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A Requiem for Ask Vic

Monty McMahon by Monty McMahon
July 10, 2017
in Uncategorized
24

Well, I guess we’re guilty of not noticing and thus, not giving a shit. And you can understand how that might be because we’re referring to Packers.com, where 90 percent, well… I’m being generous. A solid 95 to 99 percent of the content is throwaway, organization-approved garbage.

Other than the obvious stench of corporate rectitude, we have actual knowledge that Packers president Mark Murphy — old Ginger Gap Tooth, himself — has his nose in everything produced by the site. If there was ever a micro-manager from hell, it was Mark Murphy. And, I mean, look at the guy, he’s clearly from either the fourth or eighth circle of hell.

But anyway, the Packers have apparently decided to phase out our old pal Vic Ketchman — the only guy on staff who was possibly more fuddy-duddy than GGT, himself. You might remember him from a column called Ask Vic, where Vic, our boy, would answer fan questions that were certainly not made up.

He would answer them in his folksy, non-offensive style that would definitely not cross the company line. Because Vic was a pro, goddammit! A toeing-the-line pro who toiled for corporate NFL interests for more than four frickin’ decades!

Yeah, ain’t shittin’.

Ketchman, who I literally thought was named Ketchum up until the moment I started researching this post, worked for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972-94, the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1995-2011 and the Packers since then.

There have been rumors about good old Uncle Vic and why he left a job or two, but we won’t get into those. There have been accusations that Uncle Vic was a homer when in Jacksonville. Don’t really care all that much.

We’ve always been curious why the Packers hired him, though. What does this guy know about the history of the team? What is his connection and why is he fit for this job?

Really, the only answer is because he was able to be GGT’s shill. Probably without much instruction, considering his glorious history and experience in being a team shill. Uncle Vic was a team shill before the NFL even considered rolling out league and team “news” websites.

If you’re unaware, I hate to burst your bubble. An entity that reports news on itself, news written by people who are employed by that entity is not really news at all. It’s a series of press releases disguised as “news” for people who don’t know any better.

Uncle Vic actually started Ask Vic when he was with the Jaguars. And by golly, it was just so special that he had to bring it to Green Bay.

In reality, the initial version of Ask Vic was designed to educate Jaguars fans, who you can imagine, are idiots. The Packers’ version of Ask Vic didn’t push the envelope anymore. A column for dumbasses who know nothing about the inner workings of the NFL or the Green Bay Packers.

Did Uncle Vic find an audience?

Honestly, no idea. Some of the questions seemed so scripted it’s like GGT wrote them up himself. That certainly suggests no audience.

Vic inspired a certain level of dislike, however.

I mean, how many team columnists get a “Fire [This Guy]” Facebook page?

So, apparently, much to our ignorance, but sure disdain, the Packers decided they were going to phase out Ask Vic. They replaced the name with something called “Insider Inbox.”

Unfortunately, that also went unnoticed here because, well, who gives a flying fuck?!

The design of this venture, from what we gather, was to phase out Uncle Vic and bring in young hotshots Wes Hodkiewicz, who we only know because he briefly worked for the Press-Gazette, and some guy named Mike. Last name unknown.

They will surely bring the corporate website entity owned by the very company that they report on into the new century. No more 70s Steelers’ crap! No more Jaguars’ Ask Vic homerism! Only the finest journalism possible while reporting on the very corporation that employs you! Which is going to be fine, fine journalism!

But hey, this isn’t about those sellouts. This is a tribute to our main man, Uncle Vic!

So, for example, here are some fine sentiments from his retirement announcement column.

This first one, which actually led off the column, in no way could possibly be illegitimate. I mean, in no frickin’ way whatsoever!

Derek from Eau Claire, WI

Vic, it has been approximately one year since the “Insider Inbox” launched. Can you reflect on the year for you personally and for the inbox?

It’s been a year of transition, and now the transition is complete. Next week, I will write my final column for packers.com. “Ask Vic” fully will become “Insider Inbox.” It will belong completely to Mike and Wes. I give everyone this one-week warning so we might use next week’s column to give “Ask Vic” a proper farewell. Let’s make next week’s column about memories, not plays. Let’s reach down inside ourselves and find the riches “Ask Vic” has provided during the last six-and-a-half years. What has it been for you? For me, it’s been everything.

Hell fucking yeah! Thank god we have been given proper warning to give Ask Vic a proper farewell!

Oh, man, I just farted.

I think that’s a proper farewell. Derek from Eau Claire…

Bwahahahahahahahaha!

Here’s another gem.

Lonny from Aberdeen, SD

Tell us a football story we haven’t heard before.

It’s from very early in my career. I was walking with a couple of coaches back to the dormitory from lunch at training camp. One of the coaches noticed a player walking ahead of us who had been cut by the team a few days earlier. He called to the player to stop, which he did. The coach asked the player why he was still there. The player’s answer left an indelible mark on me. He said, “I have nowhere to go.” That’s the moment I realized training camp isn’t for the star players, it’s for the desperate dreamers. It’s for the players who have nowhere else to go. I have always looked for them, sought them out and their stories. I can still remember some of their names and the stories I wrote. I had this conversation with Donald Driver a few years ago, and he recalled having been one of those players. What a great story he wrote. It’s the story of human confrontation. If you want to find the true meaning of professional football, look for the human confrontation. Find the desperation and you’ll find meaning in what you’re watching.

