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'm excited to get into your questions from last month. It is hard to believe that after tomorrow we only have four weeks remaining in the regular season. We are currently 8-3-1 and I'm confident our team is ready for the home stretch. Our last five games include three divisional games which will be pivotal.
On a personal note, I always enjoy this time of year around Lambeau Field. From the ice rink and tubing hill in Titletown to the Winter Jubilee Light Show and some of our fans donning blaze orange instead of their traditional green and gold. While the Winter Jubilee is a personal favorite, Titletown is bustling with countless holiday activities this time of year, and it is hard to go wrong. Whether you want to skate with Santa or enjoy fireside drinks, the neighborhood is a great place for family fun and activities for all ages.
Besides the festivities, I enjoy the renewed sense of giving during the holiday season, and it is great to see our players, staff, and organization continually finding ways to give back during this time of the year. During the season when the players are extremely busy, I find it extra special that our players use their limited free time to give back to our community through events like bell ringing with the Salvation Army.
Let's get to your questions!
Joe from Wauwatosa, WI
Hi Mr. Policy, As the only nonprofit and community-owned sports team in the county, the Packers have a longstanding history of community engagement and philanthropy. With the holiday season finally here, I was wondering which players have stood out this season for their actions off the field, and if you think there are any frontrunners for the nomination for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award?
Hey Joe, thanks for the question. You are right, we take a lot of pride in the time and energy our team and staff give back to our community. As you may have seen, Jordan Love was announced as our 2025 club winner for Walter Payton Man of the Year earlier this week. It is great to see Jordan honored as I've seen him dedicate countless hours to Wisconsin and Bakersfield nonprofits. He has been a steadfast advocate for mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and stronger relationships between youth and law enforcement. His time volunteering has driven him to start his own nonprofit, Hands of 10ve, which empowers children to participate in sports, raises awareness around mental health, and fosters stronger relationships between law enforcement and our communities. Jordan and many of our players spend time in Green Bay giving back to our community. In fact, earlier this week, Jordan and his teammates surprised local kids with a shopping spree on behalf of Hands of 10ove. A few weeks ago, many of our players spent time giving 1,100 coats to those in need in our community through Better Days Mentoring. In early November, to kick off Salute to Service month, our players traded in helmets for hard hats as they joined Habitat for Humanity to build a local home together. Over the holiday season our organization always looks to give back whether it is bell ringing for the Salvation Army, shopping with players, or meal delivery on Thanksgiving.
Jesse from Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hello Mr. Policy, I am 17 and a huge fan of the Packers, have been my whole life. Thank you for stepping into Mr. Murphy's shoes so well. My question is what has been the most unexpected challenge in your new role and why? Thanks. (P.S. When reading last month's column, the jerseys were brought up and I have to say I love our uniforms, I love that they are still retro, even though I am a teenager! And your foreshadowing of maybe a new jersey has me so, so excited!)
Thanks for the insightful question, Jesse, and the ringing endorsement of our uniforms. I'm extremely proud of how well-prepared I have felt for this role and there have been generally few unexpected challenges. Growing up around football and then spending the majority of my career around the game I've grown to have a deep understanding of the ups and downs in a season. That being said, I don't know if anything can prepare you for the deep level of responsibility I feel for the franchise and our community to deliver results. I have been with the Packers for over 13 years, and just as I was beginning to think that the outcome of a game couldn't possibly mean more to me, it means more!
Jordan from Lake Geneva, WI
Hey Ed, Like any good Packers fan, I'm planning the timing of my Thanksgiving around the Packers game. As you know, a lot of work goes into cooking a Thanksgiving meal (which is partly why I'm happy we have the noon kickoff), but not every dish is worth the effort. Is turkey, for example, really worth the amount of time it takes to defrost, brine, and cook? I'm not sure. On the other hand, is the extra few minutes it takes to make real cranberry sauce a better ROI than just eating the canned crap? I think so. What's your take on Thanksgiving meals? Is there anything you think it's safe to cut corners on? Most importantly, what's the dish you're always going for seconds for? Thanks for taking the question. I'm counting on you to make sure Detroit doesn't steal Jordan Love's turkey leg again...
Thanks for the question, Jordan, and I appreciate you standing up for our Jordan's turkey leg of years past. Glad he got one again last Thursday! I also enjoy your detailed color commentary on Thanksgiving meal logistics. Generally speaking, I love a traditional Thanksgiving meal. While we've played on Thanksgiving semi-regularly as of late, when we don't play there is something special about the family coming together around the table for good food, friendship, and obviously football. You won't be surprised to know that I'm usually more focused on picking a wine for dinner and watching some football than the ins and outs of the menu. All that being said, I find it easier to equate assembling a Thanksgiving meal to assembling a winning roster on a football team:
Turkey – Quarterback. Every team needs one. You need to select wisely, take your time developing and basting them. You aren't going to go pick just any turkey and not brine it, baste it, or properly cook it.
Mashed potatoes – Offensive line. They are not glamorous or flashy. But they are solid, grounded, and absolutely necessary to achieve success.
Stuffing – Tight ends. Versatile and important. Sometimes blocking, sometimes catching passes.
Gravy – Defensive line/Linebackers. Often overlooked side that frequently saves the day. If the other team's turkey and mashed potatoes aren't having a good day, our gravy will be all over them.
Pies – Receivers/Running backs. They come in many different forms and flavors, and the best ones really wow you. They really put points, er calories, up on the board.
Cranberry sauce – Defensive backs. You have a reputation for talking the loudest, but you have to stand up for yourself because everyone has an opinion on you!
Rolls – Specialists (Kickers/Punters/Long snappers). Everyone makes you a little different, but your job responsibilities are clear, and nobody can do your job like you.
Bradley from Holland, MI
How much do fans truly impact the game at Lambeau Field?
Our fans have an enormous impact on the game. But you don't have to take my word for it. After our game in Pittsburgh their quarterback mentioned that he had to use silent count because our fans travelled so well. Following the Commanders game, Coach LaFleur reiterated that: "Just want to give a big shoutout to the crowd. That was the best crowd that I've been a part of in seven years here. Definitely felt a ton of energy in the stadium. The whiteout was amazing. And they were loud. Certainly, I think our guys feed off that."
I always appreciate that fans also know the drill. Make noise, get loud on defense and be quiet on offense.
Jon from Charlottesville, VA
Hi Ed, How did your wife Christy and immediate family help get you to where you are today with the Green Bay Packers?
In 2012 when I accepted the job with the Packers, Christy and I moved here from New York City with our two young sons. Apart from choosing each other, that was the best decision that we have made for our family. We have been able to embrace a community that embraces us back even stronger. When we moved here, Christy gave up her job as an executive director of a nonprofit in New York City. Since then, she has supported our family and our community in immeasurable ways. She now contributes her time and talent to local organizations like Family Services/Willow Tree, the Weidner Center at UW-Green Bay, and the GRACE school system. That's a long way of saying that, without her endless support of our family, this community, and ultimately this organization, I wouldn't be where I am today.
