I saw Box's post last week that he and his wife were heading down to Orlando to celebrate his daughters birthday. After nearly 15 years of his awesome stories as well as his incredible insight to the MAAC Conference, as well as helping me put a few duckets in my pockets I decided to reach out and see if he would have any time while here to meet up. I got his email from Jack and asked him just that. He got back to me quickly just before he was leaving for the airport out of Austin and gave me his number and said once he figured out his schedule he would get back with me. Once he was settled in he suggested that we meet up at Buffalo Wild Wings Sunday afternoon for the late games. I confirmed that was good for me as well.
After our confirmation I began to second guess my suggested meeting. I had learned years ago while working in radio that sometimes things are best left as perceived rather than to actually see behind the curtain. I had the opportunity to meet quite a few bands and a handful of them I was really excited to have the chance to talk with since I was a big fan. Unfortunately sometimes those conversation only ripped my heart out as I found out the true assholes that they actually were. I never listened to their music quite the same after that. Years later as I DJ'd in a titty bar I met a ton of athletes as well and the exact same situation occurred. I won't go into great detail in this account, but I will say that the biggest asshole by far out of everyone was Bret Favre. The coolest was Mitch Williams in sports and Mark Slaughter in music. But I digress. I have thoroughly enjoyed Box's numerous stories and have great respect for his humanitarian efforts over the years as well. I really wanted to keep that perception a reality. That being said, I decided we only live once and how bad could he possibly be..........
I was at another bar watching the end of the Steeler's game with some friends and it was running a bit long. I called Box to let him know I was still going to meet him, but would be about 20 minutes late. He said no problem and that he would be the one wearing the North Texas hat. (Of course he would)..........When I got there he was easy to spot. When I walked over and introduced myself he acknowledged me with a firm handshake and a huge grin. That was the last time there was silence between us for the next 4 hours. We both may, or may not, have had some financial interest in a couple of the late games. We were fortunately on the same side of those eventual winning wagers which certainly helped the experience along the way.
I said, "What are we drinking?"........He just laughed and said to order whatever I wanted and it was on him because he had a great day on Saturday. I told him I wasn't there for handouts, but still wanted to know what he was drinking. He admitted that he and his wife had just left Ghirardelli and beer was the last thing on his mind, but reiterated for me to drink up and he was buying. I just laughed at him because when he had called me on Saturday to confirm, he had just finished a banana split at Ghirardelli as well. One would think he weighs in at 250 plus with just these couple of food choices, but that's far from the truth.
Not long after my first beer, and his first Sprite appeared, a 20-something guy walked up and asked if he could join us. I thought it was odd at first since there were plenty of seats available. I thought maybe he had overheard Box offering to pick up the tab. It turns out that wasn't the case at all. It was Box's daughters boyfriend who "just happened" to be there as well. He turned out to be a good kid. A bit more interested in the games for a fantasy value than a financial one, but that's ok. We both grabbed a couple of burgers and then the boyfriend got a call from the girlfriend that he should be headed back home. He quickly obliged. The conversation covered many a topics, but most all included smiles and laughter.
I love this forum and this community, and of course Jack for making it all possible. Box is heading back down early next year and I think he is going to want to meet up at Ghirardelli next time, but that's fine by me. He's a great guy with great stories and a huge heart. What you read on here is what you get. He is definitely no Bret Favre.
Thanks for a great Sunday afternoon Box, and Jack for making it all possible. :0008
After our confirmation I began to second guess my suggested meeting. I had learned years ago while working in radio that sometimes things are best left as perceived rather than to actually see behind the curtain. I had the opportunity to meet quite a few bands and a handful of them I was really excited to have the chance to talk with since I was a big fan. Unfortunately sometimes those conversation only ripped my heart out as I found out the true assholes that they actually were. I never listened to their music quite the same after that. Years later as I DJ'd in a titty bar I met a ton of athletes as well and the exact same situation occurred. I won't go into great detail in this account, but I will say that the biggest asshole by far out of everyone was Bret Favre. The coolest was Mitch Williams in sports and Mark Slaughter in music. But I digress. I have thoroughly enjoyed Box's numerous stories and have great respect for his humanitarian efforts over the years as well. I really wanted to keep that perception a reality. That being said, I decided we only live once and how bad could he possibly be..........
I was at another bar watching the end of the Steeler's game with some friends and it was running a bit long. I called Box to let him know I was still going to meet him, but would be about 20 minutes late. He said no problem and that he would be the one wearing the North Texas hat. (Of course he would)..........When I got there he was easy to spot. When I walked over and introduced myself he acknowledged me with a firm handshake and a huge grin. That was the last time there was silence between us for the next 4 hours. We both may, or may not, have had some financial interest in a couple of the late games. We were fortunately on the same side of those eventual winning wagers which certainly helped the experience along the way.
I said, "What are we drinking?"........He just laughed and said to order whatever I wanted and it was on him because he had a great day on Saturday. I told him I wasn't there for handouts, but still wanted to know what he was drinking. He admitted that he and his wife had just left Ghirardelli and beer was the last thing on his mind, but reiterated for me to drink up and he was buying. I just laughed at him because when he had called me on Saturday to confirm, he had just finished a banana split at Ghirardelli as well. One would think he weighs in at 250 plus with just these couple of food choices, but that's far from the truth.
Not long after my first beer, and his first Sprite appeared, a 20-something guy walked up and asked if he could join us. I thought it was odd at first since there were plenty of seats available. I thought maybe he had overheard Box offering to pick up the tab. It turns out that wasn't the case at all. It was Box's daughters boyfriend who "just happened" to be there as well. He turned out to be a good kid. A bit more interested in the games for a fantasy value than a financial one, but that's ok. We both grabbed a couple of burgers and then the boyfriend got a call from the girlfriend that he should be headed back home. He quickly obliged. The conversation covered many a topics, but most all included smiles and laughter.
I love this forum and this community, and of course Jack for making it all possible. Box is heading back down early next year and I think he is going to want to meet up at Ghirardelli next time, but that's fine by me. He's a great guy with great stories and a huge heart. What you read on here is what you get. He is definitely no Bret Favre.
Thanks for a great Sunday afternoon Box, and Jack for making it all possible. :0008
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