Tom Little named his firstborn son Vince as a offering to the gods of Green Bay Packers fandom.
As a bonus, he later named his 18-month-old son Beau, as in Curly Lambeau.
On Tuesday, the legends of the past shined down on the Illinois high school football coach when he was named the 13th member of the Packers Fan Hall of Fame during a presentation at Lambeau Field.
Little, wearing an A.J. Hawk jersey, took the stage amid screams from his family in front of a gathering of roughly 30 people.
Little, who became a little choked up at the presentation, thanked his wife Dolly for nominating him and said it was a great honor.
When my boys have kids they can come back and show them that their grandpa was a true Packers fan, the Mount Sterling, Ill., resident said of his spot in the hall.
Growing up in western Illinois as a Packers fan was tough for Little, who became a fan at age 7 when his mom took him and two brothers shopping. She let them pick a hat of their choice. An older brother sided with the Dallas Cowboys. The youngest jumped to baseball and went for the St. Louis Cardinals. As for Little, well, the rest is history.
Packers officials said a plaque honoring Little will be placed in the Fan Hall of Fame in late March. His selection as the 13th member coincided with the Packers winning their 13th NFL championship in Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6 over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Littles honor comes with a number of prizes, including four club seats to a 2011 Packers game, a $500 Packers Pro Shop gift certificate, a road trip for two to a 2011 Packers away game that includes tickets, airfare and lodging.
Since nominations began in November, more than 35,000 votes were submitted online and by paper ballot to determine the winner.
Little was one of 10 finalists in the lineup that included St. Vince of Cross Plains. It was the third time finalist St. Vince, also known as John ONeill, came up short.
Youve got to hit pay dirt eventually, the 58-year-old said.
After the ceremony, the finalists and their loved ones walked onto the sacred grounds of Lambeau Field. Little was surrounded by family and 2-year-old son Vince, named after legendary coach Vince Lombardi, who led the Packers to five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls.
Little, 36, said the past year has been remarkable for him. The physical education teacher led the Brown County High School Hornets football team to the Class 1A state semifinals, the best showing in school history.