Josh Sitton Packing on the Pounds

I know we're talking about football players here, but come one! Green Bay Packers guard Josh Sitton is walking a fine line between adding on muscle versus just adding on. At 6'3", he's already packed 317 pounds on his frame (though I think it looks like even more). He's also bulked up over the Green Bay Packers' season and looks a little heavier at each game. At what point is it more of a hindrance than a help?

Dean Muhtadi's will crunch your offensive line...and your numbers.

Dean Muhtadi is most recognizable to Green Bay Packers fans when he's down on Lambeau Field in the heart of Packers country. In reality, though, he rarely wears the green and gold. Instead, Dean Muhtadi is more comfortable in a button up and a pair of slacks, working at an office downtown. Here's why.

Since the seventh grade, Dean Muhtadi has been an intern and employee at Morgan Stanley! He's worked at a couple different branches throughout high school and during summers between college terms. In college, he majored in general business, earned his B.S., and is currently in the M.B.A. program at Maryland.

One more thing: Dean Muhtadi had the highest GPA among his college football teammates and therefore was honored with the George Boutselis Memorial Award.

Dean Mutadi is clearly an expert with numbers, finances, and data analysis. Makes for a great combination with his tough work ethic and athleticism. I wonder if he does taxes for his fellow Green Bay Packers? Now there's an interesting visual...

Alaksan born and bred. No, not Sarah Palin! I'm talking about Daryn Colledge!

Daryn Colledge has showed us his tats on this blog before. But another interesting feature about this Green Bay Packers player is his hometown. He hails from a small town near Fairbanks, Alaska where his parents live today.

In high school at North Pole High (GREAT name for an Alaskan city and school!) Daryn Colledge was a natural football star. And--get this--he grew up on South Santa Claus Lane in North Pole, Alaska. North Pol sits about 14 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska and the little town has a popluation of just 1,600 people. Better yet, its light poles are candy cane-themed! So charming!

Plus, Daryn College is only the EIGHTH Alaskan to ever be drafted in the NFL and he is the highest ranked Alaskan pro player. No wonder why he's smiling!

Today Daryn Colledge makes his home in Green Bay, Wisconsin because of the convenience to Lambeau Field and Green Bay Packers training and games. But you can bet where he spends his Christmas breaks...up in the charming city of North Pole!

Tony Moll's beloved Philly

Green Bay Packers guard and tackle Tony Moll doesn't have a beloved filly...


...or a beloved philly...

...but a beloved Philly...

And yes that is a real picture of Philly, Tony Moll's favorite little Labrador puppy. Isn't she adorable?! It almost makes me want to purchase a dog. I said almost.

Fellow Green Bay Packers football players give Tony Moll grief all the time about how much he loves his dog. According to them, Tony Moll is obsessed. He has trained to her to do so many things and takes pride in grooming her for hunting, too. He's so proud he talks about little Philly all the time. And I guess the Green Bay Packers get a little tired of hearing about sweet little Philly.

I'd volunteer to bring Philly to Lambeau Field to catch her "dad" play ball. Are pets allowed? How about especially loved pets of the Green Bay Packers themselves? Maybe we can find a loophole in the policy...

Nick Collins is nice.

Signing autographs. Donating money for college scholarships. Volunteering for the YMCA. Nick Collins has a good heart and he uses it for so many great organizations on behalf of the Green Bay Packers and during the off-season. The list of ways he helps out his community is extremely long and he's just another example of my favorite NFL team going the extra mile to make life a little sweeter for someone in need.

As far as home life goes, Nick Collins is married to Andrea and they have three little ones Jenajah (4), Nicholas Jr. (1), and Nmar’e (infant). He's accomplished so much in his 25 years that he has the maturity and wisdom of someone double his age. He's the type of good Samaritan who would help you out on the side of the road or give you free Green Bay Packers tickets because you just wrote a flattering blog post about him. Aw I'm just kidding. But seriously. Nick Collins, if you read this, hook a girl up with a home game at Lambeau Field please.

Aaron Kampman's Wife and Kids

How old were you or will you be when you have kids? Will you choose to have none, a few, or many? How many boys or girls would you like? Well, even though Green Bay Packers player Aaron Kampman (aka Kamp) is just 29, he is already a settled guy.


Aaron Kampman has been married to years to his high school sweetheart turned wife Linde. In fact he proposed to hear after leading her on a Bible verse filled scavenger hunt. Shortly after, they started a family and today have three little boys with Biblical names: Lucas (5), Ben (3), and Elijah (1).

This down to earth family is one of the most heavily involved in Green Bay Packers charitable work and make their Christian faith a cornerstone to raising kids and living life. The Packers roster has several hands-on dads on their list, and Aaron Kampman is top among them for being a great role model to his young fans and his little boys.

Greg Jennings, Bass Player Extrordinaire

Did you know that Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings loves to play bass guitar? Well, it's true. Plus he owns five different guitars so whenever he feels the urge, he can sit down and pick out a tune on any of them.

Though most of the music Greg Jennings favors is Christian gospel, he also likes the 1970s funk movement, especially songs with awesome bass lines and hooks like "Funk #49" and "Reflections."

