The Packers and Kohl's Cares will recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Oct. 2 Packers-Vikings game, with Lambeau Field and Packers players prominently featuring the color pink in several ways.
Fans will receive pink Kohl's Cares rally towels when they enter the stadium. Inside, cheerleaders will be using pink pompoms and TundraLine members will be sporting hats with pink ribbons. Fans will notice pink ribbon stencils on the field, pink goal post padding, special pink ribbon game balls and caps with pink ribbons for coaches, team personnel and officials. Players will use pink equipment, including pink cleats, wristbands, gloves, sideline caps, helmet decals, sideline towels and quarterback towels. All apparel worn at games by players and coaches, along with special game balls, will be auctioned off at NFL Auction (www.NFL.com/auction), with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society and team charities.
Kohl's sponsorship of the breast cancer awareness game is the most recent example of the company's commitment to the fight against breast cancer. Since 2010, Kohl's has partnered with the American Cancer Society and the Southeast Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen, donating more than $10 million to the fight against breast cancer, including $1.7 million funded through Kohl's Cares®, the company's philanthropic platform.
Before Thursday night's game, Lambeau Field will also provide a backdrop for the NFL Network's live pregame show, NFL Total Access Kickoff, beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday evening. The pregame show, hosted by Rich Eisen and featuring Steve Mariucci, Michael Irvin and Marshall Faulk, will be broadcast from Harlan Plaza outside the Lambeau Field Atrium. Fans are encouraged to visit Harlan Plaza during the show for a chance to be on-air and receive network giveaways.
Thursday night's game will also feature collegiate and alumnae members of the Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity for women, who will be distributing over 20,000 free pink ribbons to Packers fans in the main parking lot. Football fans are asked to wear the ribbons to show awareness of and support for breast cancer survivors and to remember those who lost the fight against this disease.
In addition,Bellin Healthwill recognize 30 breast cancer survivors, inviting them to attend the game as honored guests and to be part of the on-field ambassador line, which welcomes players to the field. Also during October, the Bellin Health Gate at Lambeau Field will be lit with pink lighting.
The NFL has partnered with the American Cancer Society during October with a campaign called A Crucial Catch: Annual Screenings Save Lives, which encourages annual mammograms for women over 40. Prior to the game, ACS will host a table near the Bellin Health Gate entrance where they will offer breast cancer awareness information and the opportunity to purchase a pink ribbon for $5 in honor or memory of someone touched by breast cancer. Ribbons will be displayed on a fence near the table on gameday and will be featured in the Lambeau Field Atrium throughout October. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research and patient support, and to ensure access to mammograms for women who need them.
Prior to each game this season as the players warm up, fans will also notice new music being played on the field. This music, hand-picked by Packers players, is chosen to help them prepare for the game, both mentally and physically.
The national anthem will be performed by singer/songwriter and breast cancer advocate Priscilla Hamilton, who recently released a song dedicated to the cause, and a pink ribbon will be unfurled on the field. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville marching band will perform at halftime, as well as in the parking lot for fans prior to the game.
Two alumni are scheduled to make appearances throughout the weekend at various locations. Mark Murphyand Greg Koch will be taking part in fan activities at the Packers Pro Shop, Tundra Tailgate Zone and Legends Club leading up to kickoff. Both former Packers players will be introduced on Lambeau Field during pregame festivities.
In addition, the Packers and WPS Health Insurance will be recognizing U.S. Army Captain Terry Mercier and his family through Operation Fan Mail on-field prior to the national anthem.
The Lambeau Field Atrium, guest relations desk, parking lot and Tundra Tailgate Zone will open at 3:25 p.m. for ticketed guests only. Stadium gates will open at 5:25 p.m. For more gameday information, please visit www.packers.com/gameday/gameday-information.html.
