OT: Post a positive personal experience you’ve had with a sports athlete or celebrity

[john4psu]

This one's for a non-PSU positive personal experience you've had with a sports athlete or celebrity.

Lou Holtz

I used to work with a woman whose husband was a big Notre Dame fan. They were both Irish and when he would come in to visit her, often times he would spend more time talking Notre Dame football with me than the time he spent visited her. Rich was a great guy, always cheerful, salt-of-the-earth type of person with great respect for Joe and Penn State.

Well, it seemed like all at once his health took a dramatic turn for the worse. He had stomach cancer and he was having heart problems as well. I thought as a way to help lift his spirits I would write to Lou Holtz, who was Notre Dame’s coach at the time, and ask him if he could jot a quick, inspirational, encouraging message to Rich. I didn’t expect anything especially since it was in the midst of football season and I can’t even imagine the demands the head football coach of Notre Dame must face during football season. If anything, I hoped perhaps once the season was over, maybe then, if at all.

Later that same week I received a letter from Lou thanking me for thinking about Rich with a copy of a letter he wrote to Rich. I was shocked and it did a lot to pick up Rich’s spirit. On top of that, later in the year, still in football season, Lou sent a follow-up letter to Rich hoping he was doing better.

So I know there are those Lou Holtz detractors out there, but from my personal experience, he’s good with me.

 

[LionJim]

I had a very nice professional relationship (not exactly a friendship) with the actor Richard Dysart. Lovely man.

Alex Johnson, the old Phillies left-fielder, once caught a ball at the left-field wall at Connie Mack which, had he missed it, would have torn my head clear off my shoulders. I guess this counts. Funny thing, the ball was hit by the Mets catcher Chris Cannizzaro. I was then a Mets fan and knew that Cannizzaro had yet to hit a major-league home-run at that time. That would have been a nice day for Cannizzaro, he hits his first home run and in the process kills a little kid. So Alex Johnson and I, a bond that cannot be broken.

I see Adrian Dantley regularly at my gym, we spot each other every now and again. Nice guy, not real talkative but he takes the time to say hi and ask how I'm doing.

 

[Fac]

I was pumping gas and Archie Manning pulls up to the pump across from me. I just nodded my head towards him as I don't like to bother "famous" people. Ohh, same thing just a couple of weeks ago when I was eating at his restaurant. He doesn't walk too well anymore.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

As far as famous people to Penn Staters--Deon Butler is a really good man, and a fantastic representation of what Penn State is all about. I've had interactions with him over the last few years, and he's doing very well for himself.

 

[yeahtoasty]

In 1992, I was looking to get into broadcasting. A friend's father was a longtime friend of Fred Rogers, and he was able to arrange a meeting.

I was led back to Mr. Rogers office in the WQED studios, and he proceeded to call his producer, and the three of us went across the street to have lunch at Duranti's. Mr. Rogers ordered his standard order -- three steamed brussels sprouts.

We spent about 90 minutes having a wide-ranging talk about everything under the sun, although mostly about me. He took a deep and personal interest in what I had to say about things, and was constantly bringing the conversation back to me -- not like an interviewer would, but simply because he was truly interested in what I had to say.

After the lunch, we went back to his office and immediately called my friend's father to tell him how much he had enjoyed the conversation.

In general, I'm not someone who takes an interest in meeting celebrities, but if I'd had to make a list of celebs I'd ever want to meet, Fred Rogers would've been at the top of the list. That lunch is on the short list of favorite moments of my life.

 

[NitNE73]

Was on a Budweiser bus in 1980 from Daytona to Smyrna, Florida. We had a minor sponsorship with cars at Daytona and Budweiser was trying to interest us in some other racing sponsorships. Played gin on the bus with a guy while listening to someone else discuss a golf match. Half listening, I heard the name Maris, then looked closely at the guy I was playing cards with. I said, "Can I ask you a dumb question? Are you Roger Maris?"

He was, and we had a pleasant hour long conversation. I told him the first Yankee game I went to was in 1961 and I saw him hit four HRs and Mantle hit three in a double header against the White Sox. When he told me the date, I suggested he couldn't remember those details. Then he said, "There weren't that many days that I hit four home runs."

Growing up, I was a die hard Mantle fan. Since 1980, I have been a Roger Maris fan.

