Tell me about your most famous encounter.

Whether you touched smelled talked to yelled at given a bj smoked weed with done anything with.

Doesn’t have to be a great athlete or entrainer. Can be a big CEO or politician or engineer or inventor.

Maybe this person is in your phone. I have a childhood friend who became best buddies in high school with Garth Brooks. So close that when Garth is in Phoenix he stays at his house. Shit like that. Big writer radio personality. Inventor. Whatever.

Let’s hear it.

I pissed in a urinal next to governor Engler. He was shorter than I thought he’d be.

I almost ran over Shia LaBeouf. I actually said out loud “get out of the road you Shia LaBeouf looking mother fucker.” Then later I found out he was in town.

Rocinante wrote:I almost ran over Shia LaBeouf. I actually said out loud “get out of the road you Shia LaBeouf looking mother fucker.” Then later I found out he was in town.

This is what I’m talking about. Nice.

Buddy and I saw OJ at one of the bars inside Greektown casino during the 2001 NBA Finals. No clue what he was doing in town. Actually elbowed up next to him trying to get a drink. He had about 10-12 attractive women flocking to him and taking the bartender's attention. Eventually had to go to a different bar because my Lilly white ass might as well have been invisible.

Travis Wall. 2018. DTW.

Need further definition on famous.

I met John Smoltz one time with my little league team, some sort of meet and greet thing for a tournament we were playing in. I have his autograph somewhere.

Payne Stewart. Rain delay at Buick open. Almost everyone went home we stayed. Me and my buddy were the only ones on 18 tee. Talked too him for about ten minutes. He was very cool. Opined on wether tiger woods would be at the beer tent trolling chicks. I think it was tigers rookie or second season on tour.

Cameron wrote:I met John Smoltz one time with my little league team, some sort of meet and greet thing for a tournament we were playing in. I have his autograph somewhere.

I played basketball against Smoltz at the MAC in the early 90's. I was guarding him and went for a steal, missed the ball and drilled him directly in the nuts.

I've shaken the hand of two Presidents. Gerald Ford in 1976 and Bill Clinton in 1992. Doesn't come close to shaking the hand of the Chairman of the Board ( planet earth) Frank Sinatra. I shouted his name as he was walking off stage at the JLA and he came right over. Very cool.

My ma is buddies with Kegan Micheal Key's mom. Apparently, I played with him when I was little.

I went to high school with Betsy Brandt (sitcoms and Breaking Bad). I'm on her "real" facebook.

Was on a connecting flight once with Dick Vitale.. he was sitting across from me in the gate area and asked if I would watch his bag while he went to the restroom.

A few others.. airports are always good places for random encounters.

I shook hands with Ben stiller in 2001. I was doing this acting competition thing in LA, and he introduced himself to our group.

Here are a couple:

After the National Championship game in 2000 we got to the team hotel before the team got back and got to the “party” when only a handful of people were there, including Tom Izzo. I offered him a warm Busch Light that he respectfully declined but he did sign my t-shirt.

Say next to Andrew Zimmern on a flight from St Louis to Minneapolis. Nice enough guy, he played nice with everyone who engaged with him. He mostly wore his headphones and watched a movie.

Smoked weed with the drummer from Limp Bizkit.

I was down at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway one year for the NASSCORE race. They have kind of an all-star race the day before the big race. It's not highly attended so we got seats on pit road right near where the cars come out.

Anyway Tony Stewart crashed his car and was out of the race. He gets out of his car and walks back to his garage. I yelled, "hey Tony! You missed that left turn out there!" He flipped me off. Hilarity ensued.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:Was on a connecting flight once with Dick Vitale.. he was sitting across from me in the gate area and asked if I would watch his bag while he went to the restroom.

A few others.. airports are always good places for random encounters.

I've bumped into a few over the years -
As a kid my first job was pumping gas and filling coolers in a store just outside of Jackson - Ted Nugent stopped in a few times and one night Dickie V and Dick Versace stopped in. This when Dickie V was HC at UofD and Versace was HC at JCC (he later became HC of the Indianapolis Pacers).

I've met a few on golf courses over the years - Charlie Sifford used to play the same course a bunch of did when I first moved to Houston (he broke the PGA tour color barrier) and Darren McCarty back in Michigan, they both told the best stories.
And I played in a softball league that Frank Beard played in, however Billy and Dusty never showed up at any games


I lived in Houston for some years, for a while I worked in the complex where the Rockets games were played and I once bumped into Mark Eaton at the complex convenience store, he is the largest human I have ever seen. Used to see Hakeem occasionally around town, starting when he was at UofH. Met Dr. Red Duke after he was guest speaker at a seminar, a trauma surgeon who helped get the Life Flight program started - but he is famous for being the surgical resident on duty at Parkland Hospital in Dallas when JFK and Governor Connally were shot, he is credited with saving the Governors life and when asked what he did for the President he replied "I can't do much for a dead man".

