Eugene Greening, affectionately known as “Mean Gene The Dancing Machine,” embodies the unwavering dedication of a Green Bay Packers fan. For decades, his passion for the team has been a constant, stretching back to times when watching games was a far cry from the high-definition experience of today. Greening vividly remembers the struggles of watching the Packers in the early days of his fandom.
“We had the antenna on top of the house. Especially if the game was in Milwaukee, there would be so much interference it would look like snow on the black-and-white TV,” Greening recounted in a recent interview on WPR’s “Wisconsin Today.”
For Greening, and many fans of his generation, following the Packers often meant relying on radio broadcasts, especially during his career as a trucker. Even then, reception was often unreliable, leaving fans to decipher the game’s progress through the roar of the crowd. This dedication through technological challenges highlights the deep-rooted connection Packers fans have always had with their team.
The evolution of the Green Bay Packers franchise is something “Mean Gene the Dancing Machine” has witnessed firsthand. From the legendary era of Bart Starr and Vince Lombardi in the 1960s to the modern NFL, Greening has seen it all. He reflects on the stark contrasts between then and now.
“The franchise has really changed,” Greening observed. “We didn’t have all this money coming in and shared revenue and salary caps. And of course, the players were not leaving teams like they do now because of free agency.”
This historical perspective provides a valuable context for understanding the current state of the Packers and the league itself. Greening’s memories offer a glimpse into a time when team loyalty and the love of the game were arguably even more central to the fan experience.
Looking ahead, “Mean Gene the Dancing Machine” is particularly enthusiastic about the future of the Packers under quarterback Jordan Love. He expresses strong confidence in Love’s potential, drawing parallels to the early days of other Packers greats.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun this year. We’re going to win a lot of games with Jordan Love. I had full confidence in Love from the very start,” Greening stated. “We still don’t know how good Love is going to be. But we didn’t know that about Aaron Rodgers. And I remember when Brett Favre had problems at times with interceptions and losing games. Some fans can’t handle that. They didn’t go through the 1970s.”
This optimism, grounded in decades of fandom, speaks to the enduring spirit of Packers supporters. Greening’s point about weathering the “lean times” resonates deeply with long-time fans who understand that true loyalty extends beyond periods of victory. His unwavering support is rooted in a deep appreciation for the team’s history and unique identity.
“It was because of the playing of Bart Starr and how we protected the ball. And of course our running backs with Paul Harding and Jimmy Taylor and the whole rest of the team. We just had such a team back then,” Greening explained when asked about his enduring loyalty. “The Packers played with all that heart. These money things we have now weren’t in the game. And the heart of the team and the fact that we had a team that was right here from Green Bay, the only team that was not owned by an owner. That’s why I was a Green Bay Packers fan.”
This sense of community ownership and local pride is a defining characteristic of the Green Bay Packers and their fanbase, a sentiment clearly echoed by “Mean Gene the Dancing Machine.”
Eugene Greening tailgates before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Adding a unique layer to his fan story, Eugene Greening has even been immortalized as a bobblehead. This unusual honor speaks volumes about his status within the Packers community.
“I’ve seen other bobbleheads with players. But how they made it look so much like me? Incredible,” Greening said, still marveling at the bobblehead’s likeness. “And to have people buy the bobblehead. I have two of my doctors that had me sign the bobblehead. My regular primary doctor and my dermatologist both bought bobbleheads. Who has doctors like that?”
This anecdote not only highlights Greening’s local celebrity but also underscores the close-knit nature of the Green Bay community, where even doctors are enthusiastic Packers fans.
In conclusion, Eugene Greening, “Mean Gene the Dancing Machine,” represents the heart and soul of the Green Bay Packers fanbase. His stories, spanning decades of dedication, illustrate the evolution of the game, the enduring appeal of the Packers, and the unwavering loyalty of fans who have cheered through every season, regardless of the score. His perspective provides a valuable reminder of the history and passion that make the Green Bay Packers and their fans truly unique in the NFL.
