From POGO-
“Something big is going to be happening in Green Bay.
Players have been riding kid’s bikes to practice during
pre-season since 1958.
This year is going to be different, with a football arriving
by ferry from Michigan to Milwaukee. From there, it will
be transported by bicycle to Green Bay. From there, it may
be handed off between players riding kid’s bikes to practice
as a special memory for the city, team, and all those kids
that will be there.
It’s always nice to see something being done to make kids happy.”
The Green Bay Packers’ annual tradition is traveling a little bit farther this year — and getting started a bit earlier.
Green Bay will officially be counting down the days until it hosts the 2025 NFL Draft starting next week with a ceremonial draft handoff, partially delivered via bicycle, from Michigan to Wisconsin set to take place on Tuesday, the Packers announced Thursday.
The ceremony will begin with a themed football arriving in Milwaukee from Detroit via the Lake Express Ferry in Muskegon, Michigan, which will then be carried north to it’s final destination in Green Bay, where a countdown clock to next year’s draft is set to be unveiled at the Lambeau Field Atrium.
The first-of-its-kind event lightly borrows from the Olympics and the Super Bowl customs, with a themed football taking place of a torch or trophy. How the keepsake makes its journey through a state steeped in pro football tradition will also pay homage to a longtime Packers tradition.
A special bike ride aptly named “Pedal to the Draft” will help transport the themed football to Green Bay, paying tribute to the Packers’ training camp tradition in which young fans in attendance offer their bikes for players to ride from the locker room to the practice field — a ritual that began in 1958 and continues to this day. The special journey is also set to emphasize the bikeability of Wisconsin through its trails and roadways, making brief stops at several prominent locations along the way.
“The Green Bay Packers are honored to bring the energy and excitement of the NFL draft to Wisconsin as we step up preparations to host the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “Football fans from around the country and world will be making their way to Green Bay to attend the NFL draft and appreciate the history and traditions of the Packers. They’ll also get to experience all that the state of Wisconsin has to offer and the Pedal To The Draft is a fun way to get us started and celebrate both.”
Green Bay was selected to be the 2025 NFL Draft’s host site in late May. Following Detroit’s successful hosting of the 2024 NFL Draft, which saw a record-breaking 700,000-plus fans attending the event, Titletown is looking to kick things off the most appropriate way it can.
great to hear!!
class act. not like the 49ers and other “pc” teams who have “male” cheerleaders
Who knows. Green Bay Packers may be starting a new tradition where a symbolic football is sent to the next Draft location.
Another little known fact. Packers cheerleaders are actually college students selected for each home game. This was adopted in 1988.
Pro Football in Green Bay is sports I can endorse! It just seems different.
Weren’t these guys kneeling not too long ago?
I 100% agree with a democratic socialist for the first time in my life. How quickly people forget and re-embrace a clown sport
More Bread and Circuses for the masses.
NFL Millionaires ride children bikes, for what?
One thing about the Green Bay Packers … they are publicly owned. They created a non-profit corp. in 1923. I think that’s why the cheeseheads are such rabid fans. They really are “their” team.