 

[richie83]

Was at the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron about 10 years ago. There was a rain delay and my son and his 3 friends, who were 12 years old, were following Fred Couples around. He was coming off the course and going into the clubhouse, when these 4 little kids started yelling Freddy, Freddy. He sees them and motions them to come with him. A guard stopped the kids, but Fred said it was ok. He took them into the locker room. He gave one kid an old wedge, and gave everyone else balls and towels and whatever else he had. They were in there for about 20 minutes. It was awesome. Naturally, Fred is one we always root for in our house.

 

[psuro]

I have recounted this story before...

..when I was about 10 years old, the Philadelphia 76ers drafted Darryl Dawkins from high school in Florida. He lived across the street from me and my family (we lived in an apartment complex). Darryl had a 1975 blue Thunderbird, that had all this writing on it in pinstripe"Big D", "Darryl's car"....that sort of thing.

Well, my friends and I would make a few bucks for the local arcade (remember them), by washing Darryl's car. He would usually pay us $5 and we were happy to go spend the money on pinball.

Darryl lived in the apartment with younger brother or cousin - but also a very tall kid. Darryl was 6'11" and this other kid was about 6'9" - and of course, we were all normally sized 10 year olds. The other kid was probably 16, and Darryl must have been 18 or 19. But, they were like Gods to us mere mortals.

Anyway, one day, my friends and I decided we needed money for the arcade and we thought we should go ask Darryl if we could wash his car. So, I grabbed my mother's red bucket, soap and a hose, and off we went to Darryl's house. Now, remember, Darryl was a teenager, and the kid he lived with was a teenager, and they acted like teenagers. One thing there were into was acting like pirates, using these real life looking plastic swords. So, we knocked on the door, it opened, and there were two giants in front of us, laughing and brandishing these swords- which looked real to us.

We got so scared, I dropped the bucket and we all ran as fast as we could back to our houses. We could hear Darryl laughing the whole way home.

About 10 minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and when my mom opened the door there was no one there. But, on the doorstep was my mom's red bucket and inside of it -$5 worth of quarters.

 

[21Guns]

I have recounted this story before...

..when I was about 10 years old, the Philadelphia 76ers drafted Darryl Dawkins from high school in Florida. He lived across the street from me and my family (we lived in an apartment complex). Darryl had a 1975 blue Thunderbird, that had all this writing on it in pinstripe"Big D", "Darryl's car"....that sort of thing.

Well, my friends and I would make a few bucks for the local arcade (remember them), by washing Darryl's car. He would usually pay us $5 and we were happy to go spend the money on pinball.

Darryl lived in the apartment with younger brother or cousin - but also a very tall kid. Darryl was 6'11" and this other kid was about 6'9" - and of course, we were all normally sized 10 year olds. The other kid was probably 16, and Darryl must have been 18 or 19. But, they were like Gods to us mere mortals.

Anyway, one day, my friends and I decided we needed money for the arcade and we thought we should go ask Darryl if we could wash his car. So, I grabbed my mother's red bucket, soap and a hose, and off we went to Darryl's house. Now, remember, Darryl was a teenager, and the kid he lived with was a teenager, and they acted like teenagers. One thing there were into was acting like pirates, using these real life looking plastic swords. So, we knocked on the door, it opened, and there were two giants in front of us, laughing and brandishing these swords- which looked real to us.

We got so scared, I dropped the bucket and we all ran as fast as we could back to our houses. We could hear Darryl laughing the whole way home.

About 10 minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and there was no one there. But, on the doorstep was my mom's red bucket and inside of it -$5 worth of quarters.

LOVE IT, CHOCOLATE THUNDER BABY!

 

[olelion]

The early 1980's, Denver Colorado. We had gone out to dinner with friends on New Years eve. We left the restaurant to find a flat on my car. I did my thing and some guy came by and offered assistance. I told him I was good, but he was persistent and removed the spare and brought it over and threw the flat into the trunk. He did this rather easily. It was Randy Gradishar

 

[kgilbert78]

Back in the early days of MLS, the players realized that they had to be out in the community, just to promote the game, so you would find them at a lot of events. Most of my interactions were great. Later on, some of the guys attended my church and I also began working with a org known as Crew Chiefs, which let us meet many players--and in some case build relationships with them and some of the front office including the GM. The best one was when I got to take charge of the Championship trophy in 2008 at the airport for about 20 min, as our PR guy had to do interviews and I was the closest person he knew. That was cool.... I'd post a picture of that, if I could.... But all good things come to an end, and with the sale of the team and folks moving on, I have no current connections to anyone. But it was a really fun ride while it lasted.

