Green Bay Packers alumni talk commitment, reaching goals during surprise Tailgate Tour stop at Wausau East
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WAUSAU - Wausau East summer schoolers and staff members got a surprise visit from the Green Bay Packers Thursday morning.
A big green and yellow tour bus with the words "Power of the Pack" emblazoned on the side pulled up to the school, honking to the cheers of students who had gathered outside.
The stop was part of of the annual Packers Tailgate Tour. Every summer, the Packers organization recruits current or former players to travel around the state to meet with fans and celebrate the beloved Wisconsin franchise.
This year's tour features alumni players Tramon Williams, James Starks, Mike Neal, Tony Moll, Jason Spitz and Scott Wells. As always, Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy has joined the players on the trip.
The tour started Wednesday in Green Bay and continues through Sunday. Before the stop at the high school, they made stops at Green Bay East High School, Rawhide Youth Services in New London, Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Camp Onaway in Waupaca and a fundraising event for Judicare Legal Aid in Wausau.
The former players spoke with students at Wausau East about the importance of commitment and how vital it is to put in the work if you want to reach your goals.
Wells, a former center for the Packers, told the students that their dreams should be lofty and, in order to achieve them, they should start with small goals they can achieve everyday. He advised that there would be challenges and setbacks along the way, things you can't control. But it's important to stay committed and follow through, he said.
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Wells said that most everyone he knew told him he wouldn't be able to make it to the National Football League. But he beats the odds.
"Somehow, someway, that 6-year-old who was told by everyone he knew that the NFL wasn't going to happen, managed to get there," he said.
Neal, a former outside linebacker, echoed Wells' sentiments, telling the students that what they build now is important for their future.
"If you want it, it's all there for the taking," he said. "But you've got to make the decision to do it."
The students had the opportunity to ask the players questions, which ranged from who their heroes are, why they were motivated to come out and meet with fans and what kind of cologne they wear.
Williams, a former cornerback, spoke with reporters after the event and said that he appreciates the opportunity to meet with fans and hopefully inspire people who need it along the way.
Asked about what sets Green Bay fans apart from other fans in the NFL, Williams, who also played for the Cleveland Browns, the Arizona Cardinals and the Baltimore Ravens, said that Packers fans can be found everywhere. Williams lives in Houston and said, come Sunday, you see all the Packers fans come out.
He also spoke of the unique relationship fans have with the organization.
"(The fans) own the team," Williams said. "No other team can say that."
Contact USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter Melissa Siegler at msiegler@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Marie2Melissa.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Packers Tailgate Tour: Players make surprise stop at Wausau East
