Inbox: That was the best Christmas gift ever

5. How old were you when you attended your first Packers game? Any special memories from that day?

(Editor's note: Due to the number of submissions we received, Wednesday's column will include only responses to Question 5. Responses to Questions 6-8 will be featured in Thursday's column)

Brett from Green Bay, WI

I was 13! It was a preseason game against the Browns in 2009. I'll never forget the very first series of the game Rodgers threw a deep TD pass to Donald Driver on the end of the stadium that my dad and I were. The Packers won 17-0.

James from University Park, MD

My first game was Packers vs. Bears, George Halas vs. Curly Lambeau, in 1946 at City Stadium. Beautiful September day with returning veterans from World War II: "Bulldog" Turner, the Osmanskis, Ed Sprinkle, Ken Kavanaugh, Sid Luckman; for us, Tony Canadeo, Irv Comp, "Greasy" Neal, "Baby" Ray, and Charley Brock. Bears used the new T-formation with Luckman under center. We used the old single-wing. We lost badly, 30-7, but at age 10, I saw my first game, with my dad, had a hot dog, and a wonderful lasting memory.

Jonathan from Easton, MA

Bucket list. Sixtieth birthday surprise! Hardly slept two nights; too excited. Head to toe green and gold – full face paints plus cheeseheads. Incredible welcoming tailgate crowd. Entering Lambeau – dream come true. Half time, soft snow begins to fall. By game's end, the bowl is full - a magical swirling snow globe. Packers stuff Panthers at goal line four times, preserving win. Wrapped in sons' arms as time runs out - screaming again like the child I once was, if only briefly. Tears freeze on cheeks.

Sam from Odenton, MD

I was 12. After a 9-month battle with brain cancer, my Make-A-Wish was to (of course) meet the Packers. The wish came with the opportunity to watch training camp on the practice field and tickets to a preseason game and pre-game sideline passes. As the players ran off the field after warmups, Brett Favre, whom I had met two days earlier at camp, broke off from the group to come over and shake my hand. Those couple of days are still some of my most cherished memories.

Robert from Vesper, WI

Not really for me but for my wife (three scores old) who has always wanted to attend a regular season Packers game. It occurred last season as my brother and sister-in-law concocted an elaborate ruse to visit some friends heading out for "breakfast" (tailgating) that Sunday morning – and stunned that they obtained tickets to the "white out" game. Seeing her reactions seeing Lambeau for a regular season game and when Brandon McManus nailed the walk-off field goal? Absolutely priceless!

Scott from Escanaba, MI

I was 10 or 11 when my dad surprised me with Packers tickets to go see Earl Campbell and the Houston Oilers. I don't remember much about the actual game play. What made my first game memorable was a short stubby little guy running out from the sidelines every time Houston kicked off to grab the kicking tee and doing a sprinting summersault as he grabbed the tee. I thought that guy was the luckiest guy ever.

Jeanne from Holliston, MA

I was 12 when I attended my first Packers game. My dad was given three tickets at the last minute (mid-morning of noon game) and he asked my older sister and me if we wanted to go. YES! Wait. Just one problem: My good Catholic family and I had not yet fulfilled our Sunday mass obligation; there was no time to do so and still make it to the game, an hour or so drive away. My dad called our pastor, who kindly granted us a dispensation, as long as we attended daily mass at 7 a.m. the following morn!

Richard from Telford, TN

I was 42 years old, and my Colombian-born fiancé lived in Chicago. I took her to see a Packers-Bears game at Soldier Field. She liked the game but had no clue what it was all about. Now married for 37 years she still thinks it's big men fighting but supports my Packers devotion.

Greg from Bordentown, NJ

I was nearly 13 when I went to my first Packers game. I think it counted as an early birthday present and my parents bought tickets on eBay for a playoff game against the Eagles in Philly. I remember my dad pulling out all the newspaper sports sections previewing the matchup, one particularly featuring Ahman Green and Green Bay's power running. Unbeknownst to us, this game would become forever known as fourth-and-26.

