GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC26) -- One former Packers employee believes fans didn't know who former GM Ted Thompson was behind the scenes.
"What they knew was the stoic, dry, business-like person," Green Bay resident and former team worker MJ Kapla said. "And I know a lot of people frowned upon that."
But Kapla says that wasn't all true.
"I wish that people that weren't involved with the team would've really known the real Ted... how funny he could be." she said. "He had this kind of like dry sense of humor. But oh my gosh… he was a hoot."
Packers Hall of Famer Ted Thompson died Wednesday at 68 years old. He drafted Aaron Rodgers and put together some of the team fans still see on the field today.
"I know it's devastating for the Packer and Green Bay community and the NFL community because he was instrumental in helping build the packers into what they are today," said Packers fan and Lake Charles, La., resident Jeffrey Keenum.
"He made a big history here in Green Bay and definitely was missed when he did leave [in 2017]," said another Green Bay resident. "But like everything else, things change and they ended up with a new GM, new coach and new players. I mean, I guess life goes on."
Some fans are still stunned to see him go.
"My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and the Packer community and the NFL community," Keenum said. "What a terrible, tragic loss."
But the community believes he'll still be with the team for years to come.
"He's watching over them and I think he's gonna take them right on through and we're going to the Super Bowl for Ted," Kapla said. "They're gonna play like he's wings on them. He's done a lot."
