Thrill of a lifetime today!!!!!!

[THier]

This am I got to work and looked at the jobs on my log today,, I had a job with the name Art Donovan as the customer. One my my life time heros is the first BALTIMORE COLT to go to the Hall of fame,, Art Donovan, what are the chances? So I get my first five jobs done and do my usual, required call ahead. No doubt about it,, the one and only "Artie" Donovan answered. If you know Art he has a very distinct voice. I was actually nervous about working on his phone. From all I have seen and read, Art is a very down to earth guy, back when the NFL was a bunch of working men playing football. BUT I was going to a true legends home. I got to his home, and his wife answered the door, and Art was in the kitchen eating lunch, business first, had to be a professional. Luckily the problem was an easy one, and tests proved to Mrs Donovan all was good to go with their phone, While I was working, someone arrived and was talking to Art. I was finished and did my usual business pleasantries, and asked Mrs Donovan to excuse me, but it was an honor to be at the Donovan home, she INSTRUCTED me to go say hi to Art. Damn, so we went in and Art was the same guy I had seen and heard of. When I told him it was an honor to meet him and his wife,, "Get the hell out of here" Art replied, (good type get the hell out of here) Here I was in one of my heros, a true legends kitchen BSing with "Artie" Donovan. Artie must be close to around 80-90 years old, but still looks pretty good,, (he was never a slim guy) with his usual sense of humor, his unique laugh, damn it was a good damn day. I so much wanted to ask to have my picture taken with him,, but didn't feel it to be appropriate, and so what,, I was in the kitchen of Artie Donovan!!!!!!! After the usual nice to meet you blah blah blah I tried to excuse myself,, but he kept going. I did have one more job I had to go do,, so after about 10mins I did say I had to go and let him get back to what I believe was his son. Art asked his wife to grab one of his headshot cards, and signed it for me. This was so cool,, it was not some event he was at to sign autographs,, where he had to "put on a show" it was Artie at his best.

10 years of a lot of BS at work suddenly was worth it.

Thanks for listening,
Tom

[Alexander215]

That's really cool dude, congrats and savour it!

[Tyler]

That's awesome!  Congrats on getting to meet him.

[Stu]

Really cool story -- it's good to know that some famous people are down to earth and exactly like we are.

[THier]

Really cool story -- it's good to know that some famous people are down to earth and exactly like we are.

That is the thing, after a few seconds of speaking to him,, I felt as though I was speaking to "just another customer" Many of my customers are well to do,, and express that, but not Art Donovan.

Years ago, (before I work for Verizon) I had the opportunity to do a job at another local sports heros home, and was told if he happened by, I was not to address him. This came from one of his representatives.  This was BS, I say hello to ANYONE that passes and makes eye contact, it is just the polite thing to do.

I left Arties home feeling real good about there were still real people in this world, not a lot,, but still some. Thank you to the Donovans for being real. He and his wife belong in the Human Hall of Fame.

Tom

[marty22]

fantastic!

[Papa Don]

Great story.  Lucky you!

[DCdome]

Great story, Tom.  Glad you were able to meet a hero.

Let me tell a story.  My nephew, Mike, grew up in the era of Cincinnati's Big Red Machine.  As a child, his big hero was Joe Morgan.  Mike travelled to Cooperstown for Joe's induction into the Hall of Fame.

Later on, Mike developed intestinal cancer which was to claim his life at a very early age.  It was heartbreaking to all of our family.  Somehow, Joe Morgan heard about Mike and his situation and out of the blue calls him and they had a lengthy conversation about baseball and facing the challenges of life...and death.

There are some great guys out there.

[THier]

Great story, Tom.  Glad you were able to meet a hero.

Let me tell a story.  My nephew, Mike, grew up in the era of Cincinnati's Big Red Machine.  As a child, his big hero was Joe Morgan.  Mike travelled to Cooperstown for Joe's induction into the Hall of Fame.

Later on, Mike developed intestinal cancer which was to claim his life at a very early age.  It was heartbreaking to all of our family.  Somehow, Joe Morgan heard about Mike and his situation and out of the blue calls him and they had a lengthy conversation about baseball and facing the challenges of life...and death.

There are some great guys out there.

It is very refreshing meeting folks like that, Right now the Ravens are all tangled up in this free agent crap,, Ray Lewis has been a Raven since day one,, but he wants even more $$$$$$ or he's leaving.

It is funny when you run into guys like Brooks Robinson, Art Donovan, Lenny Moore, Your example of Joe Morgan, so many famous people are so selfish, it seems the old school guys have it right. I have seen some examples where fans were wrong, approaching celebs while they were eating, ect, but that does not excuse their actions except in those situations.

Tom

[Mikekoz13]

Tom-

I'm originally from Baltimore so I know all about Artie Donovan. I hate the word envy, but today i have a little envy toward you!

What an incredible experience and gift Tom! Good for you for being respectful and enjoying the moment.