Email Us Your Max McGee Memories

"I was a very lucky young man, growing up in the broadcast booth with my father, Jim Irwin.  I saw many Badgers, Bucks, and Green Bay Packers games.  Of all of the hundreds of sports figures, broadcasters, and fans I met, nobody was like the kind, funny, easy-going, friendly man Max McGee.  And I know he meant the world to my father, who found the perfect counterpoint to his play-by-play in Max's casual, yet concise and droll color commentary.  I always felt that the guys I knew in the booth were exactly the guys you heard on the air - two friends giving their honest impression of the game, with keen insight and a healthy dose of humor.  I will miss him, as we all will.  But I'm so glad and honored to have known him, as all of us Packer fans should be.
 
"I still meet people who tell me they would turn down the sound on the TV and listen to Jim and Max on the radio.  That is the indelible mark they made on the state, and it is my proudest memory of my father's and Max's broadcasting careers.
- Jay Irwin, Jim Irwin's son

"I have many memories of Max McGee watching so many games from the back of a crowded press box as he called Packer games with my father, Jim Irwin.  So many fans loved Max's on-air antics and his stumblings and bumblings.  I'm a Max fan, too but not for those same reasons.  I liked the real Max.  The one who -- as soon as the mike was off -- let his on-air dry wit take a backseat to his intelligence, strength of character and his sheer smarts.  He was a captain of enterprise and a true family man devoted to his wife and kids.  That's the guy I like.

"He lived larger than life on the field, on air, and in his home.  Whether at a podium or behind the scenes, Max commanded a room with his quietly assertive confidence and grace.  He made those around him take notice and each of us in the Irwin family have felt his strong and compassionate influence in our lives.  Honestly, he was a man who had it all, lived it all, and looked good every step of the way.  How blessed my father was to have him as a lifelong broadcast partner."
- Anne Irwin Sinek, Jim Irwin's daughter

"When I opened today's Green Bay Press Gazette and saw these headlines, I was shocked.I remember a tall, gentle, smiling, joking, friendly man.  When I worked up in the WTMJ radio booth, there was one constant: Max was in the house.  He will be missed."
- Dick Page

"My fondest memories were the Sunday Packer games when I would turn down the sound and listen to Jim and Max. They were the most enjoyable games because of Max'ability to bring the game into your living room with his analysis of the game and his heartfelt comments when the Pack blew some plays or his exuberance when they brought home a victory.

"My symapathy to his family and to the Packers."
- Robert Jankowski

"This is so sad.  His legend as a player and his voice as a broadcaster will always live in our memories.  He always seemed a very warm and genuine guy, even to all of us who only knew of his professional life.  In learning more about his personal life, it seems he should also be greatly admired for the way he conducted that as well.  He touched many lives in so many positive ways during his life.  His wife, children, and other family should be deeply proud of him and all his accomplishments.  Our hearts and sympathy go out to them.  A sad day in Packerland everywhere."
- Vana Steffen

I grew up in Chicago.  Being a Packers fan in Chitown is very hard!  I'm only 29.  I dont remember him as a player.  I remember him as a broadcaster.  In  the late 80's and early 90's, the seasons weren't the best but Max always made the games fun.  You could hear his joy and love for them game even then.  I was on my way to work when they won the NFC Championship game in 1996.  I was sooo excited about it.  Hearing Max and Jim's excitment made me even more excited!  That was the best day at work.  I was able to make fun of all those Bears fans. 

"Thanks, Max, for all the memories.  Even though I didnt get a chance to know you personally, you are always part of our family (the Packers and Packers fans family)!  You will be sorely missed."
- Alison

We are huge of Jim and Max! They always made the games fun to listen to, even when the Pack was losing. As Chicago based fans, we usually only had the radio broadcasts to follow the Pack.  Thanks for all the memories!  Our sympathies to Mr. McGee's family.
 - Jennifer Garcia

I've been a Packers fan for over 30 years.  I am also totally blind and Jim and Max were my eyes to what was going on on the field.  From my childhood days at home on my parents' farm in Rockford, Illinois, to my time in the mid 80's attending school in Wausau, Wisconsin, to the time after I moved to the Chicago area, there was one constant during football seasons: for so many years, Jim and Max were always on my radio on Sunday afternoons.

I was at my parents' home watching the NFC championship game in 1996.  As the end of the game approached and I knew the Packers were about to win and go onto the Super Bowl, I abruptly got up and left the living room.  When my mom asked where I was going, I simply said, I just have to hear Jim and Max call the end of this game.  I was so glad to hear Jim and Max call the Super Bowl win in 1997 by the Packers, something I had waited for all of my life.

I wish so much that I had been able to meet Max.  Today, all I have to say is, thank you to Max's family for sharing him with all of us loyal Packers fans via the radio, especially those of us like me who would have never known what was happening on the field without him.
- Ray Campbell

Packer games changed for me when Max & Jim retired. I always enjoyed listening to their commentary during the "lean & plenty" years for the team. I stopped listening to the radio, it just hasn't been the same. Thank you, for all the joy. I never lost heart, even when the team was not doing well. You'll be in my memories always. 
- Lin Sebena

I had been watching the Packers since I was 8 years old in 1960. Since there was only black and white TV, the Pack wore black uniforms in my mind.  On Sunday, September 26th, 1965, as a 12 year old Packer fan, my older cousins had tickets to the Packers-Baltimore Colts game at Milwaukee County Stadium.  Seeing the Packers in Green & Gold uniforms was amazing to this 12 year old. 

We sat in the upper deck around the 50 yard line. It was a cold afternoon, and early in the game, Bart Starr was injured and replaced by Number 12, Zeke Bratkowski.  The Packers were trailing 17-14 late, and Green Bay was driving towards the South end zone. It was the two minute warning. I may be wrong, but I believe it was the first play after.  Zeke Bratkowski drops back to pass, and throws the winning touchdown pass to Max McGee in the Southeast corner of the County Stadium endzone.  What is even more amazing now that I read Max McGee's statistics in Sunday's JS, is that was his only TD catch of the 1965 season.  And Baltimore were defending world champions, having defeated the Cleveland Browns 27-0 in 1964.

My very first Packer game in person and Max McGee catches the winning TD pass.

And as someone who was excited over the 1961, 62, and 65-67 NFL Championships, the very first NFL-AFL Championship Game where Max is being talked about nationally for what he did during that game? After Green Bay had defeated Dallas in Texas for the NFL Championship on a Don Meredith interception pass in the endzone caught by Tom Brown, to the majority of Packer fans, that game against the Kansas City Chiefs was an exhibition game. I could have cared less. Yes, I knew Green Bay had to win, but there was little excitement leading up to that game.

Max: Rest in peace, and thanks for entertaining this longtime fan as both a player and broadcaster.
- Jeff Ostach