Forgive me if this has been addressed elsewhere, or perhaps buried in another topic I have not seen. But I thought that some of us might wish to express our appreciation for Coach McCarthy. The last time I posted, my frustration with losing had boiled over, and I called for his head. In doing so, I made reference to his weight in a disparaging manner. That should be beneath me, and I’m embarrassed for having said it. That’s not me, and I ask for the forgiveness of anybody I offended here.
Say what you want about Mike McCarthy’s success as Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers, or, more specifically, his lack of it at the end of his tenure. This, it should be said, is the only reason why he was fired, and the only reason I wanted him fired. The Packers have long had a standard for excellence, and when that standard is not met, it’s easy to lose sight of the many wonderful things that have gone on before. While Coach McCarthy lost the team at the end (and losing will do that), even after he lost his position, he has remained the consummate professional, and he has represented the Green Bay Packers with the utmost of class.
Coach, forgive me for the negative things I said. They were born out of frustration. My admiration for you as a man has never wavered. While the Packers have won thirteen World Championships, most in NFL history, Coach Lombardi spoke of a Christian love for his players, and how the Packers built men of character. Coach McCarthy is a man of character, and he will take his place along the greats of the Packers history. I thank him, with a great deal of admiration and affection, for always being the kind of human being that we can be proud of leading our team. Winning, as Lombardi once opined (and later regretted saying) isn’t, in fact, everything. How you play the game is. Or, rather, it should be.
I wish you nothing but success in your future endeavors, Mike. I would shake your hand if I could. You’ve written your own chapter in the wonderful history of the Packers team we all love.