Back in the early 90's, Cleveland had an arena football team called the Cleveland Thunderbolts. I was only 17 when I went to my first game. That night Cleveland was playing a team from Las Vegas. There was nobody at the game, so we sat on the vegas side right against the wall. Not sure how familiar you guys are with arena football, but you are damn near right next to the players.
So as the game went on, there was the defensive back named Mike Wilpolt. He was not having a good game, so my friend and I were heckling the shit out of him. As the game went on, if he made a good play, he would look over to us and raise his arms as to say "Like that assholes."
After the game we stopped at a restaurant close to where we live for some late night grub. I have to point out we lived near the airport. We sat down and about a minute later, Mike Wilpolt and another player sat down across from us. Needless to say at age 17, I was hoping he would not recognize us and that we would not get our asses kicked. But sure as hell, he looked over and said "Are you going to criticize me while I eat?" Not knowing what to say, I said "No sir." He laughed and did not say anything else. Cool thing is, he even paid for our food and signed a football for me that I had in the car. Now back in that day, arena players did not make much money. Most had jobs.
So here we are at present day. There is a new arena football team in Cleveland this year, and their first game is against Columbus. So I looked up the team, and no shit the coach is Mike Wilpolt. So for the hell of it, I sent him an email congratulating him and asking if he remembered that encounter years ago. He said it was his first game starting. He mentioned it was one of his first memories as a starting player. At the end of the email, he offered my friend and I tickets to the game. He even remembered my friends name, who I have not talked to in quite some time. Needless to say the tickets are right behind the bench and I gladly accepted.
Kind off cool if you ask me. Anyone have experiences like this?
So as the game went on, there was the defensive back named Mike Wilpolt. He was not having a good game, so my friend and I were heckling the shit out of him. As the game went on, if he made a good play, he would look over to us and raise his arms as to say "Like that assholes."
After the game we stopped at a restaurant close to where we live for some late night grub. I have to point out we lived near the airport. We sat down and about a minute later, Mike Wilpolt and another player sat down across from us. Needless to say at age 17, I was hoping he would not recognize us and that we would not get our asses kicked. But sure as hell, he looked over and said "Are you going to criticize me while I eat?" Not knowing what to say, I said "No sir." He laughed and did not say anything else. Cool thing is, he even paid for our food and signed a football for me that I had in the car. Now back in that day, arena players did not make much money. Most had jobs.
So here we are at present day. There is a new arena football team in Cleveland this year, and their first game is against Columbus. So I looked up the team, and no shit the coach is Mike Wilpolt. So for the hell of it, I sent him an email congratulating him and asking if he remembered that encounter years ago. He said it was his first game starting. He mentioned it was one of his first memories as a starting player. At the end of the email, he offered my friend and I tickets to the game. He even remembered my friends name, who I have not talked to in quite some time. Needless to say the tickets are right behind the bench and I gladly accepted.
Kind off cool if you ask me. Anyone have experiences like this?
Last edited by usmarine2005 (2008-01-16 21:38:56)
