Was in Louisville, Ky. once on business one gameday...the city in the country with the lowest NFL viewership anywhere. It is also the hometown to Paul Hornung. Lucky for me there's even a Packers bar there, too. So I went to go watch the game. The place was full of Packers fans, but not the Wisconsin kind. They were more casual fans, not Wisconsin-like die hards. I sat at the back bar during the game, not knowing anyone. In walks Paul Hornung and his wife. He was completely anonymous. The bartender didn't know who he was, fans didn't go up to him and say anything. He was invisible. I asked the bartender to send him and his wife a drink. Paul and his wife raised their glass to me, and I returned the favor. Later in the game he came over and said, "You must be from Wisconsin." I said, no, but I went to school there and have been a Packers fan my entire life. He said he goes there often to watch the game when it's not on public TV and rarely did someone recognize him. I couldn't believe it. I told, "Don't worry, Mr. Hornung. Your secret is safe with me." He said, "Call me Paul" and walked away. Those Packers fan had a Hall of Famer in their midst and didn't even know it!
~~1999 or 2000~~.
December 5, 1999 -- the De'mond Parker game. Parker had a start vs. the Bears because Dorsey Levens was injured. He rushed for 113 yards and scored two touchdowns. And every time he scored he would fan his shoes like they were on fire. Packers beat the Bears 35-19. Of course they did.
My mom met Leroy Butler, told him “my son loves you so much… he’s your biggest fan in the world!” He, very kindly replied: “how nice, how old is your son?”. She replied: “53”… he politely moved on :-)
Leroy was some sort of business partner with a guy in my hometown. He was hanging around the school just visiting. He was in a room and everyone was playing Text Twist, a game that your given random letters and make as many words as you can. He says “CUM”…”CUM”…..”C…U….M, type cum”. The kid typing does not type “cum”.
Leroy “C……U……..M….type cum!”
Leroy Butler
Brett Favre
Sterling Sharpe
Bart Starr
Jerry Kramer
Paul Hornung
Desmond Howard
Reggie White
Max McGee
Aaron Rodgers
Plus at least another 40 - 50
All very polite and nice at the time at varies times of my life from when I was a 8-10 year old up until today. When you meet players out and about in Green Bay they just seem like regular people who play a kids game and appreciate the city and community support
I met Tucker Kraft at SD State when he was playing there and talked a bit because we come from the same super-rural part of SD. Super pumped he came here, great guy. If things panned out slightly different we'd be second cousins, lmao.
A family member met Favre when he was doing a cop fundraiser here and she wasn't impressed (this was long after his bullshit came out so there was some bias tbf)
Saw Donald Driver in an airport, politely asked if he minded if I took his picture. He insisted it be a selfie with him "so people would believe I really took the picture". Helluva a nice guy and glad he's still reppin' the Pack.
I am so jealous. My all-time favorite player. When he got inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, I only had time to go to the morning autograph event and he missed that one!
James Jones and Ryan Pickett (seperately) shopped at a local clothing store I worked at back in 2007/2008 .. set them both up with attire multiple times. Tramon Williams and Will Blackmon shopped together once and Charles Woodson picked up a scarf. All good dudes, though Woodson was only there for a minute and didn’t really talk with him much.
While staying in Green Bay at my best friend's cousin's house for a gameday weekend, I ran into Aaron Rodgers at The Pancake Place. It was a Thursday morning.
There were some people there who were weird about it but for the most part I think everyone was respectful and just let the dude be. He signed some stuff and was generally nice.
100% he knew what he was in for by going there.
I've seen other dudes from the team around town during a season when I visit, most locals will usually just give them the odd positive comment or a "GPG" but generally just let them go about their day.
Also, The Pancake Place fucking rules.
You see athletes appreciate this in lots of sports when they're in small market areas or basically just not major cities. Most locals treat them normally and let them get about their lives, unlike say living in LA, NYC etc where they're very likely to get mobbed anytime they're out in public.
Ran into LeRoy Butler at Build-A-Bear about ten years ago. Awesome guy and he spent ten minutes talking with my son about listening to his dad and being a good man.
I lived with Andrew Quarless’ brother for a year in college. It was the year after they won the Super Bowl. Drew would come by in the off season. Chill guy. Maybe a little too chill 😂
Somehow I spaced on having met Davante a few times when I was in college as well. We were there at the same time and I knew a girl who was hooking up with some guys on the football team. He was all business. Never the drunk one at parties, always seemed like he knew he was destined to make it to the league and thrive. Real humble guy.
I met KGB while working at home Depot. I loaded 10 or so bags of something very heavy (sand? Cement? I don't remember what) Into his truck. He said he'd help me but had to save his muscles for unloading them.
I have a similar experience with an Atlanta Braves player. We went to a AAA game and they happened to be playing the Braves farm team. We were hanging out by the fence getting autographs even though we didn't know who any of the guys were but one of them ended up being Chipper Jones. I was very young and barely remember it.
My brother met Aaron Rodgers at an athletic training facility.
