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A Life-altering Experience When I was 19 I was involved in some high level security, therefore I was around athletes and movie stars and people of that nature. One day Sterling Sharpe, Andre Reed, Michael Irving held an autograph session in 1994 at the FIU campus gym. As I waited in line to get Sterl’s autograph I noticed his dismay when people just wanted his autograph and would go on with it to most likely to sell it. And I agreed with him. I waited and waited. As soon as I got up to his podium he asked me the question he had been asking the people in line before me who obviously disappointed him with their answer, “Why should I sign this?” To which I replied, “Because you are Sterling Sharpe. You had a great career in South Carolina. You had a great game against UM but SC came up short 20-16. Your quarterback was Todd Ellis. You had over 100 yards receiving in that game against a tough UM Defense. You hold the South Carolina record for the longest kick return of a 100+ yards. You and your brother were born in Chicago but your grandparents moved you down south because Chicago was not the place she wanted to raise you – not in that section. And your brother played for Savannah State and is going to be a great Tight End or H-back with the Broncos. You have a 4.3 average rac (run after catch) – if you were a running back that would be pretty good. You made plays in college that were amazing. In the NFL you led the league in receiving with three different QBs that were not very good. After you make a catch the first man never takes you down.” After I said that he stood up and said, “Everybody, hold the press. You see this man? I like this man! I like this Man! What’s your name?” I told him my name. He said, “You are one true football fan.” Imagine that – Sterling Sharpe calling me a true football fan. Is that incredible or what? He then said, “this year we’re going to play Tampa Bay. Are you going to come check me out?” I said, “Of course I will.” Autographs were $20 each and he did not personalize any of them. He would just sign Sterling Sharpe. But he gave me – let’s just say plenty of them and I didn’t have to pay that much. What a beautiful human being. in one of them he wishes me Good Luck. And boy did it come true. Unfortunately Sterl suffered the neck injury that ended his career. I went to that game and when there as I yelled Sterl it’s the Cuban guy from f.i.u. He stopped and pointed @ me and said “ I’m putting on a show today” He sure did, three TD’S AND PLAYED QB FOR ONE PLAY. I really suffered for him the day he came off the field for the last time. He was so tough and, to see him run off the very same field I saw him score 3 td’s on was devastating. I know many Packer fans don’t like him but he is truly a great guy!! Post Script: As I was walking outside I noticed a large man sleeping on a bench. It was none other than Shannon Sharpe. To which I said “Hey Shannon what’s going on?” And he said “Hi and he shook my hand. “I said you’re going to have a great career with Denver. I saw you play at Savannah State. You are going to be dominant. Let me tell you something. Safeties are too slow to keep up with you and Corners are too small to handle you. If they use you as an h-back you are going to be dominant. He said, “thank you very much – you know your football.” I said, just ask your brother.” I am the Cuban guy wearing all the gold.” And he started laughing. By far this was an experience that propelled me in life to new heights and was by far a big self-esteem boost. He even autographed his name next to his brother’s autograph and he said “here, now you can say you have both autographs on one picture.” Somewhere Sterl is playing his grand piano and preparing for the upcoming NFL season So he can do his best on the NFL Network. I wish him all the best 4-ever and, will always be his fan. SKIGHWALKER wrote this article at sports talk website rootzoo.com and the original can be viewed there. ----------
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