In a state that eats, sleeps and breathes Packers, folks in Tony Romo's hometown of Burlington are torn

BURLINGTON (WITI) -- Those who live in the city of Burlington are torn. This Sunday, January 11th, their home-state team, the Green Bay Packers face their hometown hero, Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo! Romo was born in Burlington and maintains deep ties to the city. But is it safe to root for the Cowboys in an otherwise green and gold state?

It's hard to get further from Texas than Burlington, Wisconsin! That's until you discover the heart of Dallas hangs on the wall of Fred's Parkview on North Pine Street in Burlington.

Fred Mabson is a personal friend of Romo.

"Tony's having a great year. You've got to give this guy credit. Seems like the longer he plays the better he gets!" Mabson said.

On Tuesday, January 6th -- five days until kickoff, the sizzle of the grill at Fred's Parkview was already being washed out by the banter over beers. If there's any place a Cowboys' fan can hide in Wisconsin, it just may be at Fred's Parkview.

"I'm not taking anything away from Tony. I think he's a great quarterback, but he doesn't have a chance!" Todd Hansen of Wheatland said.

If you make a mess, you can find a change of clothes down the block at Burlington's Menswear, but the jerseys inside are for display only.

"I'm going to be Packers and Cowboys -- so I am going to stay neutral for my customers and for my store -- for me and my hometown and our state," Shelly Leverenz said.

After awhile it's pretty easy to spot the homages to Tony Romo and the Cowboys in Burlington. In fact, some of the allegiance is hiding in plain sight, even if it is inadvertent. Burlington has blue fire hydrants -- perhaps a subtle way of showing they're backing the Cowboys?!

"You would have to talk to the city about that!" Leverenz said.

In a state that eats, sleeps and breathes Packers, folks in Burlington dream of Romo.

Kickoff for the Packers vs. Cowboys playoff matchup is set for noon at Lambeau Field! You can watch the game Sunday afternoon on FOX6!