OT: Famous people

[pisgah101]

What are some famous people you have met or came into close contact with? I met 1.Skip Prosser at the state high school tournament when I was a freshman I was wearing a Duke hat and he gave me a hard time but was very friendly. 2. Steve Smith Sr at Dollywood when he was still a Panther he was with his family and we spoke and I gave him directions to a ride. 3. I saw Ray Romana twice in the same week here in my town with his family on vacation 4. The male lead singer of lady Antebellum who was extremely tall and very friendly. Honorable mention I was about 10 FT away from Mitt Romney when he spoke in asheville in 2012, the lead singer or Sawyer Brown gave me a high five and I ran into Marshall Plumlee and NFL player Crezdon Buttler at the asheville mall

 

[MSUbluedevil]

By far the most memorable experience was attending a summer basketball camp at Duke during the summer of 2003. I was able to meet and have conversations with Coach K, J. Will (this was weeks before his accident), J.J., Duhon, Chris Carawell, Ewing, DeMarcus Nelson, Johnny Dawkins, and more. One of the best experiences of my life.

I've also met the band Blink 182 backstage at a concert around 2001, Rudy Tomjanovich, and former NBA player Clifford Robinson, who actually lived behind me during his time with the Pistons.

 

[HuffyJB]

Like many people on here, I have had the opportunity to meet and talk with Coach K a few times. It doesn't get much better than that.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

College: Lived in the same dorm as JJ, Shelden, and Sean Dockery my freshman year. Saw them all the time heading to class or dinner. Had anthropology class with DeMarcus Nelson, who was a lot bigger than he looked on tv. Also got to say good morning to Coach K after running the Washington Duke trail the beginning of my Sophomore year. I was covered in sweat and he was walking towards the Chapel to take the team photo. Wish I didn't smell like a sweat sock, but still a great memory.

Post-college: Rode an elevator at work with a very confused Dan Marino in midtown Manhattan. Also ran into David Cross periodically in the East Village.

 

[HuffyJB]

I spoke briefly with Wojo at a Dave Matthews Band concert in Raleigh several years ago. Speaking of DMB, in 2007 when Virginia Tech hosted their benefit concert after the shootings, I got a gig working security at the event. Myself and a friend somehow got put on the artist entry gate behind the stadium, so we met Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Nas, and all the other performers.

I met Sissy Spacek at a Ryan Bingham show in Charlottesville. She is like 4 feet tall.

 

[denniden]

My favorite "celebrity" I have met is Ivan Lendl. I am fortunate that I have played a few rounds of golf with him. It was a treat for me because he was and still is my favorite tennis player ever. He talks a lot of trash on the course, even when you are his partner. He is the same grumpy dude he was on the tennis court in real life. He and I got along well.

 

[DukeOrDie]

Nick Markakis. I played ball against him in college when he was at Young Harris. I struck him out his first 2 ABs then his third time up he hit a 3 run jack.

Coach K- I met him in 2002. The team had just finished a shoot around at the Bi-Lo center in Greenville, SC the day before the tourney started and myself and a few other Duke fans followed the team bus to the hotel. We didn't bother anyone going into the Hotel but when players and coaches started coming back out to the bus to head for Dinner we were able to get pics and autographs from many of the players. Coach K came out and talked to me for about 5 minutes when I told him how much I enjoyed his most recent book. Such a genuine, down to earth guy

 

[dukiejay]

In 2001 I partied with the Duke team at their hotel in Minneapolis after winning the national championship. Actually shotgunned a beer with Shane at about 1 in the morning. That whole final four weekend is up at the top of the list for me.

