Joey T\'s DHPF of the Month

Name: Brad Borchardt aka Packermania

Currently resides in: Kingsford, Michigan

Q: What city/state were you born and raised?

A: I was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan and raised there and in Kingsford, Michigan (which both towns are basically one giant town). Luckily most of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan feels more like Upper Wisconsin so it’s definitely Packer country up here.

Q: What is your earliest memory of being a DHPF?

A: My earliest memory of being a DHPF would be growing up and watching the back to back Super Bowl runs in the 1990’s lead by Brett Favre and Reggie White with my friends and family. I don’t remember too much about the games other than Brett Favre running around the Superdome with his helmet off, the excitement of beating the Patriots to get Green Bay back to Title Town, and the shock of losing to the Broncos the following year.

Q: How did you become such serious Packer fan?

A: With Upper Michigan being more Packer country than Lion country, the Packers were what your family and friends would talk about, what you saw on the other kid’s backpacks at school, and was in the culture of the town. That played a key factor in my Packer fandom. When I started understanding the game more I looked at other teams to make sure I was a Packer fan by choice and not just because of being influenced and the Packers had one thing the other teams didn’t that drew me in. Brett Favre. He was so fun to watch. He made some of the most beautiful (and cringe worthy) throws you would ever see and we always had a chance to win with Favre on the field. Nobody had more fun playing this game like he did from creating magic on the field to jumping into a lineman’s arm like he was a school kid. I always admired that. He is my favorite all-time NFL Player. So between growing up in the community, watching guys like Brett Favre and Reggie White, and knowing the history of the Packers, it was a no brainer that I was going to be a Packer fan.

Q: How did you come up with Packermania and what made you want to promote that image?

A: Wrestling is one of the biggest passions of my life. I have actually been to more different NFL stadiums to see WrestleMania than I have NFL games. My man cave is covered in four major themes. Coca Cola, video games, WWE, and Green Bay Packers. So as a wrestling fan, one year for Halloween I went all out and made a pretty detailed Hulk Hogan costume. I even got these great costume wrestling boots that were pretty expensive. I kept thinking to myself that I need to do something with these boots so the money doesn’t go to waste. On the Packer fan side of things, I always saw great Packer fans on TV like St. Vince and I always wanted to be a super fan. My original idea was going to be some sort of super hero gimmick known as Packerman. That year I went as Hulk Hogan I was thinking of what I could do and the idea popped in my head to go as a green and gold version of Hulk Hogan since I would only have to replace the red parts with green parts. It was a win/win situation to be able to reuse the costume parts and combine two big parts of my life in creating Packermania.

Q: Knowing you get bombarded by fans at Lambeau asking for a photo.  Do you ever need to stop or tell them you’re not taking pictures anymore?  Do you take photos with fans during the game as well or no?

A: It’s an absolute honor and pleasure I get to do what I do as Packermania. It makes me feel great that so many people love the costume, love the gimmick, and some even recognize me from television or past experiences at Lambeau. Even the fans from other teams are great sports about it and are always asking for photos with me. That is the great thing about Lambeau Field. Everyone comes together to celebrate football no matter who you cheer for because there is no greater NFL experience than game day at Lambeau Field. I don’t recall ever denying anyone of a photo opportunity. When I put on the costume, I feel I represent myself as a person, I represent Packer fans, and I represent the Green Bay Packers. When I’m Packermania, I am a super fan and that means doing everything in my power to share that. It doesn’t matter if it’s during tailgating, entering the building, during the game, in line for food, or on the street, I will stop anytime I’m asked. Sometimes I get into Green Bay early on game days since I live two hours away and I drive in the costume. I have been stopped for pictures while pumping gas, getting coffee, in a drive thru, at the Mall or Walmart, and even while I am eating after the game at Buffalo Wild Wings and every time I will stop what I am doing to take that picture. It’s like if you go to Disney World and see Micky Mouse. How disappointing would it be if you saw him on a bench, with his costume head off, smoking, and on his phone rather than being in character? That is the mind frame I have when I am Packermania.

Q: Do you stay in character all day and throughout the entire evening?

A: I stay in character as much as possible, especially in front of the kids and in front of the camera. The only time I break character is if I’m being served by someone (although if they appear to like the costume I may go in and out of character) or helping out fans if they don’t know where their seats are at or something of that nature. Other than that, I’m pretty much Packermania the rest of the day.

Q: How long does it take you to paint your face?

A.:When I first started Packermania, the paint took forever. I use acrylic paint which isn’t designed for skin, but works great in the elements. It would probably take almost 40 minutes to an hour when I first started it. I also do it myself which took some getting used to. After a while now and going out as Packermania more times than I can remember, I can usually get the paint done in less than 20 minutes. I try and give myself an hour with the costume between the paints, all the parts, and allowing the paint to dry.

Q: Could you see yourself doing this for the rest of your life?

