Upon Further Review: Andretti has the class some celebs lack

Often those who are rich or famous make it difficult for others to approach them. They or their agents, managers or entourage have a tendency to keep the common folk at bay and keep their accessibility to a minimum.

Now over the years, I have been lucky enough to meet and talk to a lot of famous people, such as Fran Tarkington, Hank Aaron, Dizzy Dean, Johnny Bench, Merle Haggard, Vince Gill and Jimmy Connors, who I even got to hit a few tennis balls with.

Yes, when I was a teenager and trying to become good tennis player, I spent about 30 minutes or so exchanging forehands and backhands with Connors. It was in Atlanta and I was at a tennis facility working on my game, and he was there working out. He approached me and said he needed someone to hit with. I was more than honored as he gave me a few pointers.

Now, some of them were more accessible than others and even the ones who were accessible sometimes were arrogant and had little time for the ones who helped to make them famous by buying records or buying tickets to watch them play.

Sadly, some celebrities are rude and very arrogant when they?re not on stage or in front of the camera.

Yes, I understand they?re always being asked for favors and autographs, but it?s part of their job.

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to meet and sit down for an interview with Mario Andretti.

Now, for some reason I was sure he was going to have little time for me and I thought he might be a little arrogant. I had never met the man, but he was a legend of the racing world, and was a successful business man as well, running several big companies.

After his speech to the kids at the Warren County High School, I figured he would walk off the stage and turn into a self-centered person. Boy, was I wrong.

Not only did he make time for me with a personal interview, he also invited me to ride with him in the car he was being chauffeured in around town and spend the day with him.

He was soft spoken and very considerate of everyone around him. After interviewing him for 10-15 minutes he asked me a few questions about the people of Warren County and showed concern for the loss of jobs here over the past year.

Even when it was only him and his assistant around, he never showed any sign of arrogance or rudeness. There was none of this ?get me out of here as soon as you can? attitude. He enjoyed speaking with each person who approached him.

He was a very honest and humble man and treated everyone with respect and had no problem taking time to talk to anyone, or shake anyone?s hand.

This guy was a class act from head to toe, and acted like an ordinary Joe despite his wealth and accomplishments in life.

He still had a passion for the sport and for life. His compassion for others was very evident as I talked with him and watched him meet and greet folks during his brief stay in Warren County.

I wish I could say the same for every celebrity I have met. Maybe Andretti should expand on his enterprises and open ?Mario?s School of Manners,? giving lessons to other celebrities on how to conduct themselves as gentlemen.