Trick-or-Touchdown

Before we turn our full attention to Thanksgiving and the holiday season, I’ve spent some time reflecting on Halloween – specifically trick-or-treating.

It has been a joy watching Liam brainstorm what his costume should be and then see the fun he’s had wearing the costume and trick-or-treating. I am still proud over the only inspired costume idea I’ve had for in my life-- Liam as baby Elvis.

After taking a year off due to a trip during Halloween, Liam has subsequently dressed as:

·        a Fire Chief (do not call him a Fireman as I learned the hard way)

·        a Ninja Turtle

·        a Transformer

·        a Ninja

This yearly ritual has been particularly enjoyable because it contrasts so much with my own trick-or-treating. In fact, experiencing things through the eyes of a child something that you experienced growing up is one of the real joys of being a dad (and probably worth a separate post at some point).

Back in the day in Milwaukee and still true today, trick-or-treat is usually scheduled for the Sunday afternoon before Halloween. Starting at a very young age – I would guess 8-years-old – I made the decision to skip trick-or-treating.

What was I thinking? Well, I never liked dressing up for one thing, and was never super into candy (if people passed out potato chips and Doritos, though, instead of candy, this might be a different post). However, the biggest reason was simple.

The Green Bay Packers played from noon to 3 on Sundays.

Was I really going to miss a Packers game just to get a miniature package of Nerds or Swedish Fish.

Looking back, one of the things that is so funny -- and so Bobproof about this -- is that the Packers of the mid 1980s were not the Packers of the last 25 years. By skipping trick-or-treating I was electing to watch:

·        Forrest Gregg coach

·        Randy Wright quarterback

·        Charles Martin play defense

Not exactly like watching Mike Holmgren lead Brett Favre and Reggie White into Lambeau Field.

Regardless, for me any level of Packers football was always greater than trick-or-treating. Just like for Liam – already a budding Packers fan – trick-or-treating is better than the Green and Gold.

As it should be – for both of us.

And who knows?

Maybe next year he’ll go as Aaron Rodgers or Davante Adams.

Now that would be a win-win.

P.S.

Of course, when it comes to trick-or-treat this year, nothing will top my nephew Roger (talk about burying the lede).

Roger dressed up as National League MVP Christian Yelich this year -- who he dubbed his favorite player in the first half of the season before any of this MVP talk -- and received candy from none other than Craig Counsell, Brewers manager and Whitefish Bay resident.

Clearly, Roger wins Halloween.