GREEN AND MOWED

Steve Held says God had a hand in getting him his first Green Bay Packers ticks in 16 years and a green-and-gold means of getting him to the game. "I'm very excited, I just couldn't believe it. It's a blessing from God. He had a part in it," the West Bend born-again Christian said.

Held's wife Jolie said the couple prayed the night before her husband won two tickets and a lawn tractor in a contest.

The tickets are for a game Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

A condition of the contest by Milwaukee radio station WKLH required the winner to ride to the game aboard the tractor, which was painted in the Packers' team colors of green and gold.

Packers games are usually sellouts. The last time Held saw the team play in Lambeau Field was in 1980.

"I'll make it. I'll carry it if I have to," Held said as he pondered a 90-mile trek on the mower along U.S. 57, beginning Thursday morning at a Port Washington implement dealership. He prepared for 29-degree weather by dressing in several layers of clothing, including long underwear, three pairs of socks and boots.

He also sported a cheesehead hat.

At top speeds of 6 miles an hour, Held expected to drive about 30 miles a day.

A radio station van and trailer accompanied him with his wife driving the couple's minivan.

Parking the tractor at night, Held planned to return home and resume the trip the next morning. The station was in charge of transporting the tractor.

He expected to be in Green Bay by Saturday night, then drive down Lombardi Avenue to a stadium parking lot Sunday to gain final ownership of the machine.

"I've been a Packer fan forever," Held said.

Held's name was chosen from among the top 10 of 300 entries. His winning entry was a drawing of the state of Wisconsin featuring items unique to the state, including Lambeau Field.