Noah from Haymarket, VA

Longtime follower and first time submitting. Figured I'd give outsider inbox a try! I was 15 years old. It was the Giants vs. Packers during the 2001 season; however, it was the game that was postponed from September 2001 until January 2002 due to the tragic events on 9/11. Of course, it was also the game that Michael Strahan broke the sack record. My father – who was not a sports fan – surprised me with the tickets. I will never forget either of those days for very different reasons.

LA from Sammamish, WA

Nov. 19, 1961, and I was 8 years old. The Packers played the Los Angeles Rams and we were in Row 15 on the 22-yard line behind the Rams' bench. Several Packers fans were well-lubricated, and I remember two in particular. One bellowed repeatedly, "Go back to Hollywood, you Hollywood bums!" The other guy chimed in, "Hey Waterfield (Bob), go back to Jayne Mansfield!" And the Packers won.

Bob from Madison, WI

I attended my first Packers game at the ripe old age of 63 on Dec. 15, 2019, at Lambeau Field vs. Da Bears. It was a Christmas gift from our two sons, who attended with me. It was a perfect crisp, sunny day and the Packers won 21-13. That was the best Christmas gift ever and thinking of it still brings tears to my eyes. Thank you, Nathan and Ben. I love you guys.

Roger from McGrath, AK

At 50 years old, I first stepped from the dark entrance tunnel into the light of Lambeau. I overheard the woman behind me, "This is the spot where I always cry." That gave me permission.

Bob from Milwaukee, WI

My first Packers game was Nov. 7, 1965, against the Detroit Lions. The Packers had won two championships under Lombardi and everyone thought we'd destroy a good Lions team. Instead, Starr was sacked 11 times and the Packers lost 12-7. It got so bad that some drunk guy kept blowing a plastic trumpet yelling "Fire Lombardi" throughout the second half. Fortunately, they didn't listen, and we won the title that year against Cleveland and the next two, including the first two Super Bowls.

Brandon from Imperial, MO

My first game was Nov. 23, 1997. One of the fraternities at UWO was supposed to cook in the kitchens of Lambeau before the game as a fundraiser for charity. Anyway, they were all mostly hunting that weekend and needed volunteers to cover their shift. We didn't get tickets to the game but, when we were done making brats, the kitchen staff let us into the game. We finally beat the Cowboys after all the years losing to them in TX! I was 21 years old.

Keith from La Pine, OR

One day short of 41 years old, Sept. 29, 1996. Seahawks/Packers at the KingDome. My son, my daughter, and my 6-month-old grandson. It was the first in-person game for all four of us. It was so loud that the grandson couldn't take it. Grandpa and grandson spent the entire second half in the passageway, guessing who was doing what. But there were so many Packers fans there, you couldn't be sure which team had made a good play. Packers 31, Seahawks 10.

Dave from Waterford, OH

It was one week after Walter Payton had passed. I was a young 40. They interviewed tailgaters in the parking lot, and they ended up putting me on TV in Chicago. Favre was recognized that day for breaking the consecutive start record of Jaworski. The game ended with the Bears blocking the winning field goal by the Packers, an attempt of 28 yards. After the game, they interviewed Bryan Robinson, the guy who blocked the kick. He said, "Walter Payton picked me up in the air…I can't jump that high!"

Keith from Lincoln, IL

I was 26 when I attended my first Packers game in November 1986 at Soldier Field. It was the infamous "Charles Martin dumps Jim McMahon on his head" game. I missed that play entirely because I followed the pass thrown downfield. In the second half, I stood up to cheer something the Packers did, and I felt something brush my shoulder, hit the back of the person in front of me, and crash to the concrete. It was an empty glass whiskey bottle. I didn't stand up again until we left the game!

William from Kill Devil Hills, NC

1964, I was 14, selling hotdogs in the stands (back then I believe Prosky ran the food service). They sold for either $1 or $1.25, I made a quarter on each. Back then, they did not have nets behind the goal posts. I was in the south end zone when a field goal landed 10 feet below me.

Randy from McDonald, TN

I was 11 years and 19 days old when my family went to Milwaukee County Stadium for a Packers game against the Giants in 1975. Great weather for late November and a big 40-14 Packers win were awesome. The unique part of the day was when the PA announcer gave a car license plate, asking the owner of that car to report to the parking lot because their car was on fire!

