Posted on 01/15/2012 1:42:49 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
Jim Becker of Racine, Wis., was named the 12th member of the Green Bay Packers FAN Hall of Fame at Packers Fan Fest Friday at the Lambeau Field Atrium.
Becker, a long-time season-ticket holder who has attended games every year from 1952 through 2008, saw his first game in 1941 when he was 11-years-old. He was selected by fans from 10 finalists during a voting period that ran from Dec. 27, 2009, through Jan. 31, 2010. More than 40,000 votes were cast from throughout the United States and countries around the world.
A long-time and devoted fan, Becker’s allegiance to the team was a factor in discovering a health condition that could have been life-threatening. From his submitted nomination, fans learned his story.
It reads, “Jim, now 79, along with his wife, Patricia, raised 11 children (all Packers fans). Needless to say, money was tight, but Jim had season tickets to pay for, but he wouldn't take money away from the family. So he found out he could sell his blood for $15 a pint. The Packers saved his life.
“During a routine physical, he had to fill out a questionnaire about family medical history. The doctor noticed Jim’s father died at 43 years old of hemochromatosis. Jim had to be tested. He had it. It is a condition that retains excessive amounts of iron in your blood. The only treatment is to remove the iron by giving blood. By then he had sold 145 pints of blood to pay for his season tickets. If he hadn't, he very well may have died like his father. His love of the Packers saved his life. To this day he still donates 3-4 times a month.”
~snip~
(Excerpt) Read more at packers.com ...
If you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list, just FReep Mail me. 
A statue in a yard at N. Wahl Ave. and E. Bradford Ave. on Milwaukee’s east side appears to be bundled up Thursday, in Packers attire, for the approaching snow.
Packers are not doing too well at the half, but we all are still rooting for them.
Neat story, old or not!
GO PACK GO !!!
Whoa, this game just got a lot worse...
Fumble and then they made a touchdown.
Ouch. That left a mark.
GO GIANTS GO!!!!!! Looks like them hairy Packer women will be crying tonight.
GB just made another touchdown, but they are still behind by 10. Pile up on the 50 yd. line. Giants have the ball. :(
The men on the radio are crying right now. They can barely finish providing the commentary on the game.
Geez. This is the worst game I can remember.
Can’t win ‘em all.
It’s over. Thanks Pack for a great run!
Here’s hoping they’ll have some defense next year.
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