which current sports players do you consider classiest?

[punch]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

I've met Adrian Peterson a few times at various Vikings events (and he does a lot of them) and he's VERY nice to the fans. He's willing to autograph anything and spend a second to chit chat. He will also give out one of his famous handshakes if you ask him. You'll just be sorry that you did.

He's one of those players who doesn't seem to have grown an ego just yet, just seems to be happy to be where he's at and enjoys being around his fans.

He's also one of those players that you can count on being at the various Vikings charity events where you usually expect a bunch of no-name players.

One good AP story is that he went to speak to a local HS football team before a game last year, and he enjoyed it so much that he actually stuck around for the entire game and stood on the sidelines. He was right there with the coaches the entire game giving out advise and cheering on the kids. He didn't have to stay the whole game, but he did. Obviously the kids loved it.

[Jayworld]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

From my own personal experiences:

Enos Slaughter - very nice man and would sign anything and sit and talk to you for hours.

Terry Kennedy - very nice, will pose for pictures, sign anything, and talk about the Padres. I had a 1982 Padres yearbook for him to sign this past season (he is the Manager for the San Antonio Missions), and without seeing the cover, he knew exactly what year it was, and mentioned several snippet stories as he thumbed through the yearbook.

Jim Sundberg - "Mr. Ranger" in his day, always friendly and nice. Very approachable and would sign anything. Will still sign through the mail.

Randy Jones - my childhood favorite player. Got to meet him for the first time in 1994 at his barbecue pit located behind left field in Jack Murphy; posed for pictures, signed a ball and program, and talked about the Padres days and how he liked the brown and gold so much better than the then current navy and orange.

Grant Teaff - former Baylor football coach; very approachable, will sign anything and is extremely nice.

[mbrieve]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

Curtis Granderson

Couldn't agree more. I'll add another former Tiger, Alan Trammell.

[Fnazxc0114]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

Kevin millwood was always real nice. He did a lot for the community here in dallas. He also donated a large chunk of his salary to various charities. When asked why he did what he did he said something along the lines of "well im doing alright i guess"

[NegleyPirate]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

Curtis Martin and his mother!!!

I met Curtis at a signing in Pittsburgh many moons ago. I purchased a ticket to get my helmet signed Curtis Martin #28 R.O.Y. 95' The promoter of the show wouldn't allow the ROY to be signed. Curt's mother heard this and told me to wait til the signing was over and she would get Curt to sign R.O.Y. for me. She said it's not right for people to pay for autograph and not allowed to get inscriptions.
Then she told me to give my address to her and she would send me a jersey. I was thinking this can't be happening to me. About 3 or 4 weeks later I get a package in the mail and open it up!
To: Mike God Bless!!!
Curtis Martin #28
R.O.Y. 95'

I couldn't believe how nice Mrs. Martin was and how true to her words she was. Her and Curt seem like the most down to earth people you would ever meet!

[nationals2k9]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

Chris Chelios

[xujian19870908]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

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[flota89]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

As far as Cardinals players, I would say Adam Wainwright. He is always signing an autograph and never seems to have a bad attitude towards anything.

[bigtruck260]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

You forgot Jose Offerman, Mel Hall, Ugueth Urbina and Julio Machado.

You could probably add Vince Coleman to that list. People in NY would likely agree...

[Preston]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

can't believe I forgot Kurt Warner. You can tell it's late ...REAL late

[gingi79]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

Recently retired Trevor Linden. He was the heart and soul of the Vancouver Canucks for the last 20 years. He secretly donated thousands of hours of his time and energy and celebrity to those who were less fortunate then him. He didn't ask for an ounce of recognition, he just felt it was his responsibility. Too humble to allow the Canucks to add a patch to their jerseys for his retirement ceremony this past December, he made the small concession of allowing a #16 patch to be added to the honorary guests shirts worn during the ceremony.

Rather than just have old teammates tell war stories of his leadership, children and parents revealed his character instead. Representing the literally thousands of hours he quietly spent raising money for the Trevor Linden Foundation, Canucks Place and other children's charities his big secret and even bigger heart was unraveled. What other professional athlete spends his or her free time giving back to sick children? Let alone not using it for his "reputation" or allowing film crews or the Canucks for free publicity. He simply donated his money, his time and his celebrity with nothing but the feeling of being completely unselfish in return.

I more than anyone am guilty of cynicism when it comes to players attitudes and what they do with the power we give them. I simply hope when my teaching career is over, I feel I was as giving as my role model, Trevor Linden.

[TNTtoys]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

I swear when I do this list in my head it gets shorter and shorter every year...

Rae Carruth
O.J. Simpson
Ray Lewis
Ben Roethlisberger
Tyler Smith
Adam "Pacman" Jones
Lawrence Phillips
Michael Vick
Alvin Robertson
Jayson "Loose Balls" Williams
Plaxico Burress

You forgot Jose Offerman, Mel Hall, Ugueth Urbina and Julio Machado.

[bigtruck260]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

The Cards have been blessed with some really great guys - Darryl Kile, Woody Williams, Andy Benes, Mike Matheny, etc.

Currently, Adam Wainwright is a player that sets a trememdous example for the team, kids, and the city in general.

[shoremen44]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

I know it is current guys, but I met Johnny Unitas once... classiest guy ever

[MSpecht]

Re: which current sports players do you consider classiest?

From back in the day, Mickey Lolich and Mike Lum....and more recently, Tony Gwynn, all make the 'classiest' list.


Mike Jackitout7@aol.com