Sign of the Apocalypse #53: Lambeau Leap into child abuse

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Here's the story of an abusive Cheesehead from whom Favre and the gang may wish to distance themselves:

Upset that his 7-year-old son wouldn't wear a Green Bay Packers jersey during the team's playoff victory Saturday, a man restrained the boy for an hour with tape and taped the jersey onto him.

Mathew Kowald was cited for disorderly conduct in connection with the incident with his son at their home in Pardeeville, Lt. Wayne Smith of the Columbia County Sheriff's Department said. Pardeeville is about 30 miles north of Madison.

The 36-year-old Kowald was arrested Monday after his wife told authorities about the incident. Kowald was taken to the county jail and held until Wednesday, when he pleaded no contest, paid a fine of $186 and was released.

Kowald's wife filed a restraining order Wednesday, so Kowald will not be able to have contact with his family, Smith said. Smith said other domestic issues have surfaced, though he wouldn't elaborate.

The boy refused to wear the jersey Saturday, when the Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks in a playoff game, Smith said. Smith said the incident sounded strange when reported at first, but the mother took pictures with her cell phone and that type of evidence is difficult to dispute.

Indeed, but I'm not sure disorderly conduct is enough. Was this not child abuse?

Every team has its loathsome (and abusive) fans, of course. Even my beloved Steelers, I'm sure, have their share -- although, having been to Pittsburgh, a great city, and having attended a game at Heinz Field, and finding everyone there to have been so nice, as everywhere in the city, it's hard to believe there are any fans quite like this piece of shit.

No, no, I won't let Kowald taint the entire Packers fan base. And though I've often found myself repulsed by the love affair with Brett Favre in the media -- yo, Peter King, enough already, please, either act on your crush or move on -- I'll be rooting for Green Bay against the Giants this weekend. (Sorry, Creature.) And, if they make it, I'll root for them in the Super Bowl, too, whether it's against the Pats or the Bolts (especially against the Pats). I'm already tired of the Favre Show, but I can't deny how impressive a season it's been for him, nor how fun and exciting his team is.

But back to the matter at hand. What a despicable and reprehensible jackass this guy is. He deserves far worse than a restraining order, maybe a bit of time in jail parading around in a fancy costume or something.