Kornheiser Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Originally posted by DSF Not at all, hes well within his rights to say no and still be the icon everyone has him pegged to be (Me included). I just think there is a way to be polite about it and not be a total prick when a kid or devoted fan, whatever the case may be, ask you for something. I dont care that he said no to the people I know, I do care when I come back to work and everyone is talking about how big of an a$$ he acted towards them at someone elses charity event. I just dont understand the rationale of why go to the charity event if your not in the mood to be engaging to the people at the event. But, I dont know all the facts behind it as i've already said. I dont think its a case of being self absorbed fans when I read all these stories about him being a prick to them on several occcasions. A little respect can go a long ways on both ends, but in the case i'm describing it was a charity event that he coulda easily said no to. Shrug. --Mental Break--- I remember meeting Dexter Manley when I was like 13 at Chuck E Cheese. He was there with his family as his son was celebrating a birthday and a horde of kids rushed him right when he got his pizza for autographs (Myself included at the urging of my mom which really pissed me off because I wanted to wait, but thats another story in itself =) ). He was as polite as could be in a situation that clearly could have called for rudeness and been forgiven. Then after dinner, he sat down at his own table away from his family and signed autographs for a good hour while his kids played. Only autograph I ever got in my life and I'm grateful for it :cry: Sport fans are no better than pouty children. If you don't get your autographs/candy you cry big-fat-meanie. Like pouty children, you can be polite as you want saying, "no" it will not be taken politely. And like pouty children, if you are not firm with your "no" it will be an invitation to repeat appeals. :applause: Love the Dexter Manley story. It marvelously illustrates my point - Dexter outruns cops on a highway ditching his crack-cocaine as he goes, but hey you got your autograph. :rotflmao: Darrell never has any trouble with the law, players, coaches, owners but if people don't get an autograph during a charity event for others, he's a prick. :cry: It's all about failed expectations. Don't place expectations on people, and you won't have to begrudge them when you don't get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 When it comes to autographs players will realise that the best way to make sure they arent increasing the likelihood its EBay bound is to get the "youngster's" name and then...... Sign e.g. "To ND Jr, ND." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSF Posted August 4, 2003 Author Share Posted August 4, 2003 Originally posted by Kornheiser [b} :applause: Love the Dexter Manley story. It marvelously illustrates my point - Dexter outruns cops on a highway ditching his crack-cocaine as he goes, but hey you got your autograph. :rotflmao: Darrell never has any trouble with the law, players, coaches but if people don't get an autograph during a charity event for others, he's a prick. :cry: [/b] Heh, ask me if I care what you think of the Dexter story? To a 13 year old kid it was everything. Obviously he didnt have his legal troubles then, if he did I'm sure moms wouldnt urge me to go up to him. It could have been Alvin Walton for all I care at the time. I was 13 and he was a redskin and he treated everyone there with a great deal amount of respect. I dont need another autograph experience to nullify that one. Just kinda ironic what happened him the following year, but oh well . :high: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BD Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 DG is a great guy. But I'm also well aware that he can be a jerk about the autograph thing. I've met him twice, both at DC charity events he was attending. At one, I saw a guy ask for DG's autograph, and he was firmly (not rude, but seriously) rebuffed. The guy was a little pissed about it, but I also saw that one of the things they were auctioning off at the event was a DG-signed football, starting at $1,000. I was a little surprised that DG wouldn't sign anything, but I thought about it afterward: Why should Darrell give this random guy a signature when he’s trying to make his autograph actually worth something, for charity’s sake? The more things you sign, the less anything you sign is worth. I also met DG at another charity event a few years later, and he was very nice, and politely answered some questions my younger brother asked him about the old days with the Redskins. I didn’t ask him for an autograph, and he wasn’t in a hurry to go anywhere. I think those two factors (which are both in all of these anecdotes) probably make all the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kornheiser Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Originally posted by DSF Heh, ask me if I care what you think of the Dexter story? To a 13 year old kid it was everything. Obviously he didnt have his legal troubles then, if he did I'm sure moms wouldnt urge me to go up to him. It could have been Alvin Walton for all I care at the time. I was 13 and he was a redskin and he treated everyone there with a great deal amount of respect. I dont need another autograph experience to nullify that one. Just kinda ironic what happened him the following year, but oh well . :high: Precisely. People don't care about others, it's all about themselves & what they get out it. People prefer autograph signing crackheads to non-autograph signing do-gooders. I think it's a shame, but it's true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Y Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 You cheer for him because he was on your team and was one of the best...Not because he was a nice guy.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
