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