As for a cool/different MSU related one, I played basketball a lot with Antonio Smith when he was in about 7th grade (I was in 12th), including at my house. He was good friends with the next door neighbor of one of my best friends.

I have Sedrick Irvin's number in my phone. Used to text with him a little after meeting him at an alumni thing.

Steve Smith bought me (and about 8-10 other Spartans) dinner once when the Spurs were in town.

Lots of of other MSU encounters, but those are the ones that are a little different.

For non-sports celebs, Don Francisco (a TV legend throughout Latin America and among US Hispanics...kind of a Latin Ed Sullivan, as he hosted a variety show). He invited me to visit his house in Chile. I never went, as I think he was a bit drunk at the time and I had told him my wife is Chilean, so I was instantly his buddy.

Couple of years back I was on the train at Atlanta Hartsfield airport.. going from one terminal to the next.

There was a guy standing beside me.. we were both holding onto the same pole as the train was moving. People were looking at him, whispering. Then a few folks kinda freaked out, went over and started talking to him. Taking pictures etc. Next thing you know, dude was surrounded by people wanting to say "hello" and get a picture.

To this day, I still have no idea who it was. -  Clearly he was somebody everyone else knew. I genuinely wished I had asked someone who he was.

He struck me as a movie star/music type. I would've probably known him if he was a famous athlete.

I was telling my wife and daughter the story and they were like "who was it"? and I go "fuck if I know".. they go "goddammit. You didn't ask someone"?!?

These people were legit freakin' out. I do wish I had asked.

Got to hang with John wooden in his apartment for a while

Also met Micheal Clark Duncan

Think I’ve told a couple of these before:

•Not going to mention anything MSU related as seeing and speaking with the big names just kind of happens when you live in EL.

•Asked Henry Kissinger a question at a news conference one time and his answer became the lead story on the national news that night. TBH, I’m still not sure about everything he said. Henry is known for thickening his accent on purpose when he doesn’t want to commit to something. I also learned a lesson about never asking a question I couldn’t generally answer myself and going into an interview fully prepped.

•Interviewed former CBS anchor Charles Osgood in his hotel suite one time he was in town to speak at a CoC dinner. Very nice man.

•Met a bunch of the national politicals at the ‘92 presidential debate at MSU. Mary Matlin, James Carville, Jeb Bush, had a lot of fun speaking with Geraldine Ferraro, so I went back and just chatted with her for awhile. Another fun moment that night was when I asked CBS news reporter and Spartan grad Susan Spencer how much campus had changed since she was last in EL. Said she hadn’t been back since she graduated, and was almost giddy when she described the fun she’d had that morning during a jog around campus.

•Interviewed Rob Lowe by phone on the radio in the run up to the ‘88 election. It was a get out the vote phoner, but we hit it off and chatted a long time about all sorts of things between songs.

•Vince Gill & Mary-Chapin Carpenter.

•Various Lions HCs through the years, plus WCF Sr. and Mrs. Ford, and Billy.

•My favorite story involved the Vice President’s motorcade before SB XVI, but not VP Bush. My dad and I and a couple of friends were late getting to the Silverdome, and by sheer luck we became the lead car in the motorcade with cops around us and other cops riding ahead to shut down streets. Had a clear ride all the way to the dome parking lot. Could’ve gone in but my dad wanted us to get photos of the Veep’s limo, so we pulled over at the last minute. That was a fun story to tell the next day.

•Gates Brown. Got to try on his ‘68 WS ring.

•Billy Martin signed an empty tin of Copenhagen for me.

I know I’m forgetting a couple stories but I’m an old man and that’s what happens when you’re my age.

Love these.

Oh, yeah, and when I was about five I got to hang out in the dressing room with Pat Boone a d his entire family before and after their show at Harry Hill High School. The dressing room was actually a locker room. I remember I had a crush on their daughter Cherry.

Another routine encounter when I was a boy was my family hanging out with Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians. I was living the dream when I was five.

tGreenWay wrote:Think I’ve told a couple of these before:

•Not going to mention anything MSU related as seeing and speaking with the big names just kind of happens when you live in EL.