Having worked in radio for over 17 years I've been pretty fortunate to meet a lot of people. Jason Alexander was in once for an interview and I met him. That was big for me because I'm one of the biggest Seinfeld fans ever and think George Costanza is the greatest TV/sitcom character of all-time. Also drank moonshine with Montgomery-Gentry in their Jim Beam RV about 10-11 years ago.
Others include.... NFL center and all-around great guys Matt Birk (formerly of the Vikings and Ravens). Jessica Simpson, who I met very briefly, used my office at our old building as her staging area for a live performance she did for our staff. She changed multiple times in my office....I won't tell you the thoughts I've had about that. Met Bill Russell, several former Vikings players over the years, 50 Cent, Kanye, Dr. Dre, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Toby Keith and more.

I also played in former NBA player Trent Tucker's celebrity golf tournament and poker tournament a number of times. Sat at the same table as Michael Jordan once and his foursome was actually right behind ours in the golf tournament too. Never officially met him. Other guys from those tournaments I rubbed elbows with include Charles Oakley, Scottie Pippen, Ron Harper and Horace Grant.

 

[MSUbluedevil]

In 2001 I partied with the Duke team at their hotel in Minneapolis after winning the national championship. Actually shotgunned a beer with Shane at about 1 in the morning. That whole final four weekend is up at the top of the list for me.

Amazing. Sounds like a dream I've had before.

 

[JCColsCane]

Back (way back) in the 1960's I was lucky enough to be in Vegas, and attended an Indy race called the "Stardust 150". I had a pit pass and got to meet and shake hands with:
A.J. Foyt; Dan Gurney; Mario Andretti, and Al Unser Sr.. Man, you talk about awestruck!!
I also got to go backstage and have a picture taken with a few of the dancers from the "Lido" show at the Stardust. Couldn't hardly talk for an hour or two after that!
Go Duke!!


JC-OFC

 

[skysdad]

Former Duke All- American center and Denver Bronco center is a personal friend of mine. I know "Trader Jack" McKeon. I met Tiny Tim of "Tip Toe Through The Tulips" fame. Stewart Cincs caddy is a friend. I've met major league umpire Joe West when he was the QB for Elon College. I've know Danny Morrison president of the Carolina Panthers for over 40 years and Duke Justice who everyone knows and is famous in my home town and is a Duke fan. OFC

 

[smashmouth5]

Crest High School was playing in the state championship basketball game. The game was being played in Reynolds and I was doing the game on the radio. Had the chance to interview David Thompson at halftime. Being a Crest alum myself and interviewing fellow alum Thompson in Reynolds was unreal.

 

[gottagonow]

I talked to Jim Colbert and Chi Chi Rodriguez at a seniors golf tournament at Pinehurst, They we as nice as anyone could be.

 

[dukefan0492]

I met Coach K in 2009 at AAU Nationals. Shawn Marion at Nationals a few years before. I've met quite a few former LSU football and basketball players. My two most memorable would probably be Glen Davis and Laron Landry. Glen Davis because he's such a clown and Laron Landry because of how big he was even in his college days. I was also able to meet Ryan Anderson and Mark Ingram this year after a Pelicans game.

 

[DiehardDukeFan4Life]

I met country singer Terri Clark at the NC State Fair and got her autograph about 15 or so years ago. I met Jason Michael Carroll at a bar here in Creedmoor and have actually hung out with him several times whenever he's in town. I saw both Christian Laettner and Jay Williams at the mall and they both walked by me. About 3 years ago I saw Quinn Cook, Amile Jefferson and Seth Curry at the NC ProAm.

 

[Bludvls1]

In the past year at work I've met Herschel Walker, Loretta Swit, Joyce Dewitt, Bobby Knight, Rick Barnes, Bob Huggins. I've also met Dave Chappell and Owen Wilson and of course Coach K long ago after a game at Cameron.

 

[Bludvls1]

Wow, I forgot about Ralph Sampson and MJ back in 1983.

 

[K-oach Q]

I've been fortunate to meet some good people.

When I was a kid I met Rod Woodson in Pittsburgh at his sports bar when he was playing with the Steelers. He autographed a jersey for me.

