John Brosig named 27th member of Packer’s FAN Hall of Fame

POUND – Finalists for the Green Bay Packer’s FAN Hall of Fame gathered at the historic Lambeau Field on Monday, Feb. 17 for the announcement of the newest inductee. The honor went to the late John Brosig of Pound, whose love for the team will be cemented in Packer’s history.

John Brosig was a long-time Packers fan, becoming a season ticket holder in 1962. For over 60 years he attended every home game played by the team.

From the historic “Ice Bowl” win of 1967 to cross-country trips with his wife Diane to see his beloved team play and countless Sundays spent tailgating, being a Packers fan was a way of life for him.

“This is no joke…I remember going to games and literally being the first car to get into the parking lot. They wouldn’t have the barricades set up, some of the parking attendants weren’t even there yet and they’d say ‘We don’t open for another 30 minutes,’” Max Brosig, son of John Brosig, recounted.

John’s days of tailgating with his family and friends slowed when in June 2024 he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

As his health worsened he began spending more time in the hospital. It was during this time that Max began looking into the Packer’s FAN Hall of Fame.

“I went on the Packer’s web page because I had heard about [the FAN Hall of Fame] in the past. And with dad’s situation I thought that this was kind of the last opportunity because we knew what his prognosis was,” Max explained.

Max immediately went to work starting the application, but he said that his father wasn’t initially too interested in the nomination.

The Brosig family passed their time in the hospital by asking John about his memories of attending decades-worth of Packer’s games. He worked with his daughter, Cheryl Brosig Soto, and niece, Rachel Hillery, to create a timeline of every game he went to and they made a map showcasing the 29 out of 32 teams he saw play against the Packers.

During John’s prolonged hospital stay the doctors told him about the importance of setting goals for the future.

“When the doctors started telling him about establishing goals I think his first goal was the home opener game,” John said.

The Packers played the 2024 season’s home opening game on Sunday, Sept. 15.

The goal kept the family looking forward, even during the difficult times.

“[John] ended up in the hospital a couple of times and had to go by ambulance. The most recent one was a week before the home opener. I mean, he almost died. I don’t think he realized how serious it was. He ended up getting blood transfusions. Once he was stable, he was like ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but you guys need to figure it out because I need to be out of here by Sunday,” Cheryl said.

With the help of John’s medical team and the staff at Lambeau field, he was able to make it to his 62nd opening game. Joined by his family, John was able to celebrate meeting his goal.

Max said the experience was “very emotional” and Cheryl said the situation was a “double-edged sword” because, “Unfortunately, you know the diagnosis, but you’re so happy for the guy because it’s one of his top passions in life.”

Over the course of the season, John was able to attend an additional three games, including with his daughter Jodelle Brosig-Kibby, who lives in Calif.

During this time John’s interest in the Packers FAN Hall of Fame nomination grew, and Max submitted his father’s application along with a picture from John’s 62nd home opening game.

On Dec. 28, 2024 John Brosig, with knowledge that he was a finalist for the hall of fame, passed away. Voting for the winner opened four days after his passing.

At the funeral, the attendees appeared as a sea of green and gold, wearing Packer’s apparel in John’s honor. Also decorating the church were scannable QR codes to vote for John.

Being able to focus on the hall of fame was impactful for Max and the Brosig family during this difficult time.

“It gave us something to focus on in that period right after. It kind of united us and gave us a purpose, something to focus on that was positive,” Max said.

Family members, friends, coworkers and even former students of John’s teaching days at Peshtigo Middle/High School reached out with their condolences and to let the Brosigs know they voted for John.

On Feb. 17 the Brosig family gathered at Lambeau Field with the nine other nominees. Max said that for his father to be a finalist was honor enough, but they were shocked to find that John Brosig won it all.

“It was a great thing for us to be able to go because we had so many special times with him at Lambeau. Between the last game we went to there with him and the first game we’ll go to without him, it was special to have this big celebration,” Cheryl added.

The family was invited onto the field to accept John’s prizes: tickets to a 2025 Packers home game, along with four pre-game sideline passes; four passes to the Packers Hall of Fame to see his name engraved in the wall; a custom Packers jersey; a $500 Packers Pro Shop gift certificate; and a one-year subscription to PackersNews.com.

As they walked out onto the field where John saw countless Packers games, Cheryl recounted “We got to go out on the field and take pictures, and I think it was fitting because it was so cold. Dad would have been laughing and saying ‘We’re still going to get there four hours in advance even if it’s 20 below.’ So we went out on the field…kind of close to where his seats were to get a picture. It was just really nice.”

Even though John never expected to be named to the Packers FAN Hall of Fame, there was one mission he never completed - seeing all of the NFL stadiums.

The Brosig family will continue to carry on John’s legacy not only by completing his mission, but also by remembering him every day.