| I love great sports writing. The ability to observe a | | | | other team is even close to that achievement |
| sporting event and turn it into vivid word pictures is | | | | except the Chicago Bears with 9--and not misleading |
| truly an art. The problem today is thatwhat with the | | | | them with the fuzzy logic that other teams are the |
| thousands of sports-related Internet sites and | | | | true Dynasties because they have won more Super |
| numerous Cable TV channels devoted to | | | | Bowls. (An understanding of history is part of what |
| sports--there is more stuff out there than even the | | | | makes a writer great). |
| most dedicated NFL fan can possibly keep up with. | | | | --Demonstrating a talent for prognostication. This is |
| Some of it is gem-quality journalism, a lot of it is | | | | the easiest way to qualify for the Over Time |
| noisy, unpleasant junk. | | | | Literary Achievement Award. All a writer has to do is |
| So, how do we separate the good football writing | | | | maintain Green Bay in the #1 or #2 position in their |
| from the bad, distinguish between the words artists | | | | NFL Team Rankings for 5 consecutive weeks. |
| and the finger painters? | | | | Consideration will also be given to those writers who |
| I had wrestled with this question for years, without | | | | recommend the Packers entire starting lineup in their |
| getting anywhere close to answering it. Then, earlier | | | | Fantasy Football leagues. Even our injured players. |
| this week, it finally hit me! I discovered a rule we can | | | | Award winners receive and impressive package of |
| all apply (and the rule is so simple that I am surprised | | | | prizes including an autographed copy of the novel, |
| I didnt discover it before): | | | | OVER TIME and a gift certificate for delicious |
| THE MOST TALENTED FOOTBALL WRITERS AND | | | | Johnsonville Bratwurst. |
| BROADCASTERS TEND TO BE THOSE WHO SAY | | | | But what do we do with the clueless, negative |
| NICE THINGS ABOUT THE GREEN BAY PACKERS. | | | | scribes? You know these guys. When you read the |
| In fact, tend to be might be too cautious a phrase. | | | | nonsense they write about the Packers, youd think |
| Actually, there is a near 100% correlation between | | | | they were talking about the NFLs perennial doormat |
| writing talent and relentless optimism about the | | | | rather than the team thats had 12 winning seasons in |
| Packers. | | | | the last 14 years. You really have to scratch your |
| My goal is to help you sift through all the | | | | head when you read goofy things like the Packers |
| football-related content out there and find the very | | | | will be so bad in 2006 that Brett will regret having |
| best writing and to help you avoid the very worst. | | | | come back for another season, or truly brain dead |
| The Packers Literary Corner will recognize and | | | | predictions such as Green Bay will have the #1 pick in |
| encourage excellence in football writing and | | | | next years Draft. |
| broadcasting. | | | | You have to feel sorry for these people. They are |
| From time to time I will select one truly deserving | | | | trapped in a mental tar pit of ignorance and no one |
| writer to receive the partially prestigious: | | | | seems willing to throw them a lifeline. I feel compelled |
| Over Time Literary Achievement Award | | | | to do something to help these poor individuals get on |
| There will be several ways a journalist or broadcaster | | | | the path to enlightenment, to help them find their |
| can become eligible to win this award: | | | | Inner Cheesehead, if you will. |
| --Expressing gushing admiration for Brett Favre, to | | | | Lets visit the Internet, plunge into the digital mire and |
| the point that Chicago Bears fans in the audience | | | | dredge up some of the most foolishly negative |
| begin to get nauseous. | | | | statements about the Packers. Then, we will critique |
| --Describing, at considerable length, why Lambeau | | | | what they had to say, and try to help them become |
| Field is the best place to see an NFL game. Extra | | | | better writers. Help them sharpen their thinking. |
| credit will be given for use of words such as | | | | Smooth out their literary style. And, recommend |
| magnificent, incredible, and phrases such as | | | | books they should read to get them back on the |
| once-in-a-lifetime experience. | | | | right track. Its the least we Packer fans can do. |
| --Reminding readers that the Packers have won a | | | | Thats why were renowned as The Best Fans in the |
| league-high 12 Championships, beginning in 1929no | | | | National Football League. |