Sideline view of the action

While he's managed to remain relatively unscathed during his cameraman gig with the Green Bay Packers - aside from an errant Brett Favre pass which gave him a thigh bruise - Jim Soyk Jr. secretly hopes for a collision, "to get smeared," in his words, "because as much as it would hurt, I'd have this cool story."

Perhaps some marauding linebacker will grant the videographer his wish today when the Packers play host to Dallas in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.

FOX will televise the contest at 10:05 a.m. PST but Soyk, a 1974 Lapwai High graduate, will have an even better vantage than most watching from home as he shoots sideline footage for the Lambeau Field Jumbotron.

When he started roaming Green Bay's sideline in 1999, Soyk classified himself a lukewarm football fan.

"But now," said Soyk, a cheesehead like the rest of the Badger State, "I find myself yelling when I'm shooting."

So how did the kid from small-town Idaho embark on his 15-year career with the Packers video crew?

After growing up in the area, Soyk left to do a stint in the Marine Corps before returning home and working for his dad, Jim Sr., making videos for his advertising agency, Soyk Advertising (his dad still resides in the area).

After "cutting his teeth" in film production under his father's tutelage, Soyk Jr. built a resume that landed him a job 17 years ago producing video for the Experimental Aircraft Association based out of Oshkosh, Wis. His boss there had a connection with the Packers, which is how he landed his current weekend gig.

"To be honest, I wasn't that big of a football fan at the time," said Soyk, somewhat sheepishly, of his start to filming. "I just kind of did it.

"It probably means more to me today than when I started."

Shooting Jumbotron images truly helps the 58-year-old see the big picture of what sports is all about, from fans asking him for a souvenir - anything from tufts of grass, to even his socks - to Aaron Rodgers giving him a special nod, "which is cool," said Soyk.

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Edelman may be contacted at bedelman@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2277.