Packer Fan Tours In the News

Despite 1-6 record, Packers still a hot ticket

by Steve Wideman, Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers

Every year Ken Mitsche and his elderly father attend several Green Bay Packers home games.

Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was supposed to be one of those games, but the Milwaukee duo is having an unusual time finding tickets, despite the Packers’ dismal 1-6 record.

“We’ve never had this much difficulty getting tickets. We’ve always had good luck,” Mitsche said on Friday. “My dad, who is 76, wants to get up to Green Bay to watch the Packers-Steelers game because the next home game is Nov. 21 and you never know what the weather will be in Wisconsin.

“He also wants to see Brett Favre play because my dad feels this might be Favre’s last year,” Mitsche said.

Dennis Garrity, president of Packer Fans Tours of Green Bay, said Favre’s recent comment that he might retire if coach Mike Sherman leaves has fanned rumors that this could be Favre’s last year.

“The ‘Brett-Favre-may-retire’ dragon has raised its head and that is driving interest in the remainder of the Packers’ schedule,” he said. “Tickets for all the remaining games are still in demand. Our telephones do not have cobwebs.”

Garrity said among factors creating the demand for Sunday’s game against the Steelers is that this will be the last Sunday afternoon home game not on a holiday weekend.

“The Packers have an unusual schedule,” he said, “the last four home games are problematic, two are on holidays and two are in the evening. But I think a lot of folks are saying they want to see Brett Favre play before he retires,” he said.

The Packers host the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, Nov. 21, and the Detroit Lions at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Green Bay closes the season hosting the Chicago Bears on Christmas Day and the Seattle Seahawks on New Year’s Day.

Craig Kandler of Darboy, a season-ticket holder for 15 years, will be in the stands Sunday.

“I live with the Packers from low times to high times and all the times in between,” Kandler said. “I feel I am one of 70,000 fortunate individuals that have the opportunity to enjoy this kind of entertainment.”