Kids and the Green Bay Packers

From the beginning, Packers players have forged a special relationship with young fans from the community. The tradition of players riding bicycles of young fans to summertime training camp practices goes back to the Lombardi Era. The earliest known photograph of this tradition is from the Lombardi Era (1961).

Engagement with young fans has paid off with support that spans generations. As far back as 1921, games at Hagemeister Park would have “standing room space for the knothole gang, better known as the youngsters, who would be admitted for a cut rate price of admission.” When games were played in old City Stadium in the 1920s and 1930s, players would choose one of the 25 to 30 kids waiting outside the East High School locker room to “smuggle” into the stadium. Once the kids were inside the stadium, they could “double up” in a seat with a parent or sit in the grass at the back of the end zone.