Fan Memory: Meeting Lyle Alzado

When I met Lyle Alzado, I was working at Los Angeles International Airport for Midway Airlines. It was the fall of 1991, and Alzado was flying with us. I can't remember where he was going, but I vividly remember the encounter.

Working at LAX and later at other airports I had opportunities to meet many athletes and celebrities. Everything from the very brief encounter checking their bag for them to drawn out customer service conversations when I was a supervisor.

While working operations for a flight carrying the Phoenix Suns I had a short but interesting political conversation with Charles Barkley. I met most of the Los Angeles Lakers playing at that time. Still, when it comes to meeting athletes, my short time with Lyle Alzado stands out.

I was checking passengers in for a flight when Alzado and a companion came up to the ticket counter. I didn't recognize him at first, he was standing behind the other person. It wasn't until I read the ticket that I realized who it was.

The Lyle Alzado I knew as a fan

I lived in Southern California for the last half of the 80s and up through 1994. I saw Alzado play at the Los Angeles Coliseum live several times, and on television many more. I had become a Raider fan while in the Navy in the early 80s, and although my allegiance to them isn't as strong now as then, I'll never forget that team.

Alzado dominated on defense, intimidating opposing lines and striking fear into the minds of quarterbacks. For me, he epitomized the pirate almost-outlaw image Al Davis worked hard to form for the Raiders.

The Lyle Alzado I met in person

It was just after Alzado went public about his many years of steroid abuse. "I Lied" was the headline screaming from the cover of Sports Illustrated in the July 8th, 1990 issue.

When I met Alzado he was thin, sickly, and physically a shadow of his former self. As I wrapped up the ticketing I broke protocol. We weren't supposed to overtly acknowledge celebrity. I took a minute and talked to Lyle, told him how much I admired him, and wished him well. It wasn't a long conversation, but I will always remember his quiet dignity.

The Lyle Alzado we should all remember

The intimidating defensive player, on field character, the great plays. And the man who had to courage to stand up in front of us all and admit what he had done. He said if he could just stop one kid from doing what he did, it was worth it to go public.

Lyle Alzado died at his Portland, Oregon, home May 14, 1992. He was only 43 years old.