GREEN BAY, Wis. — A Green Bay Packers fan from Wisconsin Rapids reached a career-high at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

Gary Platt attended his 500th Packers home game — a journey that started more than six decades ago.

There are few Packers fans as loyal as Platt. The 74-year-old said he attended his first game in 1961.

What You Need To Know

  • Gary Platt attended his 500th Packers home game Sunday

  • Platt said at age 12, he went to his first Packers game in 1961 at City Stadium

  • Platt has survived colon cancer but is now diagnosed with multiple myeloma

  • Platt's most prized Packers possession is a pair of green and gold shoes designed by his best friend Kathy Sacotte

“I was 12 years old. It was Nov. 19, that day. It was called City Stadium and now it’s called Lambeau Field,” Platt explained.

In that game, the Packers beat the Los Angeles Rams 35-17, and Platt said he was hooked. Soon after, his family purchased season tickets. Platt said his game tally grew after high school.

“I went to college and [would] go to like three games a year. Then when I moved back in 1976 and [in] 1977, I started going again to all the games, and I only missed two since 1977 except for the COVID year, which I didn’t go to any games,” Platt said.

The weather hasn’t stopped Platt either. He said he was at the 1967 Ice Bowl. In 2017, he also watched the Packers play in 90-degree weather at Lambeau. Platt said he’s been to one of the snowiest games too.

“We played Tampa Bay in Green Bay and we had 18 inches of snow. Now, that was a challenge to get in there. I think there was only like 21,000 people that went to that game,” Platt laughed.

Platt said his most prized Packers possession is a pair of green and gold shoes designed by his best friend Kathy Sacotte. Platt and Sacotte attended Packers games together for more than 15 years. Last season, their attendance streak came to a tragic end when Sacotte died of cancer.

Sacotte’s death hit Platt especially hard because he lived with cancer for more than 16 years. He survived colon cancer but is now diagnosed with multiple myeloma. 

“Multiple myeloma is a bone and blood cancer. It’s treatable, but not curable. So, I’ve been dealing with that and I got really good doctors,” Platt said.

Platt said going to Packers games gives him strength to survive his diagnosis. 

Bob MacDonald is a longtime friend of Platt. MacDonald is also a Chicago Bears fan, which makes going to games with Platt interesting.

“It’s a test sometimes. But you know, he’s won the majority of the games in the time I’ve known Gary. So he’s got a big leg up on me,” MacDonald laughed.

Surrounded by dozens of cheese heads, Packers President Mark Murphy, and with his special shoes nearby, Platt’s 500th game became official Sunday.

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