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"You ain't nothing but a hound dog!"

Pewter Presley

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Feature and photo from Jeffrey Neil Fox, Bucs & Bulls Heaven

Published: December 12, 2007

Pewter Presley, a k a George Bussman, started dressing like Elvis after former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Shawn King took over quarterback duties from former Buc Trent Dilfer. He noticed that many fans were wearing Burger King crowns in honor of King.

When asked why he chose to be Pewter Presley as a super character fan of the Pewter Nation, Bussman said, "I started dressing up like Elvis, the real 'king.' My wife Linda designed and made my outfit from scratch. She has made five outfits, each time upgrading to the pewter outfit that I now wear and everyone loves! I'm different. No one else dresses up like Elvis. "

If you go to a Buccaneer home game, you can now say, "Elvis is in the house." A Tampa Bay tradition has been started, and Pewter Presley has become a fan icon.

People from around the world come up to have their picture taken with Pewter Presley. Fans from other teams come up and talk with him. He is quick to tell them "you ain't nothing but a hound dog!" Pewter Presley says, "I want everyone to be rooting for our team, but what I really want is for everyone to have a good time at the game." Pewter Presley wants visiting fans to be treated the way he wants to be treated when he visits opposing team's stadiums. He wants to have fun with the fans. "I consider myself an unofficial PR person for the fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I want everyone to go to a game and enjoy themselves. No hostility. I've seen angry fans and anger doesn't belong in the stands. On the field, yes, but not up in the stands."

Pewter Presley loves to tailgate with other Pewter Nation super characters. He arrives at the Raymond James Stadium parking lot early to dig in and make final preparations. Pewter Presley marinates his steaks in a secret sauce before he cooks them up on a custom Buccaneer grill. He recommends that the coals get "red hot" before cooking your steak. Pewter Presley also likes to walk around the parking lot to review other fans setups and to see what they are cooking and drinking. He's not shy and will shake hands and pose for pictures as he talks about the prospects of success for the upcoming game. He is loyal to his Pewter Pirates and thinks that they are going to win every game.

If you want to hear Pewter Presley sing on game days, you have to ask the right question: "Are the Bucs going to win today?" Then he is quick to sing, "A huh, a huh, I'm all shook up!"

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