milehiiu Posted July 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 1 hour ago, bluegrassIU said: Nicest: Gayle Sayers Most authentic: Peyton Manning Funniest: Larry Holmes, so funny! Most arrogant: Dr. J (I almost lost my job because of him. Although it was fully my fault lol) Impressed that you met Gayle Sayers in person. Always thought he was a nice guy. And in my estimation, one of the best Running Backs, if not the best ever in the NFL. Gale Sayers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parakeet Jones Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 Arie Luyendyk Al Durham was amazing to Little Keet when he met him on the court after a game. Not an athlete, but Gus Johnson was great with Little Keet too. I have a video on my phone of them saying, “The Carnegie Hall of college basketball,” together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milehiiu Posted July 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 7 minutes ago, Parakeet Jones said: Not an athlete, but Gus Johnson was great with Little Keet too. I have a video on my phone of them saying, “The Carnegie Hall of college basketball,” together. Never met the man. I have the most respect for Gus. And does not surprise me that he was kind to Little Keet. Gus Johnson Puts the Madness Into March Gus Johnson calls Indiana Buzzer Beater Oh Oh Olidopo ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefftheref Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 Walter Payton Wilson Chandler A.J. Foyt Tony Bentenhausen Danny Sullivan Sugar Ray Leonard Muhammad Ali Rocky Blier Lou Holtz Billy Keller Louie Dampier Bob Netolicky Wayman Tisdale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5fouls Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 Dan Dakich I'm kidding............ As a kid, I got Pete Rose's autograph. Got my picture taken with Dave Concepcion. Later in life, met Joe Morgan and got picture with him. Had a brief, but nice conversation with Ken Griffey Sr's wife at a hotel after my young son wandered up to her and asked if she worked there. Ken was at the hotel as well, but I did not get a chance to talk to him. Met several athletes at a couple of charity golf functions at Fuzzy Zoeller's course in Sellersburg. Fuzzy, of course was there. Actually bumped into Fuzzy once at the grocery store as well. A whole bunch of senior tour guys were at the events. John Daly was at one. He was an absolute mess. Alford was there for one and was a prick. Kelvin Sampson was arrogant. I don't know that any of them stood out to me as guys I would go out of my way to say 'What a nice guy'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milehiiu Posted July 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 24 minutes ago, jefftheref said: Walter Payton Wilson Chandler A.J. Foyt Tony Bentenhausen Danny Sullivan Sugar Ray Leonard Muhammad Ali Rocky Blier Lou Holtz Billy Keller Louie Dampier Bob Netolicky Wayman Tisdale Quite a list you have there. Forgot about Muhammed Ali... who once gave us an inspirational speech where I once worked. Later. We have a friend who lives in Michigan. And drove us past his house. A tiny little house. I was shocked that he wanted to live there at the time. Muhammad Ali and his family were great neighbors when they lived in tiny Berrien Springs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrflynn03 Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 1 hour ago, jefftheref said: Walter Payton Wilson Chandler A.J. Foyt Tony Bentenhausen Danny Sullivan Sugar Ray Leonard Muhammad Ali Rocky Blier Lou Holtz Billy Keller Louie Dampier Bob Netolicky Wayman Tisdale Holy crap! You win. What a list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrflynn03 Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 1 hour ago, milehiiu said: Quite a list you have there. Forgot about Muhammed Ali... who once gave us an inspirational speech where I once worked. Later. We have a friend who lives in Michigan. And drove us past his house. A tiny little house. I was shocked that he wanted to live there at the time. Muhammad Ali and his family were great neighbors when they lived in tiny Berrien Springs People used to be humble/show humility back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rico Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 Mark Grace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefftheref Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 8 hours ago, milehiiu said: Quite a list you have there. Forgot about Muhammed Ali... who once gave us an inspirational speech where I once worked. Later. We have a friend who lives in Michigan. And drove us past his house. A tiny little house. I was shocked that he wanted to live there at the time. Muhammad Ali and his family were great neighbors when they lived in tiny Berrien Springs Mr. Ali was a big supporter of Berrien Springs Schools. I would officiate there occasionally and would always hear stories of his generosity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefftheref Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 8 hours ago, milehiiu said: Quite a list you have there. Forgot about Muhammed Ali... who once gave us an inspirational speech where I once worked. Later. We have a friend who lives in Michigan. And drove us past his house. A tiny little house. I was shocked that he wanted to live there at the time. Muhammad Ali and his family were great neighbors when they lived in tiny Berrien Springs Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FritzIam4IU Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 Can't believe I forgot to put Bill Buckner on my list...he was the first