I (Vincent) was in Memphis, Tennessee last week on an assignment to photograph a basketball game between the New York Knicks and The Memphis Grizzlies. I entered the Fed Ex Forum in plenty of time to head down to the media dining area for
a plate of BBQ that only Memphis is known for. As I prepared to load up my plate, I noticed that it was a $5 charge for the meal. Now, some arenas have a complimentary meals and others charge, so I didn’t give it much thought beforehand and didn’t have any cash on me.
I stood there, looking like the fool, as I contemplated heading up to the concession stands for a quick bite. For some reason, I looked to my left and saw two gentleman enjoying their meal so I threw away my pride and asked if I could borrow a five spot. The man to my left, without hesitation, said sure and pulled the bill out of his pocket. I thanked him a few times, promising that I would mail the money back to him. He said no problem, and I went to grab my plate. As I paid, I asked the woman in charge of taking the money for that man’s name so I could send him the money back. She did, but it looked like she made a mistake. Now, our last name Pugliese is extremely uncommon away from New York. In fact, in most places that I have lived, I was the only Pugliese in that phone book.
So you can imagine my surprise when I saw “John Pugliese” written on my paper. I asked her if she made a mistake, and she assured me that she did not. Curious and slightly uncomfortable, I went back and asked for his name. As he told me, I lifted my press pass to reveal the odd coincidence. His reaction was wonderful, like it was the last name he expected to see. “What are the odds?” he said, as he immediately forgave me of the debt because we’re family! John has been an employee of the Grizzlies since they were in Vancouver and moved to Memphis with the team moved in 2001. He is from Toronto, and when I informed my father of this, my dad mentioned that we have relatives in Toronto as well!
As we were eating, he mentioned that he is the only Pugliese in Memphis. And that everyone he meets has just as hard of a time pronouncing his name as well, so around there they call him “Pugs”. So out of a population of 650,000, the first person I meet in Memphis is the only one I share a last name with. Pretty funny stuff.
Oh, and to my new found cousin- The check is in the mail!
Here are a few images from the game!