I know that Sammy Baugh always has been pretty accessible, and he’d probably sign a manhole cover if someone asked, but in two years in West Texas, I had never so much as seen the man that I used to read about in library books.
Saturday, Sammy and Western Texas College were the focal point of the community.
First, there was a celebrity golf tournament that was still underway when the baseball team hit the diamond. The baseball game was still undecided when the softball team took the home diamond for the first time ever.
Meanwhile, WTC was holding a silent auction for memorabilia at the coliseum, before hosting a reception for celebrities and corporate sponsors at the country club.
Through all of this, Sammy was nowhere to be seen.
It wasn’t until the banquet later that night, at the end of the day, when I finally got a glimpse of him.
A long, serpentine line of autograph hounds and well wishers snaked around the 90-year-old legend’s table before dinner was served, and those of us there to work dutifully snapped pictures and took notes.
Sammy signed everything. Everything.
And believe me, people brought a lot of stuff wanting for Sammy’s John Hancock.
The guest speakers each took their turn at the podium, replaying hilarious anecdotes or overcome by the emotion of the night.
Meanwhile, I had secured a Sharpie and a program, and was determined to get the legendary quarterback’s signature on his photograph.
Pen in hand, I first circled left, then right, trying to find the best moment to make my approach.
College president Greg Williams was closing the show, and people were readying to have even more memorabilia autographed.
At that moment I made a fateful decision. Everybody wanted some reminder from the eve-ning. I did, too.
So before the football booster club president was finished unloading his U-Haul full of things to be signed, I moved in.
I shook Sammy’s hand. The man has a grip like a table vise. He could have easily powdered my bones had he been so inclined.
I told him what a privilege it was for me to meet him, and told him my name.
What he said to me will remain a closely guarded secret. Just know that it struck exactly the right chord. It was one of the coolest things anyone’s ever said to me.
It was then that I knew why so many people want to be around him. I had just met him, and Sammy Baugh had given me a personalized and insightful greeting.
And I didn’t even think about taking that pen out of my pocket.
allen@snyderdailynews.com