Yesterday, I met the Greatest of All-Time in his profession. It's not everyday that you see one, let alone get to interact. Of course, the encounter is nerve-wracking for the fan and probably tedious for the G.O.A.T.
Thanks to my friend Steve, we got to visit the field prior my hometown Cleveland Browns' matchup against the Chargers in San Diego. I had hope to see some of the old new Browns and get some pictures. I also had a small bag with a couple of mini helmets inside it and figured, these guys wouldn't mind that someone actually cared for their autographs. As we walked around the sideline, I sized up my options. Not a lot of players on the field yet. And it was hot. Probably around 95 and I had on a jacket to cover up my vintage Brian Sipe jersey.
Lo and behold, who do I see holding court at the far end but the Greatest football player... Ever: Jim Brown. A true legend. The man whole holds a record book full of milestones. Star of the silverscreen. Community activist. The best player to ever wear a Browns uniform (or the uniform of any Cleveland team in any sport). Brown is arguably one of the 5 best American athletes of the 20th Century, along with Ali, Jordan, Thorpe & Owens.
We all get older, and Mr. Brown moves slower (no more cutting around the right end or plowing past a nose tackle), but it's still Jim Brown larger than life. Oh, and I was nervous as hell from the minute I saw him. I decided that the best thing to do would be to hang back and just snap a picture, maybe ask to be in one with him. But then, some staffers crept up with footballs and paint pens. That was my break. I turned to Steve and said, if I meet him and I'm thrown out or arrested as a result, I won't care.
I jumped behind the crew with helmet and sharpie in hand. They apparently weren't supposed to be asking Mr. Brown for anything and he told them as much. I held my ground and asked him for one last autograph and after a quick glower he took the helmet and pen. Then I actually had a brief exchange with him. What I said? I have no clue, it all came out in stupid fan speak, half-finished sentences and mumbles. But dang it, I met Jim Brown! With photos and an autographed helmet on my desk to prove it. Thanks, Mr. Brown.
And Mr. Brown if you were worried that I was behaving inappropriately or that I would sell my helmet? First, my apologies; second hell, no! To paraphrase Charlton Heston, you'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. Anyway, I must have shook for the next 10 minutes while we walked around the rest of the field. Other autographs could wait till next year.
The game itself was fun. Our seats were 5 rows from the field behind the Browns' bench. I'll have to watch the video tape to see if we made it onto TV. Cleveland actually kept it close until the 4th quarter. Kicker Phil Dawson set a team record with 6 field goals. Lots of odd calls and penalties against the home team and a half-time lead for the Browns made it worthwhile for me.
Oh, and I met Jim Brown. Greatest of All Time.
Love, Power, Peace
Thanks to my friend Steve, we got to visit the field prior my hometown Cleveland Browns' matchup against the Chargers in San Diego. I had hope to see some of the old new Browns and get some pictures. I also had a small bag with a couple of mini helmets inside it and figured, these guys wouldn't mind that someone actually cared for their autographs. As we walked around the sideline, I sized up my options. Not a lot of players on the field yet. And it was hot. Probably around 95 and I had on a jacket to cover up my vintage Brian Sipe jersey.
Lo and behold, who do I see holding court at the far end but the Greatest football player... Ever: Jim Brown. A true legend. The man whole holds a record book full of milestones. Star of the silverscreen. Community activist. The best player to ever wear a Browns uniform (or the uniform of any Cleveland team in any sport). Brown is arguably one of the 5 best American athletes of the 20th Century, along with Ali, Jordan, Thorpe & Owens.
We all get older, and Mr. Brown moves slower (no more cutting around the right end or plowing past a nose tackle), but it's still Jim Brown larger than life. Oh, and I was nervous as hell from the minute I saw him. I decided that the best thing to do would be to hang back and just snap a picture, maybe ask to be in one with him. But then, some staffers crept up with footballs and paint pens. That was my break. I turned to Steve and said, if I meet him and I'm thrown out or arrested as a result, I won't care.
I jumped behind the crew with helmet and sharpie in hand. They apparently weren't supposed to be asking Mr. Brown for anything and he told them as much. I held my ground and asked him for one last autograph and after a quick glower he took the helmet and pen. Then I actually had a brief exchange with him. What I said? I have no clue, it all came out in stupid fan speak, half-finished sentences and mumbles. But dang it, I met Jim Brown! With photos and an autographed helmet on my desk to prove it. Thanks, Mr. Brown.
And Mr. Brown if you were worried that I was behaving inappropriately or that I would sell my helmet? First, my apologies; second hell, no! To paraphrase Charlton Heston, you'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. Anyway, I must have shook for the next 10 minutes while we walked around the rest of the field. Other autographs could wait till next year.
The game itself was fun. Our seats were 5 rows from the field behind the Browns' bench. I'll have to watch the video tape to see if we made it onto TV. Cleveland actually kept it close until the 4th quarter. Kicker Phil Dawson set a team record with 6 field goals. Lots of odd calls and penalties against the home team and a half-time lead for the Browns made it worthwhile for me.
Oh, and I met Jim Brown. Greatest of All Time.
Love, Power, Peace
Comments
But where did Jim Brown play football in college ... ?
Look closely at the pic of Mr. Brown and you'll see he's wearing an Orangemen track suit. I think it's appropriate that orange looms so large in Brown's legend.
You know, as a kid, I thought that the Cleveland football team was named after him, not coach Paul Brown.
How great would it have been to see him and Ernie Davis play in the same NFL backfield? So sad.
-Dave