Joey T\'s DHPF of the Month

Name:  John Des Jardins

Currently resides in: Appleton

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

A: Green Bay within walking distance of Lambeau.

Q: What is your earliest memory of being a DHPF?  

A: My Grandfather took me to an inter-squad game at Green Bay East.

Q: Your Grandfather (and namesake) “John Arnold Des Jardins” played center/guard on the original team Curly Lambeau hand selected in 1919.  Did your Grandfather ever mention how he met or knew Curly?

A: They met at Green Bay East. One day he was getting ready to ride his bike 10 miles and Lambeau asked to try out for football because he was tough and strong. That was the first time my grandfather heard of the game.

Q: In 1922, your great uncle Pahl Davis was on an offensive lineman on the 1922 team.  Was your grandfather influential in your uncle playing for that team?

A: My uncle played for Marquette and simply wanted to keep playing.

Q: Your Grandfather paid $1 for your seat in the south end zone at the Ice Bowl.  How old were you and what is your best memory of that historic game?

A: I was 15. There was no halftime show because of the weather. At half I was getting cold so I ran under the stands for 15 minutes and got nice and warm. When I got back to my seat what was left of my hot chocolate was frozen.

Q: As a child growing up and being a Die Hard Fan, you snuck into quite a few games.  Tells us what was your fondest memory of sneaking into the games?

A: There would be close 100 kids at every game trying to sneak in. We would split up into groups and attempt to climb the fence. When one group got the attention of the guards, the  other groups would quickly try to climb the fence at another location.  I got cut up by the barbed wire in my haste in going over the fence. There is nothing like a little blood on your arms to bond with the other kids. A safe route was to climb the fence and use it to grab the downspout on the bathroom and then hoist yourself to the roof. Then, we would slide down another down spout inside the stadium.

Q: Your Grandfather’s farm bordered the Oneida Golf and Riding club and you were a caddie there.  Did you ever caddie for Vince Lombardi? 

A: Lombardi always took a Native American. I did caddy for some of his close friends.

Q: Can you tell us how you obtained one of Vince Lombardi’s golf balls with his name in it?

A: My dad and I would fish golf balls on the hole 16 next to our farm.  One day, we had cleaned out the hole and I was sitting on the bank counting the balls. Then my dad said “let\’s wait for this next group\”. They hit 2 balls into the creek. Then I saw one was Vince. We waited for him to pass and found 2 DX tourney golf balls with Lombardi\’s name on them. I have one in my office today.  

Q: What would be your most valuable Packer memorabilia piece?  (non-monetarial)

A: My grandfather\’s shoulder pads from 1919.

Q: Do the fans recognize you as a Judge when they see you in your outfit at Lambeau?  How long have you been dressing up like a Judge for the games?

A: A few people do recognize me on average a hand full will say \”Hey Judge\”.

About fifteen years ago a fellow asked me to do a Packer themed wedding. I went on EBAY and bought the stuff and painted a gavel green and gold. When it came time to perform the ceremony, I put on my black robe and the groom said “no way.” I had so much fun with the outfit that day, I started wearing it to games.

Q: Evidently, your grandfather broke Curly Lambeau’s leg.  Can you tell us a little bit about that?

A: My Grandfather broke Lambeau\’s leg at Green Bay East in practice. At the time they were undefeated and had one game to play. Of course, they lost the game and the championship without Lambeau.

My grandfather was always proud that he was the only person to break the great Curly Lambeau\’s leg.

Q: How may Packer games do you attend a year?

A: I attend all home games and one away game.

Q: Who is your all time favorite player?

A: Bart Starr is my favorite. When he was drafted, he lived in a little red brick house on Redwood street in Green Bay. That was 1 house from ours. I was 6. I was extremely impressed that a Packer lived so close. I remember Bart and Cherry pushing a baby in a stroller. One neighbor said to me, \”That poor guy is a 17th pick and will never make the team\”. I started rooting for him from that point on and never gave up.

Q: Who is your favorite player now and why?

A: Aaron Rodgers is my favorite.  His skill and intelligence is unmatched. I have seen him advise the coaches about what the other team is doing so they can make adjustments.

Q: Do you have any game day rituals/superstitions?

A: I used to get down on my knees and kiss the turf every time I entered the field. I had to stop that because I had a knee replaced.  

Q: Any last words you\’d like to say to the Packer Nation?A:  When I was in high school our home field was lambeau. It was pretty cool playing football at Lambeau even if I was on the bench most of the time.

A: When I was in high school our home field was lambeau. It was pretty cool playing football at Lambeau even if I was on the bench most of the time.