At 92 years old, sportswriter Bud Lea saw it all.
His last interview was March 11, just before the pandemic began. And after he passed away on Jan. 20, we honor his incredible career.
"You know, the Packers couldn't exist, without the media," Bud Lea said.
Before he passed away, legendary Milwaukee Sentinel writer Bud Lea spoke about being honored by the Packers Hall of Fame, with a media award in his name.
"It's a great organization. I've been to Canton. This Hall of Fame is just as good," Lea said.
He grew up in Green Bay.
"When I was a little kid. I know Curly Lambeau. I know Don Hutson," Lea said.
He covered the Packers for 55 years.
"And one thing I noticed, right away, is what the Packers have, and the Milwaukee Bucks and the Milwaukee Brewers don't have: Tradition," Lea said.
While he covered the Bucks and Brewers, it was his close relationships with guys like Paul Hornung, where Lea shined.
"I shouldn't tell you this story, but," Lea said. "I went to Western Union. I filed my story. And across the street's the Candlestick Bar. I'm coming out, and a guy named Bill Quinlan said 'where you going? I said 'I'm going home! I've been here since Saturday!' [He said] 'No you're not. You're going to a pahr-ty.' I said 'I'm not going to any pahr-ty.' He talked in an English language. He said 'yes you are. By the way, that's $10 for the drinks.' I said 'what, I'm going home.' He lifted my car up. I had a little Fiat. And the tires were spinning. I said 'where's the party?' It was over at Hornung's place, he lived with McGee. I'm not going to tell you what happened at the party. But, I showed up the next day at the practice. I was hungover but those guys weren't. They worked out you know."
The Packers Hall of Fame now plans to honor Bud, in August.
