I actually had a chance to meet Ike this past weekend.
I was in the concession line at Regal Cinemas in Sunrise, Florida. (Near Ft. Lauderdale.)
I was looking at the candy bags they have out on a rack that you can purchase once you get up to the counter.
I was explaining to my girl which candy had less calories because she wanted to know which one I thought would be best.
I was telling her that Skittels has about 650 calories if you eat the whole bag, and I hear someone next to us say, "That's two extra hours on the tread machine."
I look over and say, "Yup, it sure is."
Then, I did a double take.....
She chooses her poison and I was now looking over and confirming my suspicion.
I didnt want to be creepy but I HAD to know if that was him. I came around to his line and ask him, "You wouldnt happen to be Issac Bruce, would you?"
He looked at me and said, "That's what my mother named me".
That response caught me a little off guard and I had a feeling he just didnt want to be bothered.
I then looked over to my girl and whispered, "Thats a Rams player, Issac Bruce!" She is not good with recognizing football players. She knew I was excited.
So, Ikes waiting for the super slow concession person to get his popcorn and soda.
I then HAD to make contact again. This time a little more direct, "So really, your Issac Bruce?" He said yes.
I said, "Its nice to meet you, I have been a Rams fan since I was 13." He says, "Thats great, I've been a fan since I was 21." We both laughed.
I let him do his thing and pay for his items. He turned and said, "Have a good one." and I said, "Take care."
I worked in the theater business for 9 years awhile back and I know that celebrities and players usually want to be left alone when going to the movies. I've seen Bruce Willis, and countless New York Yankees come through our lobby, when they used to play spring training in Ft. Lauderdale. They usually are with family and dont want the public recognition.
I did research and looked up Ikes age when the Rams drafted him. It said he was 22 years old. I figured he turned 22 during that year, so him saying he became a fan at 21 was about right.
Anyway, I always had a feeling that I could meet Ike some day because he went to Dillard high school and was born down here in Ft. Lauderdale.
This was finally the time!
