FanPost

vs. Green Bay game hero.......Andyhawk

My 10 yr old stepson (unfortunately a devoted packers fan) no longer thinks Aaron Rodgers is a hero but a guy he will never know who goes by the mysterious name of "Andy hawk" is now filling the hero position.

Having offered his pre-season seats for free on TST a few weeks ago I was able to make communication with Andy to receive the tickets. I was skeptical of the will call system and he took it upon himself to email them to me and relieve me of my worries.

Wanting no $ in return for the seats, just the hope that someone was able to enjoy them. Well that little 10 yr old boy sure did enjoy it. Not yet fully capable of understanding a preseason game, all he saw was the packers win against dad's rams. The fact that Greg Zuerlin, whom I have bragged about relentlessly, missed a 55 yd fg and Johnny Hekker, exclaimed by me to be the greatest punter, booting one out of bounds were exclamation points to the boys night. He also continually saw my frustration when the O line couldn't hold up or open a hole and Britt and Bailey were overthrown or unseen as open. Apparently I too had trouble understanding a preseason game as well. My greatest joys of the night were GB touchdowns denied by penalties.

We entered the dome above the visitors tunnel entrance and went down to the railing to snap a picture, at the point when the packers emerged from the tunnel. I hope to see that look on that boys face many more times in my life. We then wandered around the ring to the Rams side and again down to the railing for pictures. The defense was standing in the corner of the end-zone nearest to us doing pregame warm-ups and I heard him say "I can't believe how big they are. I looked to him to say they are all tremendous athletes only to see him staring at the goalposts....LOL.

Our seats were great on the packers sideline right above the suites....he was able to watch all the sideline action of his favorite players and a view of things you don't see on television. He was in absolute awe that he could see these guys he sees on TV and hears about so often in real life. He saw Rodgers outrun Quinn to which he said "I didn't think a QB could outrun that guy. Either Rodgers is fast or was scared for his life!" I about fell out of my stadium seat.

I hope to meet "Andy" at a home game later this season and shake his hand, hopefully buy him a beer. He has helped transform a child from flat out lazy to having the desire to do his best at JFL by simply doing something as a random act of kindness. The impact of that small self-less gift is far larger than anyone can imagine. The boys real father would never even play catch with him. Simply sit him in front of the video games or TV for his time with them and maybe take them out to eat once in awhile. I would often attempt to get them out to play and the youngest of our 2 of course was always willing but not the oldest. Kickball was the leading factor and my love for playing Madden somehow we developed a bond over football and kickball took a back burner to tossing the football and playing 2 against dad and now the only video game he plays is Madden. (prior to his a video game didn't count unless it was call of duty but he wasn't allowed to play mature rated games at my house hence making me the evil step-dad) Once I saw the boy had natural ability to throw a spiral 10 yards to me in stride on a backyard post I mentioned JFL and he was willing to try it. My reluctance of him sticking it out was evident but his new love for the game and the bond between us seemed to be strong enough for him to give it his all. After leaving the game Saturday on the walk back to the truck, he claimed how he was going to give it all the extra he could and maybe someday would be good enough to be in the NFL.

Maybe it is meaningless 10 year old jabber, but I know that boy and the lazy lump he was a year ago. This game was a mindset changer and would not have been possible without the help of "Andy." Football has given us a chance to bond over something he could have cared less about 6 months ago. Anytime before now he would see me watching football and whine that I was hogging the TV and there is "nothing else to do" when the TV isn't on a kids show. Now he sits there with me and asks a million questions which is still annoying, but productive.....to me anyways. OR he wants to go outside and throw the football, practice routes, practice snaps, work on legs......I can't believe the change in the child this game has made.

Long read I know and apologize but if you made it this far, the point of this was to acknowledge an unknown human being making an un-selfish act and how big of an impact it can have. It is going to be difficult for me to pay this forward but I vowed to and I will. I can't figure out how to post a pic on here but the boys smile hasn't been erased yet.

Thank you Andyhawk.!!!!!!