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The text you see below is the transcript of an on-line chat with former Packers Quarterback Don Majkowski. Everyone has a nickname in the chat room and Don's was "majik." "Scoop" was the moderator. The chat occurred 02-06-2003 and lasted for about one hour. This was through www.timesfour.com and reprinted here with Scoop's permission.

Majik
OK, I'm on a little early guys. Hey WI.

all
[various greetings]

Majik
Thanks, be patient. I can see I won't type as fast as you pros.

Tooner
We all fluent in typo so hack away

scoop
Nice choice for a picture majik!
[Majik selected the large nose icon in chat]

Majik
Fits eh? Actually, I had my nose fixed a little when I left GB.

scoop
Seriously?

Majik
Yep.

scoop
Breaks, or size?

Majik
Little smaller.

scoop
We might not recognize you. Still have the blonde hair?

Majik
Probably not, my hair isn't quite as long or blonde these days.

scoop
Majik, first of all, I want to thank you for being willing to visit with us for a little while. I think it's fair to say that this is one of the highlights of the brief history of TimesFour!

Majik
OK, thank you.

scoop
Second, thanks for the great and courageous play that you gave us as a member of the Packers.

Majik
It was an honor.

scoop
First question: What are you doing these days?

Majik
I am living in Atlanta with my wife Kelly (from Milwaukee) with two children (Danielle 6.5 and Bo "Cannon" 4.5). I run my own Real Estate Investment company. I still work out and stay in very good shape. My new passion in sports is Tennis. I started about 4 years ago and now hold my own with the local pros. I also love to bowl.

scoop
Where does "Cannon" get his nickname from majik?

Majik
That's his middle name. Just in case.

scoop
Does he have the arm to match?

Majik
He really does.

Tooner
I'd like to hear about any BUSINESS decisions in football that you saw or experienced that made you 1) Angry 2) Pleased.

Majik
I hated contract neotiations when I was in GB. We lost a lot of potential because they didn't spend at that time.

scoop
Did you ever regret your contract holdout in 1990?

Majik
Yes. It killed our team. But they were very unfair at the time.

I2H
Did you ever consider coaching?

Majik
No. I do not have the patience. I work with a lot of local QB's on the side, but not as a career.

scoop
High school and college QBs?

Majik
HS and middle school.

Hauser
Majik, do you get back here to Virginia to your alma mater for many games?

Majik
I have not been back for one since I left. I really hate traveling. but that's not a great reason. I don't know, I'm too busy with the kids on weekends and would rather stay home. I loved UVA. I guess if they had a direct flight.

scoop
Majik, on our board we have lots of "off-topic" discussions, especially during the off-season! Can I ask you a few?

Majik
Sure.

scoop
OK, you have to choose...

scoop
Cats or dogs?

Majik
Dogs.
[various exclamations of approval followed this answer]

scoop
Blondes, brunettes, or redheads?

Majik
Brunettes.

scoop
Boxers or briefs?

Majik
Neither.
[various exclamations followed THIS answer]

tsr86free
Don, I was wondering what you thought of the change from Coach Infante to Coach Holmgren? Whose style did you like better?

Majik
They are both great. Lindy got hurt with the way management ran the team back then. And the way I got hurt.

scoop
Majik, what were the main style differences? Was Lindy a lot more easygoing?

Majik
They are actually very similar. At the time Mike didn't run the shot gun which I loved.

Brak
Isn't the Rams current offensive scheme a lot like coach Infante's?

Majik
Yes.

I2H
How do you think Lindy would have done if Tom Braatz had been allowed to spend money the way Ron Wolf was?

Majik
That's what wins superbowls. Lindy would have done great.

scoop
Who was the toughest player you faced?

Majik
Bruce Smith.

scoop
What made him tough? Quickness, or what?

Majik
Big fast mean SOB.

scoop
You said you liked the shotgun. What was great about that for you?

Majik
Yep, I liked being behind the line. It was easier to drop back. You're already there.

scoop
Who was your favorite center?

Majik
I played with Blair Bush and Jimmy Campden. They were both very good. Blair snapped shotgun better.

scoop
Most impressive athlete you played with?

Majik
Sterling.

I2H
Sterling Sharpe didn't get along with the media very well; how did you get along with Sterling?

Majik
Great. The media thing was unfortunate. He's a great guy.

Green and Gold
How did you get #5 and why did you switch to #7?

Majik
I never wanted to wear #5 my rookie year. They just issued it to me. I actually wanted #1. That was my college number. But as a punk 10th round draft choice, the just said take this and be happy. So, after my 1st year when I became the starter, I had more leverage and requested my new #7. I had so much respect for Paul H. that I actually told him during my rookie year that I was sorry they gave me his old #. He was very cool about it. He told me "at least you're a good looking blonde guy with my kind of character!" (True story) They still wouldn't issue #1.

QuietOne
I just wanted to say that I consider you to be a factor in Brett's longevity. Brett talks about how he got his start and doesn't want to lose his starting position the same way. I can't think of Brett without thinking of the "majik" before him.

Majik
Thank you. He has a great record.

