Actor Craig T. Nelson to sing national anthem for Packers-Bears game ahead of release of new ‘Green and Gold’ movie

GREEN BAY – Count in an unexpected famous coach for the Green Bay Packers’ final regular season game against the Chicago Bears.

Emmy Award-winning actor Craig T. Nelson, who portrayed Hayden Fox, head coach of the fictional Minnesota State University Screaming Eagles football team on the 1990s TV sitcom “Coach,” will sing the national anthem at Lambeau Field.

If you didn’t see that one coming, there’s a heartwarming cinematic connection that ties it all together.

Nelson stars as a fourth-generation dairy farmer in upcoming film “Green and Gold.” When the family farm is on the brink of foreclosure, he and the granddaughter who works alongside him wager everything on the 1993 Packers to win the Super Bowl. In other words, “betting the farm” to save what’s dear to them.

The independent film, which originally went by the working title “God Loves the Green Bay Packers,” is from director Anders Lindwall and his brother, producer Davin Lindwall, natives of Iron River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, according to WLUC-TV. It was shot in northern Wisconsin, including Door County and Green Bay, in 2021.

“Green and Gold” will be released in theaters on Jan. 31.

The uplifting drama highlights the struggles of small-town farmers and the importance of supporting local businesses while also celebrating family, legacy and perseverance. It’s being presented by Culver’s in support of the Wisconsin-based fast food restaurant’s Thank You Farmers Project, which supports agricultural education programs. Additional support comes from NFL Films and the Packers, who are featured in the film.

“Green and Gold” also stars newcomer Madison Lawlor as the granddaughter, popular Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens, Brandon Sklenar (“It Ends with Us”) and the late M. Emmet Walsh (“Blood Simple,” “Blade Runner”) in his final screen appearance.

In addition to “Coach,” the 80-year-old Nelson is also known for his roles as family patriarch Zeek Braverman on TV’s “Parenthood” in the 2010s and more recently as Dale Ballard on “Young Sheldon.”

“Green and Gold” won the Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award and the Narrative Official Selection Audience Choice Award at the Heartland International Film Festival in Indianapolis in October. Nelson was in attendance to accept the Pioneering Spirit Award: Lifetime Achievement Award.

The film also won over audiences in October at the Austin Film Festival, where it was the Audience Award winner for Narrative Feature.

The date for the season finale against the Bears hasn’t been set. Two games will be played on Jan. 4 and the rest will be played on Jan. 5. “Specific dates, start times, and networks for Week 18 matchups will be determined and announced following the conclusion of Week 17,” the NFL said.

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Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or kmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on X @KendraMeinert. 

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Actor Craig T. Nelson to sing anthem for Packers-Bears game at Lambeau