Allen Iverson Live - www.alleniversonlive.com - A Fan Site on NBA Legend Allen Iverson Forums-viewtopic-romellio: Finally got to meet AI

webmaster · Site Admin Joined: Dec 1, 2001 Posts: 67

This post is by member romellio about his experience with AI:

First of all, greetings to everyone, I am new in this forum. Just wanted to share my recent experience with Allen Iverson. To begin, let me lay a foundation to what type I fan I am. I have every, and I mean every magazine AI has ever been on the cover of from Slam to SI to Source Sports. I have defended him in debates for years. Everyone always has something to say negative about AI. I have shorts, t-shirts, and shoes adorning the great AI. I have followed him from the day he set foot in Georgetown. So what I am about to share is not from some newspaper editor who is trying to be like everyone else and bash AI without knowing or ever meeting him. I am a true fan.
AI just recently strolled through my stomping grounds for his Softball Classsc a couple weeks ago. I was so excited but mostly because he was having a signing at a shoe store right around my hood and I was going to see him at the ESPN Zone that same night all before the game even commenced. Dinner you ask, well my boy works for a radio station that AI and his celebrity friends were playing against at the softball game, so he got me vip passes for like only 20 media at this event.
So let's start with the signing. I was there 4 hours before everyone else waiting in the sun. I was sixth in line. Sixth in line to meet AI, my favorite athlete in the world. I had my official $80 NBA basketball and authentic jersey in hand to have him sign and my camera as well. First of all, he shows up 2 hours late for a 2 ' oclock signing. And when he finally shows up one of his 6 bodyguards comes outside and says no pictures will be taken. So obviously, I am mad disappointed that I wasn't going to be able to document my meeting with AI. Then we finally get inside to meet him and he wouldn't sign anything but a picture of himself that he was handing out. And as I walked up to Allen, keep in mind, my favorite athlete of the past decade, I said wassup and put my hand out. He never said anything or even looked up. Four hours in the sun or even more importantly ten years to meet an athlete that couldn't even ackknowledge one of his greatest fans. In retrospect I didn't need an autograph or a picture just a wassup or hello or handshake. I, apparently, wasn't even worth that. And you know what, I still left the signing giving him the benefit of the doubt. I told myself that he would be different at dinner.
At dinner, do you think it was any different? He was there giving a press conference about his weekends events. And after his short press conference he happened to come sit at this round table that I was at drinkin a sprite and he sat down with some friends to eat his steak and rice. Now keep in mind there aren't hundreds of fans in this room maybe, 30 at the most which were just press not fans. So, I said AI how you doin man? Not a hello, just a look to his bodyguards so they could come and remind me he didn't want to be bothered with a hello. So I still gave him the benefit of the doubt, until he left the ESPN Zone. I positioned myself at the exit where he was leaving and gave him a final goodbye not can you sign my ball or my jersey just a simple goodbye from a fan that has given so much to AI. And the only thing he proceeded to do was rap a song aloud and look me straight in the eyes and say nothing.
Now I know what your thinking. Maybe, he was having a bad day or I am just a select case. It boils down to this there is no excuse to not acknowledge that one of your fans exists. He is the most classless, not athlete, but rather person that I have ever met. And I am sure that some of you might have met him and it was a different story for you. I wish that was my story instead of what it is. And for those of you who have yet to meet Allen Iverson, just imagine if you will that your first encounter with your basketball idol went down like this.
And to close, I am sure this will put it all into perspective. There happened to be another guy at Allen's press conference. After the press conference, he went to sit down at a round table with only his ONE bodyguard. I approached this person and asked for a picture, and interestingly enough he declined. BUT he stood up instead, and came all the way around the table and shook my hand and said wassup. You know who that was? Lebron James. He had more class in his left elbow than Iverson has in his entire body.

By romellio
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Regena · Visitor Joined: Mar 18, 2004 Posts: 1

SORRY ABOUT THAT MAN . THAT SURE IS CLASSLESS AND NOT TO MENTION VERY RUDE. I AM DISSAPOINTED HE WOULD DO SUCH A THING. AND HE THE ONE SAYIN I LOVE MA FANS, MA ASS HE DO IF HE TREATIN THEM LIKE THAT Mad

. I'LL PRAY FOR HIM Pray

melanie926 · Visitor Joined: Jul 22, 2004 Posts: 2

Hi Romellio this Melanie we met at the signing. I just want to back up everything Romellio just said. My kids and I were at that same signing as a matter of fact we were there at 7:00 AM we were FIRST in line my son was son exicted at the chance to meet one of the greatest players in the NBA. When Allen showed up 2 hours late I let it go I figured he is a busy person and things happen and even when his bodyguards said no pictures and that he wasn't signing anything I let that go I said okay he has alot to do and he doesnt have time to sign all those things. But when we walked in the room and one of his boys handed my children a autograph picture and we were escorted out.. This i had a problem with if it was just me i probably could let it go but not to at least acknowledge the kids I can't let it go. Allen is always talking about giving back to the kids. The purpose for the whole weekend was for the kids. My son was so disappointed and I didnt know what to say to him. To wait all that time to meet someone you have admired and supported and to have him treat you like your are nothing it hurt. I feel Allen has forgotten where he came from and that is something I thought he would never do. He forgot that it was fans like Romellio and I that helped him get where he is today. I like i said on his crossover site if his heart wasnt in it it would have been better that he just not show up at all.

romellio · Visitor Joined: Jul 20, 2004 Posts: 1

Hey Melanie, wassup. How are you? Thanks for droppin that line. Tell your kids I said hello. Hope to hear from you soon, lata!

