GREEN BAY -- The Green Bay Packers will take on the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field in the first home Thanksgiving game since 1923 on Thursday, November 26th.
It will be a special night in Titletown, because Brett Favre's name and retired No. 4 will be unveiled on Lambeau Field's north facade during halftime of the game. Favre is one of six Packers legends to have their number retired: Don Hutson, 14; Tony Canadeo, 3; Bart Starr, 15; Ray Nitschke, 66; and Reggie White, 92.
As for the game itself, Packers.com indicates Thursday will mark game No. 192 in the NFL’s oldest rivalry. The Bears hold a 93-92-6 edge in the series, which includes two playoff games (1-1). Even so, the Packers have won six of the last seven meetings against the Bears at Lambeau Field.
Under Head Coach Mike McCarthy, the Packers are 14-6 against the Bears during the regular and postseason, including wins in 10 of the last 11 games. In all but one of the 14 wins under McCarthy, Green Bay has scored at least 20 points, including scoring 30-plus points in each of the last four contests (31, 55, 38, 33).
Green Bay is in the midst of a four-game stretch against division opponents, with all four games taking place in the span of 19 days. It is the first time Green Bay has played four straight games against division opponents in a single season since 2000 (Weeks 14-17).
Lambeau Field is ready for Thursday night’s Packers-Bears game, marking the first Thanksgiving game ever played at Lambeau Field and the Packers’ first time hosting a Thanksgiving game since 1923.
Former Packers quarterback Brett Favre will be honored on the field Thursday in a special ceremony at halftime, as his name and retired No. 4 is unveiled on Lambeau Field’s north façade alongside other retired Packers numbers. This ceremony will be nationally televised, live on NBC.
Favre, one of the most enduring players in Packers history, played quarterback for 16 seasons for the Green and Gold (1992-2007) and finished his Packers career with 442 passing touchdowns, 61,655 passing yards, 5,377 completions and 8,758 attempts – all NFL records at the time. Possessor of legendary durability, Favre’s 253-game starting streak with the Packers is one of pro sport’s most respected accomplishments. His 16 seasons matched Bart Starr (1956-71) for the longest tenure in team history.
As the game takes place on Thanksgiving, fans tailgating at Lambeau Field are reminded that only grill cooking with charcoal or propane is permitted. Packers’ policy states that recreational fires, open flames and fryers are prohibited in all Lambeau Field parking lots, including those surrounding the stadium.
Parking lots will open at 3:30 p.m. Visit http://www.packers.com/gameday/lambeau-field-a-to-z-guide.html#t for more information regarding tailgating regulations.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is also reminding those traveling to Lambeau Field on Thursday that additional traffic due to holiday travelers and hunters will cause increased delays and congestion on I-41 and WIS 172. With rainy and snowy weather in the forecast, and continued construction projects, motorists should be extra cautious and allow plenty of time to reach their destination.
Fans seated in the stadium bowl are asked to arrive early and help turn Lambeau Field into a ring of stars and stripes during the national anthem by participating in the fan card stunt.
Game attendees will find a card taped to their seat with directions indicating when to hold it up and which side to have facing up. Fans will be prompted by a group at the bottom of each section holding up cue cards. The cards also will be used to display a second message to honor Brett Favre following the anthem.
Prior to kickoff, the High School Quarterback Challenge competition on the field will feature players from Ashwaubenon High School and Notre Dame High School.
Chris Lucas and Preston Brust from the country music duo LoCash will perform the national anthem. Chief Warrant Officer Ryan Hendrix and his family will be honored through Operation Fan Mail on the field prior to the anthem.
Two featured alumni are scheduled to make appearances before the game at various locations. Frank Winters and Marco Rivera will be taking part in fan activities at the Lambeau Field Atrium on Wednesday, and at the Tundra Tailgate Zone and Legends Club leading up to kickoff.
Also on Thursday is the premier gameday tailgate party in the Tundra Tailgate Zone (TTZ), which will open at 3:30 p.m., along with the Lambeau Field parking lot.
Fans will receive Brett Favre flags, compliments of Bellin Health, Mills Fleet Farm and Cenex, as the game giveaway as they enter the stadium.
The Lambeau Field Atrium and guest services desk will open at 2 p.m. for ticketed guests only, and gates to the seating areas will open at 5:30 p.m.