OT: Pro Players You've Met In Any Sport ?

[DEEP3CL]

Once in awhile we cross paths with athletes in public or even after a game. So tell us who have you met in your lifetime. Tell where if you can remember.

For me it's been many so here is my list.

Muhammad Ali - At a park during a youth benefit in 86 ( was 18, just wanted to meet him)
Jim Brown - Downtown LA, he was coming out of the Bonaventure with a cutie
Howie Long - At LAX he was still a Choakland Raider...............I'm down with the Steelers man !
Eric Snow - During the Summer Pro League at the Pyramid in 98
Keith Closs - At Pyramid and before he got beat down !
Elden Campbell - Knew of him before he got to the NBA, our high schools played in the same league.
Curtis Conway - His dad lived next door to me during his youth, we tossed the football all day

Larry Allen - Knew him before he made money protecting Troy Aikman's a$$ ! went to same school
Deshaun Foster - His sister played AAU with my niece, cool cat

[DubaLakers]

Keith Closs LOL. What was the story on him. He got on top of a car yelled I am King of the World and started talking mess and a bunch of people jumped him, something like that.

[hermes]

Chuck Foreman- was at some town expo signing autographs

and he wasn't really a pro but won an Olympic gold, Cael Sanderson- came to speak at my school once

[Big Bird]

Tonic Kukoc - when he was still playing for the Bulls and was participating in a Golf tournament in Slovenia. I remember I had a Chicago Bulls cap and wrote Jordan, Kukoc, Pippen and Rodman on it with their numbers, so I gave it to him to sign it and he came off as a really cool dude. I was 12 or 13, but could barely speak because I was so thrilled to have met him. The cap is like roadkill now and the signature is all washed up, but I'm still very fond of this memory.

[lakerfan420]

Kobe Bryant- Met him at Magic Mountain back in the summer of 2000 on Goliath. My hubby and I were next in line for the front row when he, Vanessa and a couple security guards came up the exit. He came up to us personally and asked if they could take our spots. We said yes of course, which he was probably confident we would since I was wearing my championship shirt and hubby was wearing a gold #8 jersey. We saw him at the bottom of the ride after we got off just talking to everybody and signing autographs/taking pix. He was so cool and personable with everyone, especially the kids. We even got my shirt and hubby's jersey autographed, which we haven't worn since.

Smush Parker/Mychal Thompson- Met them at National's Sports Grill in Torrance a couple seasons ago. The Loose Cannons were broadcasting there that day so went there for lunch and met them. Smush was there that night and even though he sucked, he was still a Laker then so I went back that night while he was there. But is it wrong that I was more excited about meeting Mychal Thompson and Vic the Brick than Smush?

I met the Laker girls of 1989 w/my brother at an autograph signing somewhere ( I was only 8) and Kareem at a sports store around that same time. Had autographs, but they got lost in a house fire when I was 15. I still won't forget how tall Kareem was compared to me ( I was probably 4 feet or so back then, lol).

Anderson Varejo- Met him on a flight back to MI from LA back in January (we had a layover in Cleveland). He was cool with my neice and gave her his cookies from first class (we were in the first row not in fc). I saw him again at the Cleveland Airport and he took a pic w/my neice and gave me an autograph, even though I was wearing a puple LO jersey and he had just hurt his ankle at that game vs the Lakers w/the roof problems. But he hassled me about us losing too.

[tkb]

Greatest winter Olympian of all time (Bjørn Dæhlie) was born in the city I'm from (very small city btw). A former Liverpool player is from here as well (Stig Inge Bjørneby).

[iamworthy]

Shaq- Met in a club
Billups- Met at citywalk in universal city
Tyrone Lue- He was chillin with Billups the same day
Josh Howard- Met at Las Vegas All-star game. He was real cool.
David Robinson- Saw him at the airport in portland. I got a authograph I was young then.

Those are the guys I have personally said something to. But Ive seen tons of NBA guys. Im sure everyone who lives in LA and hit up the clubs on sunset do or club in berverly hills. I also went to the All-Star game when it was here in Los Angeles. The athletes were way more accsseible in Las Vegas then there were in LA because in Vegas there is no place to go but the casino's on the strip.

