On January 23rd, 1997- 3 days before the Green Bay Packers returned to the SuperBowl-
I had all my hair cut off with clippers as short as possible, leaving a braided rat-tail down the right back side of my neck. Why I did this, I have no recollection other than to show possible solidarity for my team & its players.
SuperBowl XXXI was a victory for the Pack! 29 years after their last appearance, they pulled themselves out of the darkness and won.
SuperBowl XXXII was not a victory. In fact it is still a painful reminder as it is listed in the NFL's top 5 major football upsets. Coincidentally, I had done nothing to my hair that year.
I vowed at the end of that game to never cut my hair again (save for the occasional trim), until they won the NFC title- at which point I would cut my hair again to help ensure a victory.
Six years later, January 9th, 2004 the Packers played the Eagles in Philadelphia for the chance to go to the NFC title game. They lost- doesn't matter how- there was more than one person at fault. The hair dodged the scissors this time.
Three years after that, The Green Bay Packers hosted the NFC title game against the New York Giants in Lambeau Field- where they were undefeated in the championship round. They lost- doesn't matter how- there was more than one person at fault. The hair dodged the scissors again.
Fourteen years have gone by; Days of Shampoo & Conditioner; Towel dry only...No hair treatments, no hair dyes. The rare corn row style was all I did. Countless days of getting my hair stuck in ceiling wire, duct tape, adhesives & caulk, concrete, and a power-tool once at work. I have worn it back & neat in a pony-tail to maintain a mild sense of professionalism. On occasion, I have even let someone french braid it. I have grown very fond of this hair. It is longer than most womenfolk's I know.
A few gray have highlighted the sides around the temples but has never bothered me. It is thick & coarse, and has been a real pain at times. Summer's have been miserable. Wind has wreaked havoc with snarls and plenty of swearing. But I am proud I stuck by it.
Total strangers- almost all women- have run their hands through my hair. Of course it was weird to encounter a violation of personal space, but I'm also a guy, and so I did somewhat enjoy the female attention & remained polite- if not a little freaked out. It was a topic of many conversations. The most fun was seeing the looks on their faces when I revealed my fanaticism for Packer football in relationship to the hair.. It was a look of shock, disappointment, and sometimes disgust- as if I was debasing the blessing of having such a head of hair. In many ways, it has become my identity. My nick-name at work is Hippie, which in some part alludes to the hair.
And so I venture on into a known unknown. I will get the same hair cut again, 3 days before the SuperBowl. February 3rd in the evening. I'm not sure I will grow the gote` this time as it really makes me look scary. My sharp angular features tend to make me look like a convict or white supremacist without the hair to soften it.
Oh yeah, Apparently it has become an event now as alot of my friends want to be there to see it done. I am donating it to "The Lockes of Love". I have planned this since "4th & Forever". Packer fans know what I am referring to.
Is it rational? ...Probably not. Is it superstitious? ...Of course it is. Will this work? ...I hope so.
So... goodbye beautiful hair. Hello humility (and hopefully a Green bay Packer Championship)
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