Put a cork in it

So this week, a football game will be held on a Tuesday. It’s the first time since 1946 that’s happened. Philadelphia is buried in snow, and the authorities decided it was better for fans to stay put and postpone the game until they could arrive at the stadium safely.

This brew ha ha reminded me of a Sunday 25 or so years ago (specifically, December 1, 1985.) There was a blizzard. The highways were closed to all vehicles, except those with 4 wheel drive.

The phone rang at my parents house in rural Wisconsin. A farmer friend from church who was also a Packer season ticket holder was going to make the journey to the game. His wife thought he was nuts. Would dad want to go?

Of course he did! So, clad in a crazy number of layers of clothing, and more blaze orange than I knew he owned, the farmer, his son, and my dad jumped into a 4 wheel drive truck and headed the 25 or so miles to Lambeau.

The game was memorable. It’s known in Packer lore as the Snow Bowl. It was against (of all teams) the Tampa Bay Bucs. There was so much snow that at one point, a player making a breakaway run didn’t know when to stop running. He couldn’t see the end zone under the snow. I’m pretty sure it was James Lofton looking from side to side and kicking at the snow, trying to find the lines.

It was quite a sight. It makes for a fantastic story for my dad. As a kid, I thought it was cool that my dad was there.

And now… well, WHAT was he thinking?

I am taking this trip down memory lane for a purpose. People of Pennsylvania, tell your Governor to put a cork in it. The NFL and whoever else was involved in the decision made the right call.

Going to a football game during a blizzard? Are you nuts?

“Ladies and gentleman, the authorities recommend not traveling today unless absolutely necessary.”

Is a football game necessary? No Mr. Governor. It’s a game - a really wonderful game that makes my heart flutter with happiness every time I watch it, but necessary? No.

It’s about darn time the NFL started thinking about the fans coming to the stadium. It pairs well with caring about players who have concussions. Yea, in another time, Aaron Rogers would have played last week, and the Vikings and Eagles would have played on Sunday. But in this new era, Rogers sat on the sidelines (did you see that guy Flynn play!) and the Vikes and Eagles will play Tuesday.

Safety before machismo. Is that so wrong?