It took 13 seasons, but Wisconsin native Kevin Zeitler ready for Lambeau debut
It took 13 seasons, but Wisconsin native Kevin Zeitler ready for Lambeau debut
Allen Park — Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler is a Wisconsin native through and through.
Born and raised in Waukesha, situated east of center between Milwaukee, where Zeitler went to high school, and Madison, where he starred for the Badgers, he still calls the state home during the offseason.
And, of course, he has a cabin upstate. Was there ever a question? It’s where he and his family spend the entirety of his offseason break each summer.
“From the moment OTAs end to the start of training camp, I live in northern Wisconsin all summer,” Zeitler said.
Just like owning a cabin, Zeitler growing up a Packers fan is equally predictable. His first football memory was the hometown team losing to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship in early 1996. The next year, the franchise won its first Super Bowl in 29 years, sealing six-year-old Zeitler’s allegiance until he entered the league as a first-round draft pick in 2012.
But get this. In 13 seasons and 188 games, Zeitler has yet to step on the grass at Lambeau Field as an NFL player. It’s an almost unbelievable coincidence, but a streak that ends Sunday when the Lions travel to Green Bay for a critical NFC North matchup.