Do pro athletes have a responsibility to sign for their fans?
 

I wrote this shortly after returning home from River Falls in early August.

I know there aren't a lot of Herm fans here right now, but here's another way to look at things. Guess it's not always about the X's and O's.

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Do pro athletes have a responsibility to sign for their fans? By Mark Kappel



For years fans have chased after their favorite athletes, waited in long lines at organized autograph signing sessions, (I have waited as long as 5 hours under the hot sun to obtain an autograph) paid literally hundreds if not thousands of dollars just to get a signature of the athlete on a treasured piece of sports memorabilia. A lot of athletes will even sign for free and most of them do it willingly especially for kids.

But what happens when the athlete gives the fan a cold shoulder?

I recently encountered such a moment and it got me thinking, if what I was asking for was the right thing to do and what was the athlete thinking when he denied me the autograph?

I’m not here to unequivocally say what is right or wrong because to do that, I think one would have to have spent a day in both the fan and the athlete’s shoes and I have not done that. I merely will share my story and bring to light a few issues.

From the fans perspective: I would say the #1 reason for the fan to obtain an autograph is so that he or she can say and have proof that they met the athlete. In today’s Internet world we can basically buy anything with anyone’s named on it if you just take the time to search and have the money. But to actually have the item signed right in front of you so that you know it’s not a forged signature is pretty special.

Secondly, to have the prized piece of memorabilia displayed to admire and show off to others in a room that reminds us of memories of when and how it was obtained is nice.

Lastly, for the money. Let’s face it, there are a lot of people out there looking to make a buck off of someone else’s name. I met two such individuals at a recent signing session. They told me they were not fans of any specific team or players that were their that night just as autograph seekers and that one day down the road when they retire they are going to sell everything they have collected over the years and use it to help supplement their income.

This probably leads us to the #1 reason for athletes that don’t want to sign. As I mentioned earlier it seems the athlete is more willingly to sign if the seeker is a child. They probably think that the youngster is a lot more likely to hang on to the cherished item they just received rather than run out to the nearest street corner or favorite on-line auction site and sell it to the highest bidder.

Secondly, and arguably first in some eyes, invasion of privacy. Who wants to always be hounded down when you’re out in public? Maybe you are with the family trying to enjoy some quality time only to have your conversation interrupted by a fan seeking that elusive personalized autograph!

Thirdly, The athlete just doesn’t feel it’s their obligation to sign. It’s a hassle, they might be in a hurry, late for an important appointment and this clown is following me around, don’t they have anything better to do? Get a Life, they may feel like saying.

So why shouldn’t athletes sign at will for autograph seekers? Most would argue that we as fans pay their salaries.
The club owners get write-offs to depreciate their high salaries. Taxpayers help build new stadiums and arenas.
Some fans like myself that have spent thousands of dollars through the years (34 to be exact) on their team and favorite players jersey’s, player cards, game tickets, etc and shed many a tears through the ups and downs not mentioning defending their team through good and bad that we may feel the player owes us to take a few minutes out of their day to say thank you for all the support through the years.

Is that too much to ask? Apparently, as you will read next, for one player that was too much to ask for.

On a Saturday morning in early August, my oldest son, Nick, and I, made the 3 ½ hour, 187 mile trip up to River Falls, Wisconsin location of the summer home of the Kansas City Chiefs training camp.

Before leaving for training camp I heard a press statement from Chiefs Tight End, Tony Gonzalez earlier in the week. He had stated he was 95% sure he was playing next season but not sure of his playing future after that. With Tony being one of, if not the biggest star players for the Chiefs and a sure thing for the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day. I thought this is the time to get his autograph like I had done so many other players at training camp in past years. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to obtain his signature. The rumor I had heard from others in past years at training camp, that, aside from the team scheduled organized 20 minute signing sessions (Family fun night) Tony was most inclined to sign if you were female, blonde and shall we say…. well endowed on their top half. (More on this later).
But I searched on-line anyhow found the jersey I wanted him to autograph, had it shipped overnight (Cha Ching!) to ensure its arrival on time. The next day the jersey arrived and so we were ready to go.

