ing photos and shaking hands with Toronto mayor Rob Ford. —

SUN CITY, South Africa -- The first time he met Nelson Mandela, Gary Player got on his knees and kissed the former political prisoners feet. P. J. Tucker Jersey . Remembering his "very tearful" first encounter with Mandela, the nine-time major winner paused Friday to compose himself and hold back more tears. Mandela, the beloved former South African president and Nobel laureate, died Thursday at 95. Renowned as a fierce competitor on the golf course, Player was invited to meet Mandela at his office in Johannesburg after the anti-apartheid leaders release after 27 years in prison. But he didnt expect to do what he did, Player said. "I knelt down and I kissed his feet and I said, I have never kissed anybodys feet in my life, and I said, I have so much admiration for you. I said to him, It is remarkable, how can you not have revenge?" Mandelas reply, according to Player, was: "You have got to start a new life and forgive and go ahead." Player, speaking at the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, said Mandelas ability to inspire with compassion left him amazed then -- and still does. "It was very tearful for me, because when you think of a man that has gone to jail for all those years for doing the right thing, not the wrong thing, it is hard to comprehend that a man can come out and be like that," Player said. "He was an exceptional man." From that first meeting, Player and Mandela would cross paths regularly as the golfer, one of South Africas greatest sportsmen, worked with the president on charity projects. Once, Player remembered with a big smile, Mandela landed at a charity tournament in a helicopter to lend support. "I had to meet him when the helicopter arrived and open the door. Now I had been around him all these years raising money for young black children and I opened the door, and he says Good morning Gary, do you remember me?" Player recalled, imitating Mandelas unique rasping voice. "Just wonderful." Although Player wasnt sure if he ever saw Mandela swing a golf club, he knew that the anti-apartheid leader "realized the value of sport" and even followed Players career overseas while he was imprisoned by South Africas former racist regime. "He said to me, When I was in jail, I used to watch you playing. He was very complimentary," Player said. Serge Ibaka Jersey . Richard Jefferson scored 17 points and Diante Garrett had a career-high 15 points as the Jazz had seven players with 10 points or more in Utahs largest margin of victory this season. Vince Carter Jersey . After a 10-game skid, winning sure feels good. Atlantas third error in the last two innings allowed Jackie Bradley Jr. https://www.cheapraptors.com/483a-doug-christie-jersey-raptors.html . The redshirt freshman finished the regular season with nearly 3,500 passing yards, and 35 touchdowns with another three on the ground while leading the Seminoles to the top of the BCS Rankings.6:16: To be fair, it would probably fit. Somebody get him Governor Chris Christies Nets jersey. RT @DarynJones: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/8blcF5fzTa — Cabbie Richards (@Cabbie) April 22, 20146:28 DeMar DeRozan seems pretty excited that the Toronto mayor is in the building. "I hope Rob Fords got my jersey on." - DeMar DeRozan — James Herbert (@outsidethenba) April 22, 20146:32: Amir Johnson seems more focused on fashion, than a Rob Ford appearance. Amir Johnson, appraised of Rob Fords imminence: You say Tom Ford or Rob Ford? — cathalkelly (@cathalkelly) April 22, 20146:33: #SELFIE So this just just happened with @iamdanielguerra #welp #rtz pic.twitter.com/Iz770wcRvX — Natasha (@Nat77) April 22, 20146:42: Another one? Sure, why not? Whats a trip to a Toronto sports game with out a picture with Rob Ford #LetsGoRaptors pic.twitter.com/qHZ1SDgvTG — pedromfarid (@pedromfarid) April 22, 20146:47: Update: OK good, Amir is cool with the Ford appearance. Amir Johnson is enjoying the celebrity quotient increasing at Raptors games. Cool with Rob Ford attending, intrigued by Jimmy Goldstein. — Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 22, 20147:17: Just over ten minutes until tipoff, how abouut more #SELFIES Rob Ford posing with everyone! pic. Raptors Jerseys 2020. witter.com/RgDCwdtNk7 — Kevin Bryant (@KevinRashidi) April 22, 20147:27: Folks, he has taken a seat (in Section 318) Rob Ford in my section pic.twitter.com/AxTxroUvPP — AK (@AK47_Studios) April 22, 20147:32: Random jab by "3X NBA Champion/Producer/Actor/Dancer" Rick Fox. Anyone know if #RobFord is on the mic for Game2 pep rally? J/K #MasiUjiri love your passion for your team — Rick Fox (@Rickafox) April 22, 20147:36: Youre not wrong, Bruce. Rob Ford is high ... up in the arena. — Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) April 22, 20148:11 BONUS! Drake lint rolls his pants. (h/t to @BenGolliver)8:13: Ford focus. Rob Ford gets a TSN shout-out! pic.twitter.com/Eiqqp3BGLq — Liam McGuire (@LiamRMcGuire) April 23, 20148:27: Wheres Fordo? Pretty sure the red dot at the centre of this photo is Mayor Ford. Up in the rafters tonight. #RapsOn1050 pic.twitter.com/KOGs14IOn0 — David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) April 23, 20148:47: His #SELFIE is in high demand Hafltime entertainment Nets-Raptors: Quick Change and fans taking photos and shaking hands with Toronto mayor Rob Ford. — Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) April 23, 2014 ' ' '