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Brad Hicks talks with the president of the Northwest Packer Backers organization
Brad Hicks talks with the president of the Northwest Packer Backers organization
SEATTLE (WITI) -- As the Green Bay Packers gear up to head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks on Sunday, January 18th, FOX6's Brad Hicks is already there! On Wednesday, January 14th, he met up with the president of the "Northwest Packer Backers" -- a huge organization of green and gold fans in the Seattle area -- 500-plus strong!
For more than 20 years, the Northwest Packer Backers have been getting together for every game. The group started gathering back in 1990, and now has more than 500 members! In fact, the big Packers pre-game party this Saturday, January 17th is at "The Mustard Seed" -- a bar they've converted into a Packers bar!
"Great crowd. Great group. Very nice people. (The Mustard Seed) is three-quarters Green Bay, one quarter Seahawks," Mustard Seed owner Ken Wiles said.
Jerry Garner was born in Racine -- and his parents still live there. In the mid-90s, Garner wanted to start his own organization of Packers fans in Seattle.
"A group of four of us grew into 200," Garner said.
So in 1995, he merged with the Northwest Packer Backers -- and he became the president.
"Every time the Packers score, we're ringing that cowbell!" Garner said.
Packers fans are spoiled at Lambeau Field. Legions of fans who come to Green Bay sing our praises -- not just for the great facility, but for being great fans.
Apparently not so in Seattle!
"Some of our members got beer poured on them from Seahawks fans behind them. And my advice to Packers fans: Travel in groups of four or more. They're less likely to open their mouths when you have safety in numbers," Northwest Packer Backers President Jerry Garner said.
It sounds like the "12th Man" may have an attitude problem!
In addition to cheering on the Packers, the Northwest Packer Backers organization does some great things in Seattle -- donating thousands of dollars to charity every year.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Northwest Packer Backers organization.
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