Superfans make the sports world that much more exciting. When they dance with broccoli? Even better. Seattle-based Broccoli Guy has been featured by the Mariners, MLB Network, and Sports Center but makes a point to support all levels of sports and has an affinity for Eastern Washington as he takes the trip over the cascades frequently. Jamie Council sits down with Jim Stuart Allen AKA PNW Broccoli Guy.
How to find the show:
Radio: https://1340espnradio.com/featured/the-sports-council/
Podcast: https://thesportscouncil.libsyn.com/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL44CSjSX-dGrBlJM1iq-UoYKMB4I1jIo
If you’ve attended a game in the Pacific Northwest lately — from a Major League stadium to a dusty club rugby pitch — there’s a good chance you’ve seen a man in a nostalgic hoodie, dancing with a crown of broccoli in hand. That man is Jim Stewart Allen, affectionately known as the PNW Broccoli Guy. And while his vegetable-powered dance moves might look quirky from the bleachers, they represent something far deeper: a love for sports and a mission to lift up every team and every player, no matter how big or small.
An Unlikely Origin Story
Allen’s journey as a dancing superfan began not with broccoli, but with potatoes — and a college football game with a cult following: the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Since 2014, he’s made the long drive from Seattle to Boise each winter, simply because, in his words, “It’s a college football game sponsored by potatoes. How could I not?!”
One year, a spontaneous idea turned him from spectator to sensation. He bought a bag of russet potatoes, brought them into the stadium, and started dancing. Soon, he was on the jumbotron. The next year, he did it again. And a tradition was born.
When the XFL launched in Seattle in 2020, Allen wanted to bring his vegetable hype act to a new stage. He chose broccoli — not just because it’s his favorite vegetable, but because, at a glance, it resembles green pom-poms — “Nature’s pom-poms” — waving in the air. Thus, the PNW Broccoli Guy came to life.
The Art of the Dance
Allen’s trademark moves draw unexpected inspiration: boxing. “My favorite sport to watch is boxing,” he told the Sports Council. “I’m a volume dancer, just like some boxers throw a lot of punches. I keep my moves simple so I can dance the whole game without burning out.”
And dance he does. He’s become a fixture at Seattle Mariners games, Seahawks tailgates, Kraken hockey matches, and — more and more — at the local fields that rarely see the spotlight.
Supporting the Overlooked
For Allen, the Broccoli Guy persona isn’t about fame — though he’s been featured by the Mariners, gone viral on social media, and even has his own TikTok fanbase. It’s about showing up for the entire sports community, from major league crowds to club-level athletes.
“I was here today for WSU, but I’m not against Eastern,” he said while supporting a club-level fastpitch game between Washington State and Eastern Washington. “I’m here for the game itself, to make it better, to make it fun. I want everyone to feel seen and supported.”
He’s become a familiar face at softball fields in particular, cheering for high school, college club, and NCAA teams alike — with a hope that more programs will earn varsity status. “Softball culture in Eastern Washington is real. We need to see that represented at the highest level,” he said.
Beyond the Bleachers
When he’s not on his feet waving broccoli, Allen is a substitute teacher and a stand-up comedian — another outlet for his boundless energy and humor. He spends his spare time reading children’s chapter books like Goosebumps and Ramona.
True to his brand, nothing goes to waste: at the end of every game, the slightly wilted broccoli gets chopped into a healthy smoothie. “It’s a full circle thing,” he laughed. “We danced, we got on TV, now we blend.”
Find Him in the Bleachers
For Allen, it all boils down to one thing: community. “Whether it’s teaching, sports, or stand-up, I just want to make things better by being there,” he said.
So if you spot a flash of green bouncing in the stands, know you’re seeing more than just a quirky local celebrity. You’re seeing the embodiment of Northwest sports passion — loud, proud, and dancing unapologetically with a crown of broccoli.
Follow PNW Broccoli Guy on Instagram and TikTok at @pnwbroccoliguy — or better yet, find him in the bleachers at your next game.