Packers fans rally ahead of Sunday's big match-up, builds "energy for the game"
GREEN BAY (WITI) -- Green Bay Packers fans are counting down the hours until Sunday's match-up with the Dallas Cowboys. For those that couldn't wait to get the pre-game festivities started though, the Packers hosted a pep rally Saturday night at Lambeau Field.
“We are excited that fans have an opportunity to cheer on the Packers in a home playoff game again this year,” said Gabrielle Dow, Packers vice president of marketing and fan engagement. “Our fans have helped to create an electric atmosphere at home all season, and with this pep rally, we can build on that energy for the game on Sunday.”
No matter your age, scoring tickets to the Packers vs. Cowboys divisional playoff game is very exciting.
10-year-old Emma Matus comes from a house divided: The family has two Packers backers and two Cowboys fans.
"I'm originally from California and I been a Cowboys fan since I been in the fifth grade. Obviously a lot older, but my son here has been a huge Packers fan because of his grandpa. His grandfather's a big Packers fan," said Drayton Matus, football fan from Atlanta.
Only half of the Matus family will leave happy on Sunday. The family trekked north from Atlanta to be at Sunday's game. FOX6 News found them and other Lambeau first-timers checking out the Vince Lombardi statue outside the stadium Saturday night.
"Awesome stadium, everybody we've encountered here in Green Bay and has just been spectacular, down to earth really nice people," said Ray White Jr. and Ray White III, Cowboys fans.
If these two fans traveled with the Cowboys any more, they'd be in the lineup.
"We've traveled all over the United States. We've seen all the Super Bowls, all 3 super bowls, I've seen all the playoff games," said Ray White Jr. and Ray White III.
They're hoping to go see their boys in the Super Bowl, obviously Packers nation is rooting for the opposite. Die-hard fans turned out Saturday night for a pre-game pep rally.
"I decided to come out, I'm at the game it's special because I had family that was at the Ice Bowl so this kind of being the Ice Bowl number two, I wanted to be here and make sure my presence was known. So as soon as I arrived, I had to make sure I was where the most fans were going to be and that's here at the pep rally," said Tyler Frings, Packers fan.
For the hearty Packers fans who stayed out for the pep rally Saturday night, they got a chance to hear from some of the former Packers players who participated in that 1967 Ice Bowl game.