Well, this is it. It's Super Bowl Sunday. It's an unofficial holiday for football fans everywhere. And let's be honest, even if you're not a football fan, you know when it's Super Bowl Sunday. You might even only have plans to watch the commercials and the halftime show, but you're involved somehow. The fans of the two teams are waking up this morning with hopes that they'll be celebrating well into the night their team flying home with the Lombardi trophy. The fans of the other 30 teams, however, can only watch tonight for the enjoyment of the game and the wishes that this year would've been their year. Oh well, there's always next year. 

In my lifetime I've been lucky enough to watch my Packers play in the Super Bowl three times taking home a victory twice. Many fans around my age can't even say their teams have come close. And that's why I'll never take each trip for granted. I was only nine years old when the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI. My fandom was still very young. I'd say it took until I was about 5 or 6 for me to understand what was going on and become emotionally invested. So, I was spoiled in a way, only four years into my fandom, my team won the Super Bowl. The difference between me and some others is that I learned that this wasn't something that happened yearly. My Dad, Grandpa, and Uncles made sure my brother and I both knew that it had been 30 years since the Packers were that good, so I'd better enjoy it. When that team then lost the following Super Bowl and didn't return, I prepared myself to not see another Super Bowl victory until I was in my late 30s, maybe even my 40s. So, when the Packers won Super Bowl XLV, I was tickled to death that it only took 14 years. I was 23 years old and I was seeing another Super Bowl victory.

That might be why I'm not that excited for tonight's Super Bowl. 

Chiefs fans have waited a whopping one year to see their team in the Super Bowl again. Before that, it was again one year, and before that, it was only two years, and before that, one year again! Sure yeah, before these five appearances, they had to wait 50 years, but I think they got that time back with at least two appearances. The Eagles? Oh no, they've suffered a long two years, five before that, and 13 before that. Are the teams deserving? Of course, they are. But, it would've been nice to see the Bills, who haven't been there in 31 years against the Commanders, who haven't been there in 33. I guess I just like to see other fans experience what I've had the privilege of seeing in my lifetime only three times. Their team being in the biggest game of the year. Unless of course, they're a Bears, Lions, or Vikings fan. Then I don't want them to have anything. Sorry, I can't be happy for a division rival's success. 

My personal thoughts on spoiled fanbases aside, I think we will see a good game tonight. Of course, the whole narrative around the Chiefs being favored by the referees will be in full swing, but I hope we don't see any calls tonight that determine the result of the game. I'm kind of torn on who I'd prefer to see win. I don't want the Chiefs to win and listen to the whole white-washing of the Packers' three-peat history just because it wasn't called the Super Bowl each time they did it. But then I just don't like Philly fans and their crappy attitude towards just about everyone. I once was cussed out by a singular Eagles fan in Green Bay just for yelling on third down. That was an interesting experience. 

I will say though, I'll be happy for the success of former Packers' assistant coach Andy Reid if the Chiefs win. I've always found him to be one of the good guys in the NFL, so seeing him win again would be nice. On the Eagles' side, I have to admit, I would absolutely love to see Saquon Barkley go ham in the Super Bowl. It's been 27 years since a running back was the Super Bowl MVP. We won't talk about who that running back was and who he beat to earn it, but it was that long ago. Even though I grew up with Brett Favre and a passing offense I've always had kind of a love for old-school football handing the ball off and running over a defense. So, with running backs being called "a dime a dozen," it would be excellent to see one go off on the biggest stage. I guess you could say, I'll be bitter either way, but still don't care who wins in the end.

Sterling Sharpe is FINALLY a Hall of Famer

Over the last ten years, four Packers have earned Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions well beyond when they should have. Jerry Kramer kicked it off in 2018 being inducted 50 years after he played his last snap. Then came Bobby Dillon in 2020 who waited even longer than Kramer, followed by Leroy Butler in 2022, and now Sterling Sharpe in 2025. Three out of those four have been personal to me. In third grade, I read Jerry Kramer's book the entire year despite my teacher telling me it was well beyond my reading level, but I didn't care, he was a Packer and I wanted to read it despite him being retired 20 years before I was even born. I grew a respect and appreciation for Jerry Kramer not only as a player but as a human being from his books and his induction was like seeing a mentor earn a high honor for me. Next was Leroy Butler. Growing up a Packer fan in the 90s it was hard not to be a Leroy Butler fan. But now it's Sterling Sharpe.

