Mike McCarthy gets emotional as Ashwaubenon Village Board votes to name a street after him

ASHWAUBENON (AP) — There's Lombardi Avenue, Brett Favre Pass and Donald Driver Way. Now, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy is set to get his own street name near Lambeau Field.

The Ashwaubenon Village Board voted Tuesday night, July 22nd to change part of Potts Avenue to Mike McCarthy Way. The village will negotiate with the Packers on defraying the costs associated with a change of address.

The name change could take a year to implement in order to give businesses time to sell off supplies which bear the old street address. Local officials insisted the street carry McCarthy's first name as well to avoid any confusion with former Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

An emotional Mike McCarthy on Wednesday said he's honored to join other Packers' elite who have a street named after them near Lambeau Field.

"It's been fun and I'm really looking forward to the years ahead," McCarthy said.

In what he believes to be the middle of his run as Packers Head Coach, McCarthy says his new street is a reflection of his team's accomplishments.

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't look forward to coming into work. I actually ride down Potts Avenue on a daily basis," McCarthy said.

In a few months, Potts Avenue will become Mike McCarthy Way. The Packers have agreed to help cover businesses' cost of changing letterheads, signs, and business cards.

"You walk around other NFL stadiums -- you don't see streets named after players and coaches. I think it's something that really does help the community and we want to be supportive of everybody in the community," Packers General Manager Mike Murphy said.

The effort to name a street after McCarthy began after he led the Packers to victory in the Super Bowl three years ago.

"It's obvious it's the right street when it intersects with Bart Starr Drive, Holmgren Way, and it's parallel to Lombardi Avenue," Ashwaubenon Village President Mike Aubinger said.

McCarthy says the honor wouldn't be possible without his family, players and the team's general manager.

"Ted Thompson, the opportunity for partnership, I wouldn't be here without you," McCarthy said.

Now that his legacy has been cemented with a street, McCarthy has his sights set on another road. It starts Saturday with training camp, and ends in February at Super Bowl 49.

"All streets that lead to Lambeau Field eventually lead to championships, so thank you for being here today and we'll see you in Arizona," McCarthy said.

Village President Mike Aubinger says the only cost to taxpayers will be changing the street signs. He says that will be no more than $1,000.