Another Fan Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 (edited) I recall Jim Kelly, Thurman, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson from a pretty early age. But they were all established in their game by the time I started watching sports. Can you recall the 1st athlete whose career you followed from their first game until retirement? Or if they just didn't pan out? I can think of 2. Bernie Williams- I kinda could remember his first couple games. Some glimpses of greatness but hard to say how'd he fare over the long haul I thought. Even at that age. I still recall the thick glasses he used to wear back then! Kenny Anderson (NBA)- saw one of his first games in person. Even then I could recall high expectations for him in the pros. He had some game and not a bad career. But I dont think ever really hit his full potential Edited May 9, 2022 by Another Fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg S Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 Derek Jeter 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poojer Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 OJ Simpson, Fran Tarkenton, Greg Nettles, Carmelo Anthony to name a few Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Fan Posted May 9, 2022 Author Share Posted May 9, 2022 39 minutes ago, The Poojer said: OJ Simpson, Fran Tarkenton, Greg Nettles, Carmelo Anthony to name a few You didn’t follow basketball until later on? I only ask OJ to Carmelo is kinda a time difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poojer Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 I always followed the Buffalo Braves as a youngin, but other than being a big fan of several players, i didn't really latch on to individual players as much as i did Football and Baseball. Being a syracuse guy, Carmelo was the first one i TRULY followed start to finish. Maybe Pearl, DC and Sherman Douglas, but Carmelo was on a different level even before leading them to the NCAA championship 1 hour ago, Another Fan said: You didn’t follow basketball until later on? I only ask OJ to Carmelo is kinda a time difference 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poojer Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 and another thing, probably would have followed Melo, but just so happened my oldest was 12 or 13 when Melo arrived on campus and he was probably among his biggest fans, so that's probably why i went into adulthood with 'idolizing' an athlete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 Gilbert Perreault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewPort71 Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 Roberto Clemente. I started in 1958 when I was 5. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 10, 2022 Share Posted May 10, 2022 Walt Putalski. ……I don’t get out much. 🤷♂️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChevyVanMiller Posted May 10, 2022 Share Posted May 10, 2022 For me it would have to be the Bills career of Vontae Davis. I did not see the end coming though. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 10, 2022 Share Posted May 10, 2022 16 minutes ago, ChevyVanMiller said: For me it would have to be the Bills career of Vontae Davis. I did not see the end coming though. Who’d a thunk he’d leave after the orange slices were handed out? He was just in it for the fruit! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted May 10, 2022 Share Posted May 10, 2022 Kevin Garnett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 None really, as I was born in 1977 and started liking sports in about 1987 and favorite player was Rickey Henderson who was 8 years into his career. For the Sabres I liked Mike Foligno and Bills Andre Reed/James Lofton. I did like Notre Dame too and remember a RB/DB the Bills drafted named Jeff Burris but I remember wish we took George Teague instead yet Jeff played well but after he left I lost my interest. I remember when the Sabres trading Alexander Mogilny for this guy named Michael Peca who I met at a card show and scoffed at his size but grew to adore him until I soured on him when held out for more money and after he got traded lost interest. I suppose if he sticks around Josh Allen might turn into one granted I didn't watch him in college. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills4everNY Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Dwight Gooden. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Daryl Strawberry (1983). He's the reason I became a Mets fan. Sweetest swing in the history of the game. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Otto Graham. You kids. 🙄 But seriously it was probably OJ. Damn he was amazing to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 It's an interesting question, but I have no idea what the correct answer would be. I've followed the Bills/NFL, Sabres/NHL, and Boston Red Sox (AL) my entire life as far back as I can remember. Anyone who started with any of those 3 teams probably around 1980 or so would be the answer. On 5/9/2022 at 3:38 PM, ExiledInIllinois said: Gilbert Perreault. I definitely remember #11 when he was a Sabre and well past his prime. But I also remember him when he was still somewhat of a star too, thank God. 1980 or so? But I'm too young to remember him joining the NHL or the really sweet spot of his early career with the Sabres. I wish I saw more of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 4 minutes ago, Nextmanup said: It's an interesting question, but I have no idea what the correct answer would be. I've followed the Bills/NFL, Sabres/NHL, and Boston Red Sox (AL) my entire life as far back as I can remember. Anyone who started with any of those 3 teams probably around 1980 or so would be the answer. I definitely remember #11 when he was a Sabre and well past his prime. But I also remember him when he was still somewhat of a star too, thank God. 1980 or so? But I'm too young to remember him joining the NHL or the really sweet spot of his early career with the Sabres. I wish I saw more of it. Yeah... I guess you're right. Misread the OP... I didn't catch Perreault till I was about 6/7... 1974/1975... He was first sport's player I followed. Probably Jeter, I would say then. Really nobody else I followed for their career than #11... Jim Kelly, does that count? