Joey T\'s DHPF of the Month

Name:  Gary Platt

Currently resides in: Wisconsin Rapids, WI   

Q: In what city/state were you born and raised?

GP: I was born in Fond du Lac, WI. and lived there until my junior year in high school.   My Family moved to Neenah, WI (state football champs 1966) where I graduated in 1967.

Q: How long have you been a Packer Fan?

GP: I guess you can say from birth.  As far back as I can remember I cheered for the Packers. My Dad took me to my first game in 1961 when I was 11 years old.

Q: You have one of the longest and most respected home game attendance streaks in Lot 1 at Lambeau Field. When did it start?

GP: I went to college in Iowa after high school. I graduated and lived there until 1976. In 1977, I started going to all the games both in Green Bay and Milwaukee.

Q: Have you missed any games in that long time?

GP: Since 1977, I have missed only two home games. One was to attend my Father’s funeral in Arizona and the other was a family medical emergency.

Q: Your Lot 1 tailgate has been featured everywhere from Inside The NFL on Showtime to the Pages of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. What makes it so special?

GP: My tailgate is quite simple: beverages, good ice, snacks, charcoal grilled sandwiches and People having fun. Tailgates are always a time for me to see old friends and welcome new fans to the Lambeau experience. People from all over our great country have Lambeau on their bucket list. I feel so lucky to be able to help them enjoy the day a little more with a cold beer, brat and a story or two about Lambeau. People, fun, smiles and good times that is my tailgate. 

Q: How did you come by your season tickets for the Green Games?

GP: My family received season tickets in 1962 when the first addition to the stadium on the South End Zone was added. In 1988 my parents retired and moved to Arizona, they transferred the tickets to me.     

Q: Since you never miss a kickoff, we need to ask: How did you come by your tickets for Gold Games?

GP: In the 1970’s and early 1980’s, my parents lived in Milwaukee and got tickets from different people. In 1982 I met Doug Fisher from Wisconsin Dells who had 9 Milwaukee tickets but no Green Bay tickets. We became good friends and Doug always sells me some Milwaukee (Gold) tickets and I try to help him get Green Bay (Green) tickets.

Q: Your tailgating partner-in-crime is your neighbor Kathy Sacotte. When did she start tailgating with you?

GP: Kathy and I have been a team since 2007. Everyone calls it “Gary’s Tailgate” but Kathy does a lot of the work. She also has helped me move on from some ancient tailgating ideas to some great new ideas. I can’t imagine tailgating & going to the games without my best friend – Kathy.

Q: You are often seen handing out Green and Gold jello shots to the fans entering the lot. Do you have any other game day rituals you can share with us?

GP: I was one of the first to have a Packer flag in the parking lot. Every game I put it up and keep it up until after the game. My friend Mike Smith of Neenah, WI makes and brings victory cookies to the tailgate. In the street prior to entering Lambeau Lot #1, friends enjoy pre-made Bloody Marys or Hot chocolate and peppermint. I always take an old blue & white hankie with me. It was my Dad’s so he still is going to the games with me.  

Q: We’ve heard you have an important ritual involving the lighting of your charcoal grill. How Does that work?

GP: I say that if we light the grill with one match the Packers win. A lot of lighter fluid and a good match are as important as a good game plan. In 2013, the Bear game, a virgin Lambeau Packer fan took five matches to light the grill. As you remember, Aaron had his collarbone broken that day – need I say more?

Q: Who is your all-time favorite player? Why?

GP: Bart Starr. Bart has always been a gentleman and classic example of what the Packers stand for. As a great player, coach and truly class spokesman, he is my favorite. Thanksgiving – tears swelled in my eyes as I saw his final time at Lambeau.

Q: Who is your favorite player now? Why?

GP: John Kuhn. He is so unselfish and a true team player. Kuhn worked so hard to become a NFL Player. By his work on special teams, blocking for others and playing nearly every game, he sets a great example for all the young Packer players. He does this both on and off the field with physical and mental toughness.

Q: Any last words you’d like to say to the Packer Nation?

GP: I have been so lucky to have enjoyed so many great memories at tailgates and games throughout the years. When people say that they would rather sit at home and watch the game on TV in their recliner, I challenge them with this: Come to Lambeau on a game day, walk around Lot 1 and feel the excitement, join me at my tailgate, go into the stadium, sing the National Anthem, see the fly-over, watch the Lambeau Leap, sing “Roll Out the Barrel”, Get Loud- help the Green & Gold win, then tell me you would rather stay home.

Gary\’s Gallery