The Packers have revealed the members of their search committee for Murphy’s replacement.
GREEN BAY—Bill Port was not selected to be the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. Though, as a man who makes his profession selling industrial heat-treating ovens, the New Berlin man did receive a handwritten rejection message from Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy, which was more than he anticipated.
Having applied for the head coaching position when it was available, Port added, “I wasn’t expecting a response.” For that, Matt LaFleur outperformed him. “I was hoping someone in (Murphy’s) office would get a chuckle and they’d show it to him and he’d get a chuckle.”
Murphy seemed amused by it, and he promptly rejected Port in a letter on his own letterhead. He penned:
“Bill, We appreciate you sending us your resume and cover letter for the Defensive Coordinator vacancy. I regret to notify you that, despite your great fantasy football experience, we have decided to take a different course. I’ve heard that the Bears have a spot open, and you seem like the ideal candidate. Once again, thank you. Regards, Mark.
Port admitted the Bears job, if offered, would present a conundrum. As a lifelong Packers fan, he would feel guilty working for Chicago. On the other hand, it would be an entrée into the NFL. Not that he has to worry.
In addition to his resume, which included his championship years in fantasy football as well as his experience, or lack thereof, playing on his high school football team, Port included a short and to-the-point cover letter, which read, “I heard your organization has a job opening, so I figured I could do this Defensive Coordinator thing. Please note, I prefer weekends off. GO PACK GO!”
The whole exchange went viral when his wife’s cousin posted it on Twitter (now known as X).
Port has a long history of writing letters. He used to send off letters as a child using team and player addresses he found in a football almanack. He would receive pictures, autographs, and other mementos in exchange. His favourite was a handwritten note from Packers Super Bowl XXXI hero Desmond Howard, who apologised for not writing back sooner because he was in the process of leaving to the Oakland Raiders. Among his returns were a signed photo of former Packers coach Mike Holmgren.
When the head coach position at the Packers became available, he had not written anything in several years. After failing to receive a response, he turned his attention to the defensive coordinator.
Port found pleasure in Murphy’s reply. “I found it to be very humorous. To me, it was just a lighthearted jab at your fiercest competitor. “I believe this made everyone laugh,” he remarked.
The Port family owns season tickets, and he and his spouse, Alix, go to one Lambeau Field game annually. They attend one away game year as well.
“We go to pep rallies if they happen,” he declared. It implies that although he hasn’t met Murphy directly, he has been near to him a few times.
