Step into the Ramczyk house in Hull, Wisconsin, and you’ll find yourself in a Packer’s paradise. Autographed jerseys, Lambeau Field photos, and even Super Bowl tickets create a shrine to Green Bay. But nestled among this sea of green and gold, a curious license plate catches your eye: “Our son is a Saint.”

Meet Randy and Lori Ramczyk, the proud parents of New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Their story took an unexpected turn this week, when the Saints placed Ryan on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, potentially ending his NFL career. This latest development adds another layer to Ramczyk’s already complex football journey.

Randy, the Director of Underwriting – Transportation at Sentry Insurance since 2005, has been a Packers devotee for decades. His passion runs so deep that he once flew to New Orleans in 1997 to watch Green Bay clinch Super Bowl XXXI. Little did he know that 20 years later, his son would be donning the black and gold of the Saints.

Randy hit an emotional impasse when Ryan was picked 32nd overall by New Orleans in the 2017 NFL Draft. Randy said in an interview with Stevens Point Journal in 2017: “I immediately received numerous texts about what I’d be wearing and who I would be cheering for in October when the Saints visited the Packers because everyone knows what a diehard Packers fan I am.” He commented on how he changed for some time, but family ties cannot be broken: “I went through a bit of a transformation in the weeks that followed, but in the end blood is thicker than water. So deep down I’ll be cheering for the Saints to win.”

The ultimate test for this conversion happened at Lambeau Field when New Orleans visited. Being a creative supporter, Randy decided to support both teams turning up in a jersey divided between Packers (on the front) and Saints (with ‘Ramczyk 71’ at the back). Randy gushed back then: “Just over a year ago, we got to experience Ryan playing for the Badgers at Lambeau (against LSU), never thinking in our wildest dreams he’d be back a year later playing a starting role for the New Orleans Saints protecting a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Drew Brees.”

While Randy’s transformation from Packers fan to Saints supporter is well-documented, Lori has been equally devoted, often seen with their grandchildren during practice sessions and games.

The Ramczyks’ hidden influence

Behind Ryan’s rise to NFL stardom lies a story of parental dedication that would make any Cheesehead proud. Randy and Lori Ramczyk, both UWSP alumni and Stevens Point natives, have been Ryan’s rock through every twist and turn of his unconventional journey.

When Ryan shocked everyone by walking away from football at Winona State, his parents stood by him. As he navigated two tech schools before finding his footing at UW-Stevens Point, they never lost faith. Randy, drawing on his years of business experience, became Ryan’s mentor and confidant.

“He played a huge part throughout the whole process,” Ryan said in a 2019 interview with WSAW-TV. “We talked just about every day. He was there to mentor me through those challenges.” Ryan added back then. Through this father-son relationship, Ryan was able to find his way back into football and proceeded to climb through the ranks of Wisconsin and into the NFL.

The Ramczyks’ influence extends beyond their immediate family. They’ve become pillars of support for aspiring young players in Stevens Point. When Ryan hosted his first lineman camp in his hometown in 2019, it was a full-circle moment for Randy and Lori. Randy beamed back then.

Moreover, the Ramczyks’ impact has not been confined only to their immediate family. They have become a significant support system for young aspiring players in Stevens Point as well. When Ryan organized his first offensive lineman camp in 2019 in his hometown, it represented a full-circle moment for Randy and Lori. There’s a lot of pride. It’s been an incredible experience,” Randy happily told back then.

When faced with a new setback in 2024, Ryan will benefit from Randy and Lori’s unflagging support. Their transformation from being Packers fanatics into proud Saints fans exemplifies how parental love can be powerful and that football dreams are never predictable. You may also see one day that there is a Ramczyk jersey hanging next to Saints One in the Hall of Fame.