Hey, Lonny — like that’s the best name you could come up with? How about “John” or “Brad?” No one names their kid Lonny these days. Unless they want the child to be abused.

So, listen, here’s a story you’ve never heard. One time, against the Bears, Aaron Rodgers crapped his pants just before he walked on the field. He was so embarrassed and the game was about to start, he just walked around — and played — with poopy pants the whole time. Threw five touchdowns with shit-filled drawers.

That’s a hell of a story, hey Lonny? Not true at all, but boy, I just told you a story!

How about this?

Eric from Stramproy, The Netherlands

Your Packers legacy has now been defined. You will forever be remembered. How about that?

You’ve made me feel warm inside. Packers fans are good at that. No fan base has a better memory.

First of all, there is no such town.

So when you’re making up people from towns, stick to the basics next time. Jim from Oshkosh. Lori from Milwaukee. Tim from Madison.

Second of all, you clearly wrote this question yourself, Uncle Vic.

I mean, when announcing your second-to-last column, there just happened to be someone praising your legacy? From a made-up place?

Vicky… come on.

Steve from Preston, UK

The incredible readership of the “Insider” column was mentioned. What kind of numbers are we talking? Do you keep score between the three of you? What was the highest readership number recorded and when was it?

I don’t have that information in front of me. What I can tell you is I remember two games being seminal moments in “Ask Vic” history. The first occurred in 2004 in Jacksonville, following a thrilling Sunday night game between the Steelers and Jaguars. Steelers fans took over the Jacksonville stadium, renaming Jacksonville Jacksonburgh, and Jaguars fans exploded my inbox the next day with Steeler hate. I’ve often referred to that column as the day “Ask Vic” was born. I have a feeling you can guess what the other game is. Yep, it’s the “Fail Mary.” By the time the plane landed in Green Bay, my inbox was beyond management. Insomnia was Wisconsin’s No. 1 health problem in the wee hours of Sept. 25, 2012. That was the day “Ask Vic” was born in Green Bay.

Well, this is delightful.

“I don’t know what Google Analytics is or how to use it. New technology and changing times frighten me!”

And look, we give no shits about Steelers fans taking over that dump in Jacksonville with that JV team — by the way, you worked for one of the NFL’s JV teams. That’s what they deserve. The team sucks and their fans suck worse. If you’re mad about another team’s fans invading your stadium, buy goddam tickets to the game!

And finally, let’s just be clear. Ask Vic was never born in Green Bay.

We all got a traffic boost after that game. It sucked. People were pissed. You’re not special. Your damn inbox doesn’t matter. The only reason it was full is because everyone knows your email address.

I actually asked Ron Wolf what he thought about Ted Thompson’s tepid or non-reaction to the outcome of that game. He told me that he didn’t want to comment on another general manager’s thought process, which to me was just as damning as saying Ted was a nitwit.

My guess is Ron Wolf would have raised hell after that game. And I’ve often wondered if Vic actually ever knew who Ron Wolf was.

He definitely didn’t ask the question or publish any sort of answers we’d be interested in.

We’re sure Wes and Mike will do so much better, though.

I mean, really confident.

Tags: Green Bay PackersmediaVic Ketchman
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Comments 24

  1. Avatar for Carl M DeLuca Carl M DeLuca says:
    6 years ago

    Funny how that “awful” site and column you’re writing about likely dominates your site in number of readers.

    • Avatar for PF4L PF4L says:
      6 years ago

      Except for one obvious flaw, this site is way better than most. They must be doing something right Carl, you’re posting here.

      • Avatar for Xlvordie Xlvordie says:
        6 years ago

        Mordecai must be doing something g right..you post on all his articles

  2. Avatar for jeremiah jeremiah says:
    6 years ago

    Man I’m glad you guys hate this prick too. Absolute trash. Then he scolds people for not liking Jacksonville on a Packer page. He talks about sucking down a “hot dog” before every game. I wonder what he would do if Green Bay played a game in Alaska in January? Suck down an eskimo wearing jaguar socks and a Kordell Stewart jersey? I believe him and TT used to fuck in college and smoke cigars while group masterbating to Elvis’ latest hit single. And to Carl from the first comment, how do you like living in Alaska and waiting for the return of Vic?

    • Avatar for Savage57 Savage57 says:
      6 years ago

      What I find entertaining about this is for a guy and a website Monty apparently has little regard for, he’s penned the longest manifesto I’ve ever seen under his byline. Methinks Monty’s a bit more envious of the success and career Ketchman’s had than he likes to let on.

      If there would have been more verbal diarrhea and pedantic, self-serving puke-prose, I would have thought Wolfy penned it.

