I've ran into Buckeyes in the past but it was always at the Arena District or campus bars and I always minded my own business. But tonight was the first time I really ran into one in normal public places. Ran into Brandon Saine tonight at the Dick's Sporting Goods on Sawmill. I just let him go about his business because I don't want to be that guy but later kicked myself. Thought afterwards I should have congratulated the guy being a captain or something. I thought he'd appreciate the support.
What's best... letting athletes mind their own business or saying something encouraging to them?
Nothing wrong with a "Hey Zoom, good luck on Thursday!" My brother waited on Brian Robiskie once, and wished him good luck in an upcoming game.
Having seen numerous athletes on campus throughout my days at various places (walking on campus, classes, RPAC where Troy Smith was getting balled), I've always just minded my own business. I figure a) they probably get plenty of attention as it is, b) they are students so why treat them any different than other students, c) the amount of athletes you see on campus over four years allows you to not be so start struck (although I will immediately text my friends that I just saw Greg Oden), and d) I don't want to be 'that guy'.
This is coming from someone who is a bit of an introvert.
What Would Woody Do?
I saw Eddie George in the Detroit airport a while back. I didn't say anything, but I did give him a 'wassup' nod and when he saw that I was wearing my Buckeye gear in the middle of Detroit he smiled and did the same.
It was pretty cool and, for me, was a better memory than "OMG EDDIE GEORGE I LOVE YOUR RESTAURANT AND STIFFARMS".
congratulating Zoom on the team captian thing would have been a good feeling for him. But I am the same way to. Back in the day when David Boston played for the Arizona Cardinals, I sold him and his friend wireless phones and at first I just told him I was a Buckeye fan and I remembered watching him play for tOSU and left it at that. He actually continued the conversation with me. I think athletes and famous folks kinda feel you out first to see if you are a nutjob before engaging more conversation with you.
"We have a quarterback, obviously, that's kind of ridiculous running the ball." - Urban Meyer
When I run into a former Buckeye, I always keep it short and sweet by thanking them for all they did while they were at tOSU and for repping the school, the city of Cols. and the state of Ohio so well. This brought tears to Todd B.'s eyes and he gave me a big hug and said no one had ever said that to him before.
I mostly leave them alone. I just saw Michael Redd at First Watch in Gahanna yesterday and while I was all giddy inside I just left him alone. Pam's approach seems like the best approach but I'm not sure I could pull it off. I did sit in the seats next to Tressel and his wife and then behind them on the connecting flight on my way to Sarasota not too long after the Florida debacle. I thanked him and told him I was proud of what he does for those kids and shook his hand. He was pretty cool about it. I really wanted to ask for a picture but didn't want to bug him.
I went to MSU and always wore around my Buckeye gear. One day, happened to be the day of the OSU @MSU basketball game, I was wearing an OSU hat and I ran into Drew Namick on the street walking to class. Like, literally bumped into him. I said, "Oh! I'm sorry man, good luck tonight." To which he replied, "What's with the hat?" I chuckled and feeling a bit frightened said, "Well, you're gonna beat 'em anyway, right?" And he raised his bicep and pointed right at me and said, "As long as you know that." And we both walked away. Opie-Taylor-looking-MFer.
“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody