Gregory F. Packer (born December 18, 1963), is a retired[1] American highway maintenance worker from Huntington, New York, best known for frequently being quoted as a "man on the street" in newspapers, magazines and television broadcasts from 1995 to the present. He has been quoted in hundreds of articles and television broadcasts as a member of the public (that is, a "man on the street" rather than a newsmaker or expert). Although he always gives his real name, he has admitted to making things up to get into the paper.[2][3]
Packer's status as a frequent interviewee is due to a number of factors, including seeking out members of the press and appearing friendly, although mostly it is due to his hobby of attending public appearances of celebrities and other media events and attempting to be first in line on such occasions. This has led to him being dubbed a professional line sitter.[4] It has also led to Packer's other claim to fame: being the first person in the world to buy an iPhone, on June 29, 2007 at Apple Fifth Avenue in New York City, after having camped out for five days in front of the store.[5][6] (He tried to similarly be the first to buy an iPad in 2010,[7] but was bumped from the first position in line due to not having a reservation.)[4] His efforts to be first in line have also allowed him to meet people including Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks, Dennis Rodman and Ringo Starr, as well as at least four presidents of the United States: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush[2] and (before he became president) Donald Trump.[8]
^Watson, Andrew David (2013-09-04). "The Most Quoted Man In News". The New Yorker.
^ ab"Greg Packer Is the 'Man on the Street'". Archived from the original on 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2023-09-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)|
^Epstein, Reid J. (2002-07-07). "First in line guy: Obsession or art form?". Columbia News Service. Archived from the original on 2002-12-01. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
^ abKahney, Leander (2010-04-03). "Professional Line Sitter Greg Packer Bumped From Front Of iPad Queue". Cult of Mac. Archived from the original on 2015-11-30. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
^Blass, Evan (2007-06-28). "iLoser Retains Place in Line, Crisis Averted". Engadget. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
quote of Packer ran in The Tampa Tribune on October 6, 1995, when Packer was 31: "The Jewish people are fans of Pope John Paul II", said GregPacker of Huntington...
Kerry Francis Bullmore Packer AC (17 December 1937 – 26 December 2005) was an Australian media tycoon, and was considered one of Australia's most powerful...
The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Competing in the National Football League (NFL) as part...
James Douglas Packer (born 8 September 1967) is an Australian billionaire businessman and investor. Packer is the son of Kerry Packer AC, a media mogul...
Lloyd, Australian captain Greg Chappell, future Pakistani captain Imran Khan and former Australian captain Ian Chappell. Packer was aided by businessmen...
Roslyn Redman Packer AC (born née Weedon, in c. 1938) is an Australian philanthropist and widow of media mogul Kerry Packer. Packer was born Roslyn Redman...
for non-monetary purposes, e.g. for media attention at major events, GregPacker is an example of this. The practice of line sitting has drawn academic...
2019. "Greg Jennings | Western Michigan | Packers WR". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2014. Green Bay Packers bio Archived...
Techno / Tech-house DJ – DJ Puff Best Rave DJ – DJ GregPacker Best Drum 'n' Bass DJ: DJ GregPacker Best MC: Interjecta Best Non-Club Venue – Swan Barracks...
The 2010 Green Bay Packers season was the 92nd season overall and their 90th season in the National Football League (NFL). Although they finished with...
Greg Joseph (born August 4, 1994) is a South African-born American professional football placekicker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football...
DJ John Ferris Yes No DJ Pinto No No Inertia No No DJ Miggy No No DJ GregPacker No No Deadstar No Yes No Cosmic Psychos No Yes No Our House No Yes No...
the Green Bay Packers during the 1987 NFL season. List of Green Bay Packers players "Greg Jensen Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. "Greg Jensen Past Stats...
The 2011 Green Bay Packers season was the franchise's 93rd season overall and their 91st in the National Football League (NFL), and the sixth under head...
The Packers began their season at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the first quarter, Green Bay's Jarrett Bush recovered the Eagles' Greg Lewis's...
Green Bay Packers' 88th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 90th overall and their 3rd under head coach Mike McCarthy. The Packers were aiming...
The 2009 Green Bay Packers season was the team's 91st season overall and their 89th in the National Football League (NFL). The Packers finished with an...
right guard, and started all 17 games. Simeone, Greg (October 1, 2012). "RVC Resident Joins Green Bay Packers' Practice Squad". Patch.com. Retrieved August...
Packer was sentenced to two years in jail after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Magistrate Greg Grogan labeled Packer's actions...
Scott, RB Marc Tyler and G Greg Van Roten to the practice squad. On December 5 the Packers signed former Green Bay Packers RB Ryan Grant after placing...
Nancy Huddleston Packer (born 1925) is an American writer of short fiction and memoir, who is the Melvin and Bill Lane Professor in the Humanities, Emerita...
Global Information