PantherFanz Tailgate, Charlotte, North Carolina

There are few tailgating personalities as unmistakable—or as unforgettable—as Joe Nejberger. Known affectionately among the PantherFanz faithful as the “Cedar Street Seer,” Joe is equal parts bartender, cheerleader, comedian, artist, and orator. You’ll find him in full stride on gamedays in Charlotte, stationed behind the makeshift bar of the PantherFanz Tailgate, slinging signature drinks and shouting predictions like a black-and-blue-clad prophet of the gridiron. Equal parts serious fan and wild-hearted entertainer, Joe is a one-man festival wrapped in the colors of the Carolina Panthers.

To meet Joe is to be welcomed instantly into his world. He’ll pour you a stiff one from the Panther Potion cooler, regale you with stories of past tailgates, and probably convince you to participate in at least one jello shot toast. His presence at the PantherFanz tailgate—just steps away from Bank of America Stadium—is essential to the gameday ritual. From ceremonial "Shots of Honour" in crystal glassware to the blaring of an old Air Raid Siren in memory of the group’s founder, Joe weaves deep tradition with raucous fun in a way that binds his tailgate family together. And when the Saints come to town? You better believe he's bringing the gumbo.

But what most don’t know is that once the games are over and the tailgate tents are packed away, Joe disappears into his other identity—an accomplished custom artist and figure modeler. In his home studio affectionately dubbed “The Dojo,” Joe brings to life fantastical figures and collector kits with the same passionate energy he brings to Cedar Street. It’s a side of Joe that reveals the deep well of creativity and craftsmanship behind the PantherFanz legend. Whether he’s stirring a gumbo pot or crafting a hyper-detailed sci-fi diorama, Joe Nejberger embodies the spirit of the Tailgating Hall of Fame: talented, passionate, and larger than life.

 A Conversation with “Crazy” Joe Nejberger, the Cedar Street Seer
Interview conducted by Hans Steiniger

What is your role as part of the Pantherfanz Crew on Game Day?

I'm the bartender for PantherFanz Tailgating. I have to wrangle all of the stuff to make sure we have plenty of Panther Potion for the tailgate party.

Do you have a favorite tailgating food that’s traditionally part of your game day experience?

Believe it or not, when I'm drinkin', I'm really not focused on eating very much — But I DO LOVE M-E-A-T!!! BBQ pork, beef, ribs, wings, shellfish. I will usually marinate a London Broil or two in Lowry's Steak and Chop and that's usually gone in ten minutes after slicing it. Once in a while I'll smoke a couple of briskets which also get gone very quickly. And once a year, I bring my own version of Chile Colorado to our annual Chili-Cook off, and make it Godzilla-grade HOT!!! For the Saints game I always make a killer seafood Gumbo, which never lasts long...

Any quirky Pantherfanz gameday traditions?

Somebody usually brings out a naked burger and asks for ketch—oh, wait, wrong tailgate. We like to blast Dropkick Murphy's "Kiss Me I'm Shitfaced", we have a jello-shot toast provided by one of our stalwart tailgaters that reads a cheesy poem stuck in an old hymnal, and we give "The Shot Of Honour" in a Waterford crystal glass in honour of my late brother. And there's the parade of shots again and again. A couple of times a year we will run an old manually operated Air Raid Siren that belonged to the late founder of PantherFanz, Marc Stanton. And there's THE CLAW...

Many may not know this about you, but you’re actually an artist. You spend some of your spare time as a custom figure painter, creating works of art for collectors; and you call your workspace, “The Dojo”. How long have you been honing your craft in the Dojo? How did it begin?

I've always been artistically inclined — it's a talent I've always had. I was drawing and painting on canvas until my early twenties, and after my first divorce, I started building plastic models as a diversion, and got hooked on the hobby. First, boats, then tanks, and planes, and I discovered Garage Kits (VERY limited runs of esoteric subjects) in the nineties, and my passions went into a whole new direction. Being artistic meant I got really good really fast, and by 2005 people started wanting me to paint their special figure kits. The internet helped give me a great reputation, and it took off.

How many pieces do you do in a year? or in a month?

It really depends, but about a dozen pieces for collectors, one or two for me.

Thanks Joe. One last question, what's the best part of being in the Tailgating Hall of Fame?

The fellowship with like-minded folks who share my passion for the tailgate, the comradery, the food, and THE GAME!!! And knowing it's my man Steiney's organization!

Whether he’s behind the PantherFanz bar mixing shots of Panther Potion, or deep in The Dojo bringing legendary warriors and fantastical creatures to life in miniature, Joe Nejberger is nothing short of a force of nature. His presence at the heart of Charlotte’s tailgating scene has left a permanent mark—not just through the traditions he helps keep alive every Sunday, but through the warmth, humor, and creativity he brings to everyone lucky enough to know him. In the Tailgating Hall of Fame, Joe is more than a Panther fan—he’s a cultural cornerstone. Raise a glass, take a shot of honor, and toast to the Cedar Street Seer.