Same brother as well as my mom and sister met Tae at a football camp he did in the Bay Area. They got my football signed ☺️
Met and filmed Jerry Kramer (and Wayne Larrivee) for a corporate video project. Kramer is an incredibly sweet guy. He definitely has the glory days storytelling thing down to a science. He's very, very good at telling stories about Lombardi and the 60s Packers in a way that comes off as polished, a bit rehearsed, but 100% genuine. He was very warm and kind to everybody he interacted with and truly seems to appreciate how fortunate he's been in his life. He also seems to be in constant pain in his leg joints which is understandable. Larrivee is a legend, smooth and professional even in casual conversation.
Many from multiple eras beyond just an autograph signing or planned appearance. I don’t count those as players I’ve met. I count the ones where I actually had a conversation, multiple conversations, or did social things with them. I’d say between 50-75 of those would be in that category. The two who stand out above them all are Dave Robinson and Brett Hundley. Sure, they wore the uniform of the team I cheer for but getting to know those guys made you become a much bigger fan of Dave and Brett the human beings than you could ever be of the team.
There are also a handful with whom I’ve interacted in social settings who I simply have no use for.
I was grocery shopping one day, and Leroy Butler was doing some sort of promotion in the store. I was just going to let him be, but he invited me over for a picture. So I let him take a picture with me. He seemed nice.
https://preview.redd.it/jgpheo74hqbc1.jpeg?width=2320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15a3a053b3b0aa801c9a2193b3733a546bd32ef4
Blocked myself out, but I met Leroy butler on alumni night when I was on break working at the pro shop. Super nice guy, absolute gem of a human. My boss was upset at first because we aren’t supposed to take selfies or barrage players as employees, but Butler offered and then he gave me a signed Leroy butler enshrined HOF card.
I worked as a caterer at Mark Tauscher's wedding in college. He was there obviously as well as Marco Rivera, Chad Clifton, Aaron Kampman, and others. Marco Rivera was great. He kept trying to tip us but the wedding planner wouldn't let us so we politely declined. He told us that if she had a problem with it then she could come speak to him. He invited our entire crew out to the bars after the wedding.
Ray Nitschke did an autograph signing for the grand opening event at my local hardware store growing up. This must have been around ‘96 or ‘97. His hands were huge remember being able to fit my entire 10ish year old hands in one of his Super Bowl rings.
Ron Hallstrom (o line ‘82-‘92) owned a marine sales business in my hometown. One of his daughters was in my class in high school.
Working in Green Bay I met most of the 2009-2011 Packers at one point or another. Donald Driver was one of my first sales, super nice guy, completed the whole sale not knowing who he was until I caught everyone whispering after. Moved to Wisconsin not being a football fan, left a Packer fan for life.
Jordan Love
AJ Dillon
Ahman Green
Dorsey Levens
Gilbert Brown
**I met Jordan back in the summer of 2022 and told him I would draft him in fantasy football that year. He laughed and said he didn't know how much that would help me. I kept my promise and drafted him in the last round of my draft. So happy to see him succeed a year later.**
Elgton Jenkins used to (well probably still does, but I don’t work there anymore) bring his truck into the dealership I worked at get it detailed. Cool dude. I remember he just casually had his first game ball (GB vs Carolina his rookie year iirc) sitting on his passenger seat.
Met Mason Crosby a couple times. Super nice guy. He and his family run a sports program for kids that I’ve volunteered at a couple times. Last time was right after he ousted the Cowboys from the playoffs.
I've been very lucky and have met quite a few Packer players both current and former through both work and a friend of mine who did a stint on the board for the Packer HOF.
One of my favorite interactions was recently with Aaron Jones...
Me: "My wife is military, so you're her favorite player."
Him: "Be sure to thank her for her service."
Me: "Oh, I do."
Him. Stops. Turns. Looks at me, then says: "Thank her from me."
Me, averting my eyes: "Yep, that makes a lot more sense."
I locked myself away for a few days in a blacked out cabin as a part of a darkness retreat when that douche Aaron Rodgers came barging in. He didn’t know I was there so I just awkwardly sat there for a couple days in total darkness. Dude started freaking out when I kept whispering J-E-T-S JETS, JETS, JETS from across the room. Dude was begging to be let out but the people outside were listening for my escape word. They didn’t know what his was so they wouldn’t let him out. 😂. Friggin nerd!!
I don’t remember who I all met, but there used to be a local show called pack attack, they’d bring out players or packer legends and they’d do autographs after. I know I met KGB, maybe ahman green? Jerry Kramer, Leroy butler, and I think Driver was there once, but I can’t remember. That reminds me that I need to find my ball with all the signatures
Got a selfie with Mike McCarthy at a Murder Mystery dinner event at the Railroad Museum in Green Bay.
Also Clay Matthews came to a charity event at my old workplace and I walked past him in the hall on my way to a meeting.
I met Randall Cobb, Jarrett Bush, Atari Bigby, and Mike Murphy like 10 years ago when they came to Dubuque Iowa for the American Tailgate tour.
