Sports
'Acme Packer' a Legend Among Lambeau Field Tailgaters
Every Green Bay Packers fan who visits Lambeau Field knows the man in the leather helmet, Acme Packers uniform, and donning a golden championship belt. And Menomonee Falls' Bruce Roehsner gearing up for tailgating as the football season nears.
Bruce Roehsner doesn't like the term "Super Fan." He's not even a nitty-gritty "X's and O's" kind of Green Bay Packers fan. But he sure likes to have fun — and enjoys the tailgating, as well.
Roehsner is arguably the most famous fan representing Menomonee Falls at the weekly gathering of Packers faithful at the Mecca that is Lambeau Field. And his loyalties are a tribute to the old fashioned black-and-blue days of professional football — as if the authentic Acme Packers uniform didn't offer any clues.
“It’s a hobby. Since I’m retired I just do this for fun. My family is 100 percent supportive. It’s just a lot of fun. We take hundreds of pictures with the fans on game day," Roehsner said.
Roehsner runs with the Green & Gold Gang tailgating group on football weekends. He knows the Packer Pope by name, as well as countless legends past and present.
Roehsner dons a hand-crafted uniform with leather lettering. Four fingers are wrapped in mock championship rings from every Packers Super Bowl title. He heads to the game in a renovated hunting cabin. His authentic retro football is also signed by Packer greats, and other folks who have met him along the way.
And of course, you can't miss the glimmering, golden world title belt that graces his shoulder.
It all started in 2006 when Roehsner purchased a traditional Singer sewing machine from the back of a loaded truck. His family was a little perplexed when he brought the device home.
"They were razzing me a little bit when they saw me bring it home," Roehsner said.
But stitch by stitch, a legend was born. Interestingly, Roehsner had never touched a sewing machine before he pieced together his first handmade Acme Packers sweater.
Now, he's gone through 15 iterations of his authentic old-school jerseys, and he even has one for any kind of weather. Of course, there's been demand from around the U.S. for his unique throwback gear, but he's not making a business of it.
He was a finalist among 1,000 fans to be enshrined in the Packer Fan Hall of Fame, but fell short in 2009. He's not sure if he'll apply again. However, one of his jerseys is permanently featured in its halls. His image has also appeared in ESPN Magazine, NFL Network, the Tonight Show and the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
And just like the players on the field, the season never ends for Roehsner. He attends charities, fundraisers, corporate events and trade shows throughout the year. Even when he's "off the clock" he's always wearing something with the Packers on it.
But it's not all about the glitz and the glamor. There's also serious tailgating to be done each week.
Game day doesn't begin on Sunday. Roehsner gets to Green Bay on Saturday, makes the rounds, and spends the night in his retrofitted trailer. Tailgating begins at 6 a.m. the following day.
That's right — 6 a.m.
“We usually start tailgating at 6 a.m. — regardless of when the game starts,” Roehsner said. “The night games make for a long day, but it’s a good day. For $150 a night in some of the hotels up there, the trailer paid for itself in the first night.”
On Sunday, Roehsner said he's also a favorite photo-op for the ladies. Don't worry, he's a family man happily married for 37 years to his wife Vicki, with whom he raised his children Jodi and Ryan.
"I just like tailgating, and the experience on game day," Roehsner said. "I kind of sample as I go down the tailgating row. Maybe a brat, or maybe a Bloody Mary."
As a tailgating insider, he suggests you park near Champion's Sports Bar & Grill for $10 before kickoff. Also, take the side streets on the way home. And Stadium View is where the action is if you're looking for a pub to visit.
Before Roehsner was a prominent figure on the Green Bay Packers tailgating scene, he was a well-known man locally. He's lived in Menomonee Falls since 1977 and was the varsity baseball announcer for 15 years. He received the Friend of Education Award in 2011 from the Menomonee Falls School District. He retired from the 440th Air Force Reserves in 1996 after 25 years of service.
And how does Roehsner think the Packers will do this year?
"I just hope they go all the way like I do every year," he said with a smile.
Roehsner is arguably the most famous fan representing Menomonee Falls at the weekly gathering of Packers faithful at the Mecca that is Lambeau Field. And his loyalties are a tribute to the old fashioned black-and-blue days of professional football — as if the authentic Acme Packers uniform didn't offer any clues.
“It’s a hobby. Since I’m retired I just do this for fun. My family is 100 percent supportive. It’s just a lot of fun. We take hundreds of pictures with the fans on game day," Roehsner said.
Roehsner runs with the Green & Gold Gang tailgating group on football weekends. He knows the Packer Pope by name, as well as countless legends past and present.
Roehsner dons a hand-crafted uniform with leather lettering. Four fingers are wrapped in mock championship rings from every Packers Super Bowl title. He heads to the game in a renovated hunting cabin. His authentic retro football is also signed by Packer greats, and other folks who have met him along the way.
And of course, you can't miss the glimmering, golden world title belt that graces his shoulder.
It all started in 2006 when Roehsner purchased a traditional Singer sewing machine from the back of a loaded truck. His family was a little perplexed when he brought the device home.
"They were razzing me a little bit when they saw me bring it home," Roehsner said.
But stitch by stitch, a legend was born. Interestingly, Roehsner had never touched a sewing machine before he pieced together his first handmade Acme Packers sweater.
Now, he's gone through 15 iterations of his authentic old-school jerseys, and he even has one for any kind of weather. Of course, there's been demand from around the U.S. for his unique throwback gear, but he's not making a business of it.
He was a finalist among 1,000 fans to be enshrined in the Packer Fan Hall of Fame, but fell short in 2009. He's not sure if he'll apply again. However, one of his jerseys is permanently featured in its halls. His image has also appeared in ESPN Magazine, NFL Network, the Tonight Show and the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
And just like the players on the field, the season never ends for Roehsner. He attends charities, fundraisers, corporate events and trade shows throughout the year. Even when he's "off the clock" he's always wearing something with the Packers on it.
But it's not all about the glitz and the glamor. There's also serious tailgating to be done each week.
Game day doesn't begin on Sunday. Roehsner gets to Green Bay on Saturday, makes the rounds, and spends the night in his retrofitted trailer. Tailgating begins at 6 a.m. the following day.
That's right — 6 a.m.
“We usually start tailgating at 6 a.m. — regardless of when the game starts,” Roehsner said. “The night games make for a long day, but it’s a good day. For $150 a night in some of the hotels up there, the trailer paid for itself in the first night.”
On Sunday, Roehsner said he's also a favorite photo-op for the ladies. Don't worry, he's a family man happily married for 37 years to his wife Vicki, with whom he raised his children Jodi and Ryan.
"I just like tailgating, and the experience on game day," Roehsner said. "I kind of sample as I go down the tailgating row. Maybe a brat, or maybe a Bloody Mary."
As a tailgating insider, he suggests you park near Champion's Sports Bar & Grill for $10 before kickoff. Also, take the side streets on the way home. And Stadium View is where the action is if you're looking for a pub to visit.
Before Roehsner was a prominent figure on the Green Bay Packers tailgating scene, he was a well-known man locally. He's lived in Menomonee Falls since 1977 and was the varsity baseball announcer for 15 years. He received the Friend of Education Award in 2011 from the Menomonee Falls School District. He retired from the 440th Air Force Reserves in 1996 after 25 years of service.
And how does Roehsner think the Packers will do this year?
"I just hope they go all the way like I do every year," he said with a smile.
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