Flipper Anderson's Mother In Atlanta
So the reason I hadn't posted anything for most of the last week is because I was in Atlanta visiting my in-laws for a few days and also seeing Springsteen at Philips Arena. The show was incredible. I'd say even better than the shows in L.A. at the Sports Arena back in October. The main reason is because at this show, Springsteen played "Rosalita" during the encores and it's the one song I had longed to see played live. It really was a magical moment for me. But I digress. The real reason for this post has to do with us leaving Atlanta. As Marge and I checked in at the airport and waited to send our bags through we were called up to the next counter by a Delta employee. She did the usual by asking us for our I.D.s but when she noticed we were from Duarte, her face immediately lit up as she said, "Duarte! I never see people come through here from Duarte. I know Duarte very well. When my son went to school out in Los Angeles, we used to visit friends in Duarte." Needless to say, we were pleased to find someone so far away from home actually acknowledging our town so that would have been thrill enough. Then she mentioned her son went to school at UCLA and graduated in 1988. So I shook my head and was about to say that I also attended UCLA in 1987 and 88 when she hit me with, "Yeah, he played with the Rams and in the NFL." My jaw just about hit the floor as I noticed her nametag: "Ms. Anderson" ... So I said to her, "Is your son, Willie?" Again, her eyes widened and she said, "Yes!" It was amazing because Willie "Flipper" Anderson happened to be one of my favorite NFL players of all time. Not only because he went to UCLA but also because he played for the Rams -- my team before they abandoned L.A. The guy still owns the NFL record for most yards receiving in a game. Ms. Anderson seemed genuinely touched that someone remembered her son and I told her to make sure to let him know she had run into one of his big fans. So we had a brief conversation and my day was made. Just wanted to share. Also, below is a version of "Rosalita" from the Tampa show. Couldn't find the one from Atlanta -- at least not yet.
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3 comments:
Funny how I tripped upon your blog and this post, in particular. I played high school football in a neighboring town to Flipper Anderson in southern New Jersey. Needless to say he was a tough competitor and great athlete. My best friend, in fact, was his main competitor in the 400 meters in high school track. They were both running 48s in high school.
I remember those Aikman to Anderson connections while he was at UCLA, and I actually watched that game against New Orleans where he broke the NFL record (which I believe is still a record) for most yards receiving in a single game. It was like watching Superman (300 plus yards I think).
My aunt lives in Dana Point, CA and I'm saving my pennies so I can get my beachfront home in La Jolla.
Good story. Thanks.
dave,
appreciate you taking the time to tell me your story about flipper. yeah, it was pretty cool to meet his mom and everything i said was true about him having been one of my all-time faves. hope those pennies add up quick for you in your quest for la jolla. thanks for reading.
I enjoy reading the report, too. It′s easy to understand that a journey like this is the biggest event in ones
life.
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