Saturday, April 12, 2025:

The morning's first stop was at Pride TLC, Therapy & Living Campus in Weston, where the members mingled with seniors, took pictures and signed some autographs.

The long-term assisted living facility also offers therapy in areas of speech, physical, and occupational, as well as rehabilitation services.

Before leaving Wausau, the tour made a surprise stop at a local Fleet Farm, where the players figured they could have some fun helping children create Easter buckets, but because there were no children immediately at the station, Ahman Green made an announcement on the store's public address system that Packers players were in the store to help children create Easter buckets. His announcement, which had the sound of a veteran store announcer, drew applause from his tour mates and resulted in children and parents arriving at the station near the front of the store. Clearly, an invitation of that nature was not something heard every day in the aisles of the popular store.

Not to be outdone by Green, and to keep up his streak of mentions, Tucker Kraft got on the public address system and said, "We have the NFL Draft coming up at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. We expect to see many of you there, and make sure you download the NFL One Pass app to register for the draft and see all the information you'll need."

Among the most entertaining photos taken by parents was John Michels posing with young children as they wore his championship rings.

On the way to Green Bay, Mark Murphy was able to witness one of his favorite moments during the tour as the bus ride conversations foster camaraderie among the current and former players.

Lukas Van Ness asked Michels about medical topics and Bill Schroeder was recalling how Sterling Sharpe tried to get him to fall for what used to be an annual turkey gag during Thanksgiving week.

"When I told Sterling that I was from the area and knew about the gag, he said I had to go anyway and play along with it," Schroeder explained.

In Green Bay and on the way to the EPIC Event Center, site of the final event, the Tailgate Tour bus drove by Lambeau Field and many of the members commented on the size and scope of the draft campus, particularly the draft theater that towers over the east side parking lot from its location on Oneida Street.

The Children's Wisconsin event had the feel of a draft as players escorted children, who were patients of the hospital, to the stage to honor them as first-round "selections" for their spirit and character during their treatments.

Michael Sheppard, member of the Children's Wisconsin board of directors, was excited about the event's impact.

"There's nothing better than seeing patient families and tears of joy as opposed tears of pain," he explained. "It makes it really good and especially for me, as a former athlete, so I went through the draft process and just knowing how that feels and then giving children that feel of being drafted, coming on stage, getting a jersey, I think it's an unforgettable memory."

As the tour concluded its 783-mile voyage, some of the players reflected on their journey across the state.

Marco Rivera: "I always like coming back and meeting the fans on a more personable or personal basis, face-to-face and hearing their stories and listening to their memories and what it means for them to have Packer players visiting them. I enjoy the fans. Green Bay, like I said, they're the best fans in the world.

"When we went to the Wisconsin Children's Hospital…until you go to Children's Hospital, and you see these little kids fighting for their lives with all type of ailments and you just want to pick them up and hold them and tell them it's going to be alright. They're brave they're fighting hard, so to spend five minutes just to put a smile on their face is great.

"Meeting the two young guys was great. They're great guys, Tucker and Lukas. Catching up with Bill and Tony was excellent."

John Michels: "It was an incredible experience around Wisconsin, parts of Wisconsin that I never saw as a player. Getting to interact with fans and these events has been really, truly memorable.

"I've been so impressed with Tucker and Lukas. They have a bright future with these two in charge, really great young men and the fact that they've taken a week off just prior to the draft and minicamp starting up to come give back to the community speaks a lot about their character.

"Marco, Ahman and Tony…really having the opportunity to reconnect with them was great. The thing that we miss the most about the game is that locker room camaraderie, so when you get into an environment like this on a bus trip for a week, it brings it right back to the locker room and there's so much nostalgia involved with that. It's the one part of the game that every player you talk to misses the most, so getting a taste of that been really sweet."

Tucker Kraft: "Personally, I thought it was a great opportunity to get all around Wisconsin, meet the fans and smiley faces and handshakes at all these events.

"I liked the high school stops. I would say it just wasn't too long ago that I was just in those seats, so it was good to reminisce and think back to how I used to be when we'd have speakers coming to school and then being on the other side of it now, just understanding that the voice we have has an impact on the youth.

"I enjoyed hearing what the other players have to say about their experiences and those types of things, without a doubt. Listening to Marco with John, Tony, BIll and Ahman speak about their relationship with their teammates back in the day, nostalgia. They had me getting ready to get back to playing football, with the season coming up.

"Having Lukas with me on this trip, we're both social guys. We're both able to be relatable with the other on the bus."

Murphy enjoyed his final tour as president of the Packers.

