OT: If you could have dinner with any 3 athletes...
So this girl and I are starting to get to know each other and she came out with this question for me, asking...if you could have dinner with any three LIVING athletes, who would they be?
Without hesitation, my first and only choice is always Jalen Rose. He's my childhood hero and I'd stack my Jalen fanhood up against anyone in the world. But after that, I had a tough time deciding who I'd choose.
So my question to you all is who would you choose?
P.S. This girl is smokin' hot AND loves sports. Suffice to say, I'm doing my best to lock it down.
February 13th, 2010 at 11:42 AM ^
-1 for bragging about how hot she is over the internet.
+1 for an interesting topic.
My three choices would be Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson, and Tom Brady. I loved Barry Sanders' humility and demeanor. I think Bo Jackson might be one of the greatest athletes to walk the face of the Earth. And Tom Brady just seems like a cool guy; he's intelligent and great at what he does, but he's laid back about it.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:18 PM ^
I still have Bo's Sports Century special on VHS tape. Love that guy! Hearing Harold Reynolds tell the story of Bo gunning him down at the plate with him quoting Bo and his light stutter, "You-you-you don't run on this".
One of my favorite athletes of all time. I think his injury only added to the legend.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:31 PM ^
i ever saw bo make was when he was with the chisox near the end of his career... they were playing the twins in minny... bo was playing right field... ball hit into the corner and bo picked it up and flat footed threw a pea to 3rd and got the runner by 2 or 3 steps...
February 13th, 2010 at 2:06 PM ^
- Running up the wall when playing for KC after making a running catch in left
- When he shifted into 5th gear against the Seahawks and ran up the tunnel
- Bosworth ('nuff said)
- 1 of only 2 players to hit a home run and steal a base in an All-Star game at the time(Willie Mays was the other)
- Broke a bat in half over his head
Can't think of any more off the top of my head, but the man was a freak of nature.
February 13th, 2010 at 3:09 PM ^
You forgot about the time Bo was at the 1 yard line, ran all the way back to his own 1 and ran all the way back while he was continually dodging diving defenders.
February 13th, 2010 at 3:23 PM ^
Classic Bo.
February 13th, 2010 at 5:58 PM ^
Ever noticed how the celebrations are never inter-racial? Black guy hold up black guy, white guy hold up white guy.
February 14th, 2010 at 3:58 AM ^
Another funny thing was that on passing plays, the further the QB dropped back to pass, the further he was able to pass the ball. If you were at midfield and dropped back to the goal line, you would be able to throw a perfect 100 yard strike. (usually to Jerry Rice)
February 13th, 2010 at 1:51 PM ^
if Brady brings his girlfriend along, he's first on my list.
February 13th, 2010 at 11:44 AM ^
Alisson Stokke, Anastasia Ashley and the Feres twins (they're twins so they count as one).
February 13th, 2010 at 11:44 AM ^
Jim Abbott
Don Mattingly
Charles Barkley
February 13th, 2010 at 11:45 AM ^
Tough call and this would require a ton of thought but my immediate (off the top of my head) list includes in no particular order...
1. Kurt Warner - I've always loved his story
2. Tim Tebow - (I've never worshiped the guy like the main stream media but he intrigues me - let the neg bang begin
3. Jim Abbott - I don't know what to say here
4. Hakeem Olajuwon - loved watching the dream shake and his battles with a young Shaq, David Robinson, Jabar.
5. Lance Armstrong - so inspiring although I hear he can be quite arrogant. I'll let you know after dinner.
February 13th, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
Lebron James-Favorite athlete
Braylon Edwards-2nd Favorite
Danica Patrick-HOT
February 13th, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
Tiger Woods
Gordie Howe
Roger Federer
February 13th, 2010 at 11:52 AM ^
I had lunch with Scott Mitchell when I was 8 or 9--my mother was really nervous that I would repeat the things my father said about how much he sucked. Luckily, I was polite, and he was cool enough, for how much my immature brain could remember.
My three? Tiger Woods, for one. Even before his current issues, he's always been one of the most articulate, intelligent, worldly athletes out there.
For my Michigan Man, I kinda want to say Tom Brady, but Mike Hart seems much better. He always worked hard, which indicates a good personality to me, and still always seemed humble. Plus he's got a great sense of humor.
Last, I'll honor the Olympics and choose Henrik Zetterberg--hopefully he'll bring his girlfriend along.
February 13th, 2010 at 11:56 AM ^
Frank Thomas - The Big Hurt. Childhood hero. First ballot Hall of Famer.
Lance Armstrong - As a cyclist and having sat through two bouts of my mom's breast cancer, I would love to pick his life and brain.
Jackie Robinson - I would really love to hear how his life was straight from him.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:24 PM ^
Jackie Robinson has been dead for awhile. I like the pick, but it would be a bit of a boring time trying to talk to him.
NPR just had an interview with Willie Mays. Fantastic guy.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:34 PM ^
speaking of willie mays, my high school baseball coach pitched for the giants in 1970 and had his locker between willie mays and bobby bonds. not too shabby.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:06 PM ^
I realize that. Doesn't change the fact that it would've been great to sit down with him and hear his story.
February 13th, 2010 at 3:35 PM ^
If you read the entire post, it says any 3 LIVING athletes.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:05 PM ^
Darnell Hood, Mister Simpson, and LaTerryal Savoy. Then I could die happy.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^
Mike Tyson, Ron Artest and last but not least Bob Probert. That would be the most exciting lunch of my life.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:26 PM ^
I like that idea. I think I'd go with Probert and Domi, and then just throw pretty much anyone else in there... maybe Donald Brashear.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:09 PM ^
I'd probably go with:
1) Adonal Foyle
2) Steve Nash
3) 'Bron
All three seem like really smart guys, and I think it'd be cool to get LBJ's thoughts on the proper social/cultural role for a transcendant star to take, as this seems like something he's kind of struggled with himself over the past few years.
*In reference to David Foster Wallace's essay "How Tracy Austin Broke My Heart", in which he writes about being disallusioned to find that one of his favorite athletes is a completely vacuous person.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:09 PM ^
First, you should smooch this girl immediately.
Second: my list would be
- Maradona
- Muhammad Ali
- Dhani Jones (gotta have one Michigan Man in there :) )
February 13th, 2010 at 12:18 PM ^
He seems like an obvious choice, almost to the point where meeting him would be relatively underwhelming (high expectations and all that).
I had a quick conversation with him at a recruiting fair in the Union in '98 / '99. IIRC he was doing some photojournalism for the Daily. A man of many interests...
February 13th, 2010 at 12:26 PM ^
I'm not poking fun here, but is Muhammad Ali able to actually have conversations at this point? I was under the impression that Parkinson's/brain damage had made it virtually impossible for him to hold intelligible conversations. Hopefully that's not the case.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:14 PM ^
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112442325
Sad read. It says his wife does the speaking for him when he makes appearances now.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:33 PM ^
I met Ali about ten years ago and he doesn't have to say a word for it to be a lifelong memory and a story you will tell for the rest of your life.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:14 PM ^
These might not make sense right away; I'll try to explain them.
* David Moosman: He seems bright (maybe to a scary degree), articulate, and laid-back. I'd like hear his thoughts on the Lloyd >>> RichRod transition and how it was handled by various parties. What does he think of Barwis? Etc. ...
* DeShawn Sims: Similar idea... I'd ask about the Tommy >>> Beilein transition.
* Shane Battier: Yes, I know he went to DOOK and that he's overexposed. Still, he's playing on the NBA's "Moneyball" team and I'd guess that he has excellent conversational range.
I guess I had Michigan on the brain (state and university).
BONUS:
* Ryan Mallet: Don't get me wrong. He seems like an immature tool, but I'd really like to know (for sure, that is) what went down when he and RichRod talked. Was he going to Arkansas for sure? Was there back-and-forth? Did they get along? Are all the morons correct when they say "RICHROD HAVE GOOD QB HIM RUN OFF MALLET RUIN TEAM AND MY LIFE?" It would be a quick conversation and not much like the other three here.
February 13th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
I had english 225 with moosman three years ago - he was very bright and articulate. I don't know him very well but I agree it would be really interesting to pick his brain about his experience in AA.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^
Griffey Jr.
Shaq
Lance Armstrong
February 13th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
Steve Yzerman, One of the best team captains from any sport.
Sparky Anderson, the heart and soul of the tigers from the 80's and the face of the city of Detroit.
Red Berenson, while more of a coach now, he is technically a former player and the best coach that I've ever seen.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:22 PM ^
Can I come to dinner with you?
February 13th, 2010 at 12:27 PM ^
You felt the need to justify Red Berenson's athletehood, but not Sparky Anderson's?
February 13th, 2010 at 12:34 PM ^
Good point. Sparky did play a full season in the major's, but for some reason I view baseball managers as very much part of the team. See Jim Leyland wearing cleats in the dugout.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:29 PM ^
I went to High School with Red's kid (yes...Rusty) and covered hockey for student radio (hist first couple of years as coach). I have been at various school functions with him. He is the consummate gentleman, but he seems actually pretty shy in general social situations.
February 13th, 2010 at 4:09 PM ^
One time Red nodded at me and my brother and said, "Afternoon, gentlemen."
It was awesome.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:22 PM ^
I'd rather have dinner with some guys who're in the grave:
Jack Johnson
Fielding Yost
Ty Cobb
My interest in them is that all three were people who redefined their respective sports, were in their heydays around the same time a century ago, and were hard-driving, ultra-competitive men who were disinclined to let anybody stand in their path to what they wanted.
Yost and Cobb were unrepentant racists, so putting them together with the first black heavyweight boxing champion who didn't take any shit from rednecks would be interesting all on its own.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
Tiger Woods
Muhammed Ali- in his prime
Michael Jordan
February 13th, 2010 at 12:26 PM ^
Woodson
Michael Phelps
Armstrong
first alternate: George Brett based on his storytelling. to wit: http://bit.ly/di795v
February 13th, 2010 at 12:28 PM ^
Knight, Tyson, Alisson Stokke
February 13th, 2010 at 12:28 PM ^
Charles Woodson
Bob Knight
Barry Sanders
February 13th, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^
Muhammed Ali, it wouldn't be fair to invite anyone else.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:36 PM ^
1. Tom Brady- my favorite player in the NFL
2. Lamar Woodley- my favorite Michigan player
3. Desmond- My other favorite Michigan player
February 13th, 2010 at 2:43 PM ^
I don't think I could decide between these 3 and Woodson. It would have to be dinner for 4.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:36 PM ^
Tiger Woods
Maria Sharapova
Other insanely hot female athlete
Foursome in the bag. Bangin' chicks with Tiger Woods.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^
Dude pick up the new swimsuit issue. Try Ana Ivanovic.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:40 PM ^
-Steve Yzerman, because he's my hero
-Ronnie Coleman, for three reasons: to see how much he could eat, how surreptitiously he could shoot roids into his butt at the dinner table, and to shout YEAH BUDDY LIGHT WEIGHT BABY AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A PEANUT at all the busboys and waiters
-Breesus. I don't know why. He just seems like a cool guy.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^
That Ronnie C reference is ungodly good. I started bodybuilding a few months ago and toyed with it for a year prior and ended up reading a lot about him because he is so huge in the world of bodybuilding. He is without a doubt the most hilarious bodybuilder out there. He would be a treat.