Iverson pays visit to Montgomery Mall
MONTGOMERY TWP. — For many youngsters growing up in the Philadelphia area in the early 2000s, a spunky, talented basketball player lit up the courts and inspired their dreams.
On Sunday, March 2, 450 Allen Iverson fans had a chance to meet their idol at Poppel’s Sports Autographs and Collectibles, a new sports memorabilia store in the Montgomery Mall, the day after the Sixers retired his No. 3 jersey.
Iverson stuck to business, sporting Ray-Ban sunglasses, while an assistant handed him assorted colored Sharpie markers, in order to have the time to sign something for all 450 fans who paid $90 to meet him.
Some fans, however, were able to get a rise out of him.
Albert Martiniello from Queens, NY, who calls himself a “super fan,” brought along a 3-foot-high Iverson statue to be signed. The statue is 1 of 100 that appeared in NBA stores.
Martiniello collects Iverson memorabilia that fill a room at his home and debated selling the statue because it takes up a lot of space, but now he plans to keep it forever because Iverson wrote a special, personalized message.
“Today is the culmination of my fanaticism, just to be within three feet of him,” Martiniello said. On Sunday, he turned 24, and Iverson took the extra time to write “Happy Birthday!” on his statue and lean
over the table to pose for a quick picture.
Though Martiniello is “born and raised” in Queens, he said he gravitated towards Iverson because of the way he played for his average height.
“When I was younger, I used to sit with my face inches from the television screen when Sixers games were on,” Martiniello said. “I always like Iverson’s grittiness.”
Kevin Keohane, 25, traveled from Limerick to meet Iverson, getting his Jordan sneakers signed.
“When I was younger, and Iverson was playing, I always had to have the newest pair of Jordans,” Keohane said, while showing off the fresh Sharpie signature.
“Philly sports wouldn’t be what they are today with him,” Keohane said. “I just want to thank him for all the great years he gave us in Philly.”
Another fan, Joel Schaffer from Allentown, was able to get Iverson laughing as he rapped his song “40 Bars,” from Iverson’s unreleased and controversial album, “Non Fiction.”
Poppel’s Sports Autographs and Collectibles, celebrated their grand opening in the Montgomery Mall with the Iverson signing and according to owners, Bobbie and Neil Poppel, they hope to have one signer a month. Upcoming signings include current Flyers coach Craig Berube and retired Flyers player Terry Carkner. To stay up to date on signings visit www.poppel.com or follow on Facebook.