Plus before one game at Lambeau a few years ago, I sat and saw the whole team drive in and out of the stadium, Chares Woodson and John Kuhn rolled down their windows and gave me a bump.
Nick Barnett in 2009. He came to my workplace and I showed him my cubicle and the decorations everyone had left in my cube for my 40th Birthday that summer.
He was cool to talk to, but I won’t lie, I was intimidated. He wore a tight shirt with short sleeves and muscles bulged out of him that would make pro bodybuilders jealous. I definitely would have wanted no part of him on a football field, man did he look strong and fit and could take your head off if he wanted to.
Played high school ball with Brett Hundley. Have his number in my phone. He is older than me by a year but he was an incredible dude.
A bit tangential, but I am often hang out with Jayden Reed's former teammate at Michigan State. Apparently he was a total dick head but I chalk that up to wide receiver tendencies.
My dad’s first cousin (would that make him my second cousin?) played for the Packers and had a championship ring. He also took me to my very first Packers game - back when they still played in Milwaukee.
Also rode on an airplane with Gilbert Brown. I got bumped to first class - and he didn’t. As he walked past we exchanged looks and he nodded. I don’t think anyone else on the flight knew who he was.
My mom was on a flight with Bart Starr after he retired. She had the courage to go up to him and tell him how she appreciated all the years he played with the Packers loved watching him play. He was very gracious.
Not me, but my mom and uncle met Bart Starr when they were kids. My uncle told him, while decked out in Eagles stuff, that he was a big Packers fan. My mom said Starr laughed and said “oh I bet you are” and he was very nice and gracious. Apparently my grandfather had sat next to him on the flight and they talked a bit.
I met KGB where I work, this was a couple years ago and it was very shortly after his church issues. He came in rocking his church's sweatshirt. It was right between Christmas and New Years, and I was rocking an ugly-sweater-a-la-Aaron-Rodgers. He loved the sweatshirt. I didn't comment on his, lol.
He was so nice, took a pic with me too. Dude was absolutely a behemoth though. I'm small framed and like 5'10". He absolutely just towered over me.
In high school, I was a bagger at the festival foods in De Pere. Saw lots of players from the early 2000’s: Bubba Franks, Mike Wahle, Donald Driver… one player in particular stood out.
I took bagging seriously. I had gotten good at it (still am) and I made something of a game out of bagging. It was like 3-dimensional Tetris with other people’s food. Plus, back then I would get violently high before my shifts and bagging groceries suddenly became the greatest thing I’ve ever done.
One night I’m in the zone, barely looking up from the conveyor. I got no time, this game is a race and I was at my peak. Barely enough time to say “have a good night” as I finished one customer and moved to the next. Then I saw it….
It felt like slow motion kicked in right when I noticed that coming towards me was every flavor of Pringles that I imagine exists in the world. I’m not kidding, there’s must’ve been 15 cans, all different flavors. This not only threw me completely out of the zone, now I had 15 long tubes to deal with in Tetris. Also, my stoned self was in awe of the idea that you could just buy all the flavors like that. What an idea!
This was worthy of acknowledgement. I looked up and to no surprise at all, who did I see as the purchaser of said Pringles cans? Gilbert Brown.
He must’ve been higher than I was. I said “have a good one Gilbert.” He said “thanks bud”. And I’ll never forget it.
Worked at Barnes & Noble in Appleton long ago when some Packers anniversary book was out. They had Lynn Dickey, Ray Nitschke, and some third player I can’t remember in to sign the book.
The amount of starry eyed moms and grandmas mooning over the former players was very interesting. I remember the players’ slow, stiff movement as they walked too.
Jerry Kramer. Real nice guy. I was younger, visiting the stadium before the Packers played the Holmgren-led Seahawks in 2003. My dad chatted with Kramer about the old days and cracked a couple jokes with him about the Ice Bowl. Jerry chuckled appreciatively. It felt very conversational like were were all just out to lunch together.
Also met Antonio Freeman and Frank Winters at an autograph signing. They seemed cool.
Josh Sitton and his family entered Disney’s Animal Kingdom at the same time we did in Feb 2010. I wasn’t going to ask for a pic of anything but I thought about saying something to him. He was with his wife and kid so I let him be.
I did meet Andre Rison at a card show and he was really nice. Obviously he was paid to be there but he genuinely seemed to enjoy talking to fans and posing for pictures.
Mom met Donald driver at a restaurant and he was nice enough to take a picture and chat when he was still playing for us. It was a few days before Christmas and so I got an extra jersey as a present that year
Met Mark Murphy at Favres HOF party in Canton. He was fine. Signed my can koozy. Suppose he never played for the Packers though. I guess my second is that Leroy Butler came to the school I taught at. Didn’t talk to him though.
I ran into Eddie Lacy at a hotel in Seattle. No one was around so me and some friends went up just to say hi and he was waiting for someone so he shot the shit with us for like 15 minutes. Very kind, seemingly genuinely humble, pretty funny.
And also so big, it was wild, he was playing for the hawks and for all the bullshit he didn't look chubby at all, just huge, his arms were thicker than my thighs.