•Asked Henry Kissinger a question at a news conference one time and his answer became the lead story on the national news that night. TBH, I’m still not sure about everything he said. Henry is known for thickening his accent on purpose when he doesn’t want to commit to something. I also learned a lesson about never asking a question I couldn’t generally answer myself and going into an interview fully prepped.

•Interviewed former CBS anchor Charles Osgood in his hotel suite one time he was in town to speak at a CoC dinner. Very nice man.

•Met a bunch of the national politicals at the ‘92 presidential debate at MSU. Mary Matlin, James Carville, Jeb Bush, had a lot of fun speaking with Geraldine Ferraro, so I went back and just chatted with her for awhile. Another fun moment that night was when I asked CBS news reporter and Spartan grad Susan Spencer how much campus had changed since she was last in EL. Said she hadn’t been back since she graduated, and was almost giddy when she described the fun she’d had that morning during a jog around campus.

•Interviewed Rob Lowe by phone on the radio in the run up to the ‘88 election. It was a get out the vote phoner, but we hit it off and chatted a long time about all sorts of things between songs.

•Vince Gill & Mary-Chapin Carpenter.

•Various Lions HCs through the years, plus WCF Sr. and Mrs. Ford, and Billy.

•My favorite story involved the Vice President’s motorcade before SB XVI, but not VP Bush. My dad and I and a couple of friends were late getting to the Silverdome, and by sheer luck we became the lead car in the motorcade with cops around us and other cops riding ahead to shut down streets. Had a clear ride all the way to the dome parking lot. Could’ve gone in but my dad wanted us to get photos of the Veep’s limo, so we pulled over at the last minute. That was a fun story to tell the next day.

•Gates Brown. Got to try on his ‘68 WS ring.

•Billy Martin signed an empty tin of Copenhagen for me.

I know I’m forgetting a couple stories but I’m an old man and that’s what happens when you’re my age.

Very cool

Went to 89' rose bowl. Stayed at Jim Abbotts house the first night. He had a "kegger" threw the football around with Chuck Finley. Few other Angels were there. Can't remember who though lol. Surprisingly not a ton of "talent" there.

tGreenWay wrote:Think I’ve told a couple of these before:

•Not going to mention anything MSU related as seeing and speaking with the big names just kind of happens when you live in EL.

•Asked Henry Kissinger a question at a news conference one time and his answer became the lead story on the national news that night. TBH, I’m still not sure about everything he said. Henry is known for thickening his accent on purpose when he doesn’t want to commit to something. I also learned a lesson about never asking a question I couldn’t generally answer myself and going into an interview fully prepped.

•Interviewed former CBS anchor Charles Osgood in his hotel suite one time he was in town to speak at a CoC dinner. Very nice man.

•Met a bunch of the national politicals at the ‘92 presidential debate at MSU. Mary Matlin, James Carville, Jeb Bush, had a lot of fun speaking with Geraldine Ferraro, so I went back and just chatted with her for awhile. Another fun moment that night was when I asked CBS news reporter and Spartan grad Susan Spencer how much campus had changed since she was last in EL. Said she hadn’t been back since she graduated, and was almost giddy when she described the fun she’d had that morning during a jog around campus.

•Interviewed Rob Lowe by phone on the radio in the run up to the ‘88 election. It was a get out the vote phoner, but we hit it off and chatted a long time about all sorts of things between songs.

•Vince Gill & Mary-Chapin Carpenter.

•Various Lions HCs through the years, plus WCF Sr. and Mrs. Ford, and Billy.

•My favorite story involved the Vice President’s motorcade before SB XVI, but not VP Bush. My dad and I and a couple of friends were late getting to the Silverdome, and by sheer luck we became the lead car in the motorcade with cops around us and other cops riding ahead to shut down streets. Had a clear ride all the way to the dome parking lot. Could’ve gone in but my dad wanted us to get photos of the Veep’s limo, so we pulled over at the last minute. That was a fun story to tell the next day.

•Gates Brown. Got to try on his ‘68 WS ring.

•Billy Martin signed an empty tin of Copenhagen for me.

I know I’m forgetting a couple stories but I’m an old man and that’s what happens when you’re my age.

From all of this to......the Swill. It was a long journey, but at least you finally accomplished something.

Greenway you’re not as old as my dad but he was a reporter at the freep for a while back in the day. Covered the wings and some politics. Maybe you crossed paths.

Rocinante wrote:Greenway you’re not as old as my dad but he was a reporter at the freep for a while back in the day. Covered the wings and some politics. Maybe you crossed paths.