I hope he has those fingers insured! Green Bay Packers games can be physically intense and gren Jennings' career depends on the health of his body, especially those fingers that wrap around the ball and haul in pass after pass. Now that I know he's so into bass and guitar, any finger injury would sideline his career and musical interests. I wonder if he's super protective of his hands, like George's model hands episode from Seinfeld. It would be hilarious if Greg Jennings started to baby those money making hands--refusing to do chores, getting weekly manicures, and holding them aloft so the blood doesn't pool.

Up close with Jeremy Kapinos

Jeremy Kapinos may be formally known to us as a Green Bay Packers punter, but to his family and friends, he's just Jer. Let's get to know this 24 year old player up close and personally.

You can find Jeremy Kapinos splitting his time between Green Bay, Wisconsin and Springfield, Virginia. Down in Springfield especially, Jeremy Kapinos loves skeet shooting in his free time. Chances are great that if you see him driving around town, you'll also hear some bass thumping. He loves listening to rap and the Grateful Dead--quite the combo! But when he's home, it's all about video games, watching Seinfeld, and chilling with his friends.

The Green Bay Packers may lure Jeremy Kapinos up north for training and games, but at heart he's more of a Southern guy who grew up as an Army brat and whose brother serves overseas today. Fortunately for Green Bay Packers fans, Jeremy Kapinos opted to stay closer to home and is now a proud member of the green and gold.

Give me a "B" for Brandon Jackson!

So it's been years since I donned a cheerleading outfit for high school football games, but I can't help but think about slipping into the old routines and chants when I write about the Green Bay Packers. I'll cheer for Green Bay Packers running back Brandon Johnson any day.


This guy is a quiet but reliable force on Lambeau Field and is making a big name for himself even after just a couple years on the team. I have a soft spot in my heart for Brandon Jackson, too, since his dad passed away when Brandon was just 10. And that was after his dad was paralyzed for four previous years due to a car accident. Brandon Jackson had to overcome that big hurdle but it seems he's found his way.

If I cheered for a "B", then that would cover his whole family. Brandon is married to Brandy Bolden and they have two children--Brandon and Braylyn. Let's not look too closely at the math here (Brandon Junior is 6 and Brandon Sr. is just 23), and the family lives in Horn Lake, Mississippi.

Al Harris, Yolan, and Cruise

Green Bay Packers cornerback Al Harris loves English bulldogs. Really. His beloved English bulldogs, Yolan and Cruise, live a pampered life under Al's watch.

I wonder what it is about these dogs that Al Harris loves so much? Is it their stocky build? Their sweet nature? Did Shyla, his wife, insist upon a purchase of these household pets? Did his kids, Al Jr. and Gavin, insist?

That least me to wonder if Al Harris is a big pushover with his kids and wife or if he stands his ground. I can imagine he could really holler in the style of Fred Flintstone's "Wilmaaaa!".

"Shylaaaaa!"

I have a feeling Al Harris gets all his aggression out with the Green Bay Packers during training and games and is a nice dude in person. He's a bit more elusive, living down in Florida most of the year--far from Lambeau Field, and might prove a little harder to get a good celebrity sighting chance. If you see him, especially if Yolan and Cruise are with, snap a photo and email me.

Ruvell Martin rides a bike

The Green Bay Packers rode into training camp on August 4 this year and I noticed how happy Ruvell Martin was about this situation.


Not.

Ruvell Martin seemed uncomfortable while he pedaled the machine through barricades lined with overeager Green Bay Packers fans. (Sidenote: Did they need Green Bay Packers tickets to this event? Or was it free?) One of my coworker's friends attended the event and said Ruvell Martin was particularly annoyed because his bike wasn't green and yellow.

I jest.

But I think I would also be annoyed if on my first day of work I was forced into the bright morning sun and ordered to ride a bike which felt a little small as fans shouted at me and thrust Sharpies and paraphernalia in my face. I can only manage my drive in if I have a coffee in hand and some soothing Kenny G on the radio.

Maybe if Ruvell Martin's biggest fans--wife and two children--showed up he might have had a better go of it. I think Ruvell Martin might just be happiest on his own two feet, racing down Lambeau Field instead of pedaling around outside on a smidge-too-small bike.

Charles Woodson the oenophile.

Don't worry, folks. I'm not accusing Charles Woodson of any sort of crime though "oenophile" sounds rather shady. Instead, the term refers to someone who is devoted to the consumption and appreciation of wine. I guess most of my friends could be considered oenophiles, too. Is there any comparable term for a devotee of Jack Daniels?! Ha!

While you ponder that question, here's a photo of our pal Charles Woodson with a glass of his wine.

That's right--Woodson developed a signature wine line called "Twentyfour by Charles Woodson." He's even started leasing land near Napa to harvest and produce the wine.

However, he's walking a fine line between advertising and not because the NFL rules against stars promoting alcoholic beverages. I have to say I like that policy. I'd hate to see Randy Moss sporting a shot glass and some rum all over the advertising section of my favorite magazines or Jared Allen chugging a beer on a billboard. At least Charles Woodson brings some class and education to this field.