Upon arrival in River Falls we met up with some friends (Bill and son, Andy) that had already been up in the North woods as some call it for 2 days. We had some lunch, spent a little time chatting.

After lunch, Bill mentioned that we could tour the Chiefs training facilities. Through the years visiting training camp, Bill had made some friends and this particular one had access to some areas at the college. So we headed over to the sports complex and sure enough before we know it we were inside that white building at the end of the playing field which for so many years before had seemed so off limits with it’s tight security and signs surrounding the exterior reading “Chiefs personnel only beyond this point! We were shown the weight room and then the player’s locker room. Our tour guide allowed us to take a picture sitting in front of Tony Gonzalez’s locker holding his helmet! Wow! That was something special.

After our tour, Bill drove down to where the player’s dorms are where they stay while in town. Shortly after we drove up players and coaches started coming out to get into their cars.

We first saw and approached, Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe and Quarterback, Brodie Croyle. I asked Brodie if he would autograph the Chiefs hat I was wearing and he politely obliged. Bill and his son, Andy got pictures with Dwayne.

Next out came Herm Edwards, Head Coach of the Chiefs. Bill asked if we could take pictures with him and Herm also politely did so. First with my son, Nick, and me, then with Bill and Andy. (I have this picture in an 8 X 10 frame on my wall next to where I am writing this). The picture will remain special to me for a long time not only for who is in the picture but because of the memory I have of how Herm greeted us that day. The professional way he handled himself when some strange fans walked up to him. Starting with a warm smile, a firm handshake, a few laughs, and even took the time after the picture to answer a few team related questions.

A few minutes later out came who I had been waiting for! Tony Gonzalez. As I started my fast paced walk towards Mr. Gonzalez, I heard Andy behind me saying there ya go Mark, you’re going to get it. As I got closer to him I saw Bill and Nick who were ahead of me slowing and turning around. Tony had said to them “You guys aren’t supposed to be over here” (the dorms). I continued anyways, and asked him if he would sign my jersey? (I was wearing the bright red new # 88) he said NO! I’ll catch ya tonight at Family fun night. With that, Tony got in his vehicle and drove off.

All the years of supporting, cheering, and watching as he broke all the records and scored all those touchdowns seemed distant and unimportant. I wished at that moment, our paths had not crossed that day so the image I had of him had not been tarnished.

I tried to think what it was that we did to him to respond that way? He said we weren’t supposed to be over there, but there were no signs saying so, no security personnel or roped off areas to keep fans away. The head coach of the team had just met us in that same parking lot and said nothing of the sort. I wondered if I was a 7 year old kid would that have made him react differently and if so, was I doing something childish as an adult then?

Family Fun night came and passed without me getting the Jersey signed. There were 1,700 fans there, hoping that the 20 minutes allowed by Chiefs officials was enough time to get the signature they wanted. As I watched the crowd around Tony, many being little kids it didn’t seem as important to get the signature as before.

After the festivities at the stadium we all headed back to the popular restaurant in town where we had met for lunch earlier that day. As I was sitting at our table a woman at the bar turned to me and started saying something I couldn’t hear her over the music so I walked over to where she was sitting and she said, “Tony Gonzalez signed his size 12 football cleats and gave them to me” I told her we had met him over at the dorms earlier in the day and he wouldn’t sign for me. She said “Yea, I heard” She then exclaimed “I must be special” I just smiled, nodded and walked back over to our table to finish my meal, when I looked back over to the lady I just spoken with I realized two things about her, she was a) blonde and b) no wait, make that D as in probably a 40D bra size!

I went up there that day hoping to meet a player I idolized,and to thank him for all he had given as a Chief through the years. Instead, I returned with renewed respect and admiration for a man I thought I didn’t like very much but now know different. Thanks Coach!

I never figured out the allure of having someone's autograph. Even more, why would you pay for it?

So I guess, no, they don't have a responsibility.