I2H
You spent a lot of your time with Special Olympics while in GB. (like handing out ribbons at Ashwaubenon H.S.)... Do you still get involved with S.O.?

Majik
I do all kinds of charity functions. The latest was wheelchair tennis. Those guys are unreal.

FreeSafety
Can the average fans who try to grade and argue about say Brett Favre's last game actually have any idea about what it takes?

Majik
Not really, but as long as they have fun with it. There's way too much to comprehend. By far toughest position in all sports.

scoop
Majik, what's the most common aspect of QB that fans and commentators don't see.

Majik
The pain and preparation during the week.

Hauser
What do you think of Michael Vick so far in his career?

Majik
I live here in Atlanta so I see a lot of him. Unreal.

Brak
Who was the best O-lineman you had?

Majik
Will Wolford when I was in Indy. Great feet and hands. Couldn't beat him. In Green Bay they were all my best friends so it's hard to say.

scoop
Some say that holding occurs on every offensive play. True?

Majik
No. Yes.

scoop
Majik, who was most impressive PERSON you played with, athletic ability aside?

Majik
Played with a lot of class guys but probably Barry Sanders. He was the most humble superstar ever.

Sonvolt
Were you really over the line when you threw that TD to Sterling in the Chicago replay game?

Majik
Not even close. Please.

tsr86free
Don, what were your thoughts when the Pack won the Super Bowl in 96? Did you think about what could have been?

Majik
I always think what could have been if I didn't hurt my shoulder.

scoop
Do you have any lingering soreness or limitation in the shoulder?

Majik
Oh yeah. But I deal with it. When I play a lot of tennis it hurts bad.

Tooner
What was your greatest moment as a Packer?

Majik
The instant replay game, but the greatest throw was that same year vs the Bears in the snow in Chicago to Perry Kemp running to my left and throwing back for 6.

Tooner
Do the players get into the Packer/Bear rivalry or is it different than it is for fans?

Majik
Back then it was a little more personal with all the cheap shots and the old school players like Jimmy Mac and such.

scoop
What did you think of McMahon?

Majik
Loved him. He actually gave me a lot of my styles as far as respecting and hanging out with linemen.

FloridaRob
Majik, my first Packer game I saw in person was the Pack-Buc game in Tampa where Jacke kicked a long field goal with time running out. Another great game that year. Thank goodness for the hands to the face penalty that is called once every three years huh?

Majik
No kidding.

Brak
Last game of '89, Chiefs. I was there, and I still remember "Okoye, Okoye, Okoye" over the speakers. How disappointing was that game?

Majik
I remember they out game planned the heck out of us...Lindy coached with Marty in Cleveland. They knew all our strategies that week.

scoop
Here's a short question Majik. Nitschke or Butkus?

Majik
Butkus.

Brak
He's just kidding. : )

I2H
No way...Joe Schmidt!

Majik
Ray was a great guy.

scoop
Majik. Did you see the game or replay of Warren Sapp's hit on Chad Clifton this past season? If so, what's your opinion of that play? Cheap shot, or part of the game?

Majik
Cheap shot, but you have to keep your head on a swivel.

scoop
Majik, any college QBs you're impressed with?

Majik
Carson Palmer is great. I hope he can figure a way not to get drafted by the Bengals. He has everything.

scoop
Follow-up on the Clifton/Sapp question - what did you think of Sherman's confrontation with Sapp after the game?

Majik
I guess he was sticking up for his guy. Be careful though.

FloridaRob
Majik, does any game stand out more than any other during the 89 season. Some great comebacks that year?

Majik
Saints game was best of the year. It started everything.

sschumer
Majik, '89 Bear "Instant Replay" game and your 4th down pass one of very best memories of my 30+ yrs of following the Packers. Will forever be grateful! But can you comment on the 49er game a few weeks later when as heavy underdogs and you playing injured beat the defending SB champs in their house?

Majik
We had everything go right for us that day. A lot of lucky breaks if you can remember.

BadgerzFan
Wasn't that their only loss that year at home?

Majik
Yes.

scoop
What was the biggest break that day?

Majik
The play before I ran my QB draw, they intercepted my pass and returned it 90 yds for a TD. Called back for defensive holding. We then scored a TD on my QB draw.

Arrow
You made the comment about the Bengals. When you were drafted, did you care where you went?

Majik
You mean did I care who drafted me? Not really, I just wanted to play. As it turned out I met my wife in WI....sweet.

Tooner
The player-fan relationship: Is it all pretty much the same for players or are there teams where it's a treat to be a player? Along the same line, is it hard to live in small town like Green Bay where it can be difficult to "disappear" with your private life?

Majik
It's hard there as a player but it's also the best. Who cares if its a small town. I loved it. By far the best fans in football.

I2H
Why is it hard, recognized everywhere you go?

Majik
Sure. In Atlanta, they could give two squats if Mike Vick walked into a restaurant

tsr86free
Don, if an NFL team were looking for an emergency back-up QB to finish out a season, would you consider coming back to the game, even if only for a few weeks?

Majik
Are you serious? No. I had enough fun for one life. On the football field.

[The chat ended here. Lots of comments of thanks and appreciation for Majik]

Majik
Take care and thanks for your support.