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

[Bugeater]

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.

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by GoBo

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.

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..."

[dj56dt58]

Originally Posted by GoBo

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.

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?

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by dj56dt58

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.

[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.

[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.

[Nzoner]

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.

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.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Nzoner

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]

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."