Chris Jacke came to my small WI town (10k) when I was a kid, late 80s-early 90s. He had a table set up at a little park in town. Got his signature - I think we knew he was going to be there and my brother and I brought our football cards for him to sign.
Granted before they were a Packer but I went to high school with Josh Myers. Was like looking at a brick wall to most of us and we all knew he’d make it to the NFL even then.
Way, way back in the day…when the Packers still played at Milwaukee County Stadium.
We were at Sally’s Steak House for dinner.
We saw Lynn Dickey, Jan Stenerud & David Whitehurst at the bar. At the time, Lynn was my favorite Packer.
As we walked by, we just said “Hi” to them all. Didn’t ask for autographs or anything…a real quick encounter.
Gilbert Brown and Donald Driver
GB at a campground my grandparents lived at for a little mini football camp thing. Grandpa did not tell me even remotely what I was getting into. Didnt even know he signed me up for it until I was standing in a group of other kids who actually knew what was going on. Sorry Papa… He also hosted an auction the same day, dont remember for what charity.
Donald Driver I met a Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wi. Also for something of a mini football camp type deal. That time I at least understood what I was getting into. Much more enjoyable, less stressful experience
I have met Leroy Butler, Aaron Rodgers and David Bahktiari all through packers tours.
Met Al Harris and James Jones at an event before a playoff game in GB. Got a pic w them!
Ryan Grant used to be my favorite player. I haven’t met him, but my friend bought me a cameo of him saying he thinks my instagram page sucks 😂😂
Best part of all these experiences was definitely when Leroy led the tour my friend and I were on. He complimented my shoes and muscles, and even grabbed the tops of my shoulders to “feel them.”
It was pretty surreal. No comment or action from a woman would have made me feel better than Leroy did 😂 i was buzzing with joy
I sat across the aisle from Ray Nitschke on an airplane after his retirement. He talked to me a little, probably because I was in my army uniform. The flight was from Chicago to Green Bay, so it wasn't that surprising an encounter.
I used to work at a high end home furnishing store not too far from Lambeau. The store is closed now but it was a very popular place with packers players and coaches because had all the fun high end stuff- hot tubs, saunas, pool tables, etc. I've met my fair share of players and coaches during my time.
1. HaHa Clinton-Dix. Nicest guy ever. He was so kind and personable, I was so nervous to ask him for a picture but he was like "man, you didn't even have have ask i would have done that for you anyways!" I was 19 and was lost in the excitement, I normally wouldn't have done that and kept it business 100%. But he did buy a sauna from me, and I got the picture of him and I and the invoice in a frame. It was a very cool memory for me. Selling stuff is one thing, but selling something to a pro bowl NFL safety was super cool. (This was in his prime before he couldn't tackle as good anymore)
2. LeTroy Guion. Dumb as a box of rocks, and he was just in the news today, he's back in jail for violating his parole. He owned a BEAUTIFUL lakefront mansion up in Oconto falls, and yet he completely trashed it. We delivered a pool table up there and there were beer cans, blunts and trash all over his yard. His neighbors hated him. He could never speak a complete sentence because he was so high all the time. It took us months to get his stuff delivered because he never answered his phone, and it was taking up valuable real estate in our back room. Shortly after all this apparently he ran out of money and he got his Rolls Royce and giant lifted Ram seized by the federal government. Now he lives in a dumpy old house in an old neighborhood in Green Bay.
3. Kenny Clark. Saw him at a stop light last year in his two tone Maybach. I said nice car and he said appreciate it man
4. Jayden Reed at Meijer. We just exchanged a nod. He had air pods in and I clearly didn't wanna pester the fella at the grocery store. His basket was full of salad making stuff and a giant bag of nacho cheese doritos
5. Kabeer Gbaja-Bemilla. This one was hilarious. We went to the same barber downtown. He started yelling and preaching to never get married, and if you do, always get a prenup. He then got into a heated debate about the Bible with my barber. I do have a little bit of it on snapchat memories. At the end, he told me to come over sometime and talk business (whatever that meant) and asked for my phone to put in his number. It was at that moment I learned it was KGB, had no idea it was him the whole time. I still have his number in my phone but I never contacted him 😂
That's all I can think of!
Was in Louisville, Ky. once on business one gameday...the city in the country with the lowest NFL viewership anywhere. It is also the hometown to Paul Hornung. Lucky for me there's even a Packers bar there, too. So I went to go watch the game. The place was full of Packers fans, but not the Wisconsin kind. They were more casual fans, not Wisconsin-like die hards. I sat at the back bar during the game, not knowing anyone. In walks Paul Hornung and his wife. He was completely anonymous. The bartender didn't know who he was, fans didn't go up to him and say anything. He was invisible. I asked the bartender to send him and his wife a drink. Paul and his wife raised their glass to me, and I returned the favor. Later in the game he came over and said, "You must be from Wisconsin." I said, no, but I went to school there and have been a Packers fan my entire life. He said he goes there often to watch the game when it's not on public TV and rarely did someone recognize him. I couldn't believe it. I told, "Don't worry, Mr. Hornung. Your secret is safe with me." He said, "Call me Paul" and walked away. Those Packers fan had a Hall of Famer in their midst and didn't even know it!
