They wore Packers colors to his funeral

Sally Ann Shurmur of the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune recently shared with us the story of a man who loved the Packers and overcame many challenges in his life. She says:

"Dan Creger, 47, was handicapped since birth with a severe congenital limb malformation. He had been a huge Packer fan since age 3, never wavering in the tough years.

"Last year, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer (the same thing that killed my beloved dad, [former Packers defensive coordinator] Fritz Shurmur).

"So Dan's mom, Carolyn, wrote the Packers a note early this summer, asking if they might be able to send a used pair of practice shoes for Dan to wear "in the next life," so he could run and jump. Almost immediately upon receipt, the Packers sent a pair of Chad Clifton's old, muddy shoes; an autographed football and a note scrawled by Brett (Favre).

"Dan died Oct. 26. Everyone who attended his memorial service was asked to wear Green Bay Packers clothing. He wore a Packers sweatshirt and the shoes were placed on the casket at the visitation.

"The Packers indeed reach beyond Wisconsin."

Follow this link to read the rest of the story.

-- Jeff Ash, jash@greenbaypressgazette.com