"It was a little bit of bittersweet, because I enjoy it so much and it's a great group," he said. "I thought it went well. It was great. We have great fans all over the state now.

"I'll miss it. It's a great tradition and Cathy (Dworak) just does a great job organizing everything. It makes it very easy for all of us."

Friday, April 11, 2025:

The Tailgate Tour's first stop on Day 4 was at West Salem High School, where the group spoke to the 600-member student body in the gymnasium about the school's "P.A.W." initiative and reiterated the tenants of the program: practicing excellence, acting respectfully and with integrity.

"These are crucial things you can do as young people that will help you as you grow older and get into college and your career," said Ahman Green.

Mark Murphy reminded the students that the NFL Draft was coming up in Green Bay and encouraged them to attend. Lukas Van Ness did make a mention of the NFL One Pass app as a way to register and prepare for the draft.

"Make sure you download the app and register," he advised.

And speaking of the draft, Murphy took the opportunity to recognize a key member of the Packers' personnel team, director of football operations Milt Hendrickson, who grew up and started his football career as a coach in southwestern Wisconsin. Murphy then introduced Milt's daughter, Avalyn, who attends West Salem.

As the tour continued its way north toward Wausau, the group made a visit to the Stoney River Assisted Living home in Marshfield and played bingo with the residents and their families and also handed out prizes to the winners.

"Today brought smiles and so much joy to all," exclaimed Sarah Krenn, executive director of the facility. "With the Packers coming to our residents, families and team members were able to celebrate together and have their beloved Packers join them with an afternoon of fun."

The next stop continued what has become a tradition on the Tailgate Tour, a tour of an iconic Wisconsin company, with this one being the Weinbrenner Shoe Co. in Marshfield. The players and staff enjoyed seeing the craftsmanship and pride that goes into each of the Thorogood boots that get produced at the company that dates back to 1892.

The evening's event, located at the impressive Crystal Training Institute Sports Complex in Mosinee, Wis., benefitted Patriot K9s of Wisconsin, an organization that helps veterans win the war against suicide, depression and anxiety by empowering them with the use of a service dog and connecting them to the resources they need to improve their daily lives.

Founded in Wausau in 2017, the organization provides education and training of service dogs for qualifying veterans/service members at no charge.

The event included an impactful video with testimonials from veterans who had received dogs, followed by a procession of veterans and their dogs in attendance.

The moment left an impression with John Michels.

"I really enjoyed seeing the impact that these animals can have and make a life better," said Michels. "I had no idea that there was that high a rate of veteran suicide in the United States, particularly in the state of Wisconsin. The impact that these animals can have to literally transform lives and give new hope when people's lives have challenges is awesome."

The event succeeded in telling that story, according to Patriot K9s executive director Lani Rethaber.

"I hope that this shines a big light on what we do for our veterans," he said. "I know people will understand more about our veterans, and how having service dogs can be so helpful for them."

Rethaber was also stunned at the surprise $25,000 donation the Packers made to the organization at the event.

"It's awesome," he said. "I'd like to buy a dog and name it, 'Packer,' and train it, and would love to tag you guys on it every time."

Thursday, April 10, 2025:

Day 3 began with an impressive breakfast spread at the Edgewater Hotel on the shores of Lake Mendota as the Packers' corporate partnership sales and activations team hosted a gathering for Packers sponsors. Sports radio host Mike Heller, who appears on Packers Radio Network flagship station 97.3 The Game, moderated Q&A sessions with the tour group. From the guys sharing their draft day stories to Bill Schroeder joking about his current gameday duties as an NFL uniform inspector, the event was a great way to kick off what Murphy referred to as "hump day" halfway through the tour.

After a 40-minute bus ride, the team arrived at "the promised land" – Culver's corporate headquarters. Employees at the Prairie du Sac building had their calendars blocked for a custard social (with the calendar invite coming from Scoopie, of course) and were told they did not want to miss this one. They were all surprised to see the Tailgate Tour bus pulling into the parking lot.

The Wisconsin fast casual staple is a valued Packers partner and boasts 151 locations in Wisconsin alone. They've grown to have over 1,000 locations throughout the country, spreading appreciation for frozen custard and cheese curds nationwide.

After saying hello to founder Craig Culver, greeting employees and sharing some custard, the guys got a chance visit the Culvers test kitchen and make their own Butterburgers, complete with smashed patties, toasted buns and all the fixings. "I'm a professional," Lukas Van Ness said, feeling satisfied as he flipped his burger on the grill.

