Seahawks fan stunned by Lambeau reaction

The tailgating ritual at Lambeau Field traditionally attracts fans from opposing teams who want to visit one of pro football's most venerable shrines.

One Seattle Seahawks fan emailed Press-Gazette Media this week to share the experience of her group Sunday, when the Green Bay Packers hosted the team that rallied to beat them 28-22 in overtime last January in the NFC Championship Game.

"We began a tradition last year to attend one Seahawks away game each year and we decided that Lambeau Field was a must," Seahawks fan Kim Russell, 53, wrote. "Last year on Thanksgiving we were in Santa Clara cheering our Hawks on vs. the San Francisco 49ers. Let's just say the fans were not very welcoming to us."

There have been multiple media accounts in recent years of out-of-town fans being abused at sporting events. Russell said that was anything but the case Sunday with her four-person group in Green Bay, both inside and outside the stadium.

"I cannot even put into words how gracious, warm, accommodating and amazing the fans and people were before, during AND after their victorious win over the Seahawks," Russell wrote. "We spent hours tailgating with so many Packers fans who opened their arms by offering food, talking about the field, about Wisconsin about how they wanted to beat Seattle very badly, but should the best team win.

"I have never experienced such amazingly friendly people at a sports game, especially the team that, well, is on top their 'no good blankity-blank" list. One would never have known we weren't their favorite. I wish I had taken names of all the great fans that we met last Sunday so I could personally thank each and every one of them for making my, and my friends, first visit to Wisconsin and to Lambeau Field such a stellar experience. Your fans are number one in my book. ... Thank you, thank you to all Wisconsin for so warmly representing the love of the game!"

Russell signed the email: "Seahawk team supporter fan #1, Green Bay Packer fans fan #1."