NFL

Why don’t the Green Bay Packers have a mascot?

The Green Bay, Wisconsin, NFL franchise is one of the five around the league without an official team mascot. What’s behind this decision?

Quinn HarrisAFP

The Green Bay Packers, like some other NFL teams, have opted not to have an official mascot. This decision is usually based on tradition, team culture, and the team’s ownership and management preferences.

The Packers are renowned for their unique community-owned structure and rich history, and they have decided to focus on their iconic brand and the passionate support of their fans rather than incorporating a mascot into their identity.

The team’s emphasis is often on the historic Lambeau Field, the loyal “Cheesehead” fan culture, and the celebrated legacy of players such as Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr.

Perhaps it’s the nature of the nickname itself or the simple inertia of tradition, but the Packers are one of five NFL teams who entered the 2022 NFL season without a mascot. (One of them, the Washington Commanders, is currently choosing one for their rebrand.)

The San Diego Chargers have an unofficial mascot, but they, along with the Giants, Jets, and Packers, do not have an official mascot.

There were intents in the ‘80s, but...

The Packers introduced a sausage-carrying foam mascot, Packy Packer, in 1984, but it didn’t work out and was discontinued in 1986. During a game, the person dressed as Packy Packer had to leave due to heat exhaustion. Packy Packer replaced Gang Green, an unofficial mascot, who was later arrested for walking in the wrong stadium section.

In 1986, the Packers disbanded their cheerleading squad and later on, in the 1990s, replaced them with college cheerleaders. Unlike some other teams, the Packers do not have a mascot but rely on their history and connection with fans.

Finally, whether or not to adopt a mascot is a subjective decision that varies from team to team.

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