By: Ruth F., Transformations Alumna

‘What do I do for FUN in sobriety?!’

‘Does getting sober mean I can’t go to places or do the things I loved anymore?!?’

These were some of the questions I asked myself and others when I first got sober, and after almost four years sober,IMG 4446 I still get asked these things by people just starting this journey. Drinking is such a large part of society and how people have fun and growing up in Wisconsin, it was even more so a ‘norm.’ It’s like Sundays were MEANT for drinking and Packer football, whether it was at Lambeau or the dive down the street. At six months sober, I moved home to Wisconsin from Florida and was worried about the environment and the challenges I would face, one of those being going to Lambeau Field for a Packer game and NOT DRINKING.

In early 2020, a friend shared in an AA meeting about this new ‘Section Yellow’ Facebook page and a ‘sober table’ at Packer games. I thought it sounded really cool and then Covid happened and obviously, no spectators were allowed. Section Yellow is now an amazing community of sober Packer fans and what we call ‘Sober Allies’ or people supporting the sobriety of others. There is a table in the concourse of Lambeau at all home games that offer fellowship before and during the game to anyone who is choosing to not drink and those supporting them. They offer stickers that say ‘One Game At A Time’ and yellow balloons to blow up and release during the 4th quarter and it’s really awesome to look out and see all these balloons floating around and know we are NOT alone. It’s also really nice to know that if I feel like I’m surrounded by people drinking or start getting ‘in my head,’ I can go out to the table and just get some interaction with another sober human!

In 2021 I was able to go to my first SOBER  Packer game with my dad at Lambeau and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I was lucky I had the support and companionship of my dad. This season I was faced with a dilemma; miss out on a Packer game because I had no one to go with OR I could get out of my comfort zone and ask for help. I chose to overcome my fear and reached out on the Section Yellow Facebook page to find a sober game buddy. That’s where this story takes over. I made a fast friend, enjoyed an AMAZING and sober time at a game, and made memories to last a lifetime. Section Yellow provided me a space to reach out, ask for help, and connect with another recovering alcoholic and I think that is so awesome.

This season I was able to go to three games sober. I was present in the moment, FEELING the freezing cold, kind and RESPECTFUL to fans around me, and best of all, going to work the next day without a hangover!  I also had the privilege of volunteering at the Section Yellow table for a game, too. Whether it’s being a spectator or being of service, there is plenty of fun to be had SOBER!