SAN ANTONIO — Uber drivers never know who they will pick up for a ride, but one San Antonio driver got the passenger of a lifetime: San Antonio Spurs' Jeremy Sochan.
"I didn’t even know it was him," Uber driver Jesse Casas said.
Casas remembers the drive when he was chatting with Sochan about music when he mentioned how he works with Uber to earn extra income for his family.
"We were talking on the way there, and I was mentioning Uber is an extra form of income because I have three kids, and they need things like shoes, clothes, pampers, and milk," he said.
Casas' story must have touched Sochan's generosity when the ride was complete.
As Sochan exited the car and paid his bill, Casas noticed he had received a $200 tip for an $8 car ride.
It left him happily astonished, and he chased Sochan to let him know he did not have to give him such a large tip amount.
"I was surprised but also felt bad for taking the $200.00 from him. So I stopped the car and went to talk to him before he went inside his home," he said. "It’s the most I ever have been tipped, and his original bill was like $8."
Casas says Sochan told him to keep the tip, use it to provide for his family, and buy sneakers for his children.
"His tip helped my family, and I can’t express how much I appreciate it," he said.
And as much as it was a day he would never forget, Casas' son was also slightly disappointed that there was no Sochan autograph or game tickets.
"My son was a little mad that I didn’t get tickets to a game or signature on a basketball. My son really would have love to meet him since he is his favorite basketball player. He was jealous I met him."
Sochan's generous act is precisely what the team means when it says it is about serving the local community.
The Spurs are front and center during the holiday season, engaging with residents and much more. If outdoor parks need renovations, the Silver and Black are there.
The aim is to improve not just on the hardwood but also improve the city and give back to the fans who support them every season.
And for Casas, Sochan's act will leave a lasting impact.
"I also wanted to let him know that my family is extremely appreciative of his generosity," he said.