**** no.

Fans are pathetic.

Meh, I don't know. I've never been even close to either party in your story, so its tough for me to say.

But, just based on the sheer volume of people that love Gonzo, he's gonna have to turn down an autograph or two.
Posted via Mobile Device

Tony's always had that reputation.

Personally, I only have or attain my childhood heroes autographs, with current players that are playing now while I'm an adult I concur.

to a certain extent ... yes

Eh, I'm sure it gets annoying, but the fans do pay your salary. Then again I'm sure it's frustrating to see people selling shit you've signed on eBay. I wouldn't have a problem with a "kids only" policy, sorry but if you're an adult and trying to get an autograph you're either going to sell it or you're a tool.

Yes, they have a responsibility to attend and sign at team scheduled events like family fun night or other such events and appearances throughout the season as is likely spelled out in a player's contract. Other than that, nope. Everyone thinks why not this one little time, or it's for my kid, but multiply that by every place an athlete goes and is constantly hounded.

It surely isn't personal when they decline, they just set up some basic rules for themselves individually and try to stick to it. My family encountered #88 during the ProBowl festivities at a local restaurant and dance club, and he was a treat to be around. Maybe the end of season party atmosphere is different than when in camp working hard.

Even if someone sells it, what's the big deal. Wow, they can sell it and make $50 bucks. To an athlete making 10 million a year what's the harm in letting some ordinary joe supplement his income by a few hundred dollars a year?

QFT

Think about this, would you like to leave your home and have some random guy come up to you and ask you to sign something? How about everywhere you go, the same thing happens.

I've seen guys go to sporting events just to get autographs. I've seen the same guy at different sporting events in this area stay after the game just to get his plastic bags filled with shit signed. I'm assuming he just sells them on ebay.

I wouldn't even do that unless it is personalized to that person... DJ came to my job once for a charity event and to sign stuff.. One of those sports memorabilia shops paid kids to get stuff signed for them in addition to what the guy was getting signed..

I would only sign stuff that something along the lines.."thanks for being a fan, John Doe.. Tony g..."

There's no "harm", but that's not what the spirit of asking for an autograph is all about. It would annoy the hell out of me to have people constantly interrupting my life just so they can make a few bucks off of my name.

Probably because those that are doing it are making a couple thousand to tens of thousand a year..

I believe that players should be graceful enough to sign a few autographs here and there.

I also believe there's a code fans should abide by when asking though.
First and foremost, don't approach someone while they're eating.

Pro athletes should only sign autographs for kids, period.

I don't think there's anything wrong with adult autograph-seekers.
Of course there is the "sell the newly signed materials on Ebay" contingent, but there are some who are purely just fans of the player, team or sport.

not off this team they ain't.

The people that do this, do it for more then one team or teams...

ummmm... i kinda knew that. just trying to jab at the team a little.

touche

Totally agree. Otherwise, it's just lame. Boobs being the exception.

I've met Tony G several times away from Arrowhead.Enough that he knows my name. We are not friends or anything like that just that he knows me from charity work.

I've been to Tony G's place down on the Plaza. I've seen him in public numerous times. Every second of every day when he's in KC in public someone is trying to get his autograph or get a picture with him.

I've never seen him be rude or mean to a fan.

Just my experience.

The kids thing is dumb. Most kids don't give a crap anyway. They get dragged out to camp when they would rather go to Chuck E. Cheese. They get autographs they don't even care about, and the parents take them. Then they get ice cream later for doing so. There are a lot of true fans among kids, but many could care less. Sign, or don't sign. It's that simple. I have always thought Gonzo came across as a douche. He refuses to sign stuff that a fan obviously bought. Then some big titties get in his way and he gives away something the damn team pays for. Sign, or don't sign. I wish this guy could get his my back from buying the damn jersey. What an asshat if it all really went down like that. At least the idiot won't "get married" because he knows he would be lying.

