License Plate Guy

Joe Ruback, born on June 7, 1969, in New City, New York, gained significant public recognition as “License Plate Guy” following the New York Giants’ Super Bowl XLII victory over the New England Patriots. His intense fandom originated from a dare by his father to wear his customized ‘G1ANTS’ license plate to a game when he was 16 years old. This initial act evolved into a distinctive tradition, culminating in a collection of over 142 license plates worn during games, many of which are gifts from fellow Giants supporters from various states and even internationally. This practice began informally, but the advent of social media around Super Bowl XLII amplified his visibility, leading to features on major sports networks like NFL Network, ESPN, and FOX.

Ruback’s dedication extends beyond simply attending games; he has been featured on NFL Network, ESPN, and FOX, among other media outlets. His presence during pivotal moments, such as being captured on video mouthing “Oh my God!” after David Tyree’s “Helmet Catch” during Super Bowl XLII, cemented his status as a recognizable figure in the Giants community. Beyond his game-day persona, Ruback, who works as a head of physical education in Yonkers, N.Y., has leveraged his platform for charitable initiatives. He has raised over $250,000 for organizations such as the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, breast cancer research, and the Wounded Warriors Project through events like celebrity softball games involving Giants players.

His career as a superfan includes attending all 283 games (272 regular season and eleven playoff games) at the former Giants Stadium, and he has maintained an almost perfect attendance record for all home and away games since 2000, with the exception of the 2020 NFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Ruback was inducted into the Giants Nation Show Ring of Honor, acknowledging his profound impact and unwavering commitment to the team’s culture. He frequently interacts with fans, taking pictures in the parking lot before games, and has also made appearances on radio shows such as “The Boomer & Carton” on WFAN.