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Loyal fans root from afar this Super Bowl
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Melissa Quinlan, left, and Amanda Schwartz, both teachers at Haw Creek Elementary, get ready to defend their teams leading up to today’s Super Bowl XLV. - photo by Autumn McBride
The streets of Arlington, Texas, will be filled today with Terrible Towels and Cheeseheads in preparation for Super Bowl XLV.In Forsyth County, local fans of the teams, game and even the commercials are also gearing up for the American tradition.At 6:30 p.m., the Green Bay Packers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers for the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy.While the teams represent northern cities, both have rich traditions and rabid fan bases even in the South.Aside from the Atlanta Falcons, Packers and Steelers fans are often the most well represented on Sundays at Summits Wayside Tavern in Cumming, manager Chris Joseph said.“They’re both very, very loyal,” Joseph said. “They’re always up with their teams no matter what they’re doing. They’re always fans.”Taco Mac manager Steve Helms said the Cumming eatery often has a big gathering of Steelers fans on Sundays.Helms said it’s not surprising to see fans of other NFL teams locally, since the area has many transplants.For two Forsyth County teachers, that’s exactly the case.Patte Smudde, a speech and language pathologist at Sawnee Elementary School, grew up in Milwaukee, where she learned to love the green and gold.“You’re kind of raised on it,” Smudde said.