The Pistol
Posted by: David Bunch
Be sure to check out the Survey Sez part of the webzine for readers' stories of their brush with the famous. It reminds me of my famous person story which also happens to be sports related.
When I was just a little fella, my parents and I were in a department store when the announcement came over the speakers that Pistol Pete Maravich was in the store signing autographs. Although I was too young to appreciate it at the time, my parents knew that this was an opportunity not to be missed. They quickly whisked my brother and me upstairs to the sporting goods department where The Pistol himself was sitting behind a table waiting to sign autographs. There was no line. My brother and I each got an autograph and a handshake. Later we noticed that Maravich had included a Bible Verse with his handwritten, personalized message.
It was just a short time later that Pistol Pete died an untimely death and the movie about his life came out (also called The Pistol). It was during the publicity from those two events that I really began to appreciate the legend of Pistol Pete and who he really was. I still enjoy going into the local bbq place, T.J. Ribs, and looking at all of the Maravich memorabilia (he played basketball locally for LSU).
My only regret? Through the many adventures of my life, I lost my autograph. My brother still has his, though. No doubt he'll cash it in for millions at some point in his life and not share a cent with me.
Be sure to check out the Survey Sez part of the webzine for readers' stories of their brush with the famous. It reminds me of my famous person story which also happens to be sports related.
When I was just a little fella, my parents and I were in a department store when the announcement came over the speakers that Pistol Pete Maravich was in the store signing autographs. Although I was too young to appreciate it at the time, my parents knew that this was an opportunity not to be missed. They quickly whisked my brother and me upstairs to the sporting goods department where The Pistol himself was sitting behind a table waiting to sign autographs. There was no line. My brother and I each got an autograph and a handshake. Later we noticed that Maravich had included a Bible Verse with his handwritten, personalized message.
It was just a short time later that Pistol Pete died an untimely death and the movie about his life came out (also called The Pistol). It was during the publicity from those two events that I really began to appreciate the legend of Pistol Pete and who he really was. I still enjoy going into the local bbq place, T.J. Ribs, and looking at all of the Maravich memorabilia (he played basketball locally for LSU).
My only regret? Through the many adventures of my life, I lost my autograph. My brother still has his, though. No doubt he'll cash it in for millions at some point in his life and not share a cent with me.