Biggest Jerk award has to go to D-Wade. For the most part Every NBA dude was cool except him. Im sure you guys remember when TNT was broadcasting from in front of Ceasars Palace. Well right before D-Wade went on he was just chillin on the sidewalk standing there doing nothing with his body gaurds. There were all kind of kids and fans begging for his autograph. I say at least 50 people, 5 ft away from him. Yelling and screaming his name. He didnt say one word to anyone. I was like WOW! My wife now hates D-Wade with a passion.

[Lost Angel]

i met Kobe when I worked as a server at Shark's Cove in Manhattan Beach, Calif.


way down to earth, gave me an autograph, AND i broke the case that held his jersey and he signed it.

[ronnymac2]

I saw Keith Van horn shopping in a mall once. I was in 8th grade, chillin with my friends. He's REALLY tall lol. He was with his wife and kids though, so we didn't want to bother him.

I met Stephon Marbury at one of his appearances at a steve and barry's store to promote his starbury shoes. He was signing autographs, so i got a knicks shirt and he signed it.

I also went to a nets game about 2 years ago...it was one of the best days of my life. They were facing the wizards, and my best friend's brother was playing a game on the court before the game (it was a game for middle schoolers and stuff). So we were there early to watch that. Some players started practicing and then were giving out autographs. Gilbert Arenas was one of them. He's mad chill, and really friendly to everyone. He had just droppped 50+ points a few games ago, so when i met him, i said drop 50 tonight lol. Richard Jefferson was another. He's mad coool, too, and good with kids. Lastly Josh Boone. Dude is crazy tall. I felt like a 4 year old. Also pretty friendly.

Then during that same game, my friend was invited to go shoot shots during the 3rd quarter in a contest for tickets. I went down literally where the players come out (the tunnel part) and got to see live action really close. This is the crazy part...vince carter went to go get a loose ball and was literally 4 feet away from me. I was like....holy ****, that's the greatest dunker of all-time. lol I yelled "Yeah, great hustle Vince!" or something like that haha. My friend won the contest, too, and got to be on the court, so it was even more awesome.

And I swear, as I was walking courtside, free throws were being taken, and jason kidd was setting up for a rebound. I kind of looked funny back then because i'm skinny and white but had a big fro lol, and I could have sworn Kidd looked at me and cracked a smile like "look at that kid" haha. I'll never forget that day though.

Damn...living in Los Angeles must be awesome for most of you though...just go to a club and see superstars lol.

[Ghost Snack]

Shawn Bradly - I saw him like in 99 or something. I wanted to talk to him, but I didn't want him to ask me if I played miniature golf. It was funny how he towered over everyone, I think he probably had to make sure his head didnt hit the gate signs.

Shaq - Back in the day I was in the adidas camp when lego land just opened. He showed up and I was able to shoot off him.. That was a great day. He was roaming from court to court swating the kids's shot. I was like 10 or 11. I can't believe everyone knows the exact years they met these players.

Moses Malone - He was at the adidas camp as well.

Kobe - I was young and in summer camp. We were going to some place in downtown LA on a big yellow school bus. We randomly drove by one of Kobe in the middle of a sprite photo shoot. Every single kid in camp waved and he waved back with a huge smile. The bus driver was cool enough to drive us around one last time.

[DubaLakers]

She hates DWade because he didn't sign authographs in Vegas? That's a little rough don't ya think? DWade seems like a cool cat to me. Break out the sharpie DWade there 500 people that expect autographs if you don't they will all hate you.

[vinnycorleone]

Kobe (Twice) - Subway in Newport Coast (where Kobe and I live) He ordered the turkey footlong with a sprite. This was the week after the 2nd time the suns knocked us out of the playoffs. He talked to me about some trades we could make during the offseason (I won't mention any names). He was super cool. And 2nd time at a Warriors Lakers game in Oakland. He signed my jersey that I was wearing.
Vanessa Bryant and Kids: Fashion Island

The Entire 2007 Lakers Squad minus Kobe:
Andrew Bynum, Brian Shaw, Kurt Rambis, Smush Parker, Luke Walton, Brian Cook, Mo Evans, Vlad Rad, Farmar, Sasha, Shammond Williams, Aaron McKie, Kwame, Phil Jackson, Kareem Adbul Jabbar, Lamar, I'm forgetting the rest.

