After leaving the Cowboys at the Mirage, I headed next door to Caesars Palace to check out Mike Tyson. Yes, that Mike Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Tyson was signing autographs at the Field of Dreams. When I arrived, the line for his signature was half as long as the one at B.B. Kings. You could see the nervous excitement on the peoples faces as they got closer to one of the best fighters of this generation.

I had more fun listening to people comments who weren’t trying to get his autograph. One guy walked past with his wife and said, seriously, “Come on, I could’ve take him”. His wife piped in, ‘I know you could, honey”. This fella was about 80-100 lbs overweight, there is not a chance in the world that he could take Tyson now, much less in his heyday.

Another couple guys wondered if Tyson would sign his ear. Humorous, but dated humor. Most were in awe though.

They had Tyson blocked off, so the non-paying people couldn’t snap pictures. They did have a live monitor though, showing Tyson’s interaction with the guests. He smiled, hugged and shook everyone’s hands. He may have been acting, but he truly appeared to be having a good time. And whatever picture someone wanted, he obliged. Want to smile, snarl, or bump fists, Tyson never said no.

The only thing I didn’t like was the price. It started at $169, and went up to $300. The items he would sign included a picture, shorts or boxing gloves. I understand, but I couldn’t afford it nonetheless.

I probably should have, considering the small history I’ve had with Iron Mike over the past 20 years. In another life, I produced sports in LA. Tyson was at an LA Ram game back in the 90′s, where I watched a lady attach herself to his leg, screaming, “I love you, I love you!” She did this all the way down the concourse. He was nice, but she wouldn’t let go. It took 2 of his big body guards to pry her off.

Later on, I stood next to Tyson in the Rams locker room, and to this day, he is the biggest human being I have ever seen. His mass was bigger than the majority of the guys in the Rams locker room. Intimidating, for sure.

In 1994, I had the chance to do some work during the Tyson-Holyfield fight #1. As it would have it, after the fight, the cameraman and I take a few wrong turns, ending up out of the MGM and in the back where the TV trucks were. Right at that time Tyson walks out, with just one bodyguard. His face was purple after the beating he took from Holyfield. He took one look at me, with a mic in my hand, and just glared. I believe, to his day, if I would have asked him a question, I would have been his first knock out of the night.

Tyson appears to be a much different person nowadays. A lot mellower, to be sure. I left Tyson about 3pm, when the event was supposed to end. However, the line was gaining strength again. I wonder if he is still signing now.

Maybe one day he’ll tell me how to win on his Iphone boxing app.