Unlikely Packer fan

As if my general sports fascination doesn't raise enough eyebrows, I also happen to be a Packer fan. I'm Persian, Jewish, female, a native New Yorker from the Upper East Side—it always requires explanation. (The short version: old friend from Wisconsin, love of tradition, sucker for the concept of community ownership, obviously Brett Favre, and so on). I have a regulation helmet that I keep at my side when I watch games. I've seen them play twice at the Meadowlands (including the day Michael Strahan had his oft-debated record-breaking sack). And there's even documentary evidence of me wearing a Cheesehead—in front of Giants Stadium no less, a bold move with New York fans around.

I'm still devoted to my hometown teams, and until yesterday, it hasn't been too profound a conflict. But last night as I screamed in relief after the Giants miraculously upset the Cowboys in another nail-biter, I had to come to terms with the fact that I'll actually be rooting *against* my local team going to the Super Bowl. The possibility had been looming for weeks, but the G-men are notorious heartbreakers so it seemed remote. (In the interests of full disclosure, I should mention that it's the fever pitch of emotion caused by the anticipation of this game that prompted me to start channeling my zeal into this blog. In fact, it's likely that the NFL in general, and the packers specifically, will be my focus, at least through February 3rd.)

Now all I can think about is the NFC Championship at historic (and hopefully snowy) Lambeau, how I can scheme to get there, and how I can assuage my guilt over rooting for the Packers. Every argument I come up with, I can counter. It may be Favre's last year, but how many more chances will Strahan have to secure a ring? The Pack's young team has surprised everyone and created a football fairy tale; but the Giants have defied all expectation as well—shouldn't I get behind their unlikely success too? The Pack seems more capable of beating the likely AFC Champs, the Patriots whom I detest; but then again, what about the old adage: "Any given Sunday?"

Maybe I have to just think of it as a bittersweet win/win situation....