As some of you know I had the great opportunity to attend the Steelers’ huge victory over the Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
As a Steeler fan in a far away place, one never knows just what to expect but as I thought I learned a lot.
I always feel it’s important to attend a game in hostile territory because you get a very real perspective on what other fans think of not only your team but theirs as well.
Without further delay, here are some bits of information I learned from Packers’ fans and some Steelers’ info as well.
- As I expected, they are quite knowledgeable about their team and the game in general. Many Packers’ fans knew immediately that the officials blew the call on the blocked field goal. They were happy certainly, but they knew that Ryan Clark had established possession.
- I found that Packers’ fans view Clay Matthews much in the same way that many Steelers’ fans view our own outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley. When word spread that Matthews was out for the game, the folks in my seating area said and I quote, “Matthews is out again with a (insert female anatomy part) injury.” I couldn’t help but laugh and inquired about their dislike of the long-haired sack master. “The guy plays about three full games a year anymore. We have to stop drafting these Southern California (insert female anatomy part again).”
- I always enjoy checking out the myriad of different jerseys on hand. Mostly I like the fans who where former players and I don’t mean Jack Lambert, Rocky Bleier or Lynn Swann. I saw a Kendrell Bell jersey along with a couple of Mike Wallace number 17’s and even two Matt Spaeth jerseys. Oh wait he is still on the team but you get the point. I even had a Mark Chmura jersey in front of me and you can only imagine the comments that came from that.
- Packers’ fans are very much in line with the thinking that many of us have regarding Le’Veon Bell and Eddie Lacy. Despite the fact Bell had a bigger game; they felt Lacy would be better over a three year period but that Bell would have a better long-term career. They loved the hurdle by Bell by the way.
- Because I have spent a lot of time in Wisconsin, I’m quite familiar with cheese curds. If you come to Lambeau you must get some of the fried variety. If you are drinking beer I highly recommend the Leinenkugel’s of just about any variety.
- I also learned that Packers’ fans like to call people “cheater.” Every time Mike Tomlin went on the field they called him by this name not doubt in reference to his sideline incident but they even used when players did some fairly general things on the field.
- I learned that Aaron Rodgers is God but Brett Favre is still held in very high regard.
- The majority of Packers’ fans love Troy Polamalu.
- The best thing I learned confirmed what many had told me prior to my going to Green Bay. There is tremendous respect between the two franchises. I was seated near some Green Bay people who had been season ticket holders for decades and they spoke fondly of the Steelers as did some other I met walking through the tailgate areas.
For me the trip was worthwhile simply because the Steelers won, but if you’re a football fan in general I highly recommend going to a game at Lambeau Field. For a stadium of 77,999 people on Sunday it felt like you were right on the field and amongst friends. The stadium is extremely inviting because you feel like you are close to everything. There were times I felt like I could have thrown a snowball to the other side of the stadium.
With temps in the 20’s and snow falling throughout the evening, it was exactly what I had hoped my experience would be. And kudos to the Steeler Nation on their turnout. It was refreshing to see after all the no-shows the week prior in Heinz Field.
Finally, a huge thanks to all the Steeler fans hugging and high-fiving me and everyone else in the black and gold as we departed the stadium. Perfect strangers for one moment united as family. It was perfect.
Marc Uhlmann writes for and co-owns www.steelcityblitz.com. Follow him on Twitter @steeldad and follow the website at @SCBlitz. He can be heard Mondays on Trib-Live Radio at 630pm ET talking Steelers and is a blogger for ESPN 970 in Pittsburgh.