I met Guy McIntyre's mother on a plane when he was the guard for the 49ers. He sent me an autographed football at the time with Rice, Taylor, Craig, Young, Montana....pretty much the entire 49er team at the time as well as autographed football cards by them all,

I used to work for the Met Life blimp back in 2000-2001. Those where great years to follow around the PGA Tour. I met guys like Woods, Furyk, Singh, caddies like Fluff....etc. I have an autographed flag off 18 from Singh when he won the PGA. I got to play golf with Mike Tirico and Ian Baker Finch on an off day in a nine hole tournament. Finch drained about a fifty footer on number nine for us to win that day.

A buddy of mine hooked me up here in Richmond for the James Farrior foundation a few years back. I got to go with my wife to a restaurant for dinner that was reserved exclusively for the Steelers in town and their friends and family. I got to hang out with Hines Ward, Ike Taylor, James Farrior, James Harrison, William Gay and others. Later that night I was able to ride with them to a downtown club and hang out in the VIP section for only the steelers and drink with them all night. That was awesome walking into the club and everyone thinking your a Steeler because your with them. Alcohol and food were free all night it was a really great time and I have lots of pics from that night.

Recently I met Justin Verlander and Kate Upton. I got to spend the better part of a day with the two of them. They rented space at my pool to take scuba lessons privately. They were going on a trip and needed to be certified to dive. They were both awesome......and well Kate Upton in a bathing suit is just....well....Awesome!

I've spent a lot of time around some really well known swimmers. I've been around Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Katie Hoff, Kristy Kowal, Rada Owen, Whitney Hedgepeth. Kristy won the silver medal in 2000 and is a really good friend of my wife so I get to see her from time to time and hang out when we go back to her hometown.

Probably my favorite of all time though is Arnold Palmer. My father was a hell of a golfer growing up and broke a ton of Arnies course records in Pa. I have pictures of him and my dad from back then. When my son was born during the masters in 2009 I named him Chase Palmer. I sent the pictures of my dad and Arnie to him and asked him if he would autograph them to my son. He did and I'm hanging on to those for him and when he's old enough to understand I will give him the pics of his grandpa and Arnie and tell him the stories. I've been fortunate to meet this man on many occasions and I can't think of a better person.

 

[DukeDenver]

I played squash for 20 minutes with K in the Fall of 2003. I was leaving my endurance swimming class in Wilson and he yelled over to me, "Wanna stand in?" His playing partner was about 60 or so, not much older than K, but he had rolled his ankle and K wanted to finish his workout. I suck at squash but agreed obviously. I just referred to him as coach. He made a few jokes but mostly we just played. He kicked my ass and thanked me and quickly hurried off. He remembered my name on exit too. He left his sweaty towel, which I regret not taking.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

I played squash for 20 minutes with K in the Fall of 2003. I was leaving my endurance swimming class in Wilson and he yelled over to me, "Wanna stand in?" His playing partner was about 60 or so, not much older than K, but he had rolled his ankle and K wanted to finish his workout. I suck at squash but agreed obviously. I just referred to him as coach. He made a few jokes but mostly we just played. He kicked my ass and thanked me and quickly hurried off. He remembered my name on exit too. He left his sweaty towel, which I regret not taking.

Hell of a story, Denver. I remember working out on the elliptical machines that overlooked the squash courts in Wilson and watching Coach K routinely destroy Ted Roof when he was still our football coach. It was hilarious.

 

[pisgah101]

I played squash for 20 minutes with K in the Fall of 2003. I was leaving my endurance swimming class in Wilson and he yelled over to me, "Wanna stand in?" His playing partner was about 60 or so, not much older than K, but he had rolled his ankle and K wanted to finish his workout. I suck at squash but agreed obviously. I just referred to him as coach. He made a few jokes but mostly we just played. He kicked my ass and thanked me and quickly hurried off. He remembered my name on exit too. He left his sweaty towel, which I regret not taking.

that's awesome! I was in 5th grade in 2001 when we won the title so I was talking about it in class and my teacher heard me and she said her daughter went on a visit to Duke and was alone walking around and ended up in Cameron and met Coach K and he shot around with her for a while. I've probably forgot some of the story but that always made me jealous haha

 

[dukedevilz]

Wow, some crazy impressive stories and chances to meet famous people for a lot of you. I've had the chance to talk to Tom Gugliotta and Brian Dawkins for a few minutes and I was in awe the rest of the week - certainly not on the same level as meeting K or other Duke legends IMO. A lot of noteworthy names on here - definitely jealous of the opportunities many of you have had.

