face an AFC team in the home opener since 2014 against the New York Jets.
- It is the 12th time since the merger (1970) that Green Bay opens at home against and AFC team.
- It is the first time opening at Lambeau against the Colts in team history.
- Green Bay has won 11 straight home openers (2013-23), the longest winning streak in home openers in team history and the longest current winning streak in the league (Buffalo, Miami, Philadelphia and San Francisco each have won three straight).
- This is the Colts’ first trip to Lambeau Field since 2016. By date, this is the second-earliest meeting between the two teams (Sept. 10, 1966).
- This is just the fourth time in the series history, and the first time since 1974, that the Packers and Colts have played in Week 2
Room on the roster: The Green Bay Packers signed TE Johnny Lumpkin and WR TJ Luther to the practice squad and released RB La’Mical Perine and WR Jalen Wayne from the practice squad. General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transactions on Tuesday.
Lumpkin (6-5, 264), a first-year player out of the University of Louisiana, was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. He was released after training camp and spent parts of the rookie season on the practice squads of the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. Lumpkin played in 35 games during his college career, recording 36 receptions for 408 yards (11.3 avg.) and six touchdowns. He will wear No. 86 for the Packers.
Luther (5-11, 189), a first-year player out of Gardner-Webb, was originally signed by the N.Y. Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023. He was released after training camp and spent part of his rookie season on the Patriots’ practice squad. After being released by New England during the offseason, Luther spent part of training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent three years at Wofford, where he appeared in 27 games prior to transferring to Gardner-Webb for the last two seasons, where he played in 20 games. In 2022, Luther posted 63 catches for 1,166 yards (18.5 avg.) and eight TDs. He will wear No. 82 for the Packers.
High school coach of the week: The Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week Program is now underway and the team is currently accepting nominations from high schools across the state.
The program recognizes one outstanding Wisconsin high school coach on a weekly basis during the 2024 high school football season. Each honoree will be awarded several items and privileges, including a $1,000 donation to the school’s football program from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL.
In addition to the donation, the winning coach will receive recognition on packers.com, WisSports.net and Wifca.org, and will be mentioned in the Packers Gameday program.
The Packers are seeking nominees who have an incredible impact either on the field or in the community. Nominees can be honored for how they have turned programs around, how the team has impacted the community or how the coach impacts the players and their families.
At the end of the season, one coach is named the WFCA/Green Bay Packers High School Football Coach of the Year, selected by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association, and is given a $2,000 donation for his or her football program. The Coaches of the Week and Coach of the Year will also be recognized at Lambeau Field during the Week 18 Packers-Bears game in January.
“We’re proud to recognize the hard work of high school football coaches with the Packers Coach of the Week program,” said Packers football outreach coordinator Jake Krueger. “As educators, mentors and leaders, both on and off the field, they serve as positive examples for young people in the community and give them the opportunity to learn and grow.”
Nominations can be submitted by 10 a.m. each Monday by emailing Jake Krueger at coachoftheweek@packers.com. All nominations should include the nominee’s name, address, school, phone number and reason he/she is deserving of the award. The first honoree of the season will be announced the week of Sept. 16.
Packers Alumni host sporting clays benefit on tomorrow; The Green Bay Packers are set to host the 2024 Alumni Sporting Clays event to benefit Curative Connections on Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Woodfire Lodge at Triple J Wing & Clay in Brillion, Wis.
Several Packers alumni will attend the event including Jared Abbrederis, Paul Coffman, Jeff Dellenbach, Lynn Dickey, Earl Dotson, Marv Fleming, Eddie Lee Ivery, Perry Kemp, Mark Lee, Don Majkowski, John Michels, Mark Murphy, Dave Robinson, Ken Ruettgers, Bill Schroeder, Tim Stokes, Dave Whitehurst, Bruce Wilkerson and Frank Winters. Alumni will shoot with attendees at various stations throughout the course.
Members of the media are welcome to attend throughout the day. Celebrity introductions and event rules will start at 9:30 a.m., with the sporting clays course and team flurry starting at 10 a.m. Following the course, the event will conclude with lunch at 12:30 p.m., as well as a silent auction, presentation and awards.
The event is part of Green Bay Packers Give Back, the team’s all-encompassing community outreach initiative that includes the Green Bay Packers Foundation, appearances made by players, alumni, coaches and staff, football outreach, cash and in-kind donations, Make-A-Wish visits and community events. The annual overall charitable impact of Packers Give Back exceeds $11 million.
Comments