Packers quarterback Jordan Love throws during a Christmas Eve practice
Packers quarterback Jordan Love remains in concussion protocol but took part in practice Dec. 24 ahead of a Dec. 27 game against the Ravens.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins discussed his favorite Christmas foods during a press availability, and a surprising (Wisconsin-local) item came up.
“When I’m done playing, it’s going to get a little more naughty in terms of what I eat on Christmas, so more of the tea rings and the cinnamon rolls and the Danish kringles,” Cousins said. “There’s a deep cut for you. The Racine Danish Kringle is one of the greatest things I’ve ever eaten. So I’ll get in on those when I’m retired, but until then, I try to keep it relatively proper. But when I retire, I’ll be real naughty.”
Kirk Cousins, we were not familiar with your elite culinary game.
For those uninitiated, kringles are the Wisconsin state pastry. That’s official, as of 2013.
The Danish pastry has a flaky, buttery dough with a filling at its center and topped with frosting or sugar. They usually arrive in giant ovals (10-15 inches long) with a hole in the center, perfect for sharing at family gatherings. But you’re from Wisconsin, and you already knew that.
Racine had a massive Danish community dating back to the 1849s, and it’s estimated that settlers first brought kringle to the state around 1900. Numerous Danish bakeries opened in Racine, including some that remain today, like Racine Danish Kringle and O&H Danish Bakery that ship internationally. Local shops like Bendtsen’s Bakery and Larsen Bakery have been staples for decades.
Perhaps Cousins, 37, was exposed to Racine kringle during his time in the Midwest. He was, after all, born in Illinois and attended high school in Michigan, then became quarterback at Michigan State University. From 2019-23, he was at the helm of the Minnesota Vikings.
He’s started six games for the Falcons in his second year with the franchise, passing for eight touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 62.2% of his passes. Most of his work has come late in the season with Michael Penix Jr. sidelined by injury; the Falcons have won their past two games.
Dining and Cooking