The Total Packers Manifesto

August 27, 2009

Earlier this week, a reader of Total Packers questioned our credibility because we use what some people would consider colorful language.

At first, I was taken aback. I worked in the newspaper business as a reporter for several years. I’ve worked at two magazines in various editor and eventually, publisher and vice president, positions. But that really doesn’t get to the heart of the matter.

This site was built for one reason, and it states that right in the header – we look at the Green Bay Packers and the NFC North and we tell it like it is. No one else does that. Total Packers does that. That’s why we have a readership. Most people visit this site because we have strong opinions about the Green Bay Packers, and those people either adamantly agree with us or adamantly disagree with us.

We respect that, and pride ourselves on the fact that this site is an open forum. No one has to agree or disagree with us. However, it has always been my feeling that we provide an accurate picture of the Green Bay Packers and their foes (some of them hated) from the point of view of people from Wisconsin. We certainly don’t represent everyone’s point of view.

What we do is speak from the heart. We’re passionate about the Green Bay Packers. If someone asked us what our favorite television program was, we’d say Green Bay Packers’ football. If someone asked us to name our heroes, Vince Lombardi would surely be among them. If someone sliced one of our veins open, the blood might be green. Or it might be gold.

As you may have guessed, this particular reader was offended by the fact that we used a certain “C” word to describe a certain player who used to play quarterback for the Packers.

I make no apologies for said remark.

In fact, those of you who have read this blog for some time know that we put our feelings into words – whatever those words may be.

Why do we do it? Because that’s how we feel – as people who love the Green Bay Packers and write about the Green Bay Packers. And we do it because that’s how we think most of you feel. We know you’re like us – that you live and die for the Green Bay Packers. If you weren’t, you’d be reading a saccharine version of this site that told stories with no emotion and no insight involved.

So, we’re going to continue to use colorful language. We’re going to continue to say what’s on our mind. We’re going to continue to tell it like it is. If that offends you, then I’m sorry.

You can question our credibility all you want. We won’t censor your comments, because everyone is entitled to their opinion – even Vikings’ fans. But our posts are well researched, they’re accurate, and they’re from the heart.

If you’re looking for someone who pulls their punches, you should get your Green Bay Packers news from another source. These are several that I recommend:

However, if you continue to read this site – and we hope you do – you will continue to see colorful language and you will continue to read passionate commentary.

Frankly, we hope that you enjoy your goddam self while you’re doing it.

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Sean August 29, 2009

Swear words are a necessary part of speech and idiomatic language. It has the intent to shock, hurt and wound, and many forms of colorful language have few accurate substitutes. Credibility has little to do with it as long as you are right on, and Total Packers tends to be very right on. If you run around dropping “C” bombs and not know GB Packers football, then that is a whole different story. Not this story. Max McGee would agree.