Saw Mario Williams at 24 hr

[msbbc833]

So I go to the Rice Village 24 hr fitness for my usual workout. I walk over to the plate loaded row machine and I see freakin Mario Williams using the adjacent machine, with his woman. I did a double take and we made eye contact.

Then when he walks by later I go "hey Mario", and he keeps walking by LOL. His girl looked at him like "aren't you gonna atleast say hi?". A-hole. Don't know if it belongs here, feel free to delete or move. Just wanted to share!

[Lurvinator11]

Hmm. Surprised he didn't pull his groin on the way out.

[GP]

I'm not surprised he treated you like ****.

Hell, a fan tried to wish him well on the move to Buffalo...and Mario responded with a tacky remark about the Texans, rather than thanking the fan and moving on politely.

Everything I hear about him, and everything he does in the media, says he's a small person trapped in a big man's body.

[Lurvinator11]

Originally Posted by GP

I'm not surprised he treated you like ****.

Hell, a fan tried to wish him well on the move to Buffalo...and Mario responded with a tacky remark about the Texans, rather than thanking the fan and moving on politely.

Everything I hear about him, and everything he does in the media, says he's a small person trapped in a big man's body.

Also, instead of owning up to it, he came out and said his friend was on his twitter, responding to tweets.

[chicagotexan2]

Originally Posted by msbbc833

So I go to the Rice Village 24 hr fitness for my usual workout. I walk over to the plate loaded row machine and I see freakin Mario Williams using the adjacent machine, with his woman. I did a double take and we made eye contact.

Then when he walks by later I go "hey Mario", and he keeps walking by LOL. His girl looked at him like "aren't you gonna atleast say hi?". A-hole. Don't know if it belongs here, feel free to delete or move. Just wanted to share!

Give the dude a brake he would have said hello but I'm sure Mario and his girlfriend were just really focused on their kegel exercises.

[Brisco_County]

The biggest chore that celebrities and public figures deal with is having to talk to total strangers who want to feel important because a celebrity acknowledged them. I'm sounding condescending, but I've done the same thing in the past. If a celebrity has nothing to gain by saying hi to you, why should he? The attention seeker is dividing the celebrity's attention for selfish reasons, while the celebrity just wants to finish his damn leg presses at his girlfriend's gym.

[jaayteetx]

Originally Posted by Brisco_County

The biggest chore that celebrities and public figures deal with is having to talk to total strangers who want to feel important because a celebrity acknowledged them. I'm sounding condescending, but I've done the same thing in the past. If a celebrity has nothing to gain by saying hi to you, why should he? The attention seeker is dividing the celebrity's attention for selfish reasons, while the celebrity just wants to finish his damn leg presses at his girlfriend's gym.

I kinda agree with you but I kinda don't. You see, Mario makes a damn fine living playing a game that is there for one reason, the fans who pay for everything. Without them, he is doing God knows what but I'm pretty sure it ain't being a multi millionaire. As long as people are respectful, he should be too.

[tru80texan]

Originally Posted by Brisco_County

The biggest chore that celebrities and public figures deal with is having to talk to total strangers who want to feel important because a celebrity acknowledged them. I'm sounding condescending, but I've done the same thing in the past. If a celebrity has nothing to gain by saying hi to you, why should he? The attention seeker is dividing the celebrity's attention for selfish reasons, while the celebrity just wants to finish his damn leg presses at his girlfriend's gym.

Have you never said "hello" to a random stranger because you made eye contact w/ them? If so, what did you gain from it? Nothing I presume. It's simply called common courtesy & being polite IMO. I realize it's not in everyone's DNA, obviously not in the gentle giant diva Mario's, but it's something that most of us were taught as children & is something most of do regardless if the other individual is a celebrity or not. Saying "hello" hardly impedes some much on ones life that they can't get their leg presses completed, it's just that individuals choice to be a complete butt & act as if they are above someone else by not acknowledging them. Just my $0.02. Im glad the diva is buffalo's problem now.

[GP]

He was probably just sad that he was in Houston, for whatever reason he was.

Oh wait, I doubt he has emotions. Just an empty shell of a man who fills it with money and then soothes himself with grand visions of how he's been slighted (to help him cope).

I can't remember who it was on here, but a poster or two said that nobody really KNOWS Mario after all these years. Looking back on it, you really never got a sense of who he was...what made him tick...etc. There wasn't much anecdotal evidence to pinpoint who Mario was, as a person, other than his love for street racing.

It's as if God put the three most awkward football players at the top of the food chain in one year: Mario Williams, Vince Young, and Reggie Bush. At the end of the day, with those three players, what do you have? More questions than answers, IMO.

[Brisco_County]

Originally Posted by jaayteetx

I kinda agree with you but I kinda don't. You see, Mario makes a damn fine living playing a game that is there for one reason, the fans who pay for everything. Without them, he is doing God knows what but I'm pretty sure it ain't being a multi millionaire. As long as people are respectful, he should be too.

