GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – During the past 3 1/2 years, Frank Lamping has been battling prostate cancer.
The 60-year-old Union Grove man says his Green Bay Packers have helped him immensely during that time by giving him somewhere else to focus his attention and allowing him to forget about any internal problems.
Earlier Tuesday at Lambeau Field, Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy announced Lamping would be the 19th member of the team’s ‘Fan Hall of Fame.’
Lamping was nominated by a friend, who submitted the necessary 500-word-maximum essay, and late last year was named one of ten finalists.
Throughout January, fans could vote on which finalist deserved to have their name permanently displayed in the team’s Hall of Fame. Over 60,000 votes were received.
In addition to being enshrined in the Lambeau Field museum, Lamping will receive a prize package that includes four club seats to a 2017 home game; a road trip for two to a 2017 away game, including game tickets, airfare, and hotel accommodations; a $500 gift certificate to the Packers Pro Shop, and a one-year subscription to Packers Plus.
Lamping says he’s been a season ticket holder ever since the Packers moved their home games to Lambeau Field from Milwaukee’s County Stadium.
The inductee says his favorite Packers moment came at an alumni game in the late 1990’s when legendary quarterback Bart Starr nearly signed his jersey before being whisked away by security.
“I love Bart Starr, he’s my hero. To have him that close to me, almost signing my jersey, was the thrill of a lifetime.”
Lamping says he is the first one inside Lambeau Field at every home game and stands behind the goalpost in the south endzone catching field goals during pregame warmups.
Like many fans, Lamping has his own superstition. He purchased a pair of cleats worn during a game by ex-Packer quarterback Ty Detmer and sports them each time he visits the Frozen Tundra.
The Packers Fan Hall of Fame was established in 1998 to honor devout and longtime fans of the Green and Gold.
