The "Big G" Is Truly A Tailgating Legend
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
For the last 15 years, Stephen Gay has been showing his love for the Green Bay Packers by sporting his converted 1966 Dodge Camper. This lifelong resident of Green Bay turned that old camper into one of the most storied tailgating vehicles around, simply known as the "Big G." This famous tailgate machine has even starred in a Campbell's Soup commercial and an NFL Films presentation. Its allocates are incredibly hard to beat considering the fact that the "Big G" has been featured in numerous news and web publishings throughout the country.
When you ask Stephen about the "Big G," his response is simple. "This is the Big G, it's a 1966 Dodge motor home. I found the Big G out in a barn in Denmark, and I had looked at a bunch of them. As soon as I saw it, I envisioned exactly what I wanted to do with it. Turn it into a helmet shaped motor home with the paint scheme I wanted to go with and stuff."
The interior of the "Big G" is painted green and yellow (obviously), and wallpapered with newspapers chronicling the football team's rich football history. This ultimate tailgating machine also sports a wood heater and functional bathroom. After all, nobody wants to go outside to use the bathroom when it's a balmy 10 below.
Every game day, Gay says he packs up four cases of beer, four cases of soda, 75-100 bratwursts and, "a large supply of Captain Morgan," and holds his tailgating party for anyone who wants to join in, Packer or not. And even though his family owns four season tickets, and he went to many games in his youth, he never even enters the stadium anymore. He stays outside, and watches the game on TV inside the "Big G."
The history and experience of the "Big G" is impossible to capture in a blog post. This vehicle has been through too much and seen too much. My advice would be to go out to Lambeau Field on a Sunday Game Day, and experience it for yourself. I can say I haven't done that personally, but it is definitely on my tailgating to do list.
Below is a concise timeline of the "Big G". Please note that due to the history of this magnificent vehicle, it is impossible to cover every moment in its life span.
1994 - Creation of the "Big G"
1995 - Super Bowl season & NFL Films (Connie Gomper)
1996 - Super Bowl Trip New Orleans
1997 - Super Bowl Trip San Diego
1999 - Road trip to Dallas
2005 - Campbell Soup Commercial
2007 - Road trips to Denver and KC
2008 - Road trip to Nashville
2009 - Planned road trip to Cleveland
We can only hope Cleveland is ready to handle the "Big G"...
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