When he's in Buffalo, he should say hello to his fans. But he's not selling jerseys or tickets in Houston anymore.

Originally Posted by tru80texan

Have you never said "hello" to a random stranger because you made eye contact w/ them? If so, what did you gain from it? Nothing I presume. It's simply called common courtesy & being polite IMO. I realize it's not in everyone's DNA, obviously not in the gentle giant diva Mario's, but it's something that most of us were taught as children & is something most of do regardless if the other individual is a celebrity or not. Saying "hello" hardly impedes some much on ones life that they can't get their leg presses completed, it's just that individuals choice to be a complete butt & act as if they are above someone else by not acknowledging them. Just my $0.02. Im glad the diva is buffalo's problem now.

Our culture has an etiquette of politeness among strangers. But that's among strangers who are not seeking anything from each other, but are simply maintaining the pleasant tradition of common courtesy. When status or celebrity enters the picture, both parties know that one party is probably just seeking attention with no intention of adding value to the exchange. It depends on the situation, but anyone who deals with it multiple times a day is going to be keen to it.

I've drank with and worked with a few celebrities in the past, and they'll be warm with you if you have something relevant or valuable to say. But interrupting their current activity just to get their attention is definitely of no value to them. If anything it's draining.

It reminds me of a funny story. My friend's mother is a batty and eccentric woman who loves to talk and talk without relating to the listener. She ran into Matthew McConaughey at the grocery store here in Austin, and she decided to offer him her stream of thought about what a sweet, nice young man she thought he was. McConaughey is a super nice guy who tries to be more courteous than typical celebrities, and he's just replying with "Yes ma'am, thank you, I appreciate that." And then she drops the line: "I mean, I haven't seen any of your movies, but I still think you're just the sweetest young man," which prompted his body guard, a solemn, muscular black man, to lose his **** and bust out laughing. That exchange may have provided some value to him, depending on how much he likes to get ribbed by his friends. But people of high status never know what weirdness they're going to encounter from a celebrity worshiping public.

[Brisco_County]

Originally Posted by GP

He was probably just sad that he was in Houston, for whatever reason he was.

Oh wait, I doubt he has emotions. Just an empty shell of a man who fills it with money and then soothes himself with grand visions of how he's been slighted (to help him cope).

I can't remember who it was on here, but a poster or two said that nobody really KNOWS Mario after all these years. Looking back on it, you really never got a sense of who he was...what made him tick...etc. There wasn't much anecdotal evidence to pinpoint who Mario was, as a person, other than his love for street racing.

It's as if God put the three most awkward football players at the top of the food chain in one year: Mario Williams, Vince Young, and Reggie Bush. At the end of the day, with those three players, what do you have? More questions than answers, IMO.

Maybe you're thinking of Lance Zierlein.

If you recall, people in Houston were somewhat down on Mario because he looked lost his rookie year and Reggie Bush and Vince Young had both finished with strong rookie seasons. I began to wonder if Mario simply didn’t want to go out in Houston. I questioned him further about what he did with his free time and he said “mostly just stay at home. I don’t really get out much. I don’t know where to go.” So here is this guy who is still just a country kid from North Carolina who seems completely overwhelmed by the city and his situation.

...

There are questions about how much Mario Williams loves football.*He has buddies who he rides (motorcycles) with who seem to believe that football is what he does for a living but it isn't what he loves.*That bothers me* I think it is important that your core players eat and sleep football and that they love it.*Mario has never really been that guy.

Link.

[Txn_in_Oki]

I think people have an idea in their head of what they "think" an athlete or celebrity should be like and reality is rarely what they hoped for.

I pay for my ticket, they do their thing and that's the end of the transaction. I don't think they owe me anything.

Although I'd probably flip if I met Bill Murray. That's the only person I can think of to make wig out over meeting.

[tru80texan]

Originally Posted by Brisco_County

When he's in Buffalo, he should say hello to his fans. But he's not selling jerseys or tickets in Houston anymore.



Our culture has an etiquette of politeness among strangers. But that's among strangers who are not seeking anything from each other, but are simply maintaining the pleasant tradition of common courtesy. When status or celebrity enters the picture, both parties know that one party is probably just seeking attention with no intention of adding value to the exchange. It depends on the situation, but anyone who deals with it multiple times a day is going to be keen to it.

I've drank with and worked with a few celebrities in the past, and they'll be warm with you if you have something relevant or valuable to say. But interrupting their current activity just to get their attention is definitely of no value to them. If anything it's draining.

It reminds me of a funny story. My friend's mother is a batty and eccentric woman who loves to talk and talk without relating to the listener. She ran into Matthew McConaughey at the grocery store here in Austin, and she decided to offer him her stream of thought about what a sweet, nice young man she thought he was. McConaughey is a super nice guy who tries to be more courteous than typical celebrities, and he's just replying with "Yes ma'am, thank you, I appreciate that." And then she drops the line: "I mean, I haven't seen any of your movies, but I still think you're just the sweetest young man," which prompted his body guard, a solemn, muscular black man, to lose his **** and bust out laughing. That exchange may have provided some value to him, depending on how much he likes to get ribbed by his friends. But people of high status never know what weirdness they're going to encounter from a celebrity worshiping public.

