Tuesday, December 09, 2008

famous enough?

***before I get to the regularly scheduled post - I should explain something - there was a line in yesterday's post that insinuated that I thought my Mom was a doofus. She is not, nor do I think she is. There was an entire paragraph omitted that explained how I left all my bead knitting behind, and how I AM A DOOFUS for doing so . Repeat, I am the doofus - my mother, although she talks too much in the morning, is a lovely person.

Now back to our regularly schedule posting...


Stephanie has a "sort-of" contest going - get a famous person to hold a sock in progress. While I can't say I've got Greg Kinnear or Harry Smith or David Suzuki to hold a sock, my contribution is Mike "Pinball" Clemons.

"Michael "Pinball" Clemons was the CFL's all time purpose yardage leader. However, it's his exceptional character, in addition to his outstanding athletic ability which has made him the remarkable fan favourite he is throughout Canada. Pinball's tireless community involvement and participation in countless charitable causes exemplify the qualities he possesses, which are so rarely found in today's professional athletes. He has used his superb leadership and communication skills in his former roles of Coach and President of the Toronto Argonauts - and now as CEO of the franchise. In September 2008, Clemons was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame."

(above stolen directly from Speakers.ca)

I can attest to his character. This picture was taken at about midnight on Saturday, December 6, in the Baggage Claim area of Toronto's Pearson Airport. I had a tired 9 year old with me, and Pinball was the nicest person I have ever approached about holding a sock. Okay, he's the only person I have ever approached about holding a sock, but really, this guy could not have been nicer. He came across as the most generous, down to earth GENUINE guy you want to talk to. And he talked to a lot of people that approached him. He asked about the sock, proclaimed it the nicest sock he had ever held, and when done, checked to make sure the picture turned out okay, gave me a hug and wished me a Merry Christmas.

He may not be famous enough for some people, but I'm happy to have met him, and glad I approached him. I just wish I had had a better sock for him to hold...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh wow!!! You are sending this to Yarn Harlot, right? I have heard that Pinball is the nicest guy around. A good Oakville boy, too.

CatBookMom said...

Lovely. So nice to know that yet another sports celeb is a giving person. And the sock photo is really good, too, lol! Stephanie should be jazzed to see this.

deirdre said...

Most impressive - I have also heard that he's a doll -

and I totally got the thing about your mother, the nice-in-small-doses angle, plus I LOVED the shots of gloves + palm trees - so how are you enjoying the temperature change?

TracyKM said...

It's nice to hear when sports stars really are nice people. I thought I recognized the carpet in the photo! LOL.

Anonymous said...

Pinball is a class act. He does a tremendous amount of charity work as well. Wow - you got a hug. Even better than the photo (which is pretty special).

Carol said...

Yay! Friendly famous person! and he does too qualify. I am not a football fan, or even a sports fan in any way shape or form and I knew who Pinball was. So he does too qualify!

Anonymous said...

Cool! Good for him!