This is The World According to Buchs - Keepin’ it moving since 2003!

ESPN has another of their Top 10 [Fill-In-The-Blank] lists online. This one is The best NFL openers. Number 9 on the list: September 8, 2002, Atlanta at Green Bay. The only time I’ve made the trip up to Lambeau Field.

My dad & his friend John used to have season tickets when the Packers played home games at County Stadium. When they moved all the games back to Green Bay, the Milwaukee ticket holders were allowed to move up there. So, ever since, there have been “Green Bay” games and “Milwaukee” games - 4 each.

About 4 years ago, John, who had been on the full-season ticket waiting list for who-knows-how-long got the chance to upgrade to the full package. He has 2 tickets, and he & dad go together to just about every game. Every now and then, John takes someone else, and a few times, he’s been generous enough to give his ticket to my dad to bring someone else along. The Atlanta/Green Bay game 2 years ago was my turn to go.

It was sweltering hot. 90 degrees on the thermometer, but hotter in the sun. The Packers didn’t look particularily impressive that day. Mike Vick, on the other hand, was unstoppable. I think it was his first regular-season start, or at least the first time he was opening the season as the starter. He looked like Barry Sanders running the ball, plus he could throw.

It was a tight game that went to overtime, but Atlanta had several chances to win in regulation. In particular, a Falcons receiver - Brian Finneran - got behind the defense, was wide open in the end zone… and dropped a ball that landed in his chest.

After the game, as is tradition, we drove over to the casino to pick up my mom and grandmother, who had been there playing blackjack and slots since 9:00 in the morning.