"THE" Sunday Night Football

Article 049.

Monday, 10/27, 6:30 in the morning, Pacific Standard Time. Still reeling from last night's game between my Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. My voice still husky, my head a bit hungover, so the smooth drive to gloomy downtown Los Angeles was a slight relief. As I scroll through X on the train ride to Westwood, I just hit the heart button to anything Packers I see on my feed (anything Sydney Sweeney too-- can't help it). That Monday Packer Victory feeling is, as always, sweet, especially because of last night's story line. It was the first time that former GB and now Steelers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers faces off with current GB Quarterback Jordan Love. Teacher versus student, Sunday Night Football, can't get any better than this. We are spoiled in the QB spot having had just three actual starters since 1992(?), namely Brett Favre, Rodgers and now Love. That's why this match is a big deal. The Packer faithful has no animosity against Rodgers. He was after all, "Green Bay" for almost two decades before his departure 3 years ago. I even wore my green # 12 jersey in ode to the greatest passer, in my opinion, of all time. He will get his props soon when he retires a Packer but last night, he was the enemy. The Pack had a slow start but made up for it in the second half of the game for a dominant victory that got me shouting out of my lungs. But it wasn't because of the two opposing QBs, no, no, no! But because of Tight End Tucker frickin' Kraft. He showed up on National Tight End's Day with his magnificent plays and touchdowns which kept the Packers alive throughout the contest. And the fact that he was both on my and my son's NFL Fantasy League, just made us even more ecstatic. I even told my son that if Tucker gets another TD late in the game, that I will be compelled to buy his jersey. Thank God he didn't. Those jerseys are expensive.

Boulevard Cocktails in Anaheim was the spot. My son Justin and I cannot watch this particular game at home. Not with its hyped script. It had to be at a Packers bar. I was even willing to drive all the way to 33 Taps in Culver City for this one but last minute changes got us going to Boulevard Cocktails instead (33 Taps will be for another game for sure). This wasn't our first visit to this bar but this is the first one with game significance. We knew it's gonna get packed so we got in early. Sat by the bar besides a regular who clearly had a few beers already. He was middle aged, very engaging and said he has nothing against the Packers nor the Steelers (explains his neutral tank top attire) but more pissed by the fact that the watering hole he frequented for so long became a Packers/Dodgers bar. It used to be an Angels bar and has completely turned into a Dodgers bar through the years which irked him even more. Told him it was hard to pull for the Angels because they haven't been relevant since their World Series win in 2002. The business probably needed to pivot to the more significant winning ways of the Dodgers to stay afloat. Which he said he kinda understood (but hot happy about it) but why did it become a Packers bar of all NFL teams, is what he's really antsy about. There was no reason for it. He sarcastically said that perhaps a group of Cheeseheads decided to watch a Packers game there one time and decided they will do it again the next week and the next until it became a constant thing. The rest is history. He never mentioned if the owner was a Packers fan or anything, which out of curiosity I want to find out now. He was loud but not annoying. In fact he was on point with his sports trivia, kinda amazing actually. He left during the 1st quarter as he can't handle the chants of "Go Pack Go" all around. We were left with a big white dude wearing his big G cap on Justin's left side and an older couple to my right. Big white dude was hyper critical of the team, like he can't accept any room for error. I wanted to say "chill bro" but I knew better. He looked like he could play for the Packers himself with his built and tackle me without even trying. But he did threw some high five's when it was called for plus flashed a few smirks to go with it. He a native of Green Bay which explains his deep passion for the team. He was born to it. Still, chill bro.

The BBQ burgers we had were fairly priced and surprisingly good for a small dive bar. The short pint of draft beer was $5 and a tall costs only $8 (their tall is pretty filling). Minimum $10 for credit card payments and since I didn't bring any cash, so the last short I bought, Justin had to take another so we can close it out even. We also had some chicken tenders and fries, which was decent and I don't mind paying $11 for that. The rest room is alright but if you're buzzed, it will do. But the atmosphere, well, Packers fans are let's just say fun but well-mannered. The owner made a makeshift tent outside the relatively small establishment to accommodate the overwhelming audience as Cheeseheads flock this joint pretty heavily. You would see another regular in the crowd, a guy with a replica of Captain America's shield but in Packers Green and Gold instead of Red, White and Blue, as well as this little Hispanic fan with his over-sized Packers cap and his big G glowing pendant. Can't miss these two. I also saw this big fella wearing a green varsity letterman Packers jacket which I really dig. He said it wasn't customized and that you can only buy it at Lambeau. Sounded like an invitation. We are due for another trip to Green Bay anyway. So maybe that's in the books soon. I also asked wifey if she can get me a new Packers hoodie for my birthday so we'll see if she pulls through or get me something else. One thing's for sure, I need new gear besides the Love jersey I bought before the start of the season. But I heard the team is wearing the retro jersey the next game (which is exactly the kind I bought), so you know what I am rocking on Sunday. And now that I think about it, having that Tucker Kraft jersey doesn't sound so insane after all.

Everyone was invited outside the tent for a group picture before going their separate ways. As a tradition, with every Packers victory, Justin and I rode home with the 435i on top down mode (even if it was really brisk that night) while blasting Lil Wayne's Green and Yellow [https://youtu.be/YZucdBahsmI?si=9i9jV6tnxzLVxS9M] on the speakers (Lil Wayne, drop the new the song already!!!)

Until Monday Night Football against the Eagles, so long Cheeseheads and GO PACK GO!!!

Brett. Aaron. Jordan.