Mark from Winona, MN

I was 24 when I went to my first game. My buddy and I were long-suffering Packers fans in 1982. We were working the late shift at a popular watering hole when one of the waitresses said her parents had tickets to the playoff game vs. the Cardinals but they were not going and asked if we wanted them. We jumped at the chance. That night after closing the bar, we left around 3 a.m. and arrived in Green Bay around 9. Lynn Dickey to John Jefferson and the rout was on. The stadium was electric that day.

Richard from Livermore, CA

I was 11 when I saw the Pack play the Baltimore Colts in the 1965 playoff game. Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr (after one play) were hurt, so the QBs were Zeke Bratkowski vs. halfback Tom Matte. More notable was the FG kicked by Don Chandler at the end of regulation to tie the game. The Colts still insist it was no good, and the controversy caused the height of the uprights to be increased (and rumor has it also caused the NFL to consider laser goalposts). From my seat in the endzone, the kick looked good!

Reed from Kansas City, MO

I was 16 when I went to my first Packers game. It was at Mile High Stadium in 1984, and it was the Monday Night Football blizzard. The Broncos scored two fumble recovery TDs in the first minute of the game, and the Pack ended up losing 17-14. It was crazy and cold and a blast. It was also the only Packers game I ever got to attend with my dad.

Steve from Eau Claire, WI

My first Packers game I attended I was six years old. My grandpa took me and somehow, we had box seats. I was demolishing hotdogs and having a great gameday. Somehow, grandpa found out that Bart Starr was in the next box. I had no idea who that was at that age, but my grandpa shuffled me next door acting as an old acquaintance of Bart's. They had never met but he kept up the ruse so I could have him autograph my program. My favorite piece of Packers memorabilia. R.I.P Grandpa Jack.

Donna from Darien, WI

I was 23 years old when I attended my first Packers game, although it was a preseason game. It was back in 1992, and I went with my now husband. We had just started dating that summer. Funny thing is he happens to be a Bears fan. That's alright, I still love him :)

Steven from Balsam Lake, WI

My dad took me to my first Packers game for my 18th birthday (it was also his first). It was November 2007, and the Packers and Favre beat up on the Panthers. The overall experience was terrific, and I've been lucky enough to be back many times since, including a handful with my dad. We plan a trip together every couple years or so ever since.

James from Appleton, WI

I was 12 when my dad took my brother and me to Lambeau on a snowy day. My leg was in a cast, and we put an electric sock over the exposed toes. Unfortunately, we didn't think to bring a backup battery, because the first one died in the second quarter. Lynn Dickey was also out with a broken leg and my brother wanted me to wear a sign, "I'm Not Lynn Dickey," so he could wear "I'm Not Lynn Dickey's Brother."

Ron from Broken Arrow, OK

I was 21 years old when I attended my first Packers game. It was the first pre-season game of the 1984 season, at Texas Stadium, against Dallas. I attended the game with my wife and my mother, and it was our first NFL game. My most vivid memory of the game was how fast the passes were from Lynn Dickey, as compared to how they looked on TV. Sadly, the Packers lost 31-17 to the Cowboys.

Gary from Cross Plains, WI

I was 15-16 for first regular season game at County Stadium. My high school band played the halftime show. It was cold (I think it was a November game against Philly). But I had great time playing and then since my parents had tickets to the game, I got to stay and sit with them for second half when most of the band returned home after halftime. Lots of fun sitting there in uniform and getting compliments from the nearby fans who watched the show. No clue what the score was!

Kevin from Indianapolis, IN

My first Packers game was Dec. 30, 2001. I was 25 years old, and my then-girlfriend, now-wife, knew that my dream was to attend a Packers game but had never been. The high was 21 degrees that day, a perfect introduction to the Frozen Tundra! The Packers beat the Vikings 24-13. My most vivid memory is how cold Randy Moss looked the entire game. He didn't even run routes on all the plays and ended with 2 catches for 10 yards. That weekend was when I knew we'd get married (22 years now).

CJ from Marion, IA

The first Packer game I ever saw was in the early 1970s. It was in St. Louis the first year for Coach Devine, having previously coached at Missouri it was really hard to get tickets. I was around 14 years old, but my dad got the tickets. Scott Hunter was the starting quarterback, but Bart Starr came in to tie the game in the final seconds. Late in the game, the Cardinals went for it on fourth-and-short. MacArthur Lane lost around 10 yards on the play, giving the Packers a chance.