Being a preschool or kindergartner looking at football, you're of course drawn to the big play excitement. And when I was that age and was finally turned on to the Packers, it was Sterling Sharpe who was making those plays. So, naturally, Sterling Sharpe became my favorite player until he was forced to retire in 1995. As the years wore on I learned just how special Sterling Sharpe was compared to others in his position. The idea of him not being a Hall of Famer was absurd to me and it has been up until Thursday night when it was announced he will be inducted as part of the 2025 class. 

In my opinion, the Pro Football Hall of Fame should be reserved for players who were factors in taking over a game on any given Sunday. If the opposition's primary goal was to limit that player's impact each and every game, and they still often overcame it, they deserve that gold jacket. Sterling Sharpe was that factor in every game he played in. Most of the time, he still beat it. He even beat it at record-setting levels. It's been a long wait for Sterling Sharpe to be inducted, but hopefully, the wait will be worth it and we will get to see him receive the accolades he has long deserved. 

Josh Jacobs Pushing for Help

Packers running back Josh Jacobs was the subject of a lot of chatter off his appearances on radio row this week at the Super Bowl. He expressed the need for the Packers to go out and get a true number 1 receiver. He stated he had lots of love for the guys currently in the locker room, but they needed someone who's been in that specific role. This discussion is nothing new to Packers fans. It seems we've been dancing with the idea of a WR1 ever since Davante Adams was traded away. I've kind of flip-flopped over that time in my thoughts. At first, I thought we had to go out and get a top WR. Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and a flock of rookies just weren't going to cut it in my opinion. Then we had a year of those two with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs and I thought, well, maybe Watson or Doubs can develop into that guy next year. Next year came and we got Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks to replace Lazard and Cobb and after that season I was of the mind that either of those four or even those four combined were all we needed. 

Fast-forward to 2025 where neither receiver seemed to set themselves apart in 2024, plus we're going to be without Christian Watson for half the 2025 season, and I'm back on the "need" train. I think if anything, we just need a security blanket for Jordan Love, and giving him another skilled and experienced receiver could provide that. I'd love a Davante Adams reunion but I don't know if that's in the cards. I'd flip at the chance of a decent trade for DK Metcalf as well, but I'm preparing myself for a signing of Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin, or Amari Cooper if they're available. Call me crazy but I just think the locker room could use a skilled and experienced receiver to raise the bar a bit. If they don't get that and Doubs, Reed, and Wicks ball out next year, I'll gladly eat my words, but right now, I don't disagree with Josh Jacobs, I think he's right. 

Jacobs also stated he's been chatting with Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby. Well, I don't think Maxx Crosby is going anywhere any longer as he's expressed some excitement about the Raiders' direction recently. But Myles Garrett came out requesting a trade away from the Browns. They don't have to grant it, and they could make it very expensive for any suitor. But I have to admit, I'd be beside myself with Myles Garrett in a Packers uniform. I just hope the price won't be too astronomical if we do pull the trigger. 

Adam Stenavich Likely Staying Put

Earlier last week it was known that Packers Offensive Coordinator, Adam Stenavich was interviewing for the Houston Texans Offensive Coordinator position. It seemed like it would be a good fit for Steno being a former Texan and he would have the chance to call plays. It also seemed like with Luke Getsy back in the building as an assistant, the Packers were prepared for a Stenavich departure. But, it isn't happening, at least not yet. The Texans hired Nick Caley as their Offensive Coordinator and Steno will be back in Green Bay for 2025. 

I must say I'm a little torn on that news. I think Stenavich did a great job with the running game and offensive line this year. This was the best rushing attack we've seen in years. But the the passing game I believe suffered. It could be chalked up to Jordan Love maybe not being 100% all year long, but I kind of felt that our crop of receivers dropped off a bit and some of the route-running at times seemed a bit lax. Whether that's coaching or things just didn't work out this season and that's all there is to it, I have to say, if Steno was out, I was ready for a Luke Getsy coordinated offense again. But if Matt LaFleur wanted Stenavich out and Getsy in, you'd think he'd just make that move himself so I'll trust the process and hopefully, we see a better offense under Adam Stenavich next year. 

Go Get Super

Tonight is the final NFL game of the season. We won't have it back until August. No matter who's playing, turn on the TV and enjoy it. Hopefully, it's a good one. We won't have this chance again for over six months. Hopefully next year we'll be watching the Packers in it.