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helpmenow Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Willie Mays for me my baseball idol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Success Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 (edited) Cal Ripken Jr. From his days as a Rochester Red Wing & all the way through. Edited May 11, 2022 by Success Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Da'Rick Rogers. I was going to say Len Bias but that might not count. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Avenger Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Tim Wakefield. Saw him play third base for the Welland, Ontario Pirates in single-A ball. We relentlessly razzed him as we were Niagara Falls Rapids fans sitting on the third base side. After the game as Wakefield was walking to the school bus to take the team back to Canada, he looks for us in the parking lot and challenges us to a fight. Dude, I'm not gonna fight you - go get on your school bus. Years later he makes it all the way to the majors and he's pitching for my team, the Red Sox and I have to cheer for him... Of all the guys on that single-A Welland team I bet nobody went on to a very successful MLB career, and that was the guy we picked on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasternOHBillsFan Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 On 5/11/2022 at 8:54 PM, The Avenger said: Tim Wakefield. Saw him play third base for the Welland, Ontario Pirates in single-A ball. We relentlessly razzed him as we were Niagara Falls Rapids fans sitting on the third base side. After the game as Wakefield was walking to the school bus to take the team back to Canada, he looks for us in the parking lot and challenges us to a fight. Dude, I'm not gonna fight you - go get on your school bus. Years later he makes it all the way to the majors and he's pitching for my team, the Red Sox and I have to cheer for him... Of all the guys on that single-A Welland team I bet nobody went on to a very successful MLB career, and that was the guy we picked on... Now Tim Wakefield has brain cancer, and I am devastated for him and his family. He pitched brilliantly for the Pirates in the magical season of 1992, and then of course they got rid of him and he because a Red Sux pitcher for many, many years... https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/red-sox-say-tim-wakefield-is-in-treatment-asks-for-privacy-after-illness-outed-by-schilling/ar-AA1hpl6j#image=AA1dK7CY|1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinceThe70s Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 25 minutes ago, EasternOHBillsFan said: Now Tim Wakefield has brain cancer, and I am devastated for him and his family. He pitched brilliantly for the Pirates in the magical season of 1992, and then of course they got rid of him and he because a Red Sux pitcher for many, many years... https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/red-sox-say-tim-wakefield-is-in-treatment-asks-for-privacy-after-illness-outed-by-schilling/ar-AA1hpl6j#image=AA1dK7CY|1 Always sad to hear bad news like this. Am I wrong in remembering that Wakefield had an unusual year to year contract with the Red Sox towards the end of his career? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 Kyle Williams Derek Jeter Allen Iverson Kobe Shaq Chipper Jones LeBron. I went to a bar with friends to watch a HS kid lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoBills808 Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 Kobe for me Then lebron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGTEleven Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 Tony Gwynn. When he started I could pretty much only watch him against the Mets and Braves but followed the box scores. As time went on games were easier to watch. If I counted Bills players there would be too many to list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 I almost hate to say it, but I was at that exact age to soak up the entire OJ experience. I was about 10 watching the local news special with OJ highlight reels from USC. I read the book. We had season tickets. I remember where I was when he ran for about 250 vs Boston, my parents would see them at McMahons on Main St for dinner, I lived near him in Chapel Woods. So I was fascinated at 9-10 years old, before he even arrived, and in his later years we’d drink beer and drive by his house and yell teenage stuff at the crowd he had over post-game hanging in front of his house. Those were formative years. And then, there was that thing…… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmotionallyUnstable Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 Mine was Julio Jones. My friend in HS and I ran across his high school highlight tape…when we were in the library for a study hall my junior year. I remember him signing on to Alabama, getting drafted, watched his whole career and finally his ultimate demise just the past season. He was an all time great. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
without a drought Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 Taro Tsujimoto 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muppy Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 wow interesting thought. My very first favorite Bills was Butch Byrd. But actually follow their career from the start would be OJ Simpson. Being such a superstar NFL star cemented his career in my mind from the beginning till end. If I were to see him now I would turn about face and walk away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2mountain Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 Gilbert Perreault. He came about when I started as a young sports fan. He played his entire career, 17 seasons for Buffalo, a tenure unheard of these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Babe Ruth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irv Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Meadowlark Lemon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenorthremembers Posted October 3, 2023 Share Posted October 3, 2023 Sadly he just passed away. Tim Wakefield. Watched him play for the Bisons when I was a youngster and then followed his entire career. Loved watching him throw the knuckleball. Always felt very lucky to have the Bisons here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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