encounter I had when I was like 5 and was super nice. Not an athlete....although he did play one in a movie, but Sinbad the comedian came into a bar I was at back in the day and was super cool and down to earth. He just came in by himself to hang out for the night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeking6 Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 10 hours ago, Parakeet Jones said: Arie Luyendyk Al Durham was amazing to Little Keet when he met him on the court after a game. Not an athlete, but Gus Johnson was great with Little Keet too. I have a video on my phone of them saying, “The Carnegie Hall of college basketball,” together. Speaking of auto racing. My firm used to rent AJ's suite at IMS for client party. Standing out front of suite in gasoline alley and Dan Wheldon runs up in his suit and asks if he could use the restroom. I said absolutely. He runs in does his business and sticks around to sign autographs take pictures. Extremely nice and personable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy River Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 First and foremost, I have to agree with Mile. Calbert was one of the nicest and most humble people I've ever met, athlete or not. I was friends with Calbert back in the day so I must've been in close proximity to Seeking6. Also on my list would be Rob Johnson Eric Gordon Charles Barkley and, contrary to popular belief, Tony Stewart, and Joe DiMaggio. Flipping the script, the worst were: Johnny Bench Willie Mays Jay Edwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IUFLA Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 Couple of others... All the old Indy drivers were pretty nice...Johnny Rutherford, Mario Andretti, Jim Hurtubise...Got all of their autographs...AJ Foyt was a little standoffish, but still signed... Shared a pitcher of beer with former Cardinal John Tudor at a St Louis bar...Nice guy...Met former Cards pitching coach Hub Kittle in a St Louis greasy spoon after a game, and he was very nice and talked baseball with us for an hour... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milehiiu Posted July 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 For years there used to be heated debates in America, about race car drivers being considered athletes. I believe that debate has gone away. Glad to see several of you including race car drivers in your lists of the nicest athletes you have met. Don't want to put an end to this thread. But do want to thank all that have chosen to participate. Stay safe Hoosier Sports Nation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IUFLA Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 5 minutes ago, Muddy River said: Johnny Bench Had the same experience with him...He was getting in an elevator at the Chase Park Plaza in 1977 when me and 3 of my Reds buddies (who all idolized him) saw him...They ran up to him and gushed over him for a minute...When the elevator came open he stepped in...never said one word to them...They were crushed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierhoopster Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 14 hours ago, IUFLA said: Nicest? Tony Perez twice (10 years apart)... Worst? Pete Rose twice, (again, 10 years apart)... The conversation: ”Hey Pete. So, do you like to gamble?” ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeking6 Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 28 minutes ago, Muddy River said: First and foremost, I have to agree with Mile. Calbert was one of the nicest and most humble people I've ever met, athlete or not. I was friends with Calbert back in the day so I must've been in close proximity to Seeking6. Also on my list would be Rob Johnson Eric Gordon Charles Barkley and, contrary to popular belief, Tony Stewart, and Joe DiMaggio. Flipping the script, the worst were: Johnny Bench Willie Mays Jay Edwards Calbert's place was in back corner of Villas...won't forget his last year. Week after Kansas loss he and friends were hanging out on deck. Had my Pizza Express beer cup. Chugged it and threw it up for an autograph and he said no problem at all. Couldn't believe how nice he was to any and everyone. I think that's right when he got that white ford explorer and Greg Graham made a new purchase too. Fun memories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGleas Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 13 hours ago, milehiiu said: Not cheating at all. Had to be great to be a part of the Boston Celtics, as you did. I am sure there tons of others. However, I love your mention of Chaney. I actually met Calbert when I worked for the Celtics, but not in a way you might think. I was working for the Celtics, but was off the clock at a friends bachelor party in Atlantic City. I’m having breakfast in the casino restaurant with my buddies and spot Calbert across the restaurant having breakfast with friends. I wanted to meet him because I’m an IU fan, but felt to interrupt someone eating with their friends I needed a better reason. Then I remembered he played for the Celtics (before I ever worked there) and I used the angle that my boss (Celtics VP of Media Relations) would be so mad if I saw Calbert and didn’t come over and say hello for him. Once I got that out I then launched into how much of an IU fan I am. He was super nice about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milehiiu Posted July 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 1 minute ago, BGleas said: I actually met Calbert when I worked for the Celtics, but not in a way you might think. I was working for the Celtics, but was off the clock at a friends bachelor party in