[TopChed]

This is an awesome thread.

The one time I met an athlete was this summer, at the World Cup in South Africa. I was with one of my friends, in line to board a flight from Johannesburg to Durban, and noticed a guy get in line behind us who was also a Holland supporter. Then, about 30 seconds later, I noticed he was with Steve Nash. Nobody else in the entire area recognized him, he just looked like a normal dude with a giant backpack and some tea.

I tapped my buddy on the shoulder and quietly asked if it was really Nash. He confirmed it, so we decided to go ask for a picture. He was super nice about it, and agreed to have his friend snap a couple pictures for us. As we handed his buddy our camera, he went to go under the dividing rope line thingy that separates airport lines. I felt really bad because because his bag kinda caught up on the rope, and he spilled his tea everywhere. So it was a really awkward moment, but I did meet Steve Nash, and cost him a tea.

Edit: Oh, and one of the best parts was getting on the plane afterwards. Some people who had been in line around us kept asking me "So who is this Steve guy? Is he famous?" I told them he was a famous Canadian basketball player and two time MVP, but I don't think they completely believed me, since we are almost the same height.