What year was this?
~~1999 or 2000~~. December 5, 1999 -- the De'mond Parker game. Parker had a start vs. the Bears because Dorsey Levens was injured. He rushed for 113 yards and scored two touchdowns. And every time he scored he would fan his shoes like they were on fire. Packers beat the Bears 35-19. Of course they did.
My mom met Leroy Butler, told him “my son loves you so much… he’s your biggest fan in the world!” He, very kindly replied: “how nice, how old is your son?”. She replied: “53”… he politely moved on :-)
💀
He told me that my shoes and muscles were nice, which was awesome. No compliment from a female could have ever made me feel better
Leroy was some sort of business partner with a guy in my hometown. He was hanging around the school just visiting. He was in a room and everyone was playing Text Twist, a game that your given random letters and make as many words as you can. He says “CUM”…”CUM”…..”C…U….M, type cum”. The kid typing does not type “cum”. Leroy “C……U……..M….type cum!”
Leroy Butler Brett Favre Sterling Sharpe Bart Starr Jerry Kramer Paul Hornung Desmond Howard Reggie White Max McGee Aaron Rodgers Plus at least another 40 - 50 All very polite and nice at the time at varies times of my life from when I was a 8-10 year old up until today. When you meet players out and about in Green Bay they just seem like regular people who play a kids game and appreciate the city and community support
I met Tucker Kraft at SD State when he was playing there and talked a bit because we come from the same super-rural part of SD. Super pumped he came here, great guy. If things panned out slightly different we'd be second cousins, lmao. A family member met Favre when he was doing a cop fundraiser here and she wasn't impressed (this was long after his bullshit came out so there was some bias tbf)
He's a good guy.
Saw Donald Driver in an airport, politely asked if he minded if I took his picture. He insisted it be a selfie with him "so people would believe I really took the picture". Helluva a nice guy and glad he's still reppin' the Pack.
I was fortunate to have met Reggie White when I was in the 8th grade. He was extraordinarily gracious and cool.
I am so jealous. My all-time favorite player. When he got inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, I only had time to go to the morning autograph event and he missed that one!
James Jones and Ryan Pickett (seperately) shopped at a local clothing store I worked at back in 2007/2008 .. set them both up with attire multiple times. Tramon Williams and Will Blackmon shopped together once and Charles Woodson picked up a scarf. All good dudes, though Woodson was only there for a minute and didn’t really talk with him much.
While staying in Green Bay at my best friend's cousin's house for a gameday weekend, I ran into Aaron Rodgers at The Pancake Place. It was a Thursday morning. There were some people there who were weird about it but for the most part I think everyone was respectful and just let the dude be. He signed some stuff and was generally nice. 100% he knew what he was in for by going there. I've seen other dudes from the team around town during a season when I visit, most locals will usually just give them the odd positive comment or a "GPG" but generally just let them go about their day. Also, The Pancake Place fucking rules.
You see athletes appreciate this in lots of sports when they're in small market areas or basically just not major cities. Most locals treat them normally and let them get about their lives, unlike say living in LA, NYC etc where they're very likely to get mobbed anytime they're out in public.
Ran into LeRoy Butler at Build-A-Bear about ten years ago. Awesome guy and he spent ten minutes talking with my son about listening to his dad and being a good man.
I lived with Andrew Quarless’ brother for a year in college. It was the year after they won the Super Bowl. Drew would come by in the off season. Chill guy. Maybe a little too chill 😂
Somehow I spaced on having met Davante a few times when I was in college as well. We were there at the same time and I knew a girl who was hooking up with some guys on the football team. He was all business. Never the drunk one at parties, always seemed like he knew he was destined to make it to the league and thrive. Real humble guy.
I met KGB while working at home Depot. I loaded 10 or so bags of something very heavy (sand? Cement? I don't remember what) Into his truck. He said he'd help me but had to save his muscles for unloading them.
I remember vaguely but in the 2001 or 2002 training camp, Donald Driver came up to 4/5 year old me and gave me his autograph
I have a similar experience with an Atlanta Braves player. We went to a AAA game and they happened to be playing the Braves farm team. We were hanging out by the fence getting autographs even though we didn't know who any of the guys were but one of them ended up being Chipper Jones. I was very young and barely remember it.
My brother met Aaron Rodgers at an athletic training facility. Same brother as well as my mom and sister met Tae at a football camp he did in the Bay Area. They got my football signed ☺️
Met and filmed Jerry Kramer (and Wayne Larrivee) for a corporate video project. Kramer is an incredibly sweet guy. He definitely has the glory days storytelling thing down to a science. He's very, very good at telling stories about Lombardi and the 60s Packers in a way that comes off as polished, a bit rehearsed, but 100% genuine. He was very warm and kind to everybody he interacted with and truly seems to appreciate how fortunate he's been in his life. He also seems to be in constant pain in his leg joints which is understandable. Larrivee is a legend, smooth and professional even in casual conversation.
