These are a Few of My Favorite Things

What I really like about these photos is the smile that is absolutely larger than life. It’s something I’ve enjoyed about both Driver and Lacy. Sure every Packer smiles at times but very few have the infectious smile these two have.

So why do I love seeing these guys smile?

Every year you see Packer players walk into Lambeau, look all around, and soak in the environment. At Lambeau, players don’t just stand in the middle of a football field. They stand in the presence of greatness and an unparalleled tradition.

When they strap on that gold helmet they want more than just personal glory or to win a football game. They want to bring home the trophy that bears the name of the historic coach of the Green Bay Packers. They want to contribute their own piece to the history of the greatest team in the NFL.

When these player first arrive at the intrasquad scrimmage they realize that the packed stadium around them represents a fan base that is special in every way. They stand toe to toe with their own teammates, in what legitimately is a glorified practice, and listen to a sea of green and gold fans cheering as if it’s game one of the playoffs.

There was a time when poor performance caused these players to let themselves down, let their coaches down, or even let their parents down. Now the stakes are much higher as losing lets down the greatest fans in the world and a myriad of the shadows of the franchises history.

That’s a lot of weight to carry on your shoulders. So, I love see Packer players smile because I want them to feel good about the pride they bring to their fans. Of course, it’s also true that when they’re smiling, I’m probably smiling too.