A: I want to do this for as long as I possibly can. I have certain goals that I want to meet. There are two big goals. The first goal is to use Packermania to help others. I have started to do that. In 2015, Jay Cutler had an auction for an autographed football that went for zero bids. I think someone bought it at the end for $100.00 for charity. So to poke fun at the Bears, I made a challenge that a Packer fan can get more bids than the Bears starting quarterback. I announced that all the proceeds would go to the Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee and I would match the winning bid to double the donation. Needless to say, the online auction blew expectations and the winning bid for my autograph was $400.00. I matched that and we were able to donate $800.00 to the Children’s Hospital. I have also helped with the Wounded Warrior Project and am currently working on a scholarship offer hopefully rolling out next year. Goal #1 is to give back as Packermania. Goal #2 is to get into the Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame. I know it’s a tall task but I will be Packermania as long as those goals are still on the table.

Q: Have you ever gone to Lambeau out of costume and if you have, what is it like not having everyone asking you for a photo?

A: The first few Packer games I ever went to was just as Brad Borchardt. They never won a single game, lol. The first time they won with me going to the game was the debut of Packermania on October 24, 2010, when the Packers defeated the Vikings on Sunday Night Football. After that game they went on to win the Superbowl so I knew I had to go as Packermania for now on, lol. As Packermania, the Packers are I believe 18-5 with two of those losses playing without Aaron Rodgers. There was one random game I went out of the costume because I was super sick and they lost that one, lol. It’s not a weird feeling not being asked for photos because I go to WWE events and concerts not dressed up so just feels like a normal event if I’m not in the costume.

Q: What is your most valuable Packer memorabilia piece?

A: I have a Packer poster from when they won Super Bowl XXXI and I’ve held onto it since. It’s something that was always hung in my room during my childhood.

Q: How may Packer games do you attend a year?

A: As long as work doesn’t interfere and I can afford it, I try to make every game possible. The most games in a season I’ve ever been to was six and that was last year and in 2015. This year my goal is to get to all the games.

Q: Who is your favorite player now and why?

A: It’s a toss-up between Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson. They both are so amazing at their positions and carry themselves so professionally. Bonus points for Rodgers as my sister Jenny has the ultimate crush on him.=

Q: Do you have any game day rituals/superstitions?

A: I can’t go to the game as myself since they have never won, lol. Packermania has become my game day ritual.

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

A: As Brad Borchardt, I want to thank the following:

1. All the Packer Fans: Thank you for making Packermania feel welcomed, supporting Packermania by buying merchandise, helping with Packermania charity events, for the generous hospitality and countless free drinks and bites to eat, and all of your support. Without the fans embracing Packermania, there would be no Packermania. The fans are the reason Packermania has been able to go on local and national television, able to help charities in a larger way, and make Packermania what it is. Packermania is not one person, it is a vision created by the fans, for the fans.
2. My Father Glenn Borchardt: Thank you for taking me to my first game and being there for the birth of Packermania.
3. My Tag Team Partner Jay Gibbs, aka Macho Packness: I love you brother. Packer World Order is taking over Brother!
4. My sister Jenny, Carter, Hunter, Kristin, Breanne, Corey, Jay, Sam, Jacalyn, Allison, and Misty: Just some of the great people I attended Packer events with who helped take pictures, hold things, and be patient after being stopped over 100 times in a day, lol. Also Chad for getting me into wrestling.
5. Iron Mountain Walmart: Thank you for allowing me to run Madden Tournaments every year as Packermania and helping with the Children’s Hospital.
6. And Last of All: Everyone who has impacted Packermania in one way or another. Thank you.

Packermania’s Final Comments to the Packer Nation:

Well you know something Packermaniacs, it’s been a crazy seven years since Packermania started running wild Brother! Since that time, the Packers have punched their ticket to the postseason every year, won a Superbowl, have dominated the NFC North, and we have seen Aaron Rodgers complete Hail Marys so high up in the air that the closest defender to the ball as it soared through the heavens before coming down was good ol’ Reggie White, bless his soul. It’s an honor and privilege, to go to the Holy Grail of stadiums every year, Lambeau Field, with all you passionate Packermaniacs and making so much noise that the other teams feels that they just traveled on the Titanic for 40 days and 40 nights dudes! There’s no doubt in Packermania’s mind that this year we have to chance to win Championship #14 and we can help by continuing to be the best fans in all of sports brothers! With that said, Packermania wants to give a shout out to each and every Packermaniac and from the bottom of the Packster’s Heart, say Thank You for believing in the power of Packermania. With all you Packermaniacs running wild, there’s no doubt 2017 is going to be a magical season. For those of you who don’t believe in Packermania and all the Packermaniacs…..YOU BETTER EAT YOUR CHEESE AND PRAY TO LOMBARDI BROTHER! BECAUSE WHATCHA GONNA DO BROTHER?!?!? WHATCHA GONNA DO WHEN THE POWER OF PACKERMANIA RUNS WILD ON YOU?!?!?!?!?

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