Nominated by one of his students, Watchung Hills Regional High School history teacher Ryan Murray is vying for a spot in the Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame.
WHITEHOUSE STATION-- Nominated by one of his students, Watchung Hills Regional High School history teacher Ryan Murray is vying to be named the 2015 Ultimate Packers Fan and gain a spot in the Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame.
What makes Murray a super fan? To start, his classroom is filled with posters, helmets and other green and gold memorabilia including the infamous cheesehead hat.
Student Henry Zhu wrote in his nomination letter that Murray shows his classes highlights from Sunday games each Monday and even has an extensive commentary section of the Packers' performance on his class website.
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"Just this week, he related a lesson about the 1920s to the formation of the Acme Packers and their record of 7-2-2 in their first season," Zhu wrote, adding that Murray can recall a myriad of Green Bay facts like the amount of touchdowns the Packers scored over the Patriots to win the 1996 Super Bowl.
Outside of the classroom Murray has a "man cave" decked out with jerseys, blankets, mugs and more as well as five televisions dedicated to football games.
Murray has also attended some significant games in Packers history like Antonio Freeman's miracle catch and Al Harris' overtime interception playoff game.
"As a shareholder and longtime Packers fan, I am deeply honored to have been selected as a finalist for the Packers Fan Hall of Fame! I was born into the Green and Gold and have been to Green Bay numerous times over the years," Murray said. "Growing up my fondest memories were watching the Packers games with my father, who passed away two years ago. This is an honor I know would have made him proud and I will share with my entire family."
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Voting started Jan. 1 and ten finalists have been named in the search for the 18th member of the Packers Fan Hall of Fame, which was established in 1998 to honor longtime Packers fans.
To vote visit www.packers.com/FHOF. Voters will be entered into a random drawing to win Packers merchandise, and the deadline is midnight, Jan. 30.
The winner will be announced this spring at a press conference at Lambeau Field, and will receive four club seats to a 2016 Packers home game; a $500 Packers Pro Shop gift certificate; a road trip for two to a 2016 Packers away game, including game tickets, air fare and hotel accommodations; and a one-year subscription to fan magazine "Packers Plus."
The honoree name will also be permanently displayed in a place of honor in the Packers Hall of Fame.
Check out the full list of nominees.
- Chris Bierman - Cedarburg, Wis.
- Matt Lutsey - De Pere, Wis.
- Larry Schimmel - Pinckney, Mich.
- Julie Franseen - Franksville, Wis.
- Sara Wisniewski - Milwaukee, Wis.
- Karen Brannen - Hawaii
- Ryan Murray - Whitehouse Station, N.J.
- Michael Steinmetz - Hannover, Germany
- Patricia Nevala - Menomonie, Wis.
- John Holt - Tacoma, Wash.
Emily Cummins may be reached at ecummins@njadvancemedia.com Follow her on Twitter @EmilyACummins and Facebook.
