Testimonials

In January of this year, I met my first sports' personality, Scott Van Pelt, with a friend by the help of espn.com/chicago.  After meeting Scott, it was such an awesome feeling and I left with the biggest smile on my face.  Even though he is just a sports analyst on ESPN, it was still a lot of fun talking to and meeting somebody in sports.  After that experience, I quickly told my brother who is 26, four years older than me, and he wanted to get in on the action.

I googled "Chicago athlete appearances" and your website was one of the first to pop up.  I called up my brother and told him about your website, calling it "a sports fan's hotlist."  We then set up our first signing together which was Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears at PNC Bank in Naperville.  We were literally fourth in line thanks to your website.  We waited in line for three to four hours but it was all well worth it.  Matt was such a nice guy, gave us a couple of autographs, and a picture.  Afterwards, my brother and I had the biggest smiles on our faces.  We just kept going on and on about how much fun it was. And it was all thanks to you.

After Matt Forte, my brother and I built up our athlete resume, sort to speak.  With athletes including Kyle Korver, CJ Watson, Taj Gibson, Johnny Knox, Peanut Tillman, AJ Pierzynski, and HOFs Dan Hampton and Scottie Pippen, amongst many more, my brother and I have shared many fond and exciting memories.  All of the athletes we've met have been because of your website.  During one signing, my brother and I were talking about how big our collection is becoming to be.  One thought that came across was the future.  We both collectively thought "In about 10 years, it's gonna be great to show our kids what athletes we met when we were younger."  

We have met some of the same people at various signings who are aware of your website.  We have also become aware that some of those people are going to appearances to get multiple items autographed to sell for profit.  It disheartens me a bit whenever I see that because that's not why I go and meet athletes.  I go for the simple thrill and fun of it.  These athletes are the guys that I look forward to watching every Sunday, or hoping they'd make playoffs, or screaming for on the top of my lungs.  I do not even ask for an autograph; I just ask for a picture and maybe a handshake.  That's all I really need.  Mr. Horner, if you never made this website, my brother and I would have never had the opportunity to bond the way that we do now.  You have contributed to us building memories and experiences that we are already cherishing.  

The point I'm trying to get at is that I wanted to say 'thank you' for what may seem to you a simple idea.  For all the Saturdays, all the pictures taken, all the laughs and smiles made, and for all the athletes that have been met, I thank you very much, Mr. Horner.  I appreciate what you do.