Joey T\'s DHPF of the Month

Name:  Jeff Padon

Currently resides in:  Severn, MD

Q: What city/state were you born and raised?

A: I was born and raised in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Q: How long have you been a Packer Fan?  

A: I\’m a Packer fan since 1971.

Q: Tell us about your family ties to Wisconsin, which ultimately makes you a Packers Fan?

A: Fourth generation (Padon’s family tree) born in Wisconsin. My Great-Great Grandfather moved to Mineral Point from Southern Illinois. Then my Great-Grandfather and Grandfather were born in Mineral Point. My Dad had his four siblings that were also born there before they moved to Beloit. My Dad was first of four children to be born in Beloit.

I do not know how my Dad became a Packer Fan but I think he became a Packer fan during the Lombardi era. My Dad introduced me to the Green Bay Packers when I was eight years old and I immediately became a huge fan. My dad\’s siblings are Packer fans well as for almost all of my cousins, my mother and two sisters.

Q: Who’s your favorite player now? Who is your all-time favorite player? Why?

A: Aaron Rodgers is my favorite player on current team. I like many players but four players – John Brockington, LeRoy Butler, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers are my all-time favorite players. Everybody loves Favre and Rodgers for obvious reasons but anyone wonder why I mention John Brockington, he was my first favorite player back in 1971 during his rookie season. I love LeRoy Butler what he gave back to fans especially with inventor of Lambeau Leap..

Q: Tell us about getting your Gold Package tickets after waiting 23 yrs?

A: When I graduated from Gallaudet University in 1989, I thought I would go back to my home State. I sent season the ticket request in January 1990 since I knew I would love to see the games. I ended up staying here in the DC area after getting a job at US Coast Guard HQ in DC. When I was notified about season tickets, they offered me the Gold Package right away or I would have to wait for while to get Green Package. I took Gold Package which was easier for me….only three trips there from my home here in Maryland. I have also been an owner since 1998.

Q: You attended and graduated from Gallaudet University, (the only liberal arts college for the deaf)  What was it like?    

A: For the deaf community, Gallaudet University is considered the Deaf Mecca of the world. It was an awesome experience to mingle with deaf students coming from all over the world.  We shared our experience from many different walks of life and backgrounds.

Q: How did attending the only Deaf University in the world prepare you for life where others can hear?  What were some of the other features they had for you different from other Universities?

A: We know other Universities do offer sign language interpreters, so we do have other options of Universities that we could attend. I chose Gallaudet University because I had the ability to communicate with the professors directly without using a third party. In other schools, in order to communicate with people who do not know sign language, wewould have to use paper and pen to write notes and body gesture.

Q: Tell us about what it is like going to a game without the distraction of shouting fans?  Can you tell when fans do the famous “Go Pack Go” chant?

A: In fact, I\’m not totally deaf. My db level loss is 80 so, it\’s loud enough for me to hear Go Pack Go chant! I really love it!

Q: When did you come up with your Cheese Wedge and Jersey with the sign language on them???  Do many people come up to you and start a conversation signing?

A: It was during my first year as Gold Package holder in 2013. Yes a good number of people came to talk to me after they saw my Packer outfit. Right before the game a hearing lady who knows sign language saw my outfit from upper seat. She came down and she told me that she would like to take a photo of us.Turned out she works with my step daughter at deaf school in the  Atlanta area. I recall my stepdaughter told me that she knew someone at her work is a big Packer fan…that was her!  What a coincidence!

Also, one hearing lady who has deaf parents, came to tell me that she loves my outfit and we didn\’t realize that we met before…..that was 28 years ago and we met again.

Q: Tell us what a Budget Analyst does at the United States Coast Guard?  What does your day consist of?

A: Our department at USCG is Human Resource & Training. We manage the training funds for USCG employees. My responsibilities are travel claim adjustments, motorcycle training reimbursements and several different type of funds.

Q: What is it like being a Packers Fan in the Nationals Capital?

A: Believe it or not, I don\’t feel like I\’m a lone wolf Packer fan in Nation\’s Capital. I have seen people wearing Packer gear almost daily compared to back in \’80\’s. The Packers have definitely become America’s team now.

Q: Do you have a Packer ManCave/Collections and Memorabilia? What are some of the most unique items? What is your favorite?

A: My dad bought a Packer yearbook for me in 1972. I started to collect every year but I realized that I didn\’t have yearbooks before 1972. Bought them thru eBay. The inaugural yearbook in 1960 was most expensive. I won the bid for over 600 dollars. Sold my sports cards so, I could use the money to buy yearbooks. Now I have every year of Packer yearbooks from 1960 to present.

Q: Do you have any game day rituals?

A: None….don’t want to jinx anything. Ha!

Q: Any last words you\’d like to say to the Packer Nation?

A: Being a Packer fan, please don\’t take granted. We do appreciate what we have from the Packers. My friends who root for different NFL teams keep telling me that the Green Bay Packers is one of most unique team in any sports.

Jeff\’s Gallery