      • Avatar for jeremiah jeremiah says:
        6 years ago

        Well well. Fred Savage is going through his wonder years pains. You should meet Carl for sex asap. Then you two can argue over whose turn it is to jack off to pictures of Wayne (fontes, not the brother from the show, you hamburger ass) and whose clean up.

  3. Avatar for Carl M DeLuca Carl M DeLuca says:
    6 years ago

    The reason Vic was semi retired and the insider inbox was created, by the way, was because Vic had a heart attack last year. Nice job being an asshole about that part. Youre certainly right that the insider inbox was much to your ignorance.

    • Avatar for the real russ letlow the real russ letlow says:
      6 years ago

      Stramproy is a village in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is located in the municipality of Weert. Stramproy was a separate municipality until 1998, when it was merged with Weert. – https://flagspot.net/flags/nl-li_st.html

    • Avatar for Monty McMahon Monty McMahon says:
      6 years ago

      I don’t like to comment on our own site, but I’ll make an exception for you, Carl. Insider Inbox will remain to our ignorance for the very big-picture reasons stated in the post. But hey, if you like to get your news about the Packers FROM THE PACKERS — who surely must be objective about their own organization, the organization that pays their bills… sorry, I can’t continue… my dog’s breathe smells like dog food.

      • Avatar for Xlvordie Xlvordie says:
        6 years ago

        So is it the idea of an objective news source or Vic personally that you are against?
        Obviously it’s not like the guy would have kept his job had he wrote critically of his employer on THIER website.
        Maybe you should let him write for TotalPackers where he can give his real, unbiased opinions. He also wouldn’t need to fact check before he posts. I’m SURE you guys could match his salary.

        • Avatar for Monty McMahon Monty McMahon says:
          6 years ago

          We could match his salary. We won’t.

      • Avatar for Daniel Calvillo Jr Daniel Calvillo Jr says:
        6 years ago

        You’re a waste of sperm, who sounds extremely bitter, because they don’t have 1/10th of the talent that Vic possesses. Frankly, you’re a nobody. You run some wannabe Packers website. Lastly, the dude has health problems…..Like how much more of a chode can you be?? I hope a drunk driver hits you while you’re walking, when you least expect it.

  4. Avatar for Chase Chase says:
    6 years ago

    Vic’s stories is what made him great to read and I will miss the guy.

  5. Avatar for Nitschke's Fist Nitschke's Fist says:
    6 years ago

    It’s Mike Spofford BTW

  6. Avatar for Jeremiah Jeremiah says:
    6 years ago

    Carl “carlton” de Vikings fan. You bad mama jama, ignorance? You wont find any stories on packers.com they control news like they’re north korea. Your wife looks like al noga too

  7. Avatar for MGP MGP says:
    6 years ago

    Monty, i will state a evidence: you are a moron! Best Regards, Mário from Portugal (if you don’t know where Portugal is located, find it in a map!).

    • Avatar for jeremiah jeremiah says:
      6 years ago

      MGP or Mini Girl-sized Penis, whichever you prefer. English is a language that is most effective when the person writing or speaking acutally has a fucking clue how to do either. You love Tommy Kramer thats what this is all about..

  8. Avatar for Cheese Cheese says:
    6 years ago

    I read Vics column when it first came out with the Packers. Some of it was decent, some not so much, and some was just condescending and annoying. After a while I stopped reading because I needed to cut back on wasting time on the internet. The one thing that has stuck with me was when someone asked Vic how he kept his emotions under control when his favorite team loses really big games. Since he has no control over who wins the game and there’s nothing he can do about it, he reminds himself of the phrase “I like to watch.” This has helped me keep my cool, to an extent, while watching the Packers shit the bed in the playoffs over the past six years.

  9. Avatar for Vicsrevenge Vicsrevenge says:
    6 years ago

    Geez, I only stumbled across “Total Packers” during a web search. I got about half way through this rant and stopped reading. Possibly the biggest waste of four minutes in my entire life. Any idiot with a list of potty words and a cheap college degree can launch a website, I guess.

  10. Avatar for Yo Yo says:
    6 years ago

    YUP

  11. Avatar for Ryan Ryan says:
    6 years ago

    Packers after hiring Vic became the number one visited nfl website. I was there everyday to read Vic and hardly ever go there now that he’s gone. I’d pet a week’s pay the daily/weekly numbers are way way down now that Vic is gone. He was a great read and taught me a lot and showed me what mattered. Not everyone got Vic

  12. Avatar for Rabbit Mercer Rabbit Mercer says:
    6 years ago

    Vic 4 life! Been reading him since the jaguar days, still did when he got that sweet big paycheck to go to green bay. Go Jags! This website sucks! Your welcome for the web hit, revenue and comment bump. Eat one, Monty!

  13. Avatar for Sid V Sid V says:
    5 years ago

    Just stumbled on this horseshit manifesto written by a talent-free, crude and small-minded joker who isn’t one twentieth the writing talent Vic is. Pathetic.

  14. Avatar for Pete Pete says:
    5 years ago

    What a petty and jealous pile of garbage this article is. Keep on winning hearts and minds, bud

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