As a professional athlete, Orr found one perk was the opportunity to meet a lot of famous people, both in and out of the sports world. Three stars of other sports he particularly admires are Muhammad Ali, Arnold Palmer, and Ted Williams. Orr attended a few of Ali’s bouts, met him a time or two, and considered his athleticism “spellbinding” and the aura that surrounded him special. Like many pro team athletes, Orr is an avid golfer. He’s had an opportunity to play with Palmer a few times in pro-am type events and says he is in awe of the professionalism with which Palmer conducts himself at all times. He admires the way Palmer treats people, especially fans, and how he can put people at ease – even amateurs sharing a round of golf with him. It took many years for Orr to catch up with Williams. The occasion was a black-tie fundraiser for former Red Sox great Tony Congliaro at which Williams was the only person in the room not in formal attire. Orr and Williams share a love of fishing, and with true Williams focus, he took to instructing Orr on how to properly fly-cast amid all the tuxedoed VIPs.
BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS/FILE