 

[MrDibbs]

If you don't live in Pittsburgh the name Tunch Ilkin won't mean very much - he was an offensive lineman for the Steelers. About 20 years ago, I am coaching my 2nd son's baseball team and the league commissioner calls up and tells me that he's adding to my roster - Tunch's son Tanner was the addition to my version of the Bad News Bears. Everybody knew Tunch and we all left him just be a dad. He would come to the games and be positive. This team needed a lot of positive.

After one particularly frustrating defensive inning, after we gave up the maximum runs allowed in an inning, the kids were strolling back to the bench, dragging themselves and their gloves ... suddenly a voice boomed from the sideline yelling "DON'T BE LAST!!" at the sound of Tunch's voice, every boy raced back in and attitudes were lifted. The man was a good football player, but even better father and person.

Years later, I was at Heinz Field during a weekday on business and ran into Tunch in the parking lot (he's now the color man on the radio broadcasts). I reintroduced myself and he actually remembered his sons former baseball coach and we had a great 5 minute conversation. His son gave up baseball and played hockey while in high school - did fairly well if I remember right.

 

[MtNittany]

Perry Como was always a treat. A finer gentleman you could not find. Also any interaction with Ernie Els is always nice. Probably the nicest guy in sports today.

 

[john4psu]

If you don't live in Pittsburgh the name Tunch Ilkin won't mean very much - he was an offensive lineman for the Steelers. About 20 years ago, I am coaching my 2nd son's baseball team and the league commissioner calls up and tells me that he's adding to my roster - Tunch's son Tanner was the addition to my version of the Bad News Bears. Everybody knew Tunch and we all left him just be a dad. He would come to the games and be positive. This team needed a lot of positive.

After one particularly frustrating defensive inning, after we gave up the maximum runs allowed in an inning, the kids were strolling back to the bench, dragging themselves and their gloves ... suddenly a voice boomed from the sideline yelling "DON'T BE LAST!!" at the sound of Tunch's voice, every boy raced back in and attitudes were lifted. The man was a good football player, but even better father and person.

Years later, I was at Heinz Field during a weekday on business and ran into Tunch in the parking lot (he's now the color man on the radio broadcasts). I reintroduced myself and he actually remembered his sons former baseball coach and we had a great 5 minute conversation. His son gave up baseball and played hockey while in high school - did fairly well if I remember right.

Many may not know that Tunch's departed wife Sharon, who lost a battle with breast cancer, was the Indiana State cheerleader on the left of the famous Larry Bird from Indiana State Sports Illustrated cover. I heard Tunch say how he took ribbing about playing in the NFL yet his wife not he made the cover of SI.

Can't post the pic with my phone.

 

[retsio]

Over the years, too many tales to tell....but working PR for Roger Penske at his Brooklyn International track in Michigan, met most of NASCAR drivers and owners back then, also told Mario Andretti to slow down or he would kill a fan with his scooter after his time trials on the track. He never slowed down for anyone.

Remember Mel Roberts the first base coach for the Phils and long time minor league coach, and Florence La Rue of the Fifth Dimension -- we all went to school together. Flo and I sang in high school together before we went to different colleges.

In high school as a member of a service club, we were asked to help direct cars to parking lots for the Harlem Globe Trotters game. Wilt Chamberlain had just left Kansas and joined the team. So I am directing cars and this brand new (I do not remember what model) pulls up next to me, rolls down the window and the guy says -- 'where can I park this thing?' Wilt Chamberlain with a smile on his face looking at all the fans flocking to see him in his first game as a Globe Trotter. Just what do you say to a 7 footer as he climbs out of the drivers seat, and I do not know how he fit behind the wheel.

 

[psuro]

Many may not know that Tunch's departed wife Sharon, who lost a battle with breast cancer, was the Indiana State cheerleader on the left of the famous Larry Bird from Indiana State Sports Illustrated cover. I heard Tunch say how he took ribbing about playing in the NFL yet his wife not he made the cover of SI.

Can't post the pic with my phone.

Here you go....

