Purple Guy.  

You’ve probably heard of this character before.  

You’ve probably seen him at nearly every sports game for the last four years.  

Some tall dude in a full purple and gold outfit screaming at the top of his lungs.  

This character began in my freshman year at the first football game of the season; the freshmen were instructed to wear tutus at the game. As I was making my tutu, I remembered that somewhere in my house was an old full body purple morph suit that my brother used for Halloween years ago. It seemed like if I combined these two silly elements I could get something to make me stand out, and that it did.  

I was only a freshman all the way in the back of the student section, yet upperclassmen were talking to me while I walked by, complimenting my spirit. As the game ended and I walked out of the parking lot to get picked up, a car full of upperclassmen drove past, and I heard “Hey, it’s the Purple Guy!”  

I knew then that I had created something special, even if it looked really stupid. 

As the next football game approached, I knew I had to show up as “The Purple Guy” again, and sure enough people loved it.  

Nearly every football game that year you could spot Purple Guy cheering from the back of the student section. I didn’t even go to PHS yet, but the student section treated me like a king.  

As much as I loved showing up as Purple Guy, everyone around me loved it even more, people would text me asking if Purple Guy would be at the game. People who I could never imagine coming to any sporting event were showing up so they could support the Vikings. What started as a silly joke became a way for me to support the people of my school. 

Slowly Purple Guy became something bigger than myself. 

Sophomore year began and suddenly people I’ve never met started coming up in the halls saying, “Hey, you’re the Purple Guy,” it was almost like being a celebrity. The character only evolved from there, gaining a shiny golden cape and shorts, a brand new dark purple suit, yellow glasses, sparkly gold shoes, and most importantly the Viking helmet.  

To say I stuck out would be an understatement, I was now about 6’5” with my helmet on, my shadow looked like Darth Vader, and I shined everywhere I went.  

By junior year I wasn’t just showing up to all the popular sports like football, volleyball, and boys basketball, but to softball, soccer, girls basketball and any other sport when I had free time. I made it a goal to show up to as many different sports as possible, I wanted to support all of my fellow Vikings.  

I was no longer just a fan, I was THE fan.  

No matter where I was there was a parent of an athlete or student thanking me for showing up as purple guy. 

During Senior year I realized this is my last chance to cheer on my classmates. I showed up to the football games and cheered my heart out in front of the student section as Yell Leader. I followed our boys basketball team as they played in the state tournament at the Tacoma Dome.  

I even competed in the 2025 Mr. Puyallup as “Mr. Purple Guy.”  

Being Purple Guy gave me something to look forward to during high school when nothing else seemed to go right. No matter what was going on in Grant’s life, Purple Guy was there ready to go. My alter ego gave me a chance to escape my daily life and have a little fun. When I was going through troubles with my self-confidence, for some reason putting on those glittery shoes made me forget about it all. Some of my greatest memories from high school that I will cherish for the rest of my life, were spent in the stands doing the Viks Up with my purple hands.  

Even though it may seem stupid that this is how I spent my time at PHS, I would do it all again if I had the chance. If I ever once made you smile or giggle when you saw some weirdo in a crazy purple and gold outfit, then my goal has been complete. Purple Guy is the embodiment of school spirit, putting your confidence aside to support those around you. My only hope is that I leave a legacy of school spirit that will encourage future Vikings to cheer each other on.  

Although I have to put my horns down, there’s still a chance for Purple Guy to live on. I will be attending The University of Washington next year and continuing to proudly sport my purple and gold.  

It’s been a wild ride being Purple Guy and I’ve loved every second, but it’s time for me to move on from PHS.  

Purple Guy out.