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

[DTLB58]

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!

[Nzoner]

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.

[RibKing67]

Originally Posted by Nzoner

,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.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Nzoner

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.

You are one persistent m'fer.

[Skip Towne]

Greedy Gonzales is a a pos.

[Tiger's Fan]

Originally Posted by Nzoner

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.

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.

[penguinz]

No

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Nzoner

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.

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

[Consistent1]

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.

[Mecca]

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"

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by Nzoner

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.

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

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

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.

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.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by Buster Hymen

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.

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.

[Tiger's Fan]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

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.

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.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

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.

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.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by Buster Hymen

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.

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.