MIKE ARNDT
Bolingbrook, IL

Whether it's FOX, MNF or though the static of AM-620, Mike is possibly the most animated person during a Packers game. Growing up, we'd rather hear the loud, steady clap signifying a Packers score, than the eruption of choice words during the disappointing moments. During a game, Mike has never shied away from wearing his emotions on his sleeve and is forever proud to sport the Packers logo, despite living in the Chicago suburbs since his family's relocation in 1969.

Born in 1959, Mike was raised in South Milwaukee during the Lombardi era. Since relocating, he has been overrun by Bears fans (friends and in-laws alike), and has endured their relentless ridiculing through the Packers' droughts of the 1970's and 80's, all while remaining a faithful "cheesehead."

Mike raised three children into diehard Packers fans while living I the heart of "Bears" country. Quite possibly his greatest accomplishment as a fan, was successfully converting his wife of 26 years to a Packers fan despite her upbringing in downtown Chicago. She remains a loyal Packers fan today, earrings and all!

This year for Halloween, I will again be a Packers football player. When my brother and I were four years old, Dad dressed us up as Packers players and had our picture put on a fake magazine cover, still one of my favorite photographs today. A few years later, we took a family camping trip to Door County, specifically planned so we could visit the Packer HOF.

Mike has never been to a game at the coveted Lambeau Field, although he has been to games at Milwaukee County Stadium. Not one to forget his boys, he would always return with starting line-ups of James Lofton and other Packers players. On Halloween in 1994, he took us to the Monday Night Football game at Soldier Field when the Packers trounced the Bears 33-6. We stayed through the final horn amidst the rain, sleet and snow.

Mike's "Packers" wardrobe includes countless t-shirts, jerseys, hats, underwear, and even some zubaz pants, not to mention jackets, blankets, flags, and copious trinkets. My favorite among his Packers shirts say: "Nitschke Never Wore an Earring," and "Starr Never Did a Sneaker Ad."

There couldn't possibly be a better candidate than someone who bred four diehard Packers fans in the heart of Bears territory during a time when the Packers suffered through many losing seasons. For goodness sakes, he mutes the TV and tunes into the Packer Radio Network!

Submitted by his son, Andrew Arndt.