I met Patrick Willis last week (6/18) on my airplane flying from ATL to San Jose. I noticed him at the gate but I wasn't sure if it was him until he boarded first class. After everyone got on the plane I asked the attendant if I could walk up to first class to "talk to someone I might know." She says that's fine, so I walk up there and find him sitting at the window seat with his tray down, computer out, and listening to earbuds. I lean over and say, "Excuse me, are you Patrick Willis?"
PW removes his earbuds slowly and quietly says, "Yes sir." I'm absolutely sure that NOBODY else recognized him, even the guy sitting next to him, because out of the corner of my eye I see him cluelessly do a triple take at PW and give a nonchalant shrug.
I go on. Like a nervous schoolgirl, I say, "I'm Matt. I'm just a huge fan of yours and 49er fan..." (In fact, I have his jersey but I forget to tell him). I shake his hand. Then I ask him if I can take a picture with him. He mumbles something inaudible but I get the gist of it - he wants to take the picture after we land. I say "oh of course that's fine." It would have been an awkward picture to take with the guy sitting in the way anyways. "I'm way back there" I say pointing to Coach Class, "but I'll try to catch up to you. Thanks!" And I walk back to my seat.
After we land I hurry up to the front to catch up to him to take the picture. He isn't waiting at the gate so I dash through the airport down to baggage claim/ground transportation hoping he's just walking slow. He's gone.
A couple days later I tell my friend this story and he tweets him for me (I don't have Facebook or Twitter). He says "My buddy Matt says he met you on an airplane from ATL to SJC and wanted to take a picture. Then you took off, what happened?!?"
To this day, he hasn't responded to my friend. This is NOT how you treat your fans. It took a lot of guts to walk up to first class and talk to him. I don't know if he realizes that. Plus, you know how hard it is to recognize football players in real life? It's probably one of the hardest sports to do it for, and as I mentioned, I'm sure nobody else recognized him. Then he ignores me and my friend on Twitter, which we KNOW he's active on. I understand he likely forgot to take the picture with me (it's a long flight) but he had his chance to redeem himself on Twitter. Instead he comes across as a douche.
I am telling you this story for 2 reasons;
1. Patrick Willis is a total tool. I thought the guy was cool but now I hate him. He deserves to be called out.
2. Should I continue to root for the Niners? And what should I do with his jersey? I'll sell it to someone. PM me.
[ Edited by boqi on Jun 27, 2012 at 6:13 PM ]