While the fans pay Tony's salary, I guess I don't think he should be on call 24/7 to sign autographs anywhere they find him. As a fan, I pay his salary* to catch footballs and block Broncos headfirst into the turf. I don't view autograph signing as part of his job duties.




*I'm not sure I really pay his salary since I average about $50 in Chiefs-related purchases per year, but let's run with the assumption.

Based on the initial reaction by Gonzalez ("You guys aren't supposed to be over here"), it's clear to me that he wasn't expecting to see any fans in that area. Maybe your host who got you access could have initially approached the players/coaches you were seeking to explain the purpose of your presence. You even said there were off-limits signs around. The Chiefs are entitled to their space and, more importantly, a sense of security. So, bottom line: You really have a half-full glass for getting the autographs/photso you did without getting the dogs (security guards) called on you.

At least wait till they have a cocktail after dinner. J/K

I dont think they are responsible to sign and I know that some can not sign due to contract agreements. It is written into alot of contracts how many autographs are to be done and on what team merchandise.

Personally I think it would be an honor for people to want my autograph.
I think the celebrity and the cash go to these players heads so fast they soon dont care much about fans anyway. They are better than us you know.

or a collector?

Whats wrong with getting an autograph. I mean acting like a school girl who just met Justin Timberlake is one thing..but I dont see whats wrong with getting an autograph..People buy autographed memorabilia all the time..why not get it in person for free?

You can collect things that aren't autographed. And as far as the rest of your post, I just don't see the significance of having someone's autograph other than using it for financial gain.

I have my own little story about Tony G.Let me preface by saying that anyone who has seen my gameroom knows how much of an NFL and Chiefs addict I am.I have many collectibles and yes some of them I have had autographed when the opportunity has presented itself and no,not once have I ever thought about trying to sell anything.

Anyhow,I'm at the HOF induction a few years ago(when Coach Stram and Marcus Allen were inducted) and I happened to be out in the stadium concourse when Tony came out of a door.There was no one else around and all I had was a Chiefs cap but I thought what the hell I'll approach him nicely and see what happens,I mean after all it was a special weekend for KC fans and my thinking was that an autograph from a future KC HOF'er would be awesome in the gameroom and the memory of when I got it.

I approached Tony and simply said something like,"Hi Tony,could I get an autograph for my cap?"Tony continued to walk away from me not saying a word acting as if I did not exist.I kept pace with him and asked again and still the same reaction,nothing.Finally,I basically said,"man you've got to be kidding me,if you only knew how much I spent on this team supporting you guys,maybe you'd see things differently." I rambled a bit more about not wanting to sell the cap etc etc and Tony stops dead in his tracks,turns around,takes my cap and sharpie,signs the cap,hands it back and turns and walks off not saying one word between us.

I still have the cap hanging in the gameroom to this day but whenever I look at it I'm not reminded of a pleasant experience.I do appreciate these guys have lives too but I also believe if it were not for we the fans their lives wouldn't be near as great.

I'm also reminded of seeing Lamar Hunt at a Red Friday at Arrowhead on the other side of a large wire fence and I called out to him and he turned and walked towards the mrs and I and came right up to the fence.We had some small talk and I asked if he'd be kind enough to sign a commemorative t-shirt I had and he was more than happy to do so and then thanked us for attending the event.Why do I share this part,because at least in my eyes the level of importance of the two aforementioned men isn't even close and the one man of the two who could've kept walking and I would've totally understood was the man who turned and made the effort to approach us and then thanked us for being fans.

Character. That is what Lamar had and Tony lacks (allegedly).

Great story BTW.

You are one persistent m'fer.

Greedy Gonzales is a a pos.

Being a n00b but a long time lurker, I know you're a pretty cool dude, and a great Chiefs fan. Having said that, this is the kind of behavior I absolutely hate, and why I'd never sign anything if I were in his place.

No

Pathetic. You are a grown man. Act like one.

I may have been a little hard on Tony in my first post in this thread. He has always just struck me as a great player with kind of a dick vibe. I am sure he is real cool in those charity situations and all. When there are not tons of fans around, and people have obviously purchased Chiefs stuff, just sign and say thanks for being a fan. If there are bunches of people lined up, then the guys do have to draw the line somewhere. I think most fans see and respect that.

