Ever run into a pro athlete?
- Thread starter DBR
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I went to secondary school (Same year, different class) as one of our 2000/04 Olympic team though I didn't actually know him.
I also met Eric Cantona at the airport once. One of my mates was more interested in having a chat than I was though - I wanted to get to the plane for my holiday
I also met Eric Cantona at the airport once. One of my mates was more interested in having a chat than I was though - I wanted to get to the plane for my holiday
*cough*theyarentproathletesyet*cough*
I once saw Sean Casey talking with reporters in the booth next to my table when I was out having lunch with Mom and Grandma in a Cincinnati restaurant, when he was still with the Reds.
And Mom said I once threw a toy train at a pro basketball star player (from the 70s) on a plane when I was tiny. I forgot who. I gotta ask Mom sometimes.
Ron Jaworski is a distant cousin, but as I haven't seen him since a family reunion in Scranton almost four decades ago, technically I've never run into a pro athlete.
Interestingly enough, he's arguably not even the best quarterback in the clan: Another cousin, Roger Catarino, played for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga years ago. In one of his seasons as a starter (according to my admittedly spotty memory), they finished the regular season 10-1 (and #3 in Division 1-AA), beating UT in the process and losing to Ole Miss by a single point.
He was drafted by the Bengals (and the Cowboys, I think, during that brief period when the AFL and NFL were rivals and conducting rival drafts), and eventually ended up in Dallas for a brief training camp stint. Though he impressed them, a knee injury and his height (he's 5' 10") conspired to derail a nascent pro career. It didn't help that another guy named Roger had just finished his Navy commitment around that time.
Interestingly enough, he's arguably not even the best quarterback in the clan: Another cousin, Roger Catarino, played for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga years ago. In one of his seasons as a starter (according to my admittedly spotty memory), they finished the regular season 10-1 (and #3 in Division 1-AA), beating UT in the process and losing to Ole Miss by a single point.
He was drafted by the Bengals (and the Cowboys, I think, during that brief period when the AFL and NFL were rivals and conducting rival drafts), and eventually ended up in Dallas for a brief training camp stint. Though he impressed them, a knee injury and his height (he's 5' 10") conspired to derail a nascent pro career. It didn't help that another guy named Roger had just finished his Navy commitment around that time.
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This summer my boys and I were getting ready to go home after some paintball at one of the battlegrounds here in Minnesota. A private party was coming in to replace our group. We realized it was a bunch of the Minnesota Wild players.
Too bad we had to leave because I think we could have taken them.
Too bad we had to leave because I think we could have taken them.
I live in the town where the Boston Bruins practice so I frequently see them around town. One day 6 of them came into the local House of Pizza where a friend and I were having lunch. They sat in the back of the restaurant and no one gave them any trouble.
It wasn't exactly a random meeting, but...
I attended a pre-party at the Rose Bowl in 2008. I met Marcus Allen, who was a bit distant and distracted. He did pose for a picture with me, which was nice.
I also met Ronnie Lott. That was an amazing encounter. He is a great guy. Very gregarious, funny. He acted like he was thrilled to meet us, and spent several minutes chatting with us. He also kindly posed for a picture.
I attended a pre-party at the Rose Bowl in 2008. I met Marcus Allen, who was a bit distant and distracted. He did pose for a picture with me, which was nice.
I also met Ronnie Lott. That was an amazing encounter. He is a great guy. Very gregarious, funny. He acted like he was thrilled to meet us, and spent several minutes chatting with us. He also kindly posed for a picture.
I met Jay Novacek a couple of weeks ago. He came to our station to promote a youth sports organization. Real nice and laid back kind of guy.
Not too many pros pop up in our town, but I've run into a few.
Kirby Puckett used to come to the local diner in our town quite a bit- I think he was trying to avoid the usual media/fan hassle.
Jerry Burns (former Vikings coach) had a boat at the same marina I kept my boat at. It was a hoot listening to him cuss and rant when he tried to dock the thing.
Some dude I ran into at the bar last Sunday claimed he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the late 1970's. Not sure if I believe him, but considering how bad the Bucs were back then, I guess it's not something that one would lie about.
Kirby Puckett used to come to the local diner in our town quite a bit- I think he was trying to avoid the usual media/fan hassle.
Jerry Burns (former Vikings coach) had a boat at the same marina I kept my boat at. It was a hoot listening to him cuss and rant when he tried to dock the thing.
Some dude I ran into at the bar last Sunday claimed he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the late 1970's. Not sure if I believe him, but considering how bad the Bucs were back then, I guess it's not something that one would lie about.
I've run into various Spurs team members over the years at restaurants, clubs, etc. Tony Parker was nice to my Dad. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker were nice to my brother. People say good things about Robert Horry. People say unpleasant things about Eva Longoria and they are true (but, she's only a Spur by marriage...).
Going way back, I've met both the Iceman and Artis Gilmore, who were both very gracious.
Going way back, I've met both the Iceman and Artis Gilmore, who were both very gracious.
Saw Antoine Walker (NBA) in O'Hare once. Was on a plane with Willie McGinest (NFL). Met Gabe Kapler at a charity event (MLB...really nice guy). Met Hulk Hogan in the Tampa airport last spring (okay that's pushing the definition of "pro athlete" a bit).
A pro fisherman. I was at this little steak place by Rocky Fork Lake near Hillsboro, Ohio. The guy was dressed like a race car driver, all covered in patches advertising his sponsers. He was very friendly and struck up a conversation and he said he was on ESPN 2. As my interest in professional fishing is almost non existent, I forgot his name. He was pretty cool though.
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