Never played any team sports, I boxed and did MMA before is was cool. I trained with pretty much anybody that was anybody in the mid 80's and early 90's including rolling with Royce Gracie. But the 2 guys I respected the most and was lucky enough to learn from on several occasions was Sherman Harrill
http://www.theihof.com/046-sherman-j-harrill and George Shin
http://www.theihof.com/072-george-shin-sr.
Sherman was one of those guys that could touch you and make it hurt more than getting full power punched by most. George was by far the most brutal man I have ever met in my life. Outside of training they are/were the most gentle, kind and friendly people I ever had the privilege to meet.