Packers fans primed for victory, somber with loss
It wasn't the outcome Packers fans wanted — not just a defeat, but a resounding smackdown.
The green and gold faithful tuned in to Sunday's NFC Championship Game from living rooms, man caves, taverns and watering holes with high hopes. Among them was a crowd at Milwaukee's Turner Hall, watching the game on a giant screen while listening to the radio broadcast by WTMJ-AM (620) announcers Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren.
With colored lights, a Packers photo booth and hot dogs and hamburgers for sale, Turner Hall looked like a giant man cave for Packers fans, WTMJ morning radio host Gene Mueller noted.
Some booed when Fox TV announcer Joe Buck appeared onscreen, either because of criticism that Buck has been biased against the Packers or maybe because Buck mispronounces "Green Bay."
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Rachel Greer got a very long, very warm Packers poncho from her mom for her birthday in October, right before she went to Lambeau Field to see the Packers beat the Bears. Even though she was indoors Sunday afternoon, she was kitted out in her poncho, knit Packers hat, Packers socks and Packers slippers.
"I didn't know it was going to be 45 (degrees outside) today. Every time I wore this poncho, the Packers won. If Jordy's wearing a vest, I can sweat through this," said Greer, referring to Packers receiver Jordy Nelson wearing a padded vest to protect his broken ribs.
Greer, who said she came because she doesn't like Buck and preferred to listen to the radio play-by-play, was ultra-confident shortly before kickoff. "They're going to win, 38-34, Packers. They just beat the No. 1 seed."
Many in the crowd wore green Packers jerseys with names of football heroes, current and past: Favre, Rodgers, Matthews, Driver, Nitschke. They drank beer, soda and Bloody Marys and cheered when the Packers defense made some early stops. But as the game wore on, there was little to cheer about.
Gary King wore an ugly Packers sweater adorned with snowflakes, evergreen trees and football helmets, a Christmas gift from his sister two years ago. His girlfriend, Nicole Riemenapp, wore Packers leggings she bought online.
King wears his ugly Packers sweater only while watching games and wore it last week for the victory over the Cowboys. King claimed no one makes fun of his sweater. "Everyone wants one."
Bruce Roehsner of Menomonee Falls was a bit worried before the game started — he thought it would be close.
"It's going to be a tough game. Atlanta is good. We can't make any mistakes," Roehsner said shortly after posing for selfies with fans in the Turner Hall crowd.
While others wore Packers jerseys, Roehsner was outfitted in a complete Green Bay Packers uniform. From the 1920s.
With an old-fashioned leather helmet snug on his head, a blue long-sleeved jersey with "Acme Packers" in leather letters on the front and pants made from a canvas tarp, Roehsner cut a distinctive silhouette.
"I dress up like this for every game," Roehsner said as he sipped a 24-ounce can of Pabst Blue Ribbon. "People take a lot of pictures. Other team fans are always welcome. Not like in Atlanta where they chased Packers fans out of the bars."
As the Falcons continued to rack up points and it became clear the Packers were not punching their ticket to the Super Bowl, folks began to leave Turner Hall. But not Greer. Still dressed in her very warm wool poncho, Greer was surprisingly upbeat.
"They went from 4-6 to the final four. That's pretty impressive," said Greer. "It's been an exciting season."