Kevin, I get that no one likes to be scammed. But if that’s the reason they don’t sign, it’s not hurting the attempted scammer, its hurting the fans who, like you wanting Sharpes autograph, want that treasured keepsake. So a few jerks get in line to try to make a few bucks, and the athletes use that to hurt the REAL fans.
Some day those millionaires will WISH someone wanted their autograph.
And what about the fans that can’t get to Green Bay to get a treasured signature? Maybe the only way they can get one of their favorite player is to go on eBay and pay for one. So the scammer makes a few bucks and some person that lives far away can get one.
Is that so bad?
I think a lot of players use it as an excuse to blow off fans and not give a few minutes of their time to make someone’s day.
JMO of course.
Originally Posted by: Cheesey
It's funny. You see them as millionaires and I see them as people. 😕
I don't understand why you're trying to argue with me. Did I not give you an autograph or something? Shoot, send me whatever it is you want signed and I'll ink it up!
I am going to disagree with you on your thinking that a lot of players use their signature being sold as an excuse to blow off fans and not make their day.
You have to understand that these are HUMAN BEINGS just like you, just like me, just like your neighbor. When they are out grocery shopping, they don't want to be stopped at every aisle by a flock of people asking for autographs.
Putting myself in their shoes (at least trying to). I would probably go the way of (I think) Dale Earnhardt Jr who basically signs anything and everything for everyone. If it's not that thorough, I do know he tries to sign as much as he can because he gets how people are about him and feels there will come a day (like you said) where people won't want his autograph or time.
Look, I am not saying I agree with athletes stiffing 100 people of a signature because 3 might sell it for a buck. I am saying I understand where they are coming from. Personally, I would hope I would sign everything for anyone because I know how valuable those memories are to me.
The amount of athletes who don't sign at games or practices is so fractional it's not even funny. Most athletes like signing for kids because they like making their day. Living in Green Bay you can run into a lot of Packers players. Sharpe is the ONLY one I remember ever telling me no on a signature. In fact, I don't think I ever asked again, but I bumped into a lot of players. Tuesday at Best Buy was a great time to find them! You would be amazed how many times I would just say hello you kicked ass vs whomever and they'd be like "hey man thanks, you want me to sign something for ya?"
I know you've had a lot of jaded experiences, but Alan, athletes are not bad people. There are so many who do so much good and go so far out of their way ... its mind boggling. It absolutely infuriates me how the media takes the less than 1% and writes article after article about the bad. There is so much good that we don't hear about and it's a shame.