GREEN BAY -- Rick Steele, a Green Bay Packers fan from Greensburg, PA (near Pittsburgh), is the newest and 14th inductee in the Packers Fan Hall of Fame.
Steele, who started as a Cheesehead by marriage, was selected by fans from 10 finalists. More than 100,000 votes were cast from throughout the United States and countries around the world. This year’s totals more than doubled last year’s votes, which named Steele the winner. Steele’s total votes numbered 37,275 and runner-up Rick Wiltzius' votes totaled 33,838.
While visiting Lambeau Field for the first time in 2003 with his wife, Kristi, Steele knew it was love at first sight as he watched the Packers take on the Philadelphia Eagles. Since his first trip to Titletown, Steele has become a diehard fan. He has attended 18 games, three Fan Fests, has dedicated three rooms in his house to his extensive green and gold memorabilia, and even named his son Brett, after Packers alum Brett Favre. His collectables include signed jerseys, cleats, bobble heads, footballs, helmets and even a used turnstile from Lambeau Field. The Steele household was also the first home, outside of the Green Bay area, to install Packers carpet.
Steele now receives four club seats to a Packers home game, a $500 Packers Pro Shop gift certificate, a one-year subscription to Packer Plus, and a road trip for two to a Green Bay away game, including game tickets, air fare and hotel accommodations. He'll also have his name displayed in a place of honor in the Packers Hall of Fame.