I think a "hey Mario" doesn't equate to your friends mother encounter. I understand a celebrity being on alert of whom they are talking to, but a simple "hi"is hardly a need for worry IMO, which this encounter w/ mario seemed to be. I have seen Nolan Ryan in the past & if someone said "hi", he returned the gesture. Innocent as they come & what most expected & only wanted. I've also recently seen Booker T, WWE Wrestler, & once again a simple "hi" was returned w/out him feeling threatened or expecting someone to want something more from him. As I said before, it's common courtesy & it's a reflection of the person IMO. Some are rude arrogant A-holes who believe they are above all & shouldn't be bothered & others remember they are still people & they still have some sense of courtesy despite their stature. Once again, it's my opinion as I have not drank w/ or hung out w/ celebrities to get their inside view such as yourself, but I don't think most who simply say "hi" to a celebrity expect anymore from them then a "hi" in return. That could just be me...

[HOU-TEX]

Met him a few times while 4-wheelin a few years ago and he was cool with us. Other than his inconsistent play on the field, I have no problem with Mario. Maybe he's changed? Dunno

[StarStruck]

I will give Mario the benefit of the doubt that perhaps he was lost in thought and didn't hear the OP. Otherwise, I think if a person recognizes someone, make eye contact and chooses to say hi, whether the person is a celebrity or any other acquaintance, a response in kind would be common courtesy.

It appears the OP said the greeting in passing and if Mario did indeed hear the greating, it would be impolite to ignore the greeting. It would be different if the individual attempted to start a conversation or tried to get an autograph that perhaps Mario would elect to decline.

So far, the celebs that I have had a brief exchange have been cordial.

[handswarmer]

Originally Posted by Brisco_County

She ran into Matthew McConaughey at the grocery store here in Austin, ....... which prompted his body guard.....

Bdyguard? At a Grocery store?


That right there tells me who was really 'batty'....

Matthew>> Get over yourself

[Speedy]

Originally Posted by Brisco_County

The biggest chore that celebrities and public figures deal with is having to talk to total strangers who want to feel important because a celebrity acknowledged them. I'm sounding condescending, but I've done the same thing in the past. If a celebrity has nothing to gain by saying hi to you, why should he? The attention seeker is dividing the celebrity's attention for selfish reasons, while the celebrity just wants to finish his damn leg presses at his girlfriend's gym.

I get that when it comes to the autograph and picture seeking hounds out there, especially when they're having dinner or something and they've got people coming up to they're table, but when you're just saying "hey, what up? as he's walking by you", as someone has mentioned, you wouldn't be where you're at without the fans, a simple nod of the head to acknowledge that person who just said hello isn't going to kill you. And that goes for any celeb.

The problem is, people put these celebs up on a pedestal, make them more important than they are. They're just people like you and me. I'm not a celeb but I can understand what it must be like to have these "worshippers", for lack of a better term, autograph seekers, etc, hounding you all the time for, as you put it, selfish reasons. But that's the price you pay to be in that business.

So if the OP had said he saw Mario at the gym and asked him for an autograph while he was working out and Mario said "no, I'm working out", so the OP now thinks Mario's a douche for not signing an autograph, well, I'm on Mario's side in that instance. But if he's just walking by and says "hi", and dude doesn't even acknowledge he exists, then screw Mario.

[Brisco_County]

His bodyguard was probably with him for a different event, and they dropped into the store for a moment. Many times, bodyguards hang out with clients on a personal basis.

But like I said, it depends on the circumstance. I remember a hidden camera gag with Dirk Nowitski where an actor pretended to be a huge fan and asked for his autograph in a restaurant. His response was basically, "Not now, I'm eating dinner," and the actor proceeds to freak out as scripted. I know the OP wasn't asking for anything, but it just illustrates that there are boundaries for the smallest things.

[Wolf]

Conversation made me think of Arian Fosters commercial lol

[Dread-Head]

Originally Posted by tru80texan

Have you never said "hello" to a random stranger because you made eye contact w/ them? If so, what did you gain from it? Nothing I presume. It's simply called common courtesy & being polite IMO. I realize it's not in everyone's DNA, obviously not in the gentle giant diva Mario's, but it's something that most of us were taught as children & is something most of do regardless if the other individual is a celebrity or not. Saying "hello" hardly impedes some much on ones life that they can't get their leg presses completed, it's just that individuals choice to be a complete butt & act as if they are above someone else by not acknowledging them. Just my $0.02. Im glad the diva is buffalo's problem now.

I occassionally say hello to random strangers and 80% of the time people are pretty cool. But I'm not some rich/famous A-hole who gets paid millions to play a kid's game for a living.
Ice-T once said in a song that the average fan is the guy paying your bills, so be nice, sign an autograph and pose for that photo. You might just make a new friend.