By
By TAMMY MALGESINI
Inside my shoes
Published on February 9, 2016 10:59AM
During the introduction of past Super Bowl MVPs during the pre-game festivities of Super Bowl 50, I flashed back to when I tried on a championship ring from Super Bowl III.
Most of the celebrities I’ve met over the years are athletes. Although I’ve never really been one to get star struck, I admit I did get a little misty-eyed when I met baseball greats Bob Gibson and Don Mattingly. It should come as no surprise to those who know me that I actually asked Steve Thompson if I could try on his Super Bowl ring.
My husband, John, lived with Steve’s family for awhile as a foster kid while growing up near Everett, Washington. Steve played at Lake Stevens High School and the University of Washington before beginning his NFL career as a defensive lineman with the New York Jets.
Chosen in the second round of the 1968 draft, Steve missed the better part of his rookie season due to an injury. However, he returned before the end of the season and played on special teams when the Jets won Super Bowl III.
Being inquisitive, I asked Steve if he took showers with quarterback Joe Namath. He laughed, and confirmed they used the same locker room facilities.
A big man with gigantic hands, the ring was humongous on my finger. Always a huge sports fan, the ring was practically as big as the smile on my face.
Also, back in the day, I ran with Steve Prefontaine. Despite the fact he died nearly 41 years ago, he hardly requires an introduction. (For those unfamiliar with Pre, he ran at the University of Oregon, competed in the 1972 Olympics and at one time was the American record holder of seven different distance events).
I didn’t think it was a big deal — Prefontaine was a Coos Bay kid and was in town to visit his folks. A 1969 Marshfield High School graduate, Prefontaine hung out with our track team while we practiced that spring day in 1975.
Another brush with celebrity I’ve had over the years was running into Warren Zevon (“Werewolves of London,” “Excitable Boy” and “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” are among his more well-known hits).
Barbe Peerson, who could recite Zevon’s lyrics probably as well as the baritone-voiced singer himself, and I were in Portland to see a show. With festival seating, we got to the venue early so we could get a good seat.
Warren Zevon came out of the men’s restroom about the same time Barbe exited the women’s. I gestured to Barbe so she would notice who it was. “Excuse me,” he said.
“Warren Zevon talked to me,” I later told my husband about the encounter.
“He had to, you were in his (expletive) way,” Barbe said in setting the record straight.
And, there was the time I sang with Mick Jagger. Well, Mick was standing on the stage and I was standing on my chair — but we were both singing.
———
Tammy Malgesini is the community editor. Her column, Inside my Shoes, includes general musings about life. Contact her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.