Belinda028 · Visitor Joined: Jul 22, 2004 Posts: 5

Hi, I too was at the signing in AI..Ya'll might remember me, I was with my brother, my cousin and my 3 year old..I was about the 8th person in line..Anyway, I felt the same way as you guys. Allen wouldnt even say hi to my three year old daughter..She was wearing the 76ers headband that they gave out and she said Hi and he didnt even look at her..And this was benefitting the Boys And Girls club? LOL yeah ok.. Rolling Eyes

I left my thought on the crossover promotions guestbook as well..AI has definitely lost some fans that weekend..

melanie926 · Visitor Joined: Jul 22, 2004 Posts: 2

Hey Romellio your welcome I will tell the kids you said hi when I get home. Keep in touch my email address is mdamtd41426@aol.com.

Hi Belinda I remember you and your family your daughters is too cute I saw your post on the crossover site thats why I put mine.

Belinda028 · Visitor Joined: Jul 22, 2004 Posts: 5

yaoben · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:08 pm Post subject: so sad

My English is poor.so------It's too long to read.But I'm so sad what allen did,if he really,really did.You know,when I played basketball in my middle school,everyone call me Iverson.He's my idol,and I can't believe what you said.
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i'm a chinese.I like allen iverson.

kd2die4AI

hey b4 anything else my name is kaydee...im a filipina...and i too, really love AI..since i was a kid...i dont know what to do..now that i've heard your stories..i mean..man...how can i be idolizing someone like that..??? im confused and disappointed about AI..hope he dont do that again..i just wish everyone would still love him... Crying or Very sad

baby_ko · Starter Joined: Jan 6, 2004 Posts: 128 Location: dc

I live in DC and was listening to the radio the day AI was doing his signing. The radio announcers were telling people to bring their jerseys and shoe etc for him to sign. The next day I read on another message board that he didn't sign anything. Also while they were at the signing they had him say hi on the radio. it was the driest hello i have ever heard on the radio. I have seen a few celebrities and I have never said anything to them because I didn't want to be dissapointed. Sorry you guys had to go through that bull.

mS.ivErsOn3 · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 6:54 pm Post subject:

Hi everyone my name is Raven. I am one of Ai's biggest fans.. trust me ! Well to make a long story short, my cousin and I got invited to an NBA game. The Memphis Grizzlies vs the Philadelphia 76ers... OF COURSE I to goI wore my red PHILA catsuit. So i represented well... but I also represented 4 Allen in the GRIZZLIES stadium. So i had floor tickets, my cousin and I decided to take a "snapshot" of Allen. As we did, he looked over and gave us a dirty look while we were taking his "picture". That really did dissapoint me. I want to meet him one day face-2-face but I don't want it the way you guys got it. I think that's really selfish how he did you guys kids and yourself.

*~I WiLL aLwAyZ LuV iVerSoN~*

young_shortay · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 8:28 am Post subject: Wow

Hey sorry to hear that man it sounds harsh how old are u by the way romellio?? By the way just goes to show, u dont judge a book by its cover. Wink

gossip · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2004 3:36 am Post subject:

i met him back in 2002 at the all star game in PA.
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just call me Nekia

Bamagrl3 · Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:05 pm Post subject:

I'm sure his mother raised him better than that.
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I Am What I Am--If You Don't Like It, Kill Yo Self

DirtySouthAngie · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 7:56 am Post subject:

gossip · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:45 pm Post subject:

east_story · Visitor Joined: Nov 11, 2004 Posts: 1

I am so sorry to know what he had done to you all.I am a true fan of him.You can call me Anna.I started to like watching his games many years ago.I usually tell my friends that here is a great basketball player you ever see,he is AI.But now i really feel disappointed about his activity.I hope he can realize the wrong things he have done.I dont want to lose my belief in him. Crying or Very sad

JC · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 8:00 pm Post subject:

I met Allen on more than a few occassions and he has never been anything other than very nice to me. A few posters back, said he has no class, that's so not true. When you are faced with thousands of people every where you go every single time, you are bound to be a little exhausted. People should remember, Allen is human! It's a big NBA Celebrity, however he is still human. He can't be everything to everybody all the time! I LOVE ALLEN! He's cool, and if you ever get a chance to talk to him, you'll see he's real down to earth!

In Allen's defense.........Now, Let's go sixers!!! Laughing

JC
Philly

DirtySouthAngie · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 8:30 pm Post subject:

Everything you've said is the truth. I'm sure celebrities get tired of people comin' up to them shoving papers in their faces yellin' and screamin' about how they love them and wantin' their autographs and invading their spaces. I'm sure Allen appreciates his fans and knows if it wasn't for them and his mom of course, he wouldn't be where he is today. But celebrities do get tired and they are not going to want to sign autographs and smile and talk all the time. I've never met Allen and to tell you truth, i'm 30 years old and if I ever met him a smile and a hi would be enough for me. Of course if he hugged me I think i'd pass out Dancing

!
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*$$DirtySouthAngie$$**

baby_mich · Rookie Joined: Nov 10, 2004 Posts: 34

to tell you the truth i am not surprised that AI acted that way Evil or Very Mad

..but i'm happy for ya that you met lebron Cool

philafan11 · Starter Joined: Jan 31, 2005 Posts: 267

Hey yall. you guys gotta remember that allen iverson dont even know you guys. dont get too obsessed with a celebrity cuz they aint really what you think they are most of the times. I like AI as a basketball player, not a person and thats all. After i read Webmaster's post, (the very first) i believed that he met Lebron cuz my basketball coache's son plays BASEball and was drafted by the Whitesox and somehow his friend knew LeBron so his friend asked LeBron if he could autograph something for my Coaches son (Ryan). So Lebron sent Ryan an autographed game worn jersey that said "To Ryan" on it below the auto. pretty fvckin tight huh?