I once did a sketch of Troy Aikman for a buddy, and wanted to get it autographed before I gave it to him. The Cowboys had an open practice one day in Texas Stadium with autographs afterward, so I took the sketch. Unfortunately, Troy's line was a mile long and he had to hit the showers before I got close.

Undeterred, I hung around to see if there was another opportunity. I saw the team's owner, Jerry Jones, on the field talking with reporters and heading for the stands. I walked around to intercept him and just caught him as the reporters were done. Nervously, I approached Jerry, showed him the sketch, and asked if there was any way to get Troy to sign it. Jerry thought for a moment and then said, "just run across the field to the locker rooms and wait for him."

Excited, I hit the field. It felt so cool to run across those yard lines! But then I saw a few big security guys with headsets converge on me like a herd of Bill Bates clones (look him up). Jerry shouted, "it's okay, I said he could go!" and I smiled as I passed them.

Inside, it was so intimidating. The lineman emerged first, huge dudes with massive gold necklaces, joking about Troy's 10 million dollar contract. Troy was the last to leave. I asked for the autograph, he sort of grunted, and signed the picture. My bud was SO happy to get that!

At the time we lived near the Cowboy's regular practice field. I almost ran over Joe Avezzano when he jogged in front of my car at a light change! My wife didn't understand when I screamed out "Joe Avezzano!"

My stepson went to school with Jim Jeffcoat's son Jaren. I got to meet Jim at parents' night and MAN is he big! A very gracious guy with a nice wife, and one of my all-time favorite football players. I should have got his autograph, but felt foolish about it.

Another time a friend went with me to the grocery store for party stuff. He knew it was "Cowboy country" and was hoping to see players. I cautioned him that the locals took it for granted and NOT to make a scene. But sure enough, 3 new players walked in (wearing workout clothes) and he shouted, "DO YOU THINK THOSE ARE DALLAS COWBOYS????" The guys gave us a disgusted look and I wanted to disappear.