Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker writes ‘Go Packers’ on Vikings stadium roof beam
In politics, as in football, you leave your mark on your opponent however you can. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker apparently tried to do just that with the new Vikings stadium.
On a campaign stop, Walker told the story of the time he was touring Mortensen Construction, the West Salem, Wisc. factory that’s making the roof beams for the new Vikings stadium, set to open in 2016. Inspired by a bit of in-state pride, Walker wrote “GO PACKERS” on one of the beams.
Alas, according to Mortensen officials, the signature and jibe were removed from the beam shortly after the governor departed, since the company doesn’t particularly care to ship out graffitied beams. It’s a story reminiscent of the time the Yankees jackhammered through two feet of concrete to remove a David Ortiz jersey a worker had hidden during the construction of the team’s new stadium. And Eli Manning left his own mark on the new Cowboys stadium, autographing the locker room wall after the Giants won the first game played there.
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Walker managed to get in a jab that will stick, however. After telling the story of the signed roof beam to a campaign rally audience, he added that the Vikings saved $1 million because “they decided they didn’t need a trophy room.” Boom.
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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter.
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