I sat next to Tom at a Sox game back in summer of 2002. Great guy and a Sox fan too(at least that night). Really down to Earth and funny. I tried to buy him a beer, he would not let me. Instead, he bought me the beer
.
I briefly met Dan Marino back in the early 90's at Disney World. He, along with almost every other QB, was there competing in the annual QB challenge. They were all staying at the beach club. Dan was polite and signed every autograph. However Steve Young went out of his way to talk to all the kids around.
In addition, I have a good friend who figured out how to do a mail merge back in Marino's rookie season. He sent out letters to 100+ athletes. Dan was the only one to respond. Ever since, the poor chap has been a Dolphins fan.
Athletes are people too. They have good and bad interactions with other people. I know I would not want to be judged by my worst interactions.