Atlantic City. I’m having breakfast in the casino restaurant with my buddies and spot Calbert across the restaurant having breakfast with friends. I wanted to meet him because I’m an IU fan, but felt to interrupt someone eating with their friends I needed a better reason. Then I remembered he played for the Celtics (before I ever worked there) and I used the in that my boss (Celtics VP of Media Relations) would be so mad if I saw Calbert and didn’t come over and say hello for him. Once I got that out I then launched into how much of an IU fan I am. He was super nice about it. Thanks for sharing that story with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierhoopster Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 Those that really stood out to me Dwayne De Rosario - When he was a star with the Houston Dynamo, his youngest played on my middle child’s soccer team, and he coached the team on and off (with my oldest who was then playing for the Houston Dynamo Academy) and hung out with us — and we went to his son’s birthday party at his house — couldn’t have been more of a “normal” down to Earth guy, and he was the MLS POY, a real star at the time. Vic He participated in one of Crean’s camps as a player - coach. My middle child got to go one on one with him in front of the whole camp - Vic jumped over him and dunked on him. Smiling the whole way. Of course he hung around and gave everyone autographs, signed my son’s basketball - my son said he wanted to give it to his grandmother and Vic loved that, just as enthusiastic, outgoing and friendly in person as the guy you see on tv. Eric Gordon — Met him at a Rockets game, was in the front row behind the team bench, he looked at me and I pointed to the IU logo on my shirt - he laughed. Talked to him later, very unassuming, he’s a “chill” guy Patrick Ewing Was at a DC-area mall with my wife, mid 90’s. We’re walking through the men’s section of a shoe store and this guy is sitting down with his legs extended and his legs went all the way across the aisle - we were like what the heck is the guy 10 feet tall? Then I recognized him as Ewing. I’m not big on just walking up to stars, don’t like invading their space, but I said hello and that I loved his game even though I’m a Pacers fan - he laughed and we joked for a bit, another laid back nice guy. The flip side - second hand Reggie Miller — I’ve never met him, and he’s hands down my favorite player ever (even over PG!). Friend of mine bumped into him at a bar, tried to strike up a conversation with him. Said Regg just looked at him like he was an idiot and walked away. Lol. But then if you’re a star and people just have to just walk up to and try to talk to you that must get really annoying, hats off to those who put up with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy River Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 24 minutes ago, Seeking6 said: Calbert's place was in back corner of Villas...won't forget his last year. Week after Kansas loss he and friends were hanging out on deck. Had my Pizza Express beer cup. Chugged it and threw it up for an autograph and he said no problem at all. Couldn't believe how nice he was to any and everyone. I think that's right when he got that white ford explorer and Greg Graham made a new purchase too. Fun memories. Might as well make this a Calbert Love thread. As I stated, I had a good friendship with Calbert the last couple of years I was at IU. I was a year ahead of him. I made a point to not ever ask him for anything, because I saw how much others asked of him. However, late in my senior year, I finally asked if he could sign a ball for me before graduation. He said sure, and told me to bring it by the apartment. I was excited, because he was roommates with Chris Reynolds, and I figured they would both sign. When I took the ball over Chris wasn't home, and Calbert asked if he could keep the ball a couple of days. I figured he was waiting to get Chris to sign it, but when he called me to come get it, he had taken it to the weightroom and had every single player, including redshirt freshman Brian Evans sign the ball. I was blown away and told him he didn't need to do that, and his comment was "I know, I wanted to do it." That's the kind of guy he is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milehiiu Posted July 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 11 minutes ago, Muddy River said: Might as well make this a Calbert Love thread. As I stated, I had a good friendship with Calbert the last couple of years I was at IU. I was a year ahead of him. I made a point to not ever ask him for anything, because I saw how much others asked of him. However, late in my senior year, I finally asked if he could sign a ball for me before graduation. He said sure, and told me to bring it by the apartment. I was excited, because he was roommates with Chris Reynolds, and I figured they would both sign. When I took the ball over Chris wasn't home, and Calbert asked if he could keep the ball a couple of days. I figured he was waiting to get Chris to sign it, but when he called me to come get it, he had taken it to the weightroom and had every single player, including redshirt freshman Brian Evans sign the ball. I was blown away and told him he didn't need to do that, and his comment was "I know, I wanted to do it." That's the kind of guy he is. Great story. And thanks for sharing it with us. Stay safe Hoosier Sports Nation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierJax Posted July 12, 2020 Report Share Posted July 12, 2020 Jeff Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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