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BARON A. ANDERSON I can think of no person more deserving to be elected to the Packer Fan Hall of Fame than my late brother Baron Anderson of Oswego, Illinois. Baron was a special person whose enthusiasm and enjoyment of life was contagious. A life long diabetic, he always sensed his time was limited and as a result made every effort to savor the time he had. Baron spent the majority of his 52 years celebrating and enjoying his beloved Green Bay Packers. He loved the spirit, the heritage and the uniqueness of the franchise. The football world recognizes that Packer great, Brett Favre, possesses that undefinable "something" that shows his love of the game. Baron had that same special "something" that showed his love of the Green Bay Packer franchise. You saw it in his animation when he talked about them, his dedication to them, and you felt it when you were with him. Packer fan or not, you could not help having fun experiencing him enjoy his team. Just as Favre has fun playing the game, Baron had fun being a Packer fan. There was never any meanness toward misguided opponents, just that happy aura about him, that telegraphed to everyone around him how great it was to be a Packer fan. There was never any doubt that Baron was a Packer fan. He rejoiced in wearing his huge wardrobe of Packer clothing everywhere. When traveling he could easily be mistaken for one of the coaches. He loved to banter with the folks who commented on his outfits, always smiled, and always had the last word about his team. He could spot every other Packer shirt in a crowd, happily point the person out and proclaim with pride "See, there's another one. We're everywhere". Baron was lucky enough to make it to a few games at Lambeau. He made sure my boys (his nephews) got there with him and nurtured along the family's next generation of Packer fans. How he loved it! After the renovation he made a trip there to experience it and to visit his "brick". I was lucky enough to make my first trip to Lambeau with my brother and our spouses in 2005. It was an experience I will always cherish. To see him in that place he loved was so very special. He reveled in every aspect of the day. His enthusiasm was contagious to all around him. Just as Favre comes alive on the football field Baron came alive enjoying his Packers and the town of Green Bay. He would ask every so often "Can you feel it? The air is different here. It's like no other place". It was impossible not to catch the excitement from him. Now that Baron is gone I have tried to find a way to honor his memory and his unique spirit. When I read about the Packers Fan Hall of Fame I knew that I had found the answer. Like so many fans he had the clothing, the trinkets, the home decor, etc. But the most important thing he had was that special something that symbolizes everything that is right and good about a fan and his team. He had the true Packer spirit. If he is selected for this honor, hisshareholder's voice will be heard forever in the Packer Fan Hall of Fame, where it belongs, saying "Can you feel it? The air is different here. It's like no other place". What could top that? Submitted by his sister, Kim Anderson Mathena. |
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