Travis Beckum, one of Milwaukee’s Super Bowl champions, is coming home to headline the Tailgate Talk Live Luncheon on Friday, April 25, the second of three days of community activations during Milwaukee Tailgate Week Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook. Beckum – a native of Oak Creek and former University of Wisconsin Badgers standout who won the 2012 Super Bowl as tight end for the New York Giants – will be featured alongside program moderator Hub Arkush, WSCR 670 The Score’s NFL insider, during an interactive luncheon conversation.
Tailgate Talk Live will take luncheon guests on a journey through Beckum’s football story, tracing from the youth playing fields in Milwaukee to nearby Oak Creek High School to being selected as the 100th pick in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. After the discussion, luncheon attendees will have the opportunity to meet Beckum and Arkush.
“I will never forget the phone call I received on draft day from the NY Giants while celebrating with my family in Milwaukee,” Beckum said. “I'm looking forward to being a part of the draft week festivities in Milwaukee and sharing my story as a featured guest at Friday's luncheon.”
Beckum played 44 games over three seasons with the Giants, hauling in three touchdown catches at tight end. At Wisconsin, he played from 2005-08, earning First-Team All-America honors in his junior season. A 2022 inductee into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame, Beckum resides in the Madison area and works for his alma mater at Badger Sports Properties, a division of Learfield.
“The line-up for Tailgate Talk Live is a testament to Milwaukee’s football lineage and a success story we’re proud to share at Tailgate Talk Live,” said Josh Albrecht, chief marketing officer at Visit Milwaukee. “Our luncheon attendees are sure to walk away with Milwaukee football history anecdotes and memories for a lifetime, thanks to our featured guests!”
Arkush’s Emmy-winning career in sports spans more than four decades, including 43 years as executive editor of the nationally syndicated Pro Football Weekly television show. He spent 17 years as a color commentator on Chicago Bears radio broadcasts before 18 years as a sideline reporter for the NFL’s Sunday night games of the week. Moreover, Arkush still serves as a senior football expert for WSCR 670 The Score in Chicago.
Additional guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets to Tailgate Talk Live are available for $40 apiece or $350 for a table of 10 and include a buffet lunch. Reserve your seats at www.VisitMilwaukee.org/tailgate.
About Milwaukee Tailgate Week Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook
From serving as host city of the 1939 NFL Draft and Championship game to its rich ties with the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee has long been a proud player in making sports and football history. Now, more than 80 years later, the Brew City is ready to celebrate the Draft’s return to Wisconsin as Sports Milwaukee hosts Milwaukee Tailgate Week Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook. Set for Thursday-Saturday, April 24-26, Milwaukee Tailgate Week features a variety of gridiron activations for all ages steeped in Milwaukee’s iconic sports history, its attractions, brews, pubs, restaurants and venues. As the 2025 NFL Draft takes center stage in Green Bay, Sports Milwaukee and the Cream City are excited to help welcome the football world back to Wisconsin.
Following the Tailgate Talk Live Luncheon on day two, Sports Milwaukee will put a bow on the week’s football festivities at Jordy Nelson’s Milwaukee Tailgate with Inside the Huddle Live on Saturday, April 26. Held on the floor of UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, Milwaukee Tailgate Week’s cornerstone event features a live taping of the Green Bay Packers players' insider show, Inside the Huddle, hosted by Jordy Nelson and special guests. Program highlights include player appearances, auction items, an audience Q&A, and a football-themed tailgate zone with all-ages games activated by the Milwaukee Wave, Journey House Packers Flag Football, and more! VIP tickets cost $75 (+ taxes/fees) and include player meet-and-greet opportunities, access to a hospitality area with complimentary food and beverages, and upfront table seats for the live taping of Inside the Huddle. General admission is $10 (+taxes/fees) and includes access to the floor tailgate zone and limited GA floor seats (first come, first served). The Arena will have concessions available for purchase and stadium seating will be open. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the live taping of Inside the Huddle is scheduled for 5 p.m. For more information and tickets to Jordy Nelson’s Inside the Huddle Live, visit www.VisitMilwaukee.org/tailgate!
For partnership opportunities and additional information about Milwaukee Tailgate Week Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook, contact JAlbrecht@Milwaukee.org.