The first Saturday of every month, Packers President and CEO Ed Policy will write about a topic of interest to Packers fans and the organization and then answer fan questions. Fans are encouraged to email Ed with their name and hometown at: PolicysPerspective@packers.com.
I look forward to answering your questions this week as we wrap up the bye here in Green Bay. We are 2-1-1 at the bye, and while tying Dallas wasn't satisfying, I'm very proud that our team went on the road and fought in overtime through the very last second of 70 minutes of extraordinarily competitive football.
Now we are using this time to recover physically and focus mentally for a long stretch of at least 13 straight weeks of games, including our first home game in a month, when we take on the Bengals next week. We will take each week as it comes, and our goal is to go 1-0 every week.
I've long thought that the bye week serves as an opportunity for every person in the organization to look in the mirror and figure out what more they can do to contribute to our mission of winning football games. From the men on the field to our facilities and maintenance crew, we can all take this time to reflect and ensure that we are helping our team achieve our goals.
Enough from me, let's jump into your questions!
Ross from Sheboygan, WI
Ed, welcome to the president's role with the best team in all of sports, the Green Bay Packers. I have been waiting for over 25 years for season tickets. With so many tickets being sold every game, our home games are starting to look like we are the visitors. When will the Packers start pulling season tickets? Let's get back to filling the stadium with Green and Gold. GPG
Thanks for your question, Ross. There was a lot of conversation about Lions fans at our home opener; however, our fans truly showed up in extraordinary form on Thursday night against the Commanders. At the end of the day, we won both games, which is always going to be the No. 1 priority. In an ideal world, every seat in Lambeau would be filled with a Packers fan, but some of that is certainly out of our control. More specifically, on your point about the waiting list, as you may have seen, we have not renewed season tickets for ticketholders who sold 100% of their tickets for multiple years. This process is getting dedicated fans off the waitlist and into seats at Lambeau. Additionally, we have consistently encouraged fans to attend the game themselves. For the occasional times they cannot attend, try and sell their tickets to friends, family, or neighbors who are Packers fans. Finally, if that's not possible, occasionally donate or use NFL Ticket Exchange as a safe and reliable resale option.
Billie Jo from Springfield, MO
Hi Ed, I wanted to write in and thank you personally for keeping this monthly column going. Murphy Takes Five was one of my favorite articles to read on packers.com and I'm enjoying Policy's Perspective just as much!
Now that you have settled in and presumably had the opportunity to evaluate the staff from your new position, what are the strengths of this organization off the field? Tons of attention is rightfully given to the men on the field, but could you give a shout out to the folks behind the scenes making it all work? Thank you again.
PS – I work in logistics, so I have a soft spot for the unsung heroes of the world.
Billie Jo, I appreciate the question and am happy to keep the tradition going. I couldn't agree more, there are numerous unsung heroes around Lambeau Field that keep this place running day in and day out. As one of the oldest operating stadiums in the NFL, we take a lot of pride in our facilities crew, who help ensure Lambeau remains iconic, but also state-of-the-art. It goes beyond our facilities. When we renovated the stadium, adding the atrium and Pro Shop, Lambeau Field quickly became an everyday destination. Consequently, our staff has grown to nearly 400 full-time employees, ballooning up to almost 1,500 on gameday. Part of that number is our guest services team, who ensure that when you walk into Lambeau, you are greeted by someone who can get you where you are going, whether it is the Hall of Fame, 1919 Kitchen & Tap, or your seats on game day. Seeing each facet of our organization focused on the same mission and goal is a reminder of how great it is to be part of the Green Bay Packers.
Eric from Chilton, WI
Hello Mr. Policy, Wisconsin is known for its iconic supper clubs. Do you have a favorite one outside of Green Bay? What about it makes it your favorite and what's your drink order?
Thanks for your question, Eric! Fitting coming from someone in Calumet County, the Supper Club Capital of the Midwest. While just barely outside of Green Bay, I have to say the Union Hotel in De Pere is my go-to. Union Hotel has been family owned for four generations and is one of the few spots in our area that pre-dates the Packers, first opening their doors in the 1880s. The entire atmosphere at Union makes it a must-stop, from the location and history to the annual Christmas carolers, you can't go wrong there.
Drink of choice is a tough one. If it is my personal order, I have to go with a Manhattan, but if I'm buying a round to celebrate a Packers victory, it is going to be classic Wisconsin Old Fashioneds for everyone.
Quinn S from Menomonee Falls, WI
While the Micah Parsons trade was massive, it's important to note that he'd be the first Packer in 99 years to wear the No. 1. The lore has always been that 1 was unofficially retired for Curly Lambeau and that 5 was unofficially retired for Paul Hornung. Since Lambeau used multiple numbers, has a statue outside, and is the stadium namesake, loosening the restriction on 1 is a bit understandable. However, does this mean that 5's unofficial retirement is still active, or is it now free to be used as well?
Thanks for your question, Quinn. Micah's number was certainly a hot topic over the last month. Our team historian, Cliff Christl, recently wrote a great piece summarizing some of the history and lore around number retirements for Packers players. As the article mentions, wearing different numbers was incredibly common in the early days of football across the league. Curly wore at least six numbers including, 10, 13, 22, 14, 42, 20, and of course 1. While the history on 5 is somewhat open to interpretation, we have no plans on putting it back into circulation anytime soon. When in doubt regarding the officially retired Packers' numbers, just look to the north end zone of Lambeau Field beneath the scoreboard where they are prominently displayed.
Peggy from Bloomer, WI
Good morning Ed, a lot of information about your close relationship with your father is readily available to the public online. It's apparent he influenced your career in many ways. How did your mother have an impact on your life?
Thanks, Peggy. I appreciate your question more than you could imagine because I am exceedingly grateful for a mother that has influenced every day of my life both professionally and personally. Mom was a teacher with a master's degree in special education, and then primary caregiver to my brothers, sisters, and me. She instilled in us the need to communicate clearly, the importance of empathy, discipline, patience, and resilience. I try to incorporate those things every day, especially during the most difficult of times. She also raised my four siblings from whom I learned to approach life with an extremely competitive spirit, to pick and choose my battles, and to work hard to build consensus while always fighting for what I thought was right. These lessons have proven invaluable as I navigate the complex world of the National Football League. Mom is 84, sharp as a tack and fit as a fiddle, and she still rides her bike 10-15 miles every day. I still know I've screwed up if she refers to me as Edward.