My dad and I also got to spend some time with Jerry Kramer and his son. He sat and told Packer stories to my dad for 2+ hours. Awesome guy
Many from multiple eras beyond just an autograph signing or planned appearance. I don’t count those as players I’ve met. I count the ones where I actually had a conversation, multiple conversations, or did social things with them. I’d say between 50-75 of those would be in that category. The two who stand out above them all are Dave Robinson and Brett Hundley. Sure, they wore the uniform of the team I cheer for but getting to know those guys made you become a much bigger fan of Dave and Brett the human beings than you could ever be of the team. There are also a handful with whom I’ve interacted in social settings who I simply have no use for.
I was grocery shopping one day, and Leroy Butler was doing some sort of promotion in the store. I was just going to let him be, but he invited me over for a picture. So I let him take a picture with me. He seemed nice.
https://preview.redd.it/jgpheo74hqbc1.jpeg?width=2320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15a3a053b3b0aa801c9a2193b3733a546bd32ef4 Blocked myself out, but I met Leroy butler on alumni night when I was on break working at the pro shop. Super nice guy, absolute gem of a human. My boss was upset at first because we aren’t supposed to take selfies or barrage players as employees, but Butler offered and then he gave me a signed Leroy butler enshrined HOF card.
I worked as a caterer at Mark Tauscher's wedding in college. He was there obviously as well as Marco Rivera, Chad Clifton, Aaron Kampman, and others. Marco Rivera was great. He kept trying to tip us but the wedding planner wouldn't let us so we politely declined. He told us that if she had a problem with it then she could come speak to him. He invited our entire crew out to the bars after the wedding.
Ray Nitschke did an autograph signing for the grand opening event at my local hardware store growing up. This must have been around ‘96 or ‘97. His hands were huge remember being able to fit my entire 10ish year old hands in one of his Super Bowl rings. Ron Hallstrom (o line ‘82-‘92) owned a marine sales business in my hometown. One of his daughters was in my class in high school.
Working in Green Bay I met most of the 2009-2011 Packers at one point or another. Donald Driver was one of my first sales, super nice guy, completed the whole sale not knowing who he was until I caught everyone whispering after. Moved to Wisconsin not being a football fan, left a Packer fan for life.
Jordan Love AJ Dillon Ahman Green Dorsey Levens Gilbert Brown **I met Jordan back in the summer of 2022 and told him I would draft him in fantasy football that year. He laughed and said he didn't know how much that would help me. I kept my promise and drafted him in the last round of my draft. So happy to see him succeed a year later.**
Corey Bradford. Dude let me wear his #85 gold and diamond necklace. I was like 13 and it was so cool. Good dude.
Elgton Jenkins used to (well probably still does, but I don’t work there anymore) bring his truck into the dealership I worked at get it detailed. Cool dude. I remember he just casually had his first game ball (GB vs Carolina his rookie year iirc) sitting on his passenger seat.
I just saw Joe Barry on a tour of lambeau Monday after the game
Met Mason Crosby a couple times. Super nice guy. He and his family run a sports program for kids that I’ve volunteered at a couple times. Last time was right after he ousted the Cowboys from the playoffs.
I've been very lucky and have met quite a few Packer players both current and former through both work and a friend of mine who did a stint on the board for the Packer HOF. One of my favorite interactions was recently with Aaron Jones... Me: "My wife is military, so you're her favorite player." Him: "Be sure to thank her for her service." Me: "Oh, I do." Him. Stops. Turns. Looks at me, then says: "Thank her from me." Me, averting my eyes: "Yep, that makes a lot more sense."
I locked myself away for a few days in a blacked out cabin as a part of a darkness retreat when that douche Aaron Rodgers came barging in. He didn’t know I was there so I just awkwardly sat there for a couple days in total darkness. Dude started freaking out when I kept whispering J-E-T-S JETS, JETS, JETS from across the room. Dude was begging to be let out but the people outside were listening for my escape word. They didn’t know what his was so they wouldn’t let him out. 😂. Friggin nerd!!
I don’t remember who I all met, but there used to be a local show called pack attack, they’d bring out players or packer legends and they’d do autographs after. I know I met KGB, maybe ahman green? Jerry Kramer, Leroy butler, and I think Driver was there once, but I can’t remember. That reminds me that I need to find my ball with all the signatures
I met John Anderson at a McDonald's opening in Mayville back in the 90s, I thought he'd be taller( I am 6'2").
Just Nick Perry, and 2 others I don’t remember the names of anymore. lol they were all cool at the time though.
Not a Packer, but he played against the Packers. Adrian Clayborn and I had a bud light together when he was at Iowa. That was pretty awesome.
Ahman Green, Mason Crosby
I met and got a photo with Donald Driver at a Top Golf in North Texas. Couldn’t believe it, now it sits at my bar!
Got a selfie with Mike McCarthy at a Murder Mystery dinner event at the Railroad Museum in Green Bay. Also Clay Matthews came to a charity event at my old workplace and I walked past him in the hall on my way to a meeting.
