GREEN BAY, Wis. (Spectrum News) -- The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are arguably one of the most underrated matchups in the NFL. They are border rivals with legendary characters like Bart Starr running deep into their tradition, but respect and admiration for Bart Starr transcends the rivalry.
Glenn Svetnicka's family has held season tickets since Lambeau Field opened in 1957.
"We've seen a lot of winning football here, but we've also seen a lot of great human beings," said Svetnicka.
They've witnessed the greatness of Bart Starr both on and off of the field.
"Beside the fact that he was a great player, he's a gentleman and the fact that he founded Rawhide, he and his wife Cherry, what they've done for this community. Take it from a lovable loser into a championship team," said Svetnicka.
Frank Hermans grew up in Green Bay.
"I always just liked the guy. He was a good dude with the community and with the team I thought," said Hermans.
Hermans runs a theater production company and and remembers seeing the Starr family growing up as a kid involved with creative outlets.
"He had a TV show, Bart Starr show, I went as a kid. He was just always there to shake your hand and say hi. Cherry too! I got to meet Cherry and I knew his sons because they were kinda my age. They were in the community. One played base guitar, I was in the music scene. It's crazy this town is a 100,000 people and you just run into each other," explained Hermans.
On game day, the town of 100,000 quickly gets a boost in population as an influx of people from literally everywhere come to experience the one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
"Best in football," said Jeff Kerfeld
"The sad thing is that Minnesota doesn't have any tailgating, so we come here," said Mike Raab.
Vikings Fans Raab and Kerfeld say they've had to face legendary Packer quarterbacks like Bart Starr their whole lives.
You gotta love them but you gotta hate them because they beat you so badly [[go vikes go, go vikes go,]] there's nothing but respect for Bart Starr," said Raab.
Vikings fan Keith Ratch has the same admiration for Starr.
"Bart Starr; just outstanding. On and off the field. Even after he was done playing, he was always an outstanding individual," said Ratch.
Even though a border-battle exists between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, it doesn't really seem to matter in comparison to the greatness in spirit that Bart Starr represents for all football fans.