Celebrating Missed Success

Is the new exhibit at the Packers Hall of Fame necessary?

I'm a little confused about the latest addition to the Packers Hall of Fame.

There is no denying that the 2011 Packers were an exciting team to watch. A franchise best 15-1 regular season. A league MVP for Aaron Rodgers. The emergence of Jordy Nelson as a bonafide star. These are just some of the memories that the 2011 season will be remembered for.

So when the Packers Hall of Fame announced their new exhibit commemorating the 2011 season, I was ecstatic that such a great season would be remembered for all time.

Then I got to thinking: what will the 2011 team be remembered for? And is it worth dedicating an entire exhibit to?

Would I remember this team for its high powered offense, capable of scoring basically at will? Or would I remember it as the team which could barely sniff the end zone against a much weaker Chiefs team in Week 14, ending the dream of a perfect season?

Would I remember this team for an unstoppable Aaron Rodgers during the regular season? Or the playoff game against the Giants during which he looked like a good, but not MVP, quarterback?

And thus my confusion. What are we remembering the 2011 season for?

Unfortunately, I will most remember the 2011 season as a season which could have been, rather than a season which was. And that is why I do not see the need to dedicate anything to this season. A great regular season, offset by a failure in the playoffs,  is not something I want to remember much.

Don't get me wrong, I think the Packers Hall of Fame is great. A nirvana for Packers history set right in the midst of heaven on earth for Packers fans, it is a must visit for me every time I am in Green Bay. And chances are I will walk through the new exhibit they have put together. However, I will more than likely think about the missed opportunity for back to back  Super Bowl championships, rather than remember the terrific regular season this team put together while walking through it.

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Comments (5)

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Carol's picture

May 31, 2012 at 01:04 pm

I so agree John...it will always be "the season we could have..."

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JohnRehor's picture

June 03, 2012 at 05:38 am

Unfortunately, it's not the first season like that, and undoubtedly won't be the last.

Sigh...

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foundinidaho's picture

May 31, 2012 at 01:14 pm

I have to agree, John. I mean, it was a great season, but really what I think about is sitting in Lambeau in January and how devastating it was to know there was no chance for back to back Super Bowl wins.

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JohnRehor's picture

June 03, 2012 at 05:38 am

I know the feeling. I went to the playoff game (my first playoff game ever) expecting to see the beginning of another journey which would end with another Lombardi Trophy.

Instead, I saw ultimate failure on the Packers home turf. It's still tough to stomach seeing them lose after such a great season. Probably always will be.

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Wiscokid's picture

June 03, 2012 at 04:34 pm

Today is a new day. It is never about the number of times you get knocked down but how you rise up again and embrace the challenge before you. The Packers are still in the middle of their window to make another run at the Super Bowl.

Let this be the year that we do it again.

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