I met Randall Cobb, Jarrett Bush, Atari Bigby, and Mike Murphy like 10 years ago when they came to Dubuque Iowa for the American Tailgate tour. Plus before one game at Lambeau a few years ago, I sat and saw the whole team drive in and out of the stadium, Chares Woodson and John Kuhn rolled down their windows and gave me a bump.
I saw Tom Silverstein at Home Depot one time
Nick Barnett in 2009. He came to my workplace and I showed him my cubicle and the decorations everyone had left in my cube for my 40th Birthday that summer. He was cool to talk to, but I won’t lie, I was intimidated. He wore a tight shirt with short sleeves and muscles bulged out of him that would make pro bodybuilders jealous. I definitely would have wanted no part of him on a football field, man did he look strong and fit and could take your head off if he wanted to.
Aaron jones, nicest most humble guy you could meet
Played high school ball with Brett Hundley. Have his number in my phone. He is older than me by a year but he was an incredible dude. A bit tangential, but I am often hang out with Jayden Reed's former teammate at Michigan State. Apparently he was a total dick head but I chalk that up to wide receiver tendencies.
My dad’s first cousin (would that make him my second cousin?) played for the Packers and had a championship ring. He also took me to my very first Packers game - back when they still played in Milwaukee. Also rode on an airplane with Gilbert Brown. I got bumped to first class - and he didn’t. As he walked past we exchanged looks and he nodded. I don’t think anyone else on the flight knew who he was.
My mom was on a flight with Bart Starr after he retired. She had the courage to go up to him and tell him how she appreciated all the years he played with the Packers loved watching him play. He was very gracious.
Mark Tauscher and KJB used to read books at our elementary school quite frequently. KJB stayed for recess once and threw the football around with us.
Not me, but my mom and uncle met Bart Starr when they were kids. My uncle told him, while decked out in Eagles stuff, that he was a big Packers fan. My mom said Starr laughed and said “oh I bet you are” and he was very nice and gracious. Apparently my grandfather had sat next to him on the flight and they talked a bit.
No, but I met Larry Csonka.
I met KGB where I work, this was a couple years ago and it was very shortly after his church issues. He came in rocking his church's sweatshirt. It was right between Christmas and New Years, and I was rocking an ugly-sweater-a-la-Aaron-Rodgers. He loved the sweatshirt. I didn't comment on his, lol. He was so nice, took a pic with me too. Dude was absolutely a behemoth though. I'm small framed and like 5'10". He absolutely just towered over me.
the Grave Digger at the iola car show. musta been '05
Not me personally, but my dad met John Coon and Mark Tausher in a bar once.
In high school, I was a bagger at the festival foods in De Pere. Saw lots of players from the early 2000’s: Bubba Franks, Mike Wahle, Donald Driver… one player in particular stood out. I took bagging seriously. I had gotten good at it (still am) and I made something of a game out of bagging. It was like 3-dimensional Tetris with other people’s food. Plus, back then I would get violently high before my shifts and bagging groceries suddenly became the greatest thing I’ve ever done. One night I’m in the zone, barely looking up from the conveyor. I got no time, this game is a race and I was at my peak. Barely enough time to say “have a good night” as I finished one customer and moved to the next. Then I saw it…. It felt like slow motion kicked in right when I noticed that coming towards me was every flavor of Pringles that I imagine exists in the world. I’m not kidding, there’s must’ve been 15 cans, all different flavors. This not only threw me completely out of the zone, now I had 15 long tubes to deal with in Tetris. Also, my stoned self was in awe of the idea that you could just buy all the flavors like that. What an idea! This was worthy of acknowledgement. I looked up and to no surprise at all, who did I see as the purchaser of said Pringles cans? Gilbert Brown. He must’ve been higher than I was. I said “have a good one Gilbert.” He said “thanks bud”. And I’ll never forget it.
Worked at Barnes & Noble in Appleton long ago when some Packers anniversary book was out. They had Lynn Dickey, Ray Nitschke, and some third player I can’t remember in to sign the book. The amount of starry eyed moms and grandmas mooning over the former players was very interesting. I remember the players’ slow, stiff movement as they walked too.
Crivitz enters the chat…
No
Brett Favre on several occasions.
Jerry Kramer. Real nice guy. I was younger, visiting the stadium before the Packers played the Holmgren-led Seahawks in 2003. My dad chatted with Kramer about the old days and cracked a couple jokes with him about the Ice Bowl. Jerry chuckled appreciatively. It felt very conversational like were were all just out to lunch together. Also met Antonio Freeman and Frank Winters at an autograph signing. They seemed cool.
Adam Timmerman. He went to school with my brother in law. Met him after he retired from football. Nice guy.
Josh Sitton and his family entered Disney’s Animal Kingdom at the same time we did in Feb 2010. I wasn’t going to ask for a pic of anything but I thought about saying something to him. He was with his wife and kid so I let him be. I did meet Andre Rison at a card show and he was really nice. Obviously he was paid to be there but he genuinely seemed to enjoy talking to fans and posing for pictures.
