GREEN BAY, Wis.— It's not particularly easy to make one's way to Green Bay.

The charming Wisconsin village that sits in the cradle of the Badger State's offshoot of Lake Michigan is home to the Packers, a team that predated even the NFL and is beholden by loyalty and hundred year old charters to never leave the small mill town.

The location makes it unique for a NFL town, but again, not one particularly convenient for most of the sports world.

The only direct flights into and out of the tiny Austin Straubel International Airport are to Atlanta (a Delta hub), Minneapolis, Detroit, and Chicago, … all cities that host divisional rivals. Extra flights were added for this weekend, as the NFL's smallest city hosts the NFL's biggest event, but as one club employee noted Thursday morning ahead of the festivities, "we literally took planes, trains, and automobiles to get here."

As such, the number of fans on hand were expected to be skewed, and mostly are, towards Packers and those in driving distance, such as Bears, Lions, and Vikings fans. But over seven hours ahead of Rodger Goodell stepping to the podium to open the draft, Panthers jerseys started to pepper the parking lot.

Some made the trek from the Carolinas, such as Logan. The Matthews, N.C., native joined his dad, who grew up in Wisconsin as a Packers fan, to enjoy one of the few events where their fandom crossed over.

"I like seeing all the different NFL fans and their team fans," said Logan, before offering an inspired, "Keep Pounding!"

Zach, a Wisconsin native, is moving to Raleigh, N.C., this summer, "so I'm getting in on the Panthers (now) so I can't be credited as a bandwagon fan."

Others, such as Orin from Fond du Lac, Wis., decided to become a Panthers fans simply because, "I hate Packers fans."

Eli from Sturgeon Bay, Wis., had a more wholesome story.

"When I was 3, my dad had these NFL helmets not he windowsill and I picked the Panthers one out because it had a cat and ever since I've been a fan."

Issac from Minnesota found himself at a Buffalo Wild Wings 10 years ago, watching the Panthers in prime time and fell in love with Cam Newton.

"It's a long story of me being a Panthers fan, but if anybody asks, I got the video proof for it," Issac promised.

One family of four from Illinois followed dad's love of Newton to become an entire household of Panthers fans, making the short trip to Green Bay in various Carolina attire.

Of course those that traveled the farthest were Moritz Haist and Kai Beuchling, the International Fans of the Year from Germany. It was Kai's first time in the States, and he equated the event to the best sporting memory possible.

"It's bigger for me than the Super Bowl," Beuchling admitted. "To be here in Green Bay to join the draft, this is crazy."

And so the day went on, over and over, with Greg Olsen jersey's, Luke Kuechly fan shirts, and one particularly snazzy blazer adorned with Panthers insignia. In a draft in which the Tennessee Titans have the number one overall pick, and two New York teams plus the New England Patriots are all in the Top 10, it was Panthers fans that represented, easily standing out as a Top 5 represented team.

"It's so awesome and we're so grateful for the Panthers choosing us," said Haist. "To be able to be here in Green Bay for the draft, it's phenomenal."

The Panthers currently have the No. 8 overall pick, and the consensus from fans is they'd like to see general manager Dan Morgan use the Top 10 selection on Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker. Whoever the selection might be though, there is a large contingent waiting just below the stage, ready to welcome him to the Carolinas.