Look just because an autograph means nothing to you doesn't mean that it is the same way for every other person. Look I fully understand a guy getting upset if you bother him when he's eating or on a date or something like that, that's disrespectful.

But asking for a signing at the HOF or at camp when he's by himself isn't a big deal, you're asking for roughly 5 seconds of his day.

Some players are not nice people, it's just like life, some people are nice some aren't. Sometimes the great player for your team that you love on the field is someone that if you knew him in real life you wouldn't like him. It's funny though the guys who have bad reps are sometimes some of the nicer people where guys who have good ones sometimes aren't...

I met Tony once, and I've met Terrell Owens once, Owens was infinitely nicer than Gonzalez was, you'd never know that with their "reps"

When he tried to hand it back to you, you should have just turned around and walked away.

BTW, I've never asked him for an autograph. I did get a picture taken with him once at a charity function thanking us volunteers but since then I've not asked to take another picture or sign something for a charity auction.

I've got some pics taken with players at Red Friday functions but thats all I ever do anymore. I'd rather talk to the guy, shake his hand that have him sign something.

Why? It doesn’t sound like Mr. Nzoner was being rude, and having known the guy for a few years I don’t doubt his friendliness. Why is it such a problem to expend no more energy or time than to sign your name? Seems like a pretty simple yet effective way of saying thanks for making me a millionaire. :shrug:

If you look at it from TGs perspective, that 5 seconds happens to him all day, everyday. From a fans perspective, it's only 5 seconds out of THEIR life.

While I don't approve of what he did if there was anyone who deserved a little sumpthin' it's Joe. It just goes to show that you shouldn't put these players up on a pedestal when they could give a rat's ass about you. Being a hardcore fan just means getting shit on for the most part.

True, but in Mr. Nzoner’s story Tony wasn’t being accosted by a group of fans, they were alone and he asked nicely. I wouldn’t think it would be that difficult to be nice in return but this also isn’t the first story like this I’ve heard, read, about Tony.

That bolded sentence is so true.
I cringe lightly inside when as Chiefs fans we talk about the Chiefs as if we had anything to do with their game. Talking about “we” did this or “we” did that. I always think to myself, “no, a bunch of guys that probably wouldn’t like you if they knew you did it.”

Sure I have had my favorite players and took a personal interest in their lives away from the football field but...........

I cheer for the jersey not the current player(s) in the jersey. I'm a fan of the KC Chiefs. If your on my team cool, if not F*k off.

They are humans and a man just like we are. He can catch a football big whoop.

I always thought my mrs had an account here

What kind of behavior exactly?I asked nicely,couldn't he have at least acknowledged my presence and said something like,"I'm real sorry but I got a ride to catch."

If anyone's behavior should be questioned it's the athlete,I mean just acknowledge the fact that you've been spoken to.

Once he showed no interest in signing you look like just as much an ass to keep following and asking.

:nzoner: MR MR... Would you like a margarita?
:Tony ahhhhh thanks kid....... Rubs nzoners head
Tony leaves with hot bitches

:tony hey kid.. here you go!

*plops jockstrap on head*

I'll give you another quick story from that same HOF weekend,when I wasn't asking for an autograph nor would I have tried.Al Saunders comes bolting out of a door onto the concourse at halftime of the game to get a pop and me being the outgoing personality I am I shout ,"Hey Al!"

Saunders stops,turns and comes over to me,in a full concourse and says,"hey how ya doin" and offers his hand.Of course I shake it and in doing so I say,"Just wanted to say good luck this year."He in turn says,"thanks and thanks so much for coming to see us."

Yeah, once I got ten years older than the rookies, I pretty much decided that I don't want to know anything about the players other than their performance on the field. I've got way too much ego to idolize a person ten years younger than me (well, other than Ultra Peanut, but that's a one-time exception).

