Lori Rose photo Happiness is a football, young Bob Wils.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following guest column was written by Lori Rose, former Daily Press staffer and sister of Friday columnist Karen Wils.

ESCANABA — OK, I’m gonna come out and say it: the Packers have to return to the Super Bowl.

These thoughts and daydreams occurred to me one recent balmy September day, so forgive my lack of focus.

Things got off on the wrong foot in the season opener, so wouldn’t it be wild to go from SP (Sao Paulo, Brazil) to the SB (Super Bowl)? Think about it.

Many new rules and practices have been adopted by the NFL in recent years. If the Packers went to the playoffs and the Super Bowl this time around, these new standards would be put to the test. Hopefully, they might fall Green Bay’s way?

Another benefit of having the Packers in the big one is to promote bonding with my nieces and nephews. They might not remember the last time the Lombardi Trophy went to Titletown.

I also have a desire to see Terry Bradshaw and his TV co-hosts get excited about Cheesehead country again. Bradshaw loves to rave about Green Bay being the ultimate football town — almost a college atmosphere — and unfortunately he’s getting a bit long in the tooth.

After the Packers have another slice of glory, the networks are then free to hire many more female and younger analysts and play-by-play announcers, in my opinion.

Should my favorite team decide to go for broke, wouldn’t it be nice for Jordan Love and coach LaFleur? It would be a new era, to build on but also move on from, the days of Favre and Rodgers.

My sister Karen, incidentally, is amused by LaFleur’s permanent five o’clock shadow. Maybe he could be talked into growing a full beard like they do in the NHL?

When you’re in the playoffs, you can also count on getting more media attention. Think of all the Packer-related feature stories, jingles, game intros and logos yet to be born.

The other reason to root for Packer success is to be able to pull out all the decorations and paraphernalia. I just noticed lately I have perfectly good dark green placemats in my collection. Also shimmery green nail polish. And green face makeup…

So, my waiting and wanting may be all for nought this year, but a person can always hope.

And, as always, we might just be an inspiration to the Lions.

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Karen (Rose) Wils is a lifelong north Escanaba resident. Her folksy columns appear weekly in Lifestyles.