SUN CITY, South Africa -- The first time he met Nelson Mandela, Gary Player got on his knees and kissed the former political prisoners feet. 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. Toronto Raptors Pro Shop . Some teams got significantly better, some teams divested themselves of talent and some teams had quiet afternoons, keeping the status quo. Patrick McCaw Jersey . General manager David Poile called signing Ribeiro a great opportunity to add a talented, experienced and creative centre Tuesday when he introduced the veteran at a news conference. Ribeiros contract is worth $1.05 million after being bought out of the final three years of a $22 million contract by the Coyotes recently. https://www.cheapraptors.com/783a-shamorie-ponds-jersey-raptors.html . -- The Sacramento Kings havehtml[/url] . -- The Sacramento King claimed forward Travis Outlaw off waivers under the NBAs new amnesty provision, filling out the frontcourt with another veteran. P. J. Tucker Jersey . Patrik Bartosak turned away 50-of-52 shots for thchalted their losing streak at seven games. Trailing 2-1 after 40 minutes of play, Feser forced overtime with his second goal of the game at 5:35 of the third period. Cheap Raptors Jerseys . The Calgary Stampeders announced both moves on Wednesday. Parker played 17 regular season games with the Stampeders in 2013, setting career-highs in catches (21) and yards (217).KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Moore was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury and will see Dr. James Andrews for further exams after an MRI exam was inconclusive. Rays general manager Andrew Friedman said Moore would see Dr. Andrews in the next two days for "a more thorough exam." Moore left in the fifth inning Monday night with disscomfort in his elbow after throwing a changeup to Kansas City Royals right fielder Nori Aoki.dddddddddddd Friedman says it is "standard practice" for the team to put a pitcher on the DL go to these situations. Moore won 17 games last season, but also missed 31 games with a sore elbow. The Rays recalled left-hander Jeff Beliveau from Triple-A Durham. ' ' '