You're totally undervaluing his blocking ability.

I agree that he should have at least acknowledged you. It's just got to get old for him. I know I'm in the minority on this, but thats just the way I feel. I have a kid shooting a pilot right now, and I worry about him in this respect also.

Whatever dude you have your opinion,like I said earlier my gameroom is an NFL/Chiefs museum and every collectible I own has a story behind it.I'm not saying I should get special treatment because of the money I've invested in this team but damn well know if you don't have at least the respect to acknowledge you've been spoken to,I can be just as much of an ass as you are being.

Hey man I respect your opinion and know this,my gameroom is not full of autographs,I'm not a hound if you will nor do I idolize these guys,however ,there are certain moments(HOF weekend,camp,Red Friday)when I will try and get an autograph or two to capture the memory a little more.

I understand.
It’s been probably 12-13 years ago but a friend and I went to watch some kick boxing in Tulsa when Tommy Morrison showed up at ringside. No more had he warmed his seat than a crowd of autograph hounds formed a line and without asking just expected him to sign whatever they stuffed in his face.
I felt sorry for him, can’t even just relax and enjoy sporting event, so I didn’t join the line.
To his credit, he politely signed everything handed to him until the event ended and he left.
But this is a different circumstance than Mr. Nzoner described. I don’t think he’s out of line for asking.

He was a good sport. Made sure every fan got aids no matter what the age

Not out of line for asking. But once TG displayed no interest there is no reason to follow him and continue to ask him.

agreed, even Chiefs players need their privacy. I know I would get tired of it

I dunno, it's hard to defend a player acting like that if they're on "company time" so to speak, but if they're out in the general public they shouldn't be bothered.

If he never acknowledges that Mr. Nzoner is even there how is he supposed to know that Tony heard him?
A simple “I don’t have time”, or even a “**** off” would’ve done the trick, I’d think.
But in the end, I don’t fault Mr. Nzoner for asking, even asking more than once, and I wouldn’t expect any more of Tony having a few friends with the same type of experience with him.

I still have my Lake Dawson, Keith Cash, Neil Smith, Derrick Thomas, Dan Saleumua, JJ BIrden, Hasty, Lewis, Anders, Lowery, Lin Elliot, Cherry, Marcus Allen, Montana, Tracy Simien and various others autographs.

Is it the players right? Nope. BUT..as a fan of the game and a collector, I would never demand to have a card/football/jersey signed and then turn around to sell it.

Lake Dawson and Dan Saleaumua were probably the two nicest pro athletes I've ever met. I still see Dawson every now and then down here in Nashville, and he's always incredibly personable and friendly.

ive never ever had a problem getting autographs.


ever.

Bingo,just a yes or no,but don't act like I don't exist

When the first couple of sentences out of your mouth is autograph
it sure sounds like you care more for the signature than the athlete
Edwards and the Hunts the public eye is part of their jobs -players no

I've asked for an autograph once
and felt like a complete tool doing so

PBJ First Down Samie PBJ was a hell of a pass catcher
before getting carpel tunel from signing autographs 24/7

He shouldn't be doing that. How is the plane going to land?

it will land ok. just be a little firmer on contact than usual.

My wife, 9 year old son, and I, went to the Chiefs OTA here in St. Joseph. After it was over the players hung around to sign autographs. The players finsished up and were heading out to leave, when my son started calling out to Dustin Colquit who was clear across the field heading up to the locker rooms, my son was holding a football for Dustin to sign.

Dustin turned and ran a good 80 yards back across the field to sign that one autograph for my son, what a great guy.

I don't know about all that when there are plenty of dollars going into all their pockets. Not many fans are buying Carl Peterson suits. Lots of 88 jerseys though. Players are the ones that real fans want to see. They are the ones that are in the public eye. The guys should be good about it for the most part. I'd sign everything put in front of me if I had that much money and so many real fans. Maybe some dude makes his $50 off of you, who cares? Lots of people just want to have a memory, or something to display. If nobody wants your damn autograph, what does that say?