Green Bay Packer Fans

I have been a Chicago Bears fan since I was six years old. I grew up in northern Illinios and realized at an early age that the Green Bay Packers were the biggest rivalry to my favorite National Football League team. I have spent the past 22 years living in the Chippewa Valley and have since converted to rooting for the Packers except for the two times each season they play the Chicago Bears. Call me a fair weather fan, if you like, but I have enjoyed the passion of Packer fans since I moved here in 1987.

This week was interesting as I observed how the Packers' fans reacted to the news that Brett Favre is now a player for the Minnesota Vikings
. First of all, I do not like the fact that an experienced quarterback will be playing against my favorite team twice this year. I remember when former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, who helped win a Super Bowl in 1986, put on a Green Bay Packers jersey two years later-and,after that, played for the Vikings.

Now, after a few days of intensive research, I feel comfortable indentifying the four different types of Green Bay Packer fans after Brett Favre signed with their division arch-rival:

1) THE ANGRY/MAD FAN: This could very well be the guy at the end of the bar who wants nothing but ill-will for Brett Favre. On the other hand, I have spoken with diehard fans who I thought were more intelligent that said the same things. Please. It is only a game.

2) THE DISAPPOINTED FAN: These are the football fans that cannot understand why their favorite Green Bay Packer player would ever think about playing for a team that is in the same division that already provides for a great rivalry. Many of this type of fan feels betrayed and is disappointed that their idol would even consider wearing purple and gold.

3) THE PRACTICAL FAN: This category of Packer fans believe their current squad is capable enough without having to worry about where Brett Favre plays this year. In fact, most of these types of "true" Packer fans realize that anyone can change their mind (a few times) and come back to earn millions more in salary and endorsements (Look for the Sears commercial in early September).

4) THE STOP-ALREADY FAN: These are the many who are tired of the Brett Favre saga. Period.

No matter how you fit into my synopsis of a Packers fan this week, I will tell you that not one person makes a team that much better - whether it be in sports or the workplace.