I've met lots of fairly famous people in my life time and found them like the rest of us, some nice, some not so nice.
I do have to say that any famous sports star in their teams hometown is going to have to expect some level of attention when they are out in the public just like everyone else out in public.
I personally think you shouldn't have tried to talk to him while he was on the phone other than maybe waving and/or saying "hey great job on the field" or something like that and then got your own gas and left.
If you want to meet rude assed people you need to meet performers, music ones more than most. I worked for a record and tape distributor for a lont time and had the chance to meet many big name music starts and have seldom met any that didn't think they expected you to bow down and let them walk on you.
I've been to many rah, rah, sales meetings where there might be a dozen performers trying to get you to push their type of music over others when you were loading store racks and was amazed at the rudisness. Neil Diamond one of my favorites at that time was truly a jerk the entire time he was there.
Several times in my life I've had a chance to meet Heart, from just them back to the 80s when they had a huge group and were top 5 performers. They were always great. The first time I met them I asked Ann Wilson if she would autograph an album for my niece.(we were at our warehouse that had a stage for perfomers. Told her I could get one from the warehouse if they wouldn't mind. They not only didn't mind but after they all signed it and I shrinked it again they offered to take it to her in Seattle when they returned home the next day.
They did it to, and my nieces roommate said its the only time she ever saw her with nothing to say she was so shocked to see them on her doorstep. Can't help but love them from that day on.
Wife and I and another couple met John Wayne once at Shilsole Bay Marina and he went out of his way to stop, say hello for just a moment then went on his way. What time that was.
I'm trying to say these people get by because we spend money on them. They don't have to stop what they are doing and give us an interview but merely to acknowledge we're there, maybe wave, smile, say hello and keep on going.
I would NEVER bother a celebrity if they were having a meal or with someone. But would never hesitate to say hello in passing, maybe say great game last week.
And any star of any kind that objects to someone saying hello while they are getting gas in their car better have someone else fill their can next time. Hell I talk to people getting gas all the time if for nothing but sharing bitches about the prices.
