What type of fan do you want to be
As a Green Bay Packers fan it gives me great pleasure that several publications including ESPN, Sports Illustrated and Forbes have identified us “Cheeseheads” as “the best fans in the NFL”. Sure, the Packers have made it easy over the years, winning an NFL record 13 world-championships and qualifying for the playoffs 21 out of the last 27 seasons; however, I am told this was not always the case. After coach Vince Lombardi departed “Titletown” in 1968, the Packers actually only had five winning seasons out of the next 24! But regardless of their win and loss record, Packer fans have supported their team through thick and thin. In fact, since 1960 the Packers have been sold out of season tickets every season and 137,000 more people (like myself) are on the waiting list.
Conversely, “fair-weather fans” are known for only supporting their teams and players when things are going well. These type of fans are usually the first to criticize and are quick to jump off the bandwagon at the first sign of trouble. They love their team when they are winning; however, are typically nowhere to be found when the results on the field are not meeting expectations. Teams with these type of fans usually have a lot of empty seats on game-day and in several cases their owners have even relocated the team, hoping to build a bigger and better fanbase.
Other than cheering on the Packers, I do not have any other hobbies. As a result, I own more Packers clothing than any grown man should have. I make it a point to not only wear this apparel on game day, but also on the day following the game. When the Packers win, I celebrate by sporting my green and gold for all to see, and even after a loss, I wear black or blue Packers gear to show the world how I feel. Either way I am proud to wear a “G” on my chest.
In the game of life, what type of “fan” are you? When the people in your life disappoint or fail, how do you react? When a friend or family member has a rough season, will you be renewing your season tickets? Do those closest to you know that regardless of his or her performance you will always be their #1 fan, or are you the type of person who only wears his/her jersey on days after a win? As for me, I’ll be the guy in the bleachers cheering you on; most likely in my game-day stripped bib overalls, possibly an oversized #1 foam finger on my hand and definitely a block of Wisconsin’s finest cheddar on top my head. I don’t apologize for being passionate about the things I love. And hopefully my loved ones will realize just that, that they are loved. Loved even more than I love the 13 time world champion Green Bay Packers, and that’s saying a lot!
Coach Nelson holds a doctorate in sport and performance psychology and currently serves as a high school football coach. He has worked for multiple professional sport franchises, a Fortune 100 Company, a division 1 athletic departments and has won numerous awards for his LEADership abilities.
His mission is to positively influence the world through Love, Effort, Attitude and Discipline (#LEAD). To learn more about the LEAD philosophy follow him on Twitter Levi Nelson or reach out via email at rln10@zips.uakron.edu He’d love to learn about or help you in your journey!
