Packers fan enjoys rare leap into history

Packers fan enjoys rare leap into history

Published Dec. 10, 2012 4:24 p.m. ET

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- No fan had ever been allowed to Lambeau Leap during a Packers game . . . until Sunday night.

At halftime of Green Bay's win over the Detroit Lions, Cory Uttech was introduced to the 70,000-plus fans in attendance — one of whom was comedy superstar Will Ferrell — and made his leap into the front row at Lambeau Field.

"It doesn't get much better than that," Uttech said. "It's hard to even describe. I never would've expected to get this chance. It's unbelievable. I couldn't have asked for a better day."

Uttech, 30, won the Lambeau Leap Sweepstakes after out-leaping nine other finalists in an audition Nov. 20. Those 10 finalists were randomly selected, but then, after getting some training and tips from Packers wide receiver James Jones, Uttech was voted as the winner.

"Other than my kids being born, it was the best day of my life," Uttech said.

Uttech and three guests were given club seats to the game, sideline passes, a game ball, a customized jersey and a hotel stay. The four of them even got to watch the final 10 minutes of the second quarter right from the field.

"Being on the sidelines when the game was playing, when Mike Daniels recovered the fumble for the touchdown, just to be down there for that, that place was roaring," Uttech said. "That's a memory I'll never forget."

It wasn't as simple as Uttech just running and jumping into the stands, either. He was given a full introduction on the stadium speakers as the drum line began to play. And, to his surprise, the crowd was anticipating his leap into history as the first fan to have that opportunity.

"I didn't expect the crowd to care," Uttech said. "I thought most would be in the bathroom. I didn't think people would be excited about it. I raised my arms up a little bit to pump up the crowd and it gave me shivers. It was pretty awesome. I never expected it to be like that.

"I don't think it gets any better. It was over the top, it really was."

Follow Paul Imig on Twitter

ADVERTISEMENT
share