Cheesey
  • Cheesey
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
15 years ago
I saw Zeke Bratkowski at a sportscard show in Milwaukee today.
For those that don't remember him, he was Bart Starr's backup back in the 1960's. And he was one HECK of a good backup! When Starr got hurt, Bratkowski would step in and the Packers wouldn't miss a beat.
I told him how much i enjoyed watching him play. And man, what a nice guy! I asked if i could get my picture taken with him, but the woman in charge said the guy running the show didn't allow that. Zeke looked at her like "are you nuts?" And HE asked her to ask the show guy if he could do it. Of course the guy running the show said "Sure Zeke! Whatever you want!"
So i had the lady take it. I HOPE it turns out. My camera is tricky, and i TRIED to set it up for her. If it doesn't turn out, i'll be bummed.

And, on a sad note, Fuzzy Thurston was there. The partner of the guy running the show told me Fuzzy isn't doing at all well. He told me he's in the onset of Alzheimer's.
I got Fuzzy to sign the pic of me and him from Fan Fest last year. Fuzzy was nice, but not his normal "jovial" self. It made me sad to see him looking bad.
UserPostedImage
dingus
15 years ago
I wouldn't feel too bad about Fuzzy, Cheesey. The man has lived a full life and lived it like there is no tomorrow. I had a good friend who used to clean his bar. She'd show up in the morning for her shift and he'd still be there from the night before, just waking up and starting to get ready for that night. She loved him and said he was a prince of a man. He has faced so much adversity and has done so with a smile. I'm sure he'd hate it if anyone was feeling sorry for him!
blank
Rockmolder
15 years ago
Awesome that you met Zeke. I saw some stuff about him and, like you said, he was pretty great when replacing Bart Starr. He carried the team in that Baltimore game, if I'm correct. Must've been great.

I don't know a lot about Fuzzy, but if he was a guard in the Packers sweep area, he must've been quite the player. I don't know anything about him as a person, but it's always sad to hear something like that.
Cheesey
  • Cheesey
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
15 years ago
Dingus, i do and i don't feel sorry for him. He has faced the physical problems like a champ. But when it's your mind that goes, it destroys a person. They arn't even "who they were" when that happens.
The few times i have been with Fuzzy, he has been just like you said. Outgoing, and just loves the attention and the fans.
I heard a story today from the guy that runs the card show. He said, the last time he had Fuzzy signing, he went up to his house to drive Fuzzy, so he wouldn't have to drive. He said that on the way, Fuzzy made him stop at a bar! But thats Fuzzy! He loves to party!


Rock, this was the first time i ever got to meet Zeke. And he was as outgoing and friendly as can be! I always hoped i would get to meet him, and it was just by luck that i saw the ad in the paper a few days ago about the card show.

I actually did quite a bit today. I stopped at the cemetary where my family is buried, and visited my Mom and Dad's grave, and my Brother's grave, my Grandparent's grave (my Mom's folks) and 2 of my Aunt's and Uncle's.
It sucks that i have to go to a cemetary for a "family reunion".
Then i went to another cemetary to visit my Grandma's grave. She died before i was born. Then i drove past the house my Dad built, where i grew up. Then, for the heck of it, i went to the cemetary where Reggie Lisowski is buried. For those that don't recognize the name, it's the REAL name for the pro wrestler named "The Crusher", whose cousin was his wresting partner, Dick "The Brusier" Afflis, who was a guard for the Packers in 1951-1954. So i had a full day.

I also did laundry and made spaghetti with venison for supper.

(I'll make someone a good wife some day!!!)LOLOL!!!
UserPostedImage
dingus
15 years ago
OK, now you're just making me feel bad, I've been sleeping for the last 2 hours and went to a used book store before that! Nothing else, and it's the first sunny day we've had all week!

Definitely agree about the alzheimers, that is a truly terrifying way to go out.
blank
yooperfan
15 years ago
Good old Zeke.
When he had to come in for Bart, you never felt like the Packers would miss a beat, and for the most part they didn't.
Strangely enough, when Zeke left the Packers he went to the Bears, but he will always be a Packer in my mind.
15 years ago
Zeke, old #12. Known more for his All American college football career and his coaching than has an NFL player.

Backing up Bart Starr isn't too bad.

Too bad he never got to be a head coach in the NFL. He certainly could have been one at the college level if he wanted.
blank
Cheesey
  • Cheesey
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
15 years ago

Good old Zeke.
When he had to come in for Bart, you never felt like the Packers would miss a beat, and for the most part they didn't.
Strangely enough, when Zeke left the Packers he went to the Bears, but he will always be a Packer in my mind.

"yooperfan" wrote:


Yup! He did!
Didn't he play for the Rams too? (I'm not certain on that)
But thats what i told him today. I told him how i never was afraid when he came in for Bart, cause i KNEW he would keep us in the game!
He really smiled when i said that!