 

[sluggo72]

hearing Sonny Randle (and why he isn't in the NFL HOF, I have no idea) telling stories about Jim Brown and him chasing women back in their playing days, is an absolute hoot!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Randle

 

[johnmpsu]

Last year after attending the world championship and seeing Ted Ligety win the Gold in GS we won entry into the Audi after party following the medal ceremony. That's a bizarre story in itself. We got to meet Ted and take a picture with him. He could not have been more gracious. Later that night we met Chris Anthony. Warren Miller fans will recognize that name. He greeted us like old friends and told us we should have been on his celebrity race team because of the sweaters we were wearing. He whips out his phone and starts showing us pictures of his team and telling us we would have fit right in. He could not have been nicer. We met several other ski industry people that night and all treated us very nicely. Crazy thing is we have since become good friends with Chris's mother.

Many years ago (and I do mean many) when I was a kid I met Yogi Berra at the Rizzuto Berra Bowling alley. He was very nice to me. Oddly, years later I went to high school with one of his sons.

 

[Norm Petersin]

Richie Hebner, former Pittsburgh pirate 3rd baseman. Was in State College speaking and we hit the bar seen afterward. Got totally wasted. Nice guy. Went 0-4 against Steve Carlton the next night.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Serving as an honor guard within Pan Mun Jom Korea, I got to shake hands with Gerald Ford and had Charles Man and Mary Lou Retton pose for photos with me.

 

[Bob78]

Met Joe Namath in a bar in Freehold NJ (Moore's) one summer about 1982. He was into acting then and was in a show at Great Adventure down the road. Anyway, he and his bodyguard (a former Bama teammate of his) come into this bar, and were immediately surrounded by every girl in the place. I wanted to say hello so I made eye contact with the bodyguard and he waved me over. I shook Joe's hand - I swear his hand/fingers wrapped all the way around my hand - and made a little small talk before telling him I was a PSU fan and why didn't a PA guy go to PSU? He said that Rip Engle and Joe Paterno stressed academics and told him he would have to go to class, which was not what he was interested in, and Bear Bryant wasn't as strict with that requirement! I thought that was a hoot. At the time PSU was starting to play Bama in the regular season and I said I'm hoping that at some point PSU and Joe can just beat Bama and Bear. Namath said 'I hear you.... I'm just hoping Bama can beat Notre Dame sometime'. By this time I'm getting knocked around by a hoard of girls pushing their way to get in front of Joe, so my 60 seconds were about done. Said thanks and goodbye, and Joe's eyes lit up as he started surveying the young women eager to meet him. He was great - talked with as many one-on-one and kissed as many cheeks as he could for a short while, then motioned to his bodyguard to get him out of there. I figure he was hoping to find some sleepy bar where he could have a couple of beers and say hello to a few fans and relax for a short time, but wasn't to be. From the outside, Moore's looked like a sleepy little bar. I'm not sure he even got a drink - he was too busy meeting his fans.

 

[JoeLion]

I sat next to Angie Dickenson on a flight to LA many years ago. She was very nice and even bought me a beer!

 

[mtnlion]

Jack Ham at steelers training camp 77 or 78, we used to go annually. I still do. But my brothers were specialists at finding and "mugging" Steelers. So we were hanging out by the back door of the locker room in Latrobe mugging steelers as they tried to sneak out. We didn't want autographs we had already got most in previous years. We just wanted to say "hello". Most were great very patient. When Ham came out he sat on the step with us. He put my little bro on his knee asked if we played ball, what position etc. We were in heaven as he was telling us linebacker tips. Then Mel Blount came out and we were excited again, "Oh man, hey Mr. Blount!" He said," Sorry no time boys gotta date." and he ran to the lot and jumped in a convertible. Jack said, "wait here boys" and chased Mel down and brought him back laughing saying "OK studs I got a second". Franco was equally awesome perhaps the most patient celeb I've ever seen. It honestly would take him an hour to get up the steps from practice to the field house. I connected the dots with Penn state. Of course we were Pitt fans then... All the Steelers were great, Dwight White was the grumpiest but he wasn't aweful.

 

[Big 0]

Back in the 70's John Havlicek lived a couple houses down the street from my uncle during the offseason. My cousin used to babysit his kids and my uncle used to regularly play golf with him (and my father as well when he got the chance). When we would ride bikes around the neighborhood, if John was out in the yard or driveway, we would stop by and chit chat. He was easy going and you would not ever have known he was one of the biggest names in the NBA at the time.

