So, I had the pleasure to hang out with him for quite a while today. I was asked to take a few publicity photos of him, for his dad, Gary Hall Sr. and Rowdy Gaines.
I was very pleasantly surprised, Jr. is a very nice and very personable guy. I thought perhaps he'd have a hot shot attitude... Not even close.
As I was asking him to make couple poses for the camera, for the publicity, he and he did... and we chuckled about them, he made a comment something to the effect of, about I dunno why people take some of that so negatively, and think I'm a total jerk :(
He seemed pretty genuinely bummed out.
I was thinking how he is always being asked to pose and do publicity things, and do some showing off or what not, then it turns around and ends up giving him a bad rep.
Later on introduced him to a massage therapist friend of mine who works on a lot of pro athletes, to work on him and they can compare notes, and Gary's first response was, oh, that would be so nice but, aren't there people here that need it a lot more then I do, they'll say, what does he need *that for*.... he was all embarrassed, and rather humble about it.
He's the kind of a guy that wouldn't squish a bug! I mean literally.
As we were sitting and chatting, a June bug landed, he reached for it, and I reacted, oh, no, don't hurt it!
Before he had a chance to respond, I realized that he proceeded to check it out and started petting it with one finger, saying hi little guy...
Parents
Former Member
"The only thing is.... I couldn't decide on is who was cuter or nicer, Gary Hall Jr. or Gary Hall Sr."
Connie, I have to go with Gary Hall Sr.; but then I'm 57. Actually, Gary (Sr.) and I were age groupers under Lee Arth, back when he was at Sammy Lee Swim School. (This was 42 years ago!!) Even back then he showed incredible promise. Lee occasionally had us swim with the High school team and Gary Sr. was only 12!
I caught up with father and son at the USMS party Friday night and was (again) impressed: good athletes and they really have the family thing happening - lots of joking around and friendly teasing.
"The only thing is.... I couldn't decide on is who was cuter or nicer, Gary Hall Jr. or Gary Hall Sr."
Connie, I have to go with Gary Hall Sr.; but then I'm 57. Actually, Gary (Sr.) and I were age groupers under Lee Arth, back when he was at Sammy Lee Swim School. (This was 42 years ago!!) Even back then he showed incredible promise. Lee occasionally had us swim with the High school team and Gary Sr. was only 12!
I caught up with father and son at the USMS party Friday night and was (again) impressed: good athletes and they really have the family thing happening - lots of joking around and friendly teasing.