Culver's, along with the Packers, was also involved with the acclaimed film "Green and Gold," which was just released earlier this year and follows the heartfelt story of a Wisconsin dairy farmer and a bet he makes on the 1993 Packers team. The film is available to rent and stream everywhere starting April 15.

The tour participants spent their next couple of stops recounting their favorite NFL moments, starting at Mauston High School, where they met with 500 students.

Van Ness recounted beating the Dallas Cowboys as the first-ever No. 7 seed to win a playoff game during the 2023 season. Tucker Kraft told the story of his 66-yard touchdown reception last season against the Rams in Los Angeles, stiff arm and all.

Conversation eventually turned to the draft, of course, with students eager to ask Murphy whom the team would be selecting. Murphy took the opportunity to encourage everyone to attend the draft in Green Bay and remind the students that the Packers tend to select the best available player – can't go spoiling any draft day secrets!

The reminiscing continued at the next stop, Volk Field Air National Guard Base. Ahman Green recalled one play among his favorites when he ran 98 yards for a touchdown against Denver in 2003 to help clinch a playoff spot, complete with a Lambeau Leap.

The guys had the opportunity to thank the servicemen and women for what they do and learn more about their daily routines at Volk Field, which is a military airport located near the Village of Camp Douglas in Juneau County.

Another stop at a school followed, with a visit to the Timberwolves of Tomah High School. Nearly 900 students heard from the group about respect and reliability, with Murphy presenting a check to the school for $2,500. The players also took part in a friendly game of lightning with some of the members of the boys and girls basketball teams, with one of their Special Olympics basketball players making it from half court.

The night ended with a fundraiser at Stoney Creek Hotel in Onalaska to benefit the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse. The food bank coordinates donations from approximately 520 donors and food drives, collecting and distributing food to over 120 meal sites, food pantries, youth programs and outreach sites in La Crosse, Vernon, Trempealeau, Crawford and Monroe Counties in Wisconsin, Houston and Winona Counties in Minnesota, and Allamakee County in Iowa.

"It was absolutely awesome to see the fans come out to see their favorite players, have the chance to win jerseys and helmets, grab some tailgate food and drink and enjoy the camaraderie that only our Packers can provide," said Shelly Fortner, executive director of Hunger Task Force. "Many thanks go out to the fans, the awesome players who gave so freely of their time, retiring President Mark Murphy for his humor and insight, and the Packers organization staff who work so hard to make these events successful.

"The Packers certainly do Give Back. The Hunger Task Force is so very grateful for the opportunity to host this event and the proceeds raised will go a very long way in alleviating hunger in the communities we serve."

The sold-out event was an enormous success, with the Packers donating $25,000 to the cause to end the night.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Day 2 of the 2025 Tailgate Tour began at the Milwaukee VA Fisher House, a short drive from the hotel where the group stayed downtown. According to manager Torrie Hutchison, there are 99 Fisher Houses across the country, all affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals. The Milwaukee location offers 16 suites of varying layouts to accommodate single travelers or larger families, at no cost to them.

It's intended to provide a nearby home away from home for families of veterans receiving care at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, only a few blocks away.

"All of our families live more than 50 miles away and they need to be close to that loved one," Hutchison said. "It is proven that a veteran will get discharged from the hospital faster because they have that support with them. It's a place where (the families) can come and have a little respite themselves after they've spent 12 hours at the hospital."

She said guests can be there anywhere from one day to several months, with the longest stay at the facility totaling 191 days so the guest could support their loved one throughout their time at the hospital.

The tour group got a chance to visit with family members and thank several veterans who were able to take a short time away from the hospital to mingle with the Packers.

The next stop was Friends with Food, a food pantry in Waukesha. The pantry started back in 2020 during the pandemic, when founder Rochelle Gamauf started sharing spaghetti dinners and other items with friends and people she knew who were in need.

Friends with Food board vice president Chris Schaefer felt compelled to contribute to the pantry's community building efforts.

"My family grew up a little poor, had government assistance and WIC," he said. "Being from Waukesha, it was near and dear to my heart. This is my community that I live in. And now, it's on a grander scale. Two days a week, we have an open pantry. The cool thing about Friends with Food is that you don't have to prove that you're under a certain income level. If you're in need, there's no shame, there's no stigma. You just come in and get food."

The pantry serves about 400 families a week and gave over a million pounds of food away last year.

Mark Murphy, the players and alumni spent time passing out food and loading up the carts with the families coming through, taking photos and sharing laughs.

Packers sponsor Meijer also joined in the fun, with several of their employees stopping by to present a $5,000 check to the pantry to go toward serving their clients in need.