Most Disappointed in an Athlete

[over the mountain]

i think i ve told this story on here before.

im about 11 years old, my pop took me to what used to be called the Kemper Open at tpc avenel.

i was hanging around right outside the players locker room. there was no one in the hallway, just an 11 year old kid sitting on the floor. some golfers come by after their round, i ask them to sign my program. they all do to varying degrees of niceness.

along comes payne stewart with his knicker-bockers and all. i ask him to sign my program. without looking at me or stopping walking, he takes the program, signs it as he continues walking away then throws it on the ground and enters the locker room.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by over the mountain

i think i ve told this story on here before.

im about 11 years old, my pop took me to what used to be called the Kemper Open at tpc avenel.

i was hanging around right outside the players locker room. there was no one in the hallway, just an 11 year old kid sitting on the floor. some golfers come by after their round, i ask them to sign my program. they all do to varying degrees of niceness.

along comes payne stewart with his knicker-bockers and all. i ask him to sign my program. without looking at me or stopping walking, he takes the program, signs it as he continues walking away then throws it on the ground and enters the locker room.

See now that's a little different. That's an actual personal interaction with the guy.

If some random dude on the street bumped into you and didn't say sorry, you'd immediately think he's a jackass. And that's appropriate. Same thing with Payne. If he did that to you, I think you're legitimately justified in being disappointed in him.

What I struggle with is why anyone cares if Tiger Woods cheats on his wife, unless they know Elin or Tiger personally.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

See now that's a little different. That's an actual personal interaction with the guy.

If some random dude on the street bumped into you and didn't say sorry, you'd immediately think he's a jackass. And that's appropriate. Same thing with Payne. If he did that to you, I think you're legitimately justified in being disappointed in him.

What I struggle with is why anyone cares if Tiger Woods cheats on his wife, unless they know Elin or Tiger personally.

Yeah I agree. Tiger is a good golfer, maybe the best. But just because of that doesn't mean he is some god. He's like a ton of other guys. Given open access to just about any hot chick in the world they'd all be cheating too. Who really cares? So he's a dog...it's not like he went and killed someone. Not that I don't "care" but it doesn't affect my admiration for him because my admiriation was for him as a golfer not for him as a person.

[mlmdub130]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Yeah I agree. Tiger is a good golfer, maybe the best. But just because of that doesn't mean he is some god. He's like a ton of other guys. Given open access to just about any hot chick in the world they'd all be cheating too. Who really cares? So he's a dog...it's not like he went and killed someone. Not that I don't "care" but it doesn't affect my admiration for him because my admiriation was for him as a golfer not for him as a person.

i think we in the tiger thread

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Yeah I agree. Tiger is a good golfer, maybe the best. But just because of that doesn't mean he is some god. He's like a ton of other guys. Given open access to just about any hot chick in the world they'd all be cheating too. Who really cares? So he's a dog...it's not like he went and killed someone. Not that I don't "care" but it doesn't affect my admiration for him because my admiriation was for him as a golfer not for him as a person.

So how do you feel about OJ Simpson....

Seriously though, it's true that for some people it really doesn't matter at all. But I would believe that there are several people for whom it won't be the same to see Tiger win because their image of him has changed.

Still, I would agree that a personal experience would be more impactful. I mean Green has never done anything morally or legally wrong, but my personal interaction with him "hurt" more than hearing things about Kirby Puckett who I always considered a bit of an ambassador for the sport.

Maybe the thread question should have been "Have you ever had a disappointing experience meeting a pro athlete?" or something along those lines