 

[CRAZIE4LIFE]

Ive met the Parkers from Hank Parker 3D, and know one of the sons. If you aren't into fishing or hunting you probably won't know who they are, but they have their own TV show

 

[Dattier]

I got Bill Murray's autograph in an airport when I was like, 13. I picked up a cigarette Judd Nelson smoked on stage in an off-Broadway play and got him to sign the side of it. I had JJ Redick's cell phone # for a little while b/c he said, "Do you have a pen? Here's my #..." into his phone next to me while I happened to be holding a pen. I had nothing to do w/ his # getting into the hands of Md fans, but perhaps he did, w/ naive exposure like that. I talked to the members of some band playing a dive joint in Charlotte in '90 or so who turned out to be Nirvana.

In another direction, I'm like, 1-2 degrees of separation away from Mitt Romney, Bobby Kennedy, Dave Chappelle, Gwen Stefani.

 

[DiehardDukeFan4Life]

I've already posted in this thread but reading DukeDenver's post about playing Squash with Coach K, it reminded me of when I almost had a chance to meet Coach K or at least see him in person even if I didn't actually get to meet him. I was in the hospital back in 1994-95 when he had to have surgery and I was about to be discharged on a Friday when one of my nurses mentioned that he was getting ready to come in for surgery and was going to be in the room across from the room that I was in. I could see the hospital room that he was going to be staying in from the hospital room that I was in. I tried to talk my nurses and doctors into letting me stay in the hospital so that I could possibly have an outside chance of meeting Coach K but they told me that my insurance company wouldn't pay for it. lol

 

[kingbluedevil]

I played pickup games at Wake Forest weekly back about 30 years ago. Frank Johnson was probably the best I played against as he played several years in the NBA. My friend and I did run a 2 on 1 fast break against him that we were proud of. I also had the pleasure of playing 18 holes in the Crosby with Billy Packer. He would argue with a stop sign. He did have some interesting stories to tell about the ACC from years ago and doing the old Jefferson Pilot telecast.

 

[Dad2ze]

I've met Sonny Jurgensen, Oprah and Glen Campbell at a golf tournament years ago. I met Bobby Richardson of the Yankees at an event where he was speaking for FCA at Wake Forest University. Me and a buddy of mine went to the 97 draft and met Tracy McGrady and Dave Odom, also met Brevin Knights family and others I can't remember. Hopefully he can fill in the blanks if he reads this. My wife worked with Jesse Helms daughter and was fortunate enough to meet him and get an autograph. I was in high school and met Glen Robinson and watched him shoot around for like an hour at The Purdue Gym.

 

[Dattier]

Ive met the Parkers from Hank Parker 3D, and know one of the sons. If you aren't into fishing or hunting you probably won't know who they are, but they have their own TV show

Oh, that reminds me: I went to high school and was friends w/ Ronnie Shirley of truTV's "Lizard Lick Towing."

 

[Dad2ze]

Oh, that reminds me: I went to high school and was friends w/ Ronnie Shirley of truTV's "Lizard Lick Towing."

Ronnie is super nice! Stopped by on the fire truck while they were shooting a scene in Raleigh. He made the guy they just fought take the pic.

 

[CRAZIE4LIFE]

I forgot about meeting Gary Sheffield and Carl Pavano when I was touring old Yankee Stadium back in 2004. Met Elton Brand his rookie year when they were playing the Hornets, and Wojo when he was doing radio at a Duke Wake game