Athlete Run-Ins: Mistaken Identity With O.J. And Nicole

Continuing our series of great athlete run-in stories, we present winner No. 2, Mahwah, N.J.'s Steve Frischer and his obviously old yet still gripping tale of running into slashing halfback O.J. Simpson and his lovely wife, Nicole Brown Simpson.

The Super Bowl in Atlanta, second year in a row that the Cowboys beat the Bills. I'm 14 years old and there because my Dad worked, and still does, for the network carrying the game. We are staying at the Ritz-Carlton, along with all other network guests, including O.J., who was a commentator for that station. In the days preceding the game, everyone at the hotel was talking about the hot blond OJ had with him, since no one knew who Nicole was at the time. (Ed. Note: Being that she was alive.) Saturday before the game, party in the hotel bar. OJ is there, Ditka is there, Kevin Costner is there. Now you need to know that the way the hotel is set up, you have suites on the same floors as regular rooms; the suite Costner was staying in was across the hall from my regular room. During the party, I went upstairs to watch some TV because I was 14 and couldn't drink. After a while I get up to go back downstairs, walking out of my door at the same exact time that OJ and Nicole walkout of their room at the other end of the hallway. Then I hear it: "Kevin, hey Kevin!" OJ thinks I'm Costner since I just came from what could've been hisroom and I had the same short haircut that Costner was sporting from "The Bodyguard." As I walk towards the elevator, and OJ gets closer, he realizes I'm not Kevin and says sorry. We get on the elevator — me, OJ and Nicole — and ride down to the lobby. Both OJ and Nicole were all sweaty and appeared to be very messed up. And, in person, Nicole was the hottest woman I had ever seen. In the ride down they discussed what they should drink, deciding on tequila, as I stared at Nicole.

We, ultimately, think it was wise that Steve, even being 14, didn't stare too long at Nicole. Just a guess. Two more stories tomorrow.

Athlete Run-Ins: Craps With Jeff Fisher [Deadspin]