Manitowoc resident John O’Neill, aka St. Vince, wears bishop-style vestments including a mitre when he attends Green Bay Packers home games.
O’Neill in his St. Vince character has been paying tribute to Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Packers, who died of colon cancer in 1970. John recalls he made his first appearance in costume at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans but tried it out earlier that weekend in Brett Favre’s hometown of Kiln (kill), Mississippi. Several people began running toward him when his group arrived in town. “And, I wasn’t quite sure what that was about,” O’Neil said. “I was ready to make a U-turn and high-tail it back to the car. One guy had a microphone, the other had a boom and another had a camera and they asked him who are you? I didn’t know what else to say, so I said I’m St. Vince.”
John says he had some fun with the interview when the camera crew asked, “So what brings you to Kiln Mississippi.” ”I think I came up with probably the best one-liner I’ve ever had,” he said. “Well at the beginning of the football season there was a bright shining star in the southern sky. You look right above and there it is. And I decided to follow it. There’s a reason why I’m here. It went exceedingly well as not only did Packer fans get it, they loved the idea.” St. Vince has become the best-known Packers fan in the world and he says Lambeau Field couldn’t hold all the fans who’ve had their picture taken with him in the last 25-years. “I would estimate that for every 10,000 thumbs up in positive remarks that I get I might have one person who’s a little disturbed by it,” O’Neil estimated. “I’m quick to point out the idea of St. Vince has been given an okay by Vince Lombardi Junior, Vince’s daughter Susan and the legal estate of Vince Lombardi.” O’Neill has met and conversed with many Packers greats including Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, and Fuzzy Thurston, who have given him their approval. John and his wife, the former Mary Beth Johnson of Two Rivers, have worked for the American Cancer Society receiving donations in return for posing for pictures with fans. He told Seehafer News, “We decided to continue this at Lambeau Field, we would never ask or charge but would have a little sign up there donations accepted to the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center, given on behalf of Green Bay Packer fans.”
As St. Vince, John O’Neill said “the best part about it is he’s been able to meet so many Packer fans from all 50-states and all over the world.” He takes particular joy in meeting and signing autographs and having his picture taken with those attending their 1st Packer game, especially children. O’Neill a Madison native said he and his wife moved up here a few years ago and really enjoy Manitowoc. The couple purchased an elegant, older house and have been renovating it. John added he’ll continue doing St. Vince as long as his legs hold out.
