Phil Hammerstein, a die-hard Pittsburgh Penguins fan, has taken his love for hockey’s most iconic hot dog enthusiast, Phil Kessel, to a whole new level with a tattoo that can only be described as a masterpiece of fandom.
Hammerstein, who is known for his devotion to the Penguins’ forward, spent three hours at Pittsburgh Tattoo Company on a Friday night to get this one-of-a-kind tribute inked on his lower thigh. The design, done by his artist friend Aaron Harding—who has previously worked on a Kessel tattoo—captures a 1950s pinup-style model riding a hot dog, complete with Kessel himself celebrating with the Stanley Cup in one hand and a bottle of mustard in the other.
Yes, you read that right.
When asked why he chose Phil Kessel as his tattoo subject, Hammerstein explained: “Big Phil just clicked with Pittsburghers—chubby dude with a comb-over and a penchant for street weenies, dry humor, bad breath, tries hard, and loves the game. Plus, I have buddies in southern Ontario to troll.”
The tattoo fits perfectly into the realm of quirky and unique hockey fan tributes. From Gary Bettman’s face on a fan’s butt to a Mark Messier 9/11 tribute, the world of hockey tattoos has seen some wild designs. But Hammerstein’s Phil Kessel hot dog extravaganza might just top them all.
It’s clear that for fans like Hammerstein, Kessel isn’t just a player; he’s a symbol of the quirky charm and offbeat humor that makes hockey culture so memorable. And now, that sentiment is forever inked on his skin.
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