OT : Best experience with a Pro Athlete

[HicksvsKnicks08]

I wondered who out there had a memorable experience either meeting, or interacting with a Pro. If this has been done before, my bad I'm new

I was working at John Starks basketball camp (as an athletic trainer) up in Purchase NY, about 30 Minutes from Westchester. He was there all 7 days, talked with the kids, and was a real down to earth cat. At the end of the last day of camp , I got a chance to play 5 on 5 with Starks and a few knicks and the rest of the traing staff. I was on the other team, not with John Starks. He rebounds the ball, and starts sprinitng up court. Now I am back behind the half court line in a defensive stance as he is pushing the ball up court on the break. Starks comes right towards me full speed, Im in a defensive stance , trying not to look like a frightened school girl . He continues at me full speed , then dribbles the ball through my legs, passes by me while keeping his dribble, then goes on to throw down a viscious revere dunk!! Talk about humble pie, I was red as blood in the face, meanwhile he jogs back down court grinning at me. Guess thats why I was a trainer. lol

Oh also met Patrick Ewing, and Herb Williams, called him a sellout for joing the Knicks, lol but he was cool even talked about Schrempf, Miller, Person, etc.

[SuperReggie31]

This actually come to a tie with me amongst three athletes. Every couple of years I go to a sports convention where a lot of the pros are are signing and a few usually standout from my experience.

BEST
Joe Namath, Joe Montana, and Cal Ripken Jr.
-These guys were absolutely the best ones to interact with because they actually had a personality and would take the time to get to know you even if there was a line behind you waiting. You can tell when when you approach them, they were absolutely thrilled that you took time out of your life to come see them. You could definitely tell how they felt in their handshakes and smiles.

WORST
Terrell Owens, Jim McMahon
Do I need to explain more? When you came up to the table they generally had the expression of "Oh joy another one...." and made you felt like they didn't want to see you but had to since they paid for it. Definitely these guys were one and done deals as I wouldn;t waste my money on them ever again.

Sorry this went out of the way for a little bit but had to share some thoughts.

[23artest23]

I got to have short talks with a lot of guys trying to make the NBA and a few that were already in such as Flip Murray (before he got a name in Seattle), Ricky Davis, Nick Collison (an arse), Luke Ridnour, Bo Outlaw, and some others at the Summer Pro League in Long Beach. I had a couple long conversations with Bo. He was easily the most down to earth of any basketball player I have met. At that same SL, I had a brief encounter with someone Laker-related but cannot remember who that was. For some reason, I keep thinking it was Tex Winter but I could be wrong. At the time, I did not realize the level person I was speaking with so it did not strike me in an unforgettable way. If it was not Tex, it was Jerry Buss or Mitch Kuptchak (sp?). I just know it was a high up in the organization, probably Tex.

I've not had the luck to speak with any Colts outside of an ex in Roosevelt Potts. I had a convo with at a camp and then had a literal hour long convo a month later or so at a Midas. We both had car problems of all things. He was very down to earth and seemed as though he probably changed his life around from his days with the Colts. If I remember right, he had a substance abuse problem but he seemed way over that and a bit spiritual when I got to talk a while with him.

If you consider Percy Miller a pro from his days of trying to make a few different NBA teams, I have also met him. I did not particularly care for him though. He struck me as pretty arrogant in the same fashion as Nick Collison. I actually told Nick how arrogant he was and that he looked like bust after he gave me a snotty comment.

[HicksvsKnicks08]

Master P, lol I heard that he could ball. I would have love to meet Cal Ripken Jr.

[pacerman06]

Carl Landry came to our school. I talked to him a bit, he signed some autographs, and he picked me up and I dunked it. I was in sixth grade.

[Gunny]

Wolves fan here:

I met Kevin Garnett when I was 14. I bagged groceries and loaded them into customers' vehicles. If you think superstars like Kevin Garnett don't buy their own groceries, they definitely do. He must've had about 15 bags. It was around Thanksgiving and he gave me a $40 tip.

I met Rashad McCants at the Lifetime Fitness at the Target Center back in 2005 when it was called the Northwest Athletic Club when I was 18. I was just shooting hoops and came over and told me how honored he was that I was wearing his jersey. Like Garnett, I was starstruck when I saw him. He shot the ball around with me for a half hour and letting me do alley-oops to him. It was one of the best times I've ever had, and to top it all off, he told me to follow him to the front desk. He grabbed a sharpie and autographed my jersey for me. Seriously one of the nicest guys I've ever met.

I saw Corey Brewer and Chris Richard in the Mall of America, but didn't talk to them. They were already swamped with people around them. I figured the last thing they needed we a couple more guys asking for autographs.

[HicksvsKnicks08]

told me how honored he was that I was wearing his jersey

Gunny,

That is way cool. What a class act to come over and say he was honered you were wearing his jersey. I could always tell KG was real

[Archi-stu@BSU]

I don't know that I can call it an experience, but I went to Castleton Mall one winter evening and saw Stephen Jackson and Marquis Daniels. I ended up with a picture with Marquis.

Then following evening I was out at dinner at Bravo's on 86th and Jermaine and Al Harrington were eating there. Al was complaining that his table was too close to the kitchen.

The pacers weekend to remember...

p.s, I know that he isn't a pro athelete but after Ball State lost to Indiana 24-23. PTI guest and Kansas City columnist Jason Whitlock was out drunk at Ball State's village and I was standing in line for Carter's Hot Dogs and Jason got into an argument with the girl in front of me and he asked me "Do you know this girl?" I replied no, and he said "That's awesome, I am buying you some dogs"

[HicksvsKnicks08]

'Kansas City columnist Jason Whitlock was out drunk at Ball State's "

lol great story I would have agrued with her too, lol