Jeffery from Milwaukee, WI

It was on my 17th birthday in August 2010 that I attended my first game with my dad. Even though it was a preseason game, I still enjoyed my time. Little did I know that a distant relative of my dad's had also scored final round tickets to the 2010 PGA Championship which he revealed to me before kickoff. That was the second part of my birthday present that year! Lambeau Field on Saturday, Whistling Straights on Sunday.

David from Owasso, OK

I attended my first Packers game at Lambeau on a road trip with my brother, a Rams fan, on Oct. 8, 2006. Rams vs. Packers. I was 40 years old and it was a perfect day for football. The Pack got the ball on their 20, down three with three minutes left. With the stadium going crazy, Brett Favre marched them to the Rams 11 with 40 seconds left only to be strip-sacked by Leonard Little for the loss. A heartbreaker. My brother, wearing a Rams jersey, brags to this day how great the Packers fans were.

Larry from Chubbuck, ID

Sixty-seven, last October 13. My favorite memory out of so many was walking up the tunnel into the stadium. I was overwhelmed with emotion at finally being there after so many years and hugging my son and thanking him for this moment.

Mike from Hastings, MN

Earliest Packer game: I believe it was 1954. I would have been four. It was memorable because the game was played at State Fair Park in West Allis.

Mike from Bel Air, MD

I was 17, growing up in Northern New Jersey in 1973. I saw a TV ad selling tickets for Packers-Giants at the Yale Bowl. My uncle Benny, brother-in-law Artie and my brother Frank drove up and had seats in the end zone. Packers won on last second field goal by Chester Marcol. I remember Packers fans holding up banner that read "We are everywhere." It was a great experience.

Dale from St. Cloud, WI

I was 16 or 17 for first game. My uncles had an extra ticket where we had our family Christmas and the next day I went with them. Yancey Thigpen drops what would have been the winning TD game. You could hear the air suck out of the stadium, then erupt when the ball was found on the ground.

Bill from Clive, IA

I had just turned 10 and my 24-year-old brother took me to the Western Conference Championship at Lambeau vs the Colts the day after Christmas in 1965. That was the game where Don Chandler kicked a field goal to send it to OT, but it would have been called no good if the goal posts had been taller then. The refs blew the call, and GB went on to take the NFL title. What I loved best was the long car ride from Neillsville and back with my big brother.

Monty from Velva, ND

I was 39 when I attended my first game. It happened in 2008. It was the preseason game where Brett Farve returned from retirement. We drove from North Dakota to see it. It was the first game for my father as well, who is a lifelong Packers fan. We were also in the same hotel as the ESPN crew, so we got to meet Mike Tirico and Ron Jaworski.

Cliff from Canada

The first Packer game I saw in person was in 1967 in my hometown Milwaukee when dad took me to the Packers-Browns game for my birthday (five days later). Our end-zone, upper-deck seats provided a superb viewpoint to watch Travis "The Road Runner" Williams run back two kickoffs for TDs (in the first quarter). Not only did that raise expectations but I also was a fan for life!

Dave from Plymouth, WI

I was 12 years old when I attended my first Packer game. It was a preseason game in 1976 against the Buffalo Bills. I couldn't care less that it was "just" a preseason game. I was just happy to actually be able to go to the game! My favorite player then was Steve Odom. He was a diminutive receiver who was dynamic on kickoff and punt returns. Kind of like Billy "White Shoes" Johnson at the time. I was thrilled to see him and O.J. Simpson! O.J. only played one series, and the Pack lost 37-0!

Matthew from Clarkston, MI

My answer is the opposite. My first Packers game memory is of a game I didn't attend. I remember asking my dad to go to the Monday Night Football game against the Redskins in 1983. He was working first shift, and didn't want to travel from Marinette to GB and back for work on Tuesday. Reading about the exciting 48-47 victory the next morning ingrained that memory. For games I attended as a child, I fondly remember the smelt nets used to catch balls during field goals and extra points. Memories make us rich.