Why Everyone in Memphis Loved DeAngelo...

[adallastiger]

...DeAngelo's senior year, U of M played at Tulsa. Living in Dallas, it was only a four hour drive, so we drove up early Saturday morning, checked into the Marriott. Much to my surprise, the Tigers were staying there also. I was thinking...man, I wonder if there is a way to get DeAngelo's autograph?

It was a night game, and if I remember the team had a dinner (or late lunch) around 2:00 p.m., then there was a team meeting. So I kind of hung around near the doors where everyone had to go in to eat.

About 1:30 p.m. coach West came in. Everyone was just sort of standing around, and I went up to him and introduced myself. We talked football for l5 minutes, he was incredibly nice to do that. Really nice man is Tommy. I was standing there, and DeAngelo came in, with a few buddies. He sat down on a sort of couch like fixture. I was looking at him, had my checkbook (it was the only paper I had) and really wanted to get his autograph on a few of my checks, on the back. I was looking at him, and was a bit shy perhaps to go over there. But the player next to him saw that I was a bit hesitant to go over, but he waved to me and said to come there. I introduced myself to DeAngelo, and he was as nice as you can imagine. I told him I went to Memphis State in 65, had actually tried to walk on the basketball team but did not make it. We spoke for about ten minutes. My kids were playing cards on a table about 30 feet behind the players, but he went out of his way to get up and talk to them for a few minutes. Then they called for the meeting, and he had to go.

I wound up with two of his autographs on the back of two checks. But came away knowing that as great a football player as he was, he is even a better person than player, if that is possible.

Charlotte will grow to love him just as much as Tiger fans do. He's an awesome person, they don't come nicer.

Robert Hyman

Dallas, Texas

[God]

We already love him!

[FelineFANatic]

Good story, thanks.

[panthersphan]

Back in July, 3 of my friends and I drove down to training camp and DeAngelo scooted past us on his little mini-moped thing...."What's up guys, how's it going?" with a big grin on his smile. Seemed nice

:-)

He's my favorite offensive player for sure.

[supamansmith89]

Not many players do that anymore.

Thats great we have another player thats great on and off the field

Best of luck DeAngelo

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Now this is the kind of post I can get behind, Robert.

I had the opportunity to see DeAngelo at the Rite-Aid Health and Beauty Conference held downtown over the offseason. He's just one of those people that you can tell is so genuine, humble and down-to-earth. He stayed and spoke with anyone who wanted to and signed many autographs.

I, too, have had a man crush on Williams for a bit, though not nearly as long as you have!

[Fiz]

for some reason i thought this story was going to end like this:

i asked DeAngelo to sign a check for me. He smiled, pulled out his own check book and scribbled away quickly. he signed it with a flourish and handed it to me. I balked when I saw 10,000 dollars written on the check, and his signature at the bottom.

"Which one of those means more to you? Cash the check and get paid, or save the check and keep the signature. I think you'll make the right decision." He gave me a wise look, stood slowly, and walked to the buffet.

[megadeth078]

I thought it was because he played for Memphis