As an aside, my cousin was captain of the OSU swim team at the time, and his girlfriend was Erin Moriarty the now 48 hours news correspondent. She was a very down to earth, well grounded and personable person - just what my cousin the hot shot athlete needed at the time to help keep some sense in him.

In the late 60's Hall of Famer Paul Warfield used to come to Warren, Ohio on Friday nights to watch his old high school football team (Warren Harding Panthers) play. This was during his first stint with the Browns. His season ticket seats were right in front of ours. I used to talk the ear off of the nice, soft spoken young man in front of me, and he helped teach me the basics of football. I didn't know who he was, but kept wondering why people would come over and ask him to sign stuff. After a year or so, l asked my father why people were bothering him all the time to sign things and he told me he was a player for the Cleveland Browns. The next season we got Browns season tickets and I got to see him on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. One of the most approachable athletes I have ever seen. A true gentleman.

 

[LionJim]

Paul Warfield, yeah. I was a kid when he was in his prime but, yeah, his class made him stand out. Charley Taylor was the same way.

 

[Big 0]

Paul Warfield, yeah. I was a kid when he was in his prime but, yeah, his class made him stand out. Charley Taylor was the same way.

I should mention I was 6 or 7 years old back when Warfield sat in front of us at high school games. That is when I was just starting to learn about the game of football. He helped to contribute to my lifelong football addiction.

 

[CF LION]

Kind of a funny one, but about ten years ago my wife and I were vacationing at a resort. The staff at this resort all wore light blue golf shirts and khaki shorts. We decided to hit the beach side restaurant for lunch one day, and standing next to the entrance was this guy in a light blue golf shirt and khaki shorts. My wife approached him and asked him if he could get us a table. Once the guy spoke, my wife knew she had just asked Bob Costas to seat us. His voice is very recognizable, but I will say when you see him away from the camera you realize his makeup person earns his/her paycheck.

Anyway, Bob got a kick out of the whole thing -- wasn't insulted, mad or anything like that. We saw him a few more times while we were there and he always smiled and said hello.

 

[johnmpsu]

Almost forgot that 7' 7" George Muresan of the Washington Bullets used to live across the street from us. The neighbors had to explain his first Halloween to him. When we went to his door with my little kids his wife answered and George comes charging down the stairs (quite a sight) to pick up this huge bowl of candy and give some to the kids. He was having more fun than the kids. It was always entertaining to watch this huge man cut the grass. He was a very nice guy.

 

[Nit Nolte]

When I was in high school back in the 70's I ran camera for WGAL-TV. Muhammad Ali made an appearance which we taped outside in the parking lot because of the crowd. I don't know how many people were there, perhaps, 4-500. After the taping he went around the parking lot and shook everybody's hand and thanked them for coming. And I mean everybody, including all of us on the crew. His hand was absolutely huge. He was such a quiet, gentle giant. His persona in person vs. seeing him annihilate people in the ring was hard to absorb.

 

[Nit Nolte]

One other experience I would like to share: my dad had friends who owned two music venues in Lancaster. Most of the acts were Country. We saw Merle Haggard there in his heyday. We always got to hang out back stage and most of the acts were friendly enough. Roy Clark, who put on one of the most amazing shows I've ever seen, sat in a chair beside us and talked to us like we were family. I was probably 10-12 and you would have thought I was his grandson. Grandpa Jones showed up for a show dressed very neatly in a suit and tie and with not a single hair out of place. His persona on stage was, of course, a total act. He was friendly as well. The only ones I remember who weren't particularly friendly were Dolly Parton and Porter Wagner. They were touring together, came back stage, went into the same dressing room to change, came out and did their show, got their check and left.

 

[marshall23]

In August of 1984 I received a phone call from a good friend of mine who was the women's basketball coach at Auburn. It concerned some Auburn Boosters who were coming to The Meadowlands to attend "The Kick Off Classic." The boosters had expressed an interest in visiting West Point while they were in the area. I was a 34 year old high school football coach/athletic director making about 20K and driving a beat up chevy cavalier. These folks were very gracious and gave the appearance of not being bothered by our economic differences. Anyway during the trip they told me about a young running back named Bo Jackson. When I returned them to the hotel they insisted that I needed to meet "Bo." I was ushered into an Auburn hospitality suit and immediately introduced to Pat Sullivan (Auburn Heisman Winner). Soon an apparently very shy young man came down the hall and our booster friends introduced me to Bo Jackson. In the days of mid thigh length athletic shorts and shimmel shirts he was the most amazing athletic specimen I had ever seen. The next year when he ran for the Heisman, he sent me several post cards congratulating me on victories of my high school squad.
Any high school football coach would call it a pretty good day to meet a Heisman winner and a future Heisman winner.

