Packers' Jenkins hoping to hear from his dad
Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears attempts to avoid a sack by Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the NFC Championship. (Jan. 23, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
ARLINGTON, Texas - Cullen Jenkins was raised by a single father in Detroit and would love for his father to come to the Super Bowl. Problem is, the Packers' defensive end doesn't know where he is.
"I'll save him a ticket in case I hear from him, but nobody's heard from my dad in like a month," Jenkins, the younger brother of Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins, said Tuesday with a look of concern on his face. His father, Darmone Jenkins, moved to Hawaii several years ago, so he isn't in constant contact with his two NFL sons. But Cullen Jenkins said he's tried to call and his father's cell phone service has been cut off. He believes he's still in Hawaii.
"It's different," he said quietly. "We've never gone with not hearing from him, so hopefully, maybe with the Media Day and all this stuff, he'll hear that I do have a ticket for him and I would like for him to come to the game."
Cullen Jenkins would not speculate on what could be keeping his father from reaching out to friends or family or even attending the Super Bowl, where his son will play a large role in the Packers' defense.
"Just personal issues, I guess," he said. "I'm not sure. Hopefully, I hear from him."
Favre not on list
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he has received support and advice from several Super Bowl-winning QBs he looks up to, including Bart Starr, Kurt Warner and Steve Young. He was effusive in his praise and respect for those former players. Then Rodgers was asked if he had spoken to his predecessor in Green Bay - Brett Favre - about preparing for a Super Bowl.
"No," he said in a one-word answer.
Super cold
Like most of the country, the Dallas area was hit by a winter storm yesterday. It was so cold that Packers safety Nick Collins' teeth were chattering during interviews at Cowboys Stadium, with the roof closed . . . Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips may want to play for Mike Tomlin, too. Asked about his coach, Steelers WR Hines Ward noted his casual attitude and sharp wardrobe. "What coach wears Ed Hardy Jeans?" Ward asked. "He's hip." . . . You know you're in Texas when an ice storm forces a Super Bowl team to practice indoors and the NFL has to borrow a facility from a nearby high school program. The Packers will likely be holding their first practice of the week Wednesday in the indoor complex at Highland Park High School, but that decision will not be made until the morning. The Packers were originally supposed to practice at SMU's stadium. The Steelers are practicing at TCU, which has its own indoor facility.
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