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In the mid/late-1990's I used to have the good fortune to watch Miami Dolphins home games from the Hooters Corporate Box (a double-sized suite). There were typically a number of retired Dolphins and other pro-sports jocks hanging around.
It was a December night game with the Buffalo Bills....Larry Czonka, Mercury Morris, and the usual crowd were there. But surprise, Pete Rose was also attending that night. We didn't bother him, but he noticed we were often betting on just about anything.....next play pass or run, first down or punt, next TD, etc. Very small stakes....all in fun, with the top corporate Hooters JumpStarters joining in the fun.
The JumpStarter catering to Pete, said "he wants in"....we said sure and he joined our little party. It was funny because he was coming out of the initial gambling scandal, but we had a great time with our $1, $5, and $10 prop bets. I kept a couple of bills that I had asked Pete to sign when I won against him.....he was happy to oblige and we all had a good laugh. They are packed away somewhere in storage after several subsequent moves.
RIP Pete......you should be in the Hall of Fame.
oh...and FYI.....JumpStarters was the corporate slang for the very top-notch Hooters corporate/south Florida staff who would travel to new franchises and teach the local hires for 2-4 weeks how to properly wear the uniform, pour the pitchers....take orders.....generally work their customers, etc.
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