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Peterson: Packers ready to win it all

Perhaps it was just the competition. Or playing in the frozen confines of friendly Lambeau Field. But it’s apparent — after an impressive win over the over-rated Tennessee Titans on Sunday — that the Green Bay Packers have what it takes to get to the Super Bowl this season. I’m not denying that I’ve been an anti-Packer fan for as long as I can remember. They’ve cost me more money in bets over the years to ever forget that. But I have to admit this edition of the Packers has enough talent in this strangest of all years to win the National Football ...

Peterson: Changes that need to get done

There are any number of things that will require fixing in 2021. I know that much will depend on the status of COVID-19 — and what variations of the disease are coming down the road. One of the many things that need fixing is the status of high school sports in Michigan. I believe that prep sports shouldn’t have been halted as early and often as they have been. The main reason for that reasoning is that many surrounding states (Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa) have proceeded with sports for youngsters in this time. And in only a few cases has the threat of COVID even come up in ...

Peterson: ‘Snake pits’ that never lived up to name

Anyone who has ever played sports will remember one place that stood out from all the others. In the old days, such places were simply called “snake pits.” They could range from basketball courts that had their own idiosyncrasies, to hockey arenas that were just plain cold to opposing teams. In basketball, I vividly recall a couple of non-favorite places: Bergland and Chassell. The Bergland High Gym had all the assorted and sundry things that made playing there an experience. First off, the visitors dressing room was so warm, it could have doubled as a sauna. The Boston ...

Peterson: Not hard to see U.P., Packers tie

After watching a show on NMU-TV the other night about the early days of the Green Bay Packers, I began to understand how close Upper Peninsula fans are to the Pack. After all, the Packers of the early 1920 used to play semi-pro teams in the U.P. back in those days. In fact, they probably even “borrowed” some of the more notable players to play with them. More on that later. The show, “Linked to Legends” will be shown again on Thursday on Channel 13. And if you ever wondered, like I often did, why there were so many Green Bay rooters up here, this is a must to see. I was ...

Peterson: Athletes deserve kudos

In this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic crisis, there’s no shortage of blame to go around. First off, you can point an accusing finger at China, which failed to properly warn other countries of the problem. The Chinese should be dealt a long — and serious — penalty. Secondly, you have to look at our elected officials in Washington, D.C, who took a laissez faire about the pandemic, and caused it to worsen. The latest legal action over COVID-19 in Michigan has effectively ended the football, and quite possibly, the volleyball postseasons with a three-week embargo. This comes on ...

Peterson: Rebuilding in Motown never ends

As they used to say in Washington, D.C., the rebuilding season is never-ending But that term would also aptly describe the current sports scene in Detroit. It wasn’t always this way. Not long ago, the Red Wings, Tigers and Pistons had championships to celebrate. The town was even referring to itself as the City of Champions ... for a short time. Indeed, the moribund Lions even had a rare winning season or two. But all of that has drastically changed in recent years. All four of Detroit’s four professional franchises are closer to train wrecks than anything else in this ...