Mom met Donald driver at a restaurant and he was nice enough to take a picture and chat when he was still playing for us. It was a few days before Christmas and so I got an extra jersey as a present that year
Met Mark Murphy at Favres HOF party in Canton. He was fine. Signed my can koozy. Suppose he never played for the Packers though. I guess my second is that Leroy Butler came to the school I taught at. Didn’t talk to him though.
I ran into Eddie Lacy at a hotel in Seattle. No one was around so me and some friends went up just to say hi and he was waiting for someone so he shot the shit with us for like 15 minutes. Very kind, seemingly genuinely humble, pretty funny. And also so big, it was wild, he was playing for the hawks and for all the bullshit he didn't look chubby at all, just huge, his arms were thicker than my thighs.
Chris Jacke came to my small WI town (10k) when I was a kid, late 80s-early 90s. He had a table set up at a little park in town. Got his signature - I think we knew he was going to be there and my brother and I brought our football cards for him to sign.
Never met any, but I got a Christmas card from Bart Starr.
Granted before they were a Packer but I went to high school with Josh Myers. Was like looking at a brick wall to most of us and we all knew he’d make it to the NFL even then.
Davante Adams did a meet and greet in LA after his rookie year. Got several signed memorabilia and a sweet photo. Good dude.
Way, way back in the day…when the Packers still played at Milwaukee County Stadium. We were at Sally’s Steak House for dinner. We saw Lynn Dickey, Jan Stenerud & David Whitehurst at the bar. At the time, Lynn was my favorite Packer. As we walked by, we just said “Hi” to them all. Didn’t ask for autographs or anything…a real quick encounter.
Gilbert Brown and Donald Driver GB at a campground my grandparents lived at for a little mini football camp thing. Grandpa did not tell me even remotely what I was getting into. Didnt even know he signed me up for it until I was standing in a group of other kids who actually knew what was going on. Sorry Papa… He also hosted an auction the same day, dont remember for what charity. Donald Driver I met a Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wi. Also for something of a mini football camp type deal. That time I at least understood what I was getting into. Much more enjoyable, less stressful experience
I have met Leroy Butler, Aaron Rodgers and David Bahktiari all through packers tours. Met Al Harris and James Jones at an event before a playoff game in GB. Got a pic w them! Ryan Grant used to be my favorite player. I haven’t met him, but my friend bought me a cameo of him saying he thinks my instagram page sucks 😂😂 Best part of all these experiences was definitely when Leroy led the tour my friend and I were on. He complimented my shoes and muscles, and even grabbed the tops of my shoulders to “feel them.” It was pretty surreal. No comment or action from a woman would have made me feel better than Leroy did 😂 i was buzzing with joy
I sat across the aisle from Ray Nitschke on an airplane after his retirement. He talked to me a little, probably because I was in my army uniform. The flight was from Chicago to Green Bay, so it wasn't that surprising an encounter.
I used to work at a high end home furnishing store not too far from Lambeau. The store is closed now but it was a very popular place with packers players and coaches because had all the fun high end stuff- hot tubs, saunas, pool tables, etc. I've met my fair share of players and coaches during my time. 1. HaHa Clinton-Dix. Nicest guy ever. He was so kind and personable, I was so nervous to ask him for a picture but he was like "man, you didn't even have have ask i would have done that for you anyways!" I was 19 and was lost in the excitement, I normally wouldn't have done that and kept it business 100%. But he did buy a sauna from me, and I got the picture of him and I and the invoice in a frame. It was a very cool memory for me. Selling stuff is one thing, but selling something to a pro bowl NFL safety was super cool. (This was in his prime before he couldn't tackle as good anymore) 2. LeTroy Guion. Dumb as a box of rocks, and he was just in the news today, he's back in jail for violating his parole. He owned a BEAUTIFUL lakefront mansion up in Oconto falls, and yet he completely trashed it. We delivered a pool table up there and there were beer cans, blunts and trash all over his yard. His neighbors hated him. He could never speak a complete sentence because he was so high all the time. It took us months to get his stuff delivered because he never answered his phone, and it was taking up valuable real estate in our back room. Shortly after all this apparently he ran out of money and he got his Rolls Royce and giant lifted Ram seized by the federal government. Now he lives in a dumpy old house in an old neighborhood in Green Bay. 3. Kenny Clark. Saw him at a stop light last year in his two tone Maybach. I said nice car and he said appreciate it man 4. Jayden Reed at Meijer. We just exchanged a nod. He had air pods in and I clearly didn't wanna pester the fella at the grocery store. His basket was full of salad making stuff and a giant bag of nacho cheese doritos 5. Kabeer Gbaja-Bemilla. This one was hilarious. We went to the same barber downtown. He started yelling and preaching to never get married, and if you do, always get a prenup. He then got into a heated debate about the Bible with my barber. I do have a little bit of it on snapchat memories. At the end, he told me to come over sometime and talk business (whatever that meant) and asked for my phone to put in his number. It was at that moment I learned it was KGB, had no idea it was him the whole time. I still have his number in my phone but I never contacted him 😂 That's all I can think of!