Hello fellow Packer Fans!

Spent this last Sunday in Grand Chute, WI. at Fox Cities Stadium for the Annual Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game.

Before we start with the festivities, there are a few people I need to thank. First is a big thank you to Stephanie Kite of the Bruno Events Team. Stephanie was the director of this event and was generous enough to grant  me and my assistant Mark Vento Media credentials for the game.  My only regret is that I didn't get to meet her and thank her in person and maybe ask her a few questions for this article.

Secondly, many thanks to Nikki Klipperton the Director of Community and Media relations for the Wisconsin Timberrattlers. Nikki was the press liason for the event. Nikki as well as the rest of the staff of Fox Cities Stadium were very gracious hosts and made us feel warm and welcome.It may be a Minor League ballpark but it sure dosen't look it. And the staff is Major League caliber. Thanks again.

Third I would like to thank the 8000+ who came out  and supported a very worthwhile project. The Brett Favre Fourward Foundation wouldn't be nearly as successful without you. And last but not least, the two people who started this whole thing, Brett & Deanna Favre. Their tireless charitable efforts make you proud to have them as part of the Green Bay Packer family.I hope they keep having this event for a while so I can get a chance to interview them. But I understand that at an event like this they only have so much time.

Unfortunately because of a camera malfunction we weren't able to get pictures but I did get three awesome interviews with newly acquired LB Ben Taylor, Safety Nick Collins, and Guard Junius Coston that are coming up later in the article.I also got to meet a man by the name of Earl Schmoll who works at Rawhide boys ranch. He coordinated the color guard that presented the colors at home plate for the national anthem. When you get a chance to meet and talk to people like Earl who dedicate themselves to helping these kids you are really meeting one of the many unsung heroes that go unnoticed at an event like this. I'm glad I noticed.

A big hello to WTMJ's new sports guy David Marcus. David just moved here from Dallas and is really enjoying being not only being in Milwaukee, but in Wisconsin as well. You wouldn't think a TV guy would give the time of day to an interent reporter but Dave is a real good guy.  If you get a chance to meet him give him a smile and make him feel even more welcome.

And before I forget, Hello to Lori Nickel from the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel. Lori is a very good sports columnist and an all around nice person. She was very warm and engaging to all of us media no matter who we were.

Now on to the on field action. In the 3 inning exhibition game between the Bergstrom Blasters and the Packers All-Stars,  the Pack got hammered 9-4. Pitcher Najeh Davenport got pounded for 6 of the 9 runs while Robert Ferguson got nailed for the other 3. The only bright spot was the 2 solo home runs by Corey Williams and Donald Driver in the bottom of the 3rd to try and make a game of it. Driver is another one that I would truly love to interview. The man just has so much fun and  is so much  fun to be around.

Then came the marquee match-up, The Offense vs. The Defense. To say that the defense was defenseless in this game would be putting it mildly. The final score was 29-14 but believe me it could have been worse. KGB was ROCKED for 9 runs in the first 2 innings while his offensive counterpart, LS Thomas Gafford was brilliant in victory. Tom has a chance to be Rob Davis's back-up. If he snaps as well as he pitches that position will be solid for seasons to come. The offense racked up over 12 Home Runs ( I stopped keeping count when the score got to be 19-4) . Rookie QB Ingle Martin had 3 homers to lead the offense with many of his teammates including the host himself taking the D long and gone. In a sense of fair play the offense played with only a pitcher, 2 infielders, 2 ourtfielders, and a catcher in the bottomof the 7th but the defense could only muster 3 runs.

After the game a huge water balloon/Super soaker/silly string war erupted. But the thing that impressed me the most was the generousity of the players. Before, during and after the game they interacted with, signed autographs, and generally had a ton of fun with the fans. Robert Ferguson came out to play right field in the 3rd inning and promptly pulled out a Super soaker and got the fans in the stands and the media in the right field bullpen. Those overgrown squirt guns were everywhere on the field. But then the rough housing stopped and

I got a chance to do my 3 interviews. I have typed them verbatim and I hope you enjoy them.

First up LB Ben Taylor.
 JB: Ben,How do you like being here so Far?
Taylor: "I love it.There are a lot of good people out here for a celebrity softball game. It's a great atmosphere and a really good time and a lot of fun."

JB: How are things going in camp so far?
Taylor:  "Not too bad you know. Just getting reps and trying to learn the defense I think things are going pretty good."

JB: What are you looking forward to personally this year?
Taylor:  "To be a winner. You know in Cleveland my past couple of years we haven't been able to win anything and you know whatever the record was here last year they got talent up here there's no doubting that and get back to winning and being on a championship team.    

Next up: Nick Collins.
JB: Nick, What are you looking forward to your second year?
NC: I'm Looking forward to getting better and  go out and help my team more playing more aggressive. Being where I need to be at all the time so they depend on me more so I'm out here trying to be a I'm leader so, it's great .I"m working hard."

JB: When you came into camp last year did you expect to be startring right away?
NC:  "  No Not really. Just came in here competing for a job and it worked out for the best. I just thank God for giving me the opprotunity to come out here and show my talent for the Green Bay Packers."

JB:  Do you have any personal goals for this year?
NC: " My personal goals for this year are 6 picks and  the Pro Bowl."   

Last but not least Junius Coston. Before I get into the interview I would like to share an observation with you. Junius was standing by the corner of the 3rd base side dugout for about an hour after the game and just autographed everything and anything the fans put in front of him. Then he took time with me for the interview. And then he went to the 1st base dugout to get into the locker room and signed even more before he finally left the field. This man refused no one! He was truly a pleasure to interview and even more of a pleasure to watch him conduct himself with the fans.

 JB: How does it feel to be competeing for a starting job in your second year?
JC: " It feels pretty  good. I had a rough year my rookie year. I had to sit out and I never really did  that before, so it feels really good to be able compete and see what I can do out there."

JB:  How does Coach Mac's new system look?
JC: " It looks pretty good as an o-line and an offense we're getting used to it. I think we'll be pretty good at it."

JB: Any personal goals you set for youself this year?
JC:  "Just Play. I feel like if I play and go out and do what I got to do technique wise everything will fall into place."

There you have it gang. An event well worth attending and covering. If Brett & Deanna come back next year to put on this game  and you have never been to it make it a point to get there. It's well worth the admission and the trip. And if you are hungry after the game, I highly recommend Hudson's Classic Cafe. It's on the main road to the stadium on your way back to HWY.41. Awesome burgers and fries. And a friendly staff to boot. Until next time Packer fans.......SEEEEE YAAAAAA!!!!!