Dingus..........don't feel bad my friend! Believe me, there are days when i can't even get out of bed. With my recent heart surgery, it's been even worse with the bilateral Meniere's disease, the asthma, the diabetes, the hypertension, the arthritus of the spine, the familial tremors..........I'm probably forgetting a few..........LOLOLOL!!!
It's funny. There are some days i can get alot done, others you'd think i was at death's door. Thats what frustrates my wife so much. She says "People only see you when you are having a good day! They arn't there when your too sick to get out of bed!" But she KNOWS i try, no matter how I'm doing!
Oh yeah.......just remembered.......migraine headaches!LOLOL!!! :thumbleft:
UserPostedImage
4PackGirl
15 years ago
that's so cool alan - i'm jealous as can be but happy you got to meet him. sorry to hear about fuzzy - alzheimers is no way to go. 😞
Cheesey
  • Cheesey
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
15 years ago
Thanks Illy!!!

Another neat thing was, when i was talking with Zeke, we got to talking about open heart surgery. We ended up coparing what he went through to mine. He told me that to get his leg vein, they opened up his leg from groin to ankle. I told him ho i had 2 cuts, and they yanked the vein out.
It was kind of fun disscussing it all with him. It was like talking to an old friend.
UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (2h) : uh oh
Martha Careful (3h) : Too bad camera's can't spot the ball as well.
Mucky Tundra (5h) : So will the chain gang be gone completely or will they still be around as a backup or whatever?
Zero2Cool (5h) : The method for measuring first downs in the NFL will switch from chain gangs to camera-based technology in 2025, the league announced.
Martha Careful (8h) : A big step in the right direction. Just put in the college system is very very good.
Zero2Cool (10h) : NFL has passed a rule that allows both teams to possess the ball in OT during the regular season
Zero2Cool (10h) : Touchbacks on kickoffs will now bring the ball to the 35-yard line.
beast (31-Mar) : It might of gotten more popular recently, but braiding hair (even men) in certain cultures goes back for centuries.
Martha Careful (30-Mar) : Is men braiding their hair a new style thing? Watching the NCAA men's tournament many players have done
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Ha. Well, it'd be nice for folks to reset their own password. Via validated email 😏
beast (29-Mar) : Monopoly was supposed to be an educational game, that show how evil capitalism was and how we should avoid it
beast (29-Mar) : Lol, I was thinking username would be better, as then I wouldn't have to keep an email up to date lol 😂
beast (29-Mar) : Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (29-Mar) : sure is
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Monopoly is a rip off of The Landlord's Game
wpr (27-Mar) : 28 days until the draft
earthquake (27-Mar) : Which seemed strange to my 9 year old self, that you could be a fan for a team other than the one you play for
earthquake (27-Mar) : Nothing eventful happened, other than it being clear that he was a bengals fan
earthquake (27-Mar) : And we went and hung out with him one afternoon, I must have been 9 or so
earthquake (27-Mar) : That’s wild, when I was a kid my friend lived in the same apartment complex in De Pere
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : Only career highspot was a 200 yard rushing game while playing for the Cardinals
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : He is a former Packer. Drafted out of Northern Illinois. Didn't do much in GB.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Despicable
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Former NFL. I think Packers too
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : NFL RB Leshon Johnson has been charged in a massive dog fighting operation, with the FBI seizing over 190 Pit Bulls
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Some real irony of a QB as short as Wilson playing for the Giants
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Giants country, let's be the tall beings of lore!
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Russell Wilson signs with the Giants.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (25-Mar) : I don't think there is a significant difference. I use a user name for many. Others email.
Martha Careful (25-Mar) : email
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : would it be better to use EMAIL or USERNAME to log into a site?
wpr (25-Mar) : Thanks Zero
Zero2Cool (24-Mar) : New forum has the ability to Thank a post now.
beast (24-Mar) : And the only time they have won the Championship in an even year, was the first time they did, in 2006.
beast (24-Mar) : Since 2007, there have been 10 odd numbered years, Wisconsin Women have won the Championship in 7 of those 10 odd numbered years.
buckeyepackfan (24-Mar) : Congratulations Lady Badger Hockey Team. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!
Zero2Cool (23-Mar) : I don't think it's completed yet. it was just announced last month, right?
dhazer (23-Mar) : did netflix ever release the Packers documentary
Zero2Cool (21-Mar) : And it is glorious!
beast (21-Mar) : Unsigned FA QB Rodgers is supposedly in the Steelers building
Martha Careful (19-Mar) : But I don't own a car! So can I still use it in my apartment?
Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : btw, new site auto updates
Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : Woohoo!
TheKanataThrilla (19-Mar) : Oops I guess I should have updated the site before posting
TheKanataThrilla (19-Mar) : Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerESPN · Follow Source: Free agent WR/return specialist Mecole Hardman is signing with the #Packers on a one-year deal.
Zero2Cool (18-Mar) : Former Packers wide receiver Bob Long, who stayed in Wisconsin after playing days, dies at age 83
Martha Careful (17-Mar) : PFOW, Pati O'Furniture
wpr (17-Mar) : Thanks dfosterf. Been a while since I heard the song.
packerfanoutwest (17-Mar) : so who is the first Irish woman you see in the springtime?
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 12 @ 3:30 PM
Eagles
Recent Topics
5h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

6h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

31-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

30-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

29-Mar / Random Babble / wpr

28-Mar / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / dfosterf

28-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

26-Mar / Random Babble / Mucky Tundra

25-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

24-Mar / Random Babble / packerfanoutwest

24-Mar / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

21-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

19-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

19-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

18-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.