You guys know or heard of my brothers roommate at uofm “roddy ray”. Had his own page three column at the freep he comes to most of my tha mayday dinners. Just wondering. Lots have happened to him.

aualum06 wrote:Got to hang with John wooden in his apartment for a while

Were there paper bags full of cash just lying around everywhere?

Sat with Bob Seger at a strip club. He lit a cigarette for me (I don’t smoke). We talked msu football and tiger baseball. Greatest day of my life.

Got a bump to first class on a Orlando to Chicago flight n ‘82 or ‘83 and Ted Williams was in the aisle seat across from mine.  After takeoff he asked me why I going to Chicago. (I had a meeting before heading back to MI) I answered and asked why he was going to Chicago and he said he had meeting with “the Sears people” the next day.  

Then I asked him if he was ever got back to Canada to fly fish.  He talked for 15-20 minutes about fly fishing and saltwater fishing for bonefish in FL.  Meals were served and he napped the rest of the flight.

I’ve met Congressman Jerry Ford, VP George HW Bush, Gov Milikin and Gov Blanchard, Sen. Carl Levin through some well connected friends. Jud, Izzo, Perles when I lived in Lansing, Kirk Gibson football star when we had a couple of classes together at MSU but nothing will top Ted Williams.

Was friends with a famous Detroit Red Wings son in middle school. Also briefly worked in athletics and got to know some of the head coaches personally

MiamiSpartan wrote:

tGreenWay wrote:Think I’ve told a couple of these before:

•Not going to mention anything MSU related as seeing and speaking with the big names just kind of happens when you live in EL.

•Asked Henry Kissinger a question at a news conference one time and his answer became the lead story on the national news that night. TBH, I’m still not sure about everything he said. Henry is known for thickening his accent on purpose when he doesn’t want to commit to something. I also learned a lesson about never asking a question I couldn’t generally answer myself and going into an interview fully prepped.

•Interviewed former CBS anchor Charles Osgood in his hotel suite one time he was in town to speak at a CoC dinner. Very nice man.

•Met a bunch of the national politicals at the ‘92 presidential debate at MSU. Mary Matlin, James Carville, Jeb Bush, had a lot of fun speaking with Geraldine Ferraro, so I went back and just chatted with her for awhile. Another fun moment that night was when I asked CBS news reporter and Spartan grad Susan Spencer how much campus had changed since she was last in EL. Said she hadn’t been back since she graduated, and was almost giddy when she described the fun she’d had that morning during a jog around campus.

•Interviewed Rob Lowe by phone on the radio in the run up to the ‘88 election. It was a get out the vote phoner, but we hit it off and chatted a long time about all sorts of things between songs.

•Vince Gill & Mary-Chapin Carpenter.

•Various Lions HCs through the years, plus WCF Sr. and Mrs. Ford, and Billy.

•My favorite story involved the Vice President’s motorcade before SB XVI, but not VP Bush. My dad and I and a couple of friends were late getting to the Silverdome, and by sheer luck we became the lead car in the motorcade with cops around us and other cops riding ahead to shut down streets. Had a clear ride all the way to the dome parking lot. Could’ve gone in but my dad wanted us to get photos of the Veep’s limo, so we pulled over at the last minute. That was a fun story to tell the next day.

•Gates Brown. Got to try on his ‘68 WS ring.

•Billy Martin signed an empty tin of Copenhagen for me.

I know I’m forgetting a couple stories but I’m an old man and that’s what happens when you’re my age.

From all of this to......the Swill. It was a long journey, but at least you finally accomplished something.

If tSwill was a medal, it would be draped on the side of my dresser mirror, so I could see it every time I reached for some clean underwear.

Rocinante wrote:Greenway you’re not as old as my dad but he was a reporter at the freep for a while back in the day. Covered the wings and some politics. Maybe you crossed paths.

Those aren’t beats a reporter usually jumps between.
If he covered the Capitol, it’s possible we crossed paths.

DWags wrote:Sat with Bob Seger at a strip club. He lit a cigarette for me (I don’t smoke). We talked msu football and tiger baseball. Greatest day of my life.

My dad bought a class B motor home that Bob Seger owned and used in touring. I guess he was not fan of flying against the wind.

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:

aualum06 wrote:Got to hang with John wooden in his apartment for a while

Were there paper bags full of cash just lying around everywhere?

It was a pretty small apartment and packed full of shit

I met DWags..

Robert J Sakimano wrote:I met DWags..

So when I said you had stopped by my tailgate, more people couldn’t believe I met you. So, likewise.