Bodyguard to the Packers

by Jerry Parins

Jerry Parins began his career as a policeman in Green Bay, Wisconsin. When he became director of security for the Green Bay Packers, he brought with him his knowledge of law enforcement and a dedication to protecting the citizens of his hometown. Jerry safeguarded many of the greatest names in NFL history while making Lambeau Field safe for countless fans.On the road, Jerry kept the players in their hotel rooms at night and out of the troubles that young men loaded with cash so easily get into. He kept them out of the headlines and out of the courts, and kept them clean and sober and ready to play football. He also prepared Lambeau Field for visiting dignitaries like President Bush. Jerry had to combine the finesse and consistent good cheer of a public relations expert with the operational knowledge that only a former detective could understand.Diagnosed with colon cancer, Jerry endured chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. He battled cancer to a standstill, and encourages his readers to overcome their fears of life-saving medical screenings.

Genres: Nonfiction

264 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 2008

Reviews

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 3 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “GOING FROM ROOTING FOR THE PACKERS… TO PROVIDING SECURITY FOR THE PACKERS"
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The author Jerry Parins is a self-proclaimed “REGULAR GUY-A FORMER BEAT COP AND DETECTIVE FROM A DISADVANTAGED CHILDHOOD.” Since I am a former semi-pro ballplayer and self-proclaimed sports fanatic that reads and watches sports non-stop… the direction that Jerry’s story is told from… is uniquely interesting. Jerry grew up in Green Bay and his Father suffered horribly from Parkinson’s disease, “which probably was caused by a combination of encephalitis and the malaria he caught in the service” while serving in the Philippines during World War II. The strain on the family was all encompassing, and when Jerry was eight-years-old his Mother had a nervous breakdown and was placed in a mental health center.

When Jerry grew up he became a cop. He was five-feet-eight-inches tall and weighed (with a kindly doctor pulling down on his pants pocket) one-hundred-fifty pounds. (The minimum weight level to pass the police entrance physical was one-hundred-fifty pounds.) The year Jerry became a cop was 1963… and 1963 was right in the heart of the Green Bay Packers reign as the absolute greatest team in football. And these Packers were led by the greatest coach of all-time Vince Lombardi. Green Bay was living up to its well earned nickname of *TITLE-TOWN-U.S.A.*. One night very early in his police career Jerry was walking down an alley on his beat and saw a big guy urinating outside a bar… he said: “Hey, fella, find a different place to go to the bathroom.” When the inebriated guy turned around it was none other than Ray Nitschke one of the meanest… hardest hitting… on and off the field… players in NFL history! Ray would not only become a Hall Of Famer… but he is one of only five players in the entire storied history of the Green Bay Packers to have his uniform number retired. There was Jerry… all one-hundred-fifty pounds with no radio… no gun… just a small club… a badge… and a uniform. Nitschke looked him up and down… and drunkenly said: “What the “F*@#! did you say?” Ray idolized Nitschke but said: “Why don’t you find a different place to go.” Nitschke said: “What are you going to do about it? Why don’t you get the f@#$! out of here and go chase some criminals.” Ray stood his ground, and two people came out of the bar… got the owner… and the owner got Nitschke… with his zipper still open… to go back into the bar.

From there the story takes you from Jerry’s first “official” interaction with the Packer team… when Vince Lombardi bellowed to the police department… that he needed a police presence to keep fans away from the practice field… to five decades of service to the Green Bay Packers… culminating in being chief of security. It’s captivating as a fan… seeing from the “inside” how security needs have changed completely from the 1960’s… to the big player contract era… to before and after 9/11. To the author’s credit he doesn’t blindly defend players that he became close to… he shares the facts with the reader. There is also a deeply disturbing and interesting story regarding a big murder case that Jerry was involved in.

In addition to being a big fan (as Jerry was and is) I share another similar experience with the author… on February 10th 2003… Jerry was diagnosed with colorectal cancer… on February 13th 2003… I almost died during brain tumor surgery. Woven into this story of big name athletes and security measures that benefit the team as well as the players… is Jerry’s fight against a stronger foe than any opposing NFL team could ever mount. It’s well told… and like me… it’s obvious Jerry treats every day as a gift from above.

Note 1: As enjoyable as this book is… I must point out that I have never read a published book that has the amount of typo’s that this one does. Whoever did the editing should be very embarrassed… if not unemployed.

Note 2: I still recommend this book to any football fan.

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 2 out of 5]

A former Green Bay city cop worked for the Packers for years, and then became their director of security. His job seemed to be getting players out of legal and criminal problems. He described in superficial terms, a player who was accused of spousal abuse, and then said what a great guy he was. They were all great guys, no matter what substance abuse, assault, or weapons charges they had brought against them. Except Forrest Gregg, whom he didn’t like. He doesn’t dish enough dirt to be a real tell-all, so only the fans who want to ready everything about the team will stick with this book to the end.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

See! I told you Mark Chmura was up to no good when I used to run into him, Favre and Frankie Winters at bars and nightclubs in Green Bay when I moved back there after college. And now Jerry Parins has essentially confirmed it.

I love my hometown, and I love the Packers. So I enjoyed this awkwardly self-conscious little book, ragged editing and all, because of its authenticity and "local color." A quick and friendly little read for those who can't get enough of the Packers---or the lovely little town that both obsesses over and protects them, in equal measure.

[Lynda Drews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book traveling back through many decades of former detective Jerry Parins's involvement with the Packers.

[Titletownpublishinggmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOOD READ!

[Carter S]

the best book about the best team ever

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great historical beginning but end dragged