Memories That Last a Lifetime. So What Are Yours?

I can remember living in Phoenixville PA, listening to the enchanting sounds of the NFL on channel 48 as a child. My father, who was not a real big football fan, used to watch this channel because more often than not, there were a lot of NFC Central teams broadcasted, or at least it seemed like it at the time.

My father used to watch this channel ONLY when the Eagles weren’t playing the Redskins; go figure.

As a child, I would fill my NFL sticker book diligently while trying to listen in to the roar of the crowds. I became accustomed to the sound of the Norris Division teams: Minnesota, Green Bay, Chicago, and Detroit.  

I was eight and the year was 1981 and all I can remember was a huge football party that apparently ended in misery. The consummate match up between Ron Jaworski and Jim Plunkett, Tom Flores and Dick Vermeil and hey remember that guy Herm Edwards?

Back then however, I was more enthralled over the countless amounts of Michelob beer bottles strewn throughout the place and how happy everyone was.

The celebration dwindled when a rainbow pass to Kenny King soured the night and everyone slumped on the couch in misery and incredulity.

As I got older, I found myself infatuated with a team that seemingly was going nowhere in the late '80s; the Green Bay Packers. I remember a guy who eventually went on to set a bunch of records in the Green Bay organization but someone I never thought was all that great of a QB; Don Majikowski.

Two years later after the departure of Forrest Gregg and, under the tutelage of Lindy Infante, the Packers made 10-6; their first winning season for myself yet no playoff appearance until the eventual Holmgren era.

That 1987 season would be the foundation of who I am today in terms of a Packers’ fan. Although we only had 5 wins that year I watched them beat the Vikings twice; a rivalry I share to this day with my closest friend.

Fast forward to 1992 and you can immediately figure out who I am going to next; the era of Favre. Ironically enough in his last season, Majikowski dueled it out with Favre in Green Bay in November with the once great, falling to the consummate heir to the throne 28-18; change was before me.

Fast forward to 2009 and Favre is long gone and Rodgers is in and the long time rivalry between Green Bay and Minnesota has been greatly intensified.

The NFC as a whole is very speculative with any number of teams having great potential to rise up and stake their claim for a post season berth, but in a very quiet manner the Norris division is becoming a beast in the NFC.

We all know by now,  especially Packers’ fans,  much to their chagrin,  the Vikings are building a championship caliber team better than any other team in the past and yes I do mean better than the era of the purple people eaters.  

Green Bay is still trying to establish a more permanent identity while wading their way through the throngs of change.

The rivalry, once dead even for years, has been slightly swayed in the Packers’ favor: 49-46-1; this year the Vikings can close the gap and make things more interesting.

Everyone claims Chicago vs. Green Bay to be the greatest rivalry of all time and to those I say...yeah right!

There is nothing better in the NFC than seeing the Vikings and the Packers hands down. After our 1992 banner year we became a more finesse-like team, but not when Minnesota came to town.

No matter how graceful Brett looked in the pocket, when it came to the Vikes, finesse became inelegance, players became hunters or the hunted, football itself assumed a whole new identity.

I can now say, I have had my fair share of days and nights wallowing in misery as I watched the Vikings steal one away and as we approach game No. 97 and No. 98 in the rivalry, but if there is one sure bet, it is that these two games will be the highlight for the year once again. 

So, with that said, what are your favorite rivalries?  Whether you’re young or not so young, every fan has one, so let’s hash it out and share some stories!