Sidney Crosby is not too big for any room — even a basement.

A public figure most of his life, Crosby remains polite, easily amused and humble. He also is still unwilling to acknowledge the obvious.

“I don't think Sid thinks of himself as an idol,” said Jimmy Cohen. “ We all think of him that way.”

Cohen, 56, was one of several members of Sandy Darling's family that greeted Crosby at Darling's Squirrel Hill residence Monday. They had never met before, but Cohen had an accurate read on Crosby.

“To sit here and say I do things without thinking, I'd be lying,” Crosby said. “But I do normal things. I don't think I'm a celebrity. I play hockey.”

Crosby, 26, will open his ninth NHL training camp — seventh as Penguins captain — Wednesday. He and 13 teammates spent Monday afternoon delivering season tickets to fans.

Crosby's genuine eagerness to participate in the annual ticket delivery is part of what makes him a “great ambassador for hockey in our city and region,” Penguins CEO David Morehouse said in August.

From providing families of sick children luxury-suite tickets to Penguins games to equipping local youth players with free hockey gear, Crosby has seemingly used any power that comes with his profile — and fortune — for good.