"I don't know. I must have done something right, I guess," said Abbrederis, laughing. "It's fun to see her before practice because sometimes you can get wrapped up in football but you remember what it's about. It's about having a platform and using that platform that you have to be an example.

"Not even that, but just seeing somebody who reminds you what you're doing it for."

Brynn's dedication comes from seeing a lot of herself in Abbrederis. Their sports are different – she dances, he plays football – but there's a competitive link between the two.

There's also the adversity. After breaking her foot in dance last winter, Brynn went back and reviewed a few of Abbrederis' quotes about overcoming unexpected setbacks.

Brynn gritted her teeth and danced through the injury, helping Little Chute Middle School win a state title. After a layoff, she's back dancing 20 hours a week this summer.

"All the setbacks that he had, it made him come back stronger and made him work harder," Mike Morrill said. "That's what we noticed with her. She doesn't quit."

When camp opened this year, you couldn't find a happier child than Brynn. Standing on the rear spokes of the new bike, she glowed as Abbrederis pedaled down for his first practice.

They've since swapped out the BMX bike for a larger 10-speed, but the excitement is the same. It's been a long journey for both, but the Packers' bike tradition is something that's forged an unshakable bond between them.

"I think we sort of became friends because we're both in a sport and we have a lot in common," Brynn said. "It's just cool to be able to see him again and I have something to look forward to every morning."

After a two-year wait, Jared and Brynn have their fingers crossed for a full slate of rides this summer.

"We really haven't had too many rides," Abbrederis said. "Knock on wood we'll keep it rolling and get some this year to make up for lost time."

Other stories: