My brush with stardom part 3
Well, it gets better….I guess. So we’re hanging out at Texas Stadium watching warm ups when I realized that the broadcast booth was just above and behind me. Our seats were fantastic by the way. They were about 20 rows up, 40 yard line. In the broadcast booth were the ever amazing Joe Buck and (my hero) Troy Aikman from Fox Sports. Well, I just happened to be wearing my #8 Aikman Jersey. Then I had a great idea. I’ll yell up to Troy (we’re on a first name basis) and ask him if I can toss my jersey up to him for a signature. Sounds reasonble, right? So I made my way up the seats until I was just under the booth. I had a perfect unobstructed view of Joe Buck but couldn’t really see Troy. So, I yelled, “Hey Joe!” He looked down and smiled. I said, “if I throw this Jersey up there will (Troy) sign it? He shrugged his shoulders and looked at Troy. It was evident that Troy was busy so Joe conveniently “forgot” I was standing there.
I wasn’t giving up. Moments later, Troy came into my vision. This was my chance. “Troy!”, I yelled. Joe looked right at me. Again, I said will “Troy sign my jersey?” Again, Joe smiled, knowing that we weren’t going away and looked at Troy. He motioned toward us and said something to him. At that moment Troy looked right at me! I just about froze with star struck. I showed him my jersey, which I was holding by the way. He gave a thumbs up in a “great you have my jersey” kind of way. Then it happened. I said to Troy, “If I throw this up there will you sign it?” With no hesitation at all Troy (in slow motion) shook his head and said…..No. This moment (about 2 seconds) felt like an hour. I was standing there with all these people watching and I’d just been denied by not just anyone. It was my childhood hero. Troy Aikman. He gave me the ultimate shaft. I was embarassed but I knew I only had a split second to react and save my dignity. So, I did what any starstruck fan would do. I threw it up there anyway. Not really. I tucked my embarassed tail between my legs, put my shirt back on, mustered up as much dignity as I could, and quietly returned to my seat knowing that I just had a conversation with Troy Aikman!
December 18, 2007 at 4:14 p.12.
he lives!
i would have signed it for ya! but seein’ as how my pro days are… well… nil… i’ll sign it for you anyway!
December 18, 2007 at 4:14 p.12.
I met Aikman when he was in Los Angeles for the Super Bowl against the Bills. Well I actually didnt get to talk to him, I tried to have him sign my helmet but there was so many people around him doing the same that I wasnt able to do it. That was an amazing day at the Hilton in LA. Plus the greatest Cowboys game I have ever been to. I cant wait to try again in AZ.
Your friendly neighborhood Tony Romo fan.
Cowboys Chris
December 19, 2007 at 4:14 p.12.
Just goes to remind us that there is really only One that we can put up on a pedestal.
I can understand Aikman’s reluctance … I’m sure if he did it for you that there would be about 50,000 others trying to throw stuff up into the booth … NOT.
Good to see you bloggin’ again. We’ve missed you “guys” and it is very nice to stay in touch. Even if it is by this funky electronic format. Give my best to Candice and your parents! Merry Christmas brother!!!
Godspeed.
December 19, 2007 at 4:14 p.12.
Ryan, That really took guts. Only you
would have the enough courage to do such a thing.
I’m sure you will have better luck with
the Tampa Buc players, however I doubt
they’ll sign your Aikman jersey.
The Redskins are going to the playoffs.
Mark my word.
December 19, 2007 at 4:14 p.12.
[...] for Fox Sports that day and … well, I will let you read about the encounter yourself … http://thinkspot.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/my-brush-with-stardom-part-1/.Now I will give Mr. Aikman the fact that having someone throw something up into the broadcast booth [...]
December 19, 2007 at 4:14 p.12.
Additional thoughts -
http://schmidton.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/scrooge-is-alive-and-well-in-dallas/
December 20, 2007 at 4:14 p.12.
Tom Brady would never have reacted that way. Now, he might try to steal your girlfriend, but he would never have left you hanging like that.
So I figure once you’re into the third or fourth year of your NFL career, and Troy asks you for that critical interview, you can slowly shake your head “no” just as a little payback. And for kicks you can grant it to Phil Simms instead. That will show him!