Tom Lynch

Every time Brett Favre throws a touchdown pass, they do a shot, and every time the camera shows defensive end KGB (Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila), on the field or on the sidelines, they chug brew. These northern woodsman like to let loose.

Will's Northwoods Inn, the Lakeview corner bar that's dedicated its existence to the heartbeat of our northern rival Green Bay Packers, is festooned with bright green tonight. Past the Christmas-tree lot next store, and past the giant plastic moose statue that protects it, jersey-donning fans pile in to watch the must-win Monday night game against the St. Louis Rams on several mounted TVs, including a wall-size wide screen. As he checks IDs, the doorman hands out raffle tickets for the traditional halftime show. Bar-backs race through the crowd with trays of free meat and bread--burgers, dogs, brats--and with beer flowing, the room is a smorgasbord of artery blockage.

The game starts with applause that accompanies the kickoff. "Come! On!" chants a crew before the Pack's ball-carrier is lifted and driven into the ground. Favre runs on the field to insane applause. It's his 200th consecutive game as a starter. The streak is unbelievable, a religion to these fans. The Packers go three-and-out and give the ball over to the Rams. Three late-arrivals show up, greeted by looks of terror.

"Did Favre throw an interception already?" one asks.

"No, they punted."

"Oh, that's awesome!"

The Rams kicker, Jeff Wilkins, lines up for an easy field goal. "Shank it Wilkins you bitch!" shouts a man from the back of the room, near the large moose head hung on the wall. Moments later, Wilkins does indeed "shank it," and the same man breaks into a chilling, maniacal laugh, much like a Nicholson-in- "The Shining" laugh, as if this man summoned the wind to push the kick wide right himself.

Time for the raffle. John, the white-haired gentleman behind the bar who wears a decorative Green Bay button-up, grabs the mic. He's loved dearly by the crowd. "We got a Green Bay Christmas ornament," he shouts as he reads a ticket number. "It's been sitting around my basement for a while; it's kind of beat up." A guy tries to trick him with a different ticket number. John catches on and says, "Don't confuse me, I got enough problems." Other items are raffled off, including t-shirts, cheesehead earrings and hats, and Packer beads or a rosary-- "depending on your religious beliefs," says John. Finally, a frequent Will's attendee donning an old-school #36 LeRoy Butler jersey wins a t-shirt. "You won again? You always win!" shouts his friend. "They love you here."

(2004-11-30)

Also by Tom Lynch

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What makes "Alexander"--his megamillion-dollar historical account of the great world conqueror--distinctive is how un-Oliver Stone-like it truly looks
(2004-11-22)

Tip of the Week
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Tip of the Week
With Daley Jr. firmly atop the city's throne till death do them part, a look back at Chicago's mayoral history proves to be a study in cold politics
(2004-11-17)

Hungry heart
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Thong song
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Tip of the Week
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Tip of the Week
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Tip of the Week
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The Dave Eggers short list
(2004-10-27)

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