I wonder if he broke out the wind recently to celebrate the birth of his first son, Charles Jr. I think a good white wine would be a sweet and light way to celebrate little Chucky's arrival!

Brady Poppinga's on a mission

Brady Poppinga, Green Bay Packers outside linebacker, may be a hard hitter on Lambeau Field but he's equally a hard-hitter (if that makes sense) in his church community. Brady Poppinga's Mormon faith is a central part of his life, so much so that he even stepped away from family, friends, and football (how's that for alliteration?!) for a two year stint of mission work in Uraguay.

To date, Brady Pop (sounds like a new brand of music or a sweet, bubbly soda!) says that those two years were the most defining part of his life. He became fluent in Spanish and was inspired to continue helping others in need once he readjusted to life in America.

His mission today is to assist the Green Bay Packers to victory and I couldn't be more supportive! After all, I do snatch up my Green Bay Packers tickets and head off to every home game and some away ones as the budget allows. In his spare time, Brady Poppinga lives with his wife and two little ones and, of course, spends lots of time at church. Maybe we'll have a celebrity sighting with this guy sometime soon. Stay tuned!

Greg Jennings Celebrity Sighting

When Greg Jennings stopped by a local Green Bay auto dealership, he created quite a stir! Yes, he was enough to put on the dealer's white button up and shirt and pose in the indoor display room but behind the scenes, texts and emails were flying as employees bragged to their friends than legendary the Green Bay Packers wide receiver was in the hiz-ouse.

Greg Jennings makes his home in De Pere, Wisconsin, just 7 miles outside of Green Bay. He can be seen hanging out with his lovely wife Nicole and his two baby girls, Amya and Alea.

The Green Bay Packers may give Greg Jennings a career, but his church gives spiritual support. Greg's dad was a preacher so Greg Jennings grew up in the church and still attends regularly. If you'd like to see him, he's one Green Bay Packers player who is out and about frequently beyond the walls of Lambeau Field. Whether he's at the coffee shop, dealership, or church, Greg Jennings is one player you'll have a good chance of visiting if you're hanging around De Pere.

Mason Crosby and a Grouper

I'm sure Green Bay Packers placekicker Mason Crosby has plenty of groupies but it's a grouper that he recently caught which has provided him with one major fish story! Check out this 35" fish!
Though this isn't the exact grouper Mason Crosby pulled from the sea's depths, it is the length and weight of Crosby's catch.

Now, get this. He didn't even use a fishing rod and reel. He caught this sucker while spearfishing!

I'm trying to picture Mason Crosby with a spear in hand, wading in warm ocean water.

I'm thinking it would look something like this pose, minus the helmet and jersey from Mason Crosby's undergrad days at Colorado. Very celebratory. Very primal.

If you'd like to see a more accurate staging of Mason Crosby fishing, he'd be glad to oblige. He likes to take part in a Green Bay Packers cruise every winter that takes the players and lucky fans from Lambeau Field down to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Montego Bay. I would love this opportunity! Do you know anyone who has actually gone on this dream vacation? And has anyone caught a grouper?!

Yee Haw! Down on the farm with Jordy Nelson.

Jordy Nelson may be a new-comer to the Green Bay Packers (he was drafted in 2008), but to really know this wide receiver, we have to get to his roots: Kansas. Jordy Nelson is a farming boy, raised by his parents, Alan and Kim, on a farm outside Manhattan, Kansas. Jordy Nelson considers farming and country music to be his passions. I can hear a Garth Brooks montage playing as I imagine Jordy Nelson hauling hay bales and harvesting wheat and doing whatever else farmers do.

Jordy Nelson had a lifestyle adjustment to make, though, when he was picked by the Green Bay Packers and headed off to Lambeau Field. He now makes his home in Green Bay and his wife is the operator of a mentoring program at a Green Bay elementary school. Not exactly the right spot for fulfilling farming desires. But they seem happy there and I wish the couple well!

By the way, do wives have to buy their own Green Bay Packers tickets for home games? Is there a chance I might see Jordy's wife Emily at a few games this season? Or do they all get together in some private box to watch their husbands and boyfriends play? Let me know...

Family Guy Chad Clifton

Meet the Cliftons. First up is dad, Chad Clifton.


You may know him on Lambeau Field as an offensive tackle player for the Green Bay Packers, but to his kids, he's just dad. Chad is married to Candy.

I think this is her, but no big promises. Candy is a lawyer who passed the bar in 2003. The couple have two ADORABLE little boys with equally cute "C" names: Corbin and Cruz. Classy cool! Green Bay, Wisconsin has been home to the Clifton family since Chad Clifton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2000. The family also spends a significant amount of time back in Chad Clifton's hometown in Tennessee. In his free time, Chad Clifton is way into hunting, remodeling, fishing, and snowmobiling. He's a real All-American guy in a real All-American family. Next time you head over to Lambeau Field, scan the stands for any sight of Chad Clifton's family. I hear they go to every home game to cheer on their family guy!

But I think Chad Clifton is a bit better suited for a spot on the Green Bay Packers roster than Peter Griffin...