I got to meet them before a Lakers Mavs game. I got all their autographs but I got Kareems Autograph on a Kareem Jersey. And Kareem DOESNT sign autographs if anyone of you know.

Elton Brand: Hawaii on the beach.

Some baseball and hockey players also

[iamworthy]

She hates DWade because he didn't sign authographs in Vegas? That's a little rough don't ya think? DWade seems like a cool cat to me. Break out the sharpie DWade there 500 people that expect autographs if you don't they will all hate you.

She hates him because he could have signed 1 or 2 autographs. You had to be there. He didnt acknowlege anyone. It was night, he was wearing dark glasses and acted like he was in a room by himself. Even if you dont wanna sign anything just wave or something. We werent trying to get a autograph because were to old for that...lol But the kids were yelling his name and he could have done something. Espically because she saw how all the other NBA players were acting. Everyone was so cool. I had a conversation with Josh Howard for like 10 minutes. I waive to strangers ever day and say hi to stangers everday its just the way I was raised. I call it good home training. He could have just waived and kept walking. But dude stood in the same place for like 5 minutes and didnt say one word or waive to anyone. Then when he got on camera with the tnt guys he was smiling and putting on a show...it was just so fake. Again Im not saying he has to sign anything but just acknowledge people where there yelling your name

[monk302]

James Worthy - Met him at a New Balance signing in the mid 80's. He's a really nice and classy guy.

[Yeviwolf]

Met Fisher, Bynum and Ariza at Century City mall. Kenyon Martin at Fox Hills. Know Josh/Jarren Shipp from high school, also played in high school league against Fairfax and Westchester (Amir Johnson, Hassan Adams, Brandon Heath WOOT) James Worthy at Sport Chalet

[TruSkool]

kobe bryant- in northridge...he had a shoulder injury at the time and my friend and i were about to take a right turn...luckily it was a red light and kobe pulls up in a white escalade. music blastin...windows half down. we were like "kobeeeee!!" he throws up peace sign, light turns green and the rest was history.

james worthy- half time of a lakers game. he had bought a hamburger, and he was nice enough to stop and take a picture...we discussed trade possibilities, and he said something like the lakers will be fine....(before the gasol trade)

that same day....my friend and i looked up the stairs, and kupchack, jerry buss, and his son were discussing somethin.....we yell out again somethin like "hey, make a trade!!!" "make a trade!!"

now..we have pau gasol...so your welcome laker fans..now i demand 1 million dollars from each of u.

[laduane1]

Met Jarron Collins and his brother Jason. They are from Socal and were at a camp for kids. This was about 4 years ago. Saw a few future players when I went to UCLA. New talked to them, just saw them from a distance.

[bobobolas1]

In BEIJING '08 I met more than i can remember, more than i know because when i went to the olympic village (my brother in law was an athlet), i met most of spanish olympic team and much more, like football players, track and field, argentinian and lietuva basketball teams,

But the ones i liked more to talk with was:

Marc Gasol, he was sit in front of the spanish building so i came to him to talk about the olympic finals and his new team, and when we were there Pau, came from an interview and he just said "hasta luego"

Rafa Nadal, the morning he was going to play the finals. He was surrounded of tons of volunteers (chineses) and then i helped him to reach the car he took to the arena.

[cashflo]

Elden Campbell,Keyon Dooling, Both did there gocery shopping at Vons in Marina del rey when I worked there.
Gary Payton, We were on the same flight from Orlando to LA the day after he got traded to Boston. He was sitting a few seats away He was'nt cool. Kept to himself.
Len Matusak I took a picture with him when i was in the sixth grade. awsome guy!
Magic Johnson A couple of months ago at lax I was standing in line at United security .He cut through right in front of me. I Said, "Magic Man" He looked at me and said " hey,how you doin."
Larry Brown at the Hermosa Beach Vons back when he was Clippers coach. Not very apporachable.

[chefy]

ana ivanovic at home depot center

maria sharapova, home depot center

lindsey davenport, home depot center