The Milwaukee Post

April 20, 2018 • Milwaukee County Post • 11 SPORTS By AL DUNN Conley News Service Washington County's chapter of Packers Nation was pulled out of hiberna- tion Saturday — despite the rain, wind and chill — by a contingent of Green Bay players and management appearing at the West Bend high schools as part of their annual Tailgate Tour. Appearing were current Packers Kenny Clark, Blake Martinez and Ty Montgomery, joined by alums Rob Davis, Antonio Freeman and Bubba Franks. Packers CEO Mark Murphy led the contingent. "There is a great oppor- tunity for next year," Clark said. "With the addition of (tight end) Jimmy Graham and the return of (defensive backs) Tramon Williams and Davon House, we feel we can take that next step to another Super Bowl." As Murphy took the stage set up in the Acuity Fieldhouse — accompanied by boisterous chants of "Go Pack Go!" — individual player introductions were made, each to thunderous applause. Excited about season Martinez, now playing in his third year — who also led the team in tackles last year — said he was "excit- ed" about the 2018 season. "It's going to be a fun year, a competitive year," Martinez said, adding he had talked to new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and confirmed he will be the primary on-field defen- sive signal caller. Ty Montgomery, the now-hybrid running back and wide receiver, said the position switch was benefi- cial to both the team and himself. He is also opti- mistic about the upcoming season. That optimism, no mat- ter how sunny now, must also be tempered with the fact that quarterback Aaron Rodgers stays upright and healthy this season. "We're going to do every- thing we can do to keep Aaron healthy," Murphy responded to an audience member during the event's question-and-answer seg- ment. Jeff Koepsell of West Bend said, "Super Bowl? Yeah, as long as number 12 (Rodgers) is healthy." The Threshold Inc. received 100 percent of the proceeds from the event. Games for the kids, refresh- ments and piped-in music made for a festive atmos- phere. VIP packages were made available, which included a luncheon — coordinated and made by Brian's Catering of West Bend and students of Sally Heuer's culinary arts program at the high schools — with the players, as well as personal meet-and-greets. John Ehlke/Conley News Service Green Bay Packers alumnus Rob Davis signs the jersey of 1-year-old Chace Pelkowski of Richfield as defensive tackle Kenny Clark (97) signs a hat during the Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour on Saturday afternoon in West Bend. Proceeds from the event benefitted The Threshold, Inc. in West Bend. Despite weather, optimism prevails The Pack comes back with Tailgate Tour through southern Wisconsin Christina Cobb of West Bend laughs after hearing a comment from one of the Packers players Saturday in West Bend. The 13th annual tour wound through southern Wisconsin and eastern Iowa from April 10 through Saturday. It stopped Friday at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee Panthers Arena and benefitted the Boys and Girls Clubs of Milwaukee.

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