 

[dawgduice]

Met Dr. J when he was asked to do a promo for the NBA and school sports. I was a HS coach at the time and was asked to bring some of my kids for background shots. He talked to the camera while my kids played in the background at the Spectrum. The director had him dunk the ball as part of the video. I was amazed at how easily he dunked, it was like dropping a piece of paper in the trash can. He must of been asked to do a dozen takes, never complained. When I was introduced to him I noticed the size and length of his fingers when we shook hands he could have wrapped them around my hand twice
For you real "old-timers" I also met Steve Van Buren, when he was selling siding !!

 

[psute]

Met Nixon during the 1960 campaign - I was a baby he kissed, lol, strange but I do remember it.

My son had his picture taken with HW Bush while deployed. I sent an 8 X 10 copy of it to him at his Presidential Library and he signed it with a personal inscription, class act...

 

[psuro]

Almost forgot that 7' 7" George Muresan of the Washington Bullets used to live across the street from us. The neighbors had to explain his first Halloween to him. When we went to his door with my little kids his wife answered and George comes charging down the stairs (quite a sight) to pick up this huge bowl of candy and give some to the kids. He was having more fun than the kids. It was always entertaining to watch this huge man cut the grass. He was a very nice guy.

Did he dance for you?

 

[GulfCoastLion]

Walking through the Pittsbugh International Airport back in the mid 80's heading toward my gate assignment to fly back to LAX (moved to California after graduating from PSU in 1980) and coming straight towards me was Joe DiMaggio. He was well into his 70's , but still very distinguished looking and all dressed up in a suit and tie. As I was passing him, I simply held out my hand and said 'Mr DiMaggio, what an honor to shake your hand'. He shook my hand firmly and said 'thank you'. He was very polite and seemed sincere, most likely appreciating that I didn't ask for an autograph and attempt to say anything else, or waist his time.

I'll never forget it. Joltin' Joe didn't have a reputation of being Mr nice guy back in the day from what I've read in the media. Supposedly very aloof and not a media-friendly guy anyway.

 

[CDLionFL]

My job in sports media has afforded me opportunities to be around numerous athletes so I don't really get starstruck all that much. But the one time I walked away starstruck was in the early 2000s when I was at that 4-letter network, I got to sit in a show meeting and actually talk the nuances of hitting with Tony Gwynn. It was me and probably 4 or 5 other co-workers, all who had played baseball at some level, just talking about experiences with guessing pitches, reading pitchers, situations, and how to avoid/get out of slumps. If we didn't actually have to prepare for a show, he would have kept us in there all night. His passing was one of the few athletes' deaths that have jarred me, so much so that when I went to a Padres game in the summer of '14, I actually teared up when taking a pic of his statue at Petco.

 

[jp3272]

January 1997 the Flyers and Rangers played a matinee game. Rangers won 4-2. I was working security detail in the suites and club boxes at the (then) Corestates Center. Myself and 4 other guards get a call over the radio to meet at the elevator 15 minutes after the game wrapped up. We're mingling about when the radio announces "he's coming". The door opens and there's Wayne Gretzky holding 4 or 5 hockey sticks! He says hi to each of us and a promotion guy with him states we're going to walk Wayne down to a certain suite to entertain a few guests. We formed a circle around Wayne and meandered our way through the exiting crowd. We heard a few passing comments "Was that the Great One?". We arrive at the suite, he turns and hands a stick to one of my coworkers and that was it. A fun brush with a sports celebrity, and yeah we gave the guy who got the stick an earful!

 

[retsio]

While in Chicago for a sales convention, had the pleasure of hosting Muhammad Ali in his suite, during the show in the booth (everyone swamped the booth asking him to sign boxing gloves) and at a very private dinner. He was pleasant, soft spoken, loved to do magic tricks (sort of) and did not shy away from any fan's request. As we walked to the restaurant, cabbies and their fares stopped in the street to greet him and would not leave him alone. Dinner was short as his wife Lonnie kept tabs on his health. And I am thankful to him for a few special moments in time and signatures.