endzone_dave Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 If you turn down a kid asking for your autograph and there's no good reason to turn the kid down, then you're a prick, simple as that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Williams Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 even a great can have a bad day.....at least he's not like faulk...thats a prick.....try to get his auto. he'll say go away or pay me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Originally posted by KINGBRICE_28 even a great can have a bad day.....at least he's not like faulk...thats a prick.....try to get his auto. he'll say go away or pay me.... Kevin should watch out he is only a backup.......... oh you meant Marshall, hehe :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDoc69 Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 You know my Dad told me about this last year. Said his friend won a round of golf with Ken Harvey and he was talking to Ken Harvey's Body Guard (Not too sure why Ken Harvey needs a body guard) Any how the body guard was telling him that DG was the worst guy on the team and the biggest pain in the rear.. I kind of did not believe my Dad I guess just because I wanted to keep my impression of DG as pure and clean as it is. Some of the ideas raised are good ones. But this man claims to be a Christian man and he is treating people worse than the non-christians. Yes he does a great deal for the community and maybe he just doesn't want to be bugged all the time for his FB noterity. But that is the only thing many people care about... Oh well still one of my favorite 'Skins. Theisman is STILL an ******* but he is a Redskin.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
du7st Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 I guess I am the exception rather then the rule but I've never really idolized athletes or other famous people as a child. It always struck me as obvious that someone who can catch a football doesn't have to be a great guy. I've also never gone out of my way to try and meet any celebs/athletes. A couple years ago I was waiting for a table at a restaurant at a hotel when I saw Joe Montana checking in with his family. It didn't even enter my mind to go over and ask for his autograph until I told my dad that I just saw Joe Montana and he said "you should have got his autograph." I think the whole autograph thing needs to stop - if you want a picture then that should be OK but anything else is just annoying the guy and often exploiting him. It's basically like walking up to Bill Gates and asking him for $5. My dad has asked for some athletes autographs and has some pictures with others but his best memento from meeting someone famous was playing craps with Charles Barkley in Atlantic City. No picture, no autograph, just an experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelms Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Originally posted by KINGBRICE_28 even a great can have a bad day.....at least he's not like faulk...thats a prick.....try to get his auto. he'll say go away or pay me.... This was my personal experience with Marshall Faulk three years ago: I was at a celebrity golf tournament and Faulk is milling around his golf cart waiting for the folks ahead of him to tee off on the first hole. I'm about 10 ft. from the dude. Well, everyone was respectful of the participants and didn't ask autographs from any of them because they're getting ready to play a golf tournament. Well, the one exception was an 8 year old kid. The kid is wearing a Rams #28 jersey, he's wearing a Rams cap and he's got the biggest smile on his face. He walks up to Faulk, pen and paper in hand, with his mother right behind him, who is also wearing the biggest smile. She's got a camera in her hand just waiting to take a picture of her son meeting his hero (yes, it's ok for 8 year olds to have athletes as heroes). Well Faulk, Mr. Prick himself, tells the kid: "sorry, can't do it" and turns around and walks away. The kid looks like he's about to cry and the mom is pi$$ed off. I blurt out "what an a$$hole" knowing full well that Mr. Prick could hear me. There was a smattering of boos from the crowd also. Talk about a real jerk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 I met him last week, and was very surprised by how friendly and accommodating he was. I was only surprised because I couldn't imagine myself being so under the same circumstances. Perhaps people who have had a negative experience in meeting him have caught him on a bad day, or approached him in a way that he didn't think was appropriate. I can't really fault him for not signing stuff, if he wants the DGYLF to benefit from selling it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaganaut Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Just listen to him on WTEM 980 sometime. He had the DG show on after games last year and he was always testy. There are too many stories on this thread to ignore. I believe the stories about Monte Coleman and Mark Rypien, because you can just tell from their personalities that they loved other people. Darrell may love God, but he doesn't really love other people if he treats them the way he does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kornheiser Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Originally posted by du7st I guess I am the exception rather then the rule but I've never really idolized athletes or other famous people as a child. It always struck me as obvious that someone who can catch a football doesn't have to be a great guy. I've also never gone out of my way to try and meet any celebs/athletes. A couple years ago I was waiting for a table at a restaurant at a hotel when I saw Joe Montana checking in with his family. It didn't even enter my mind to go over and ask for his autograph until I told my dad that I just saw Joe Montana and he said "you should have got his autograph." I think the whole autograph thing needs to stop - if you want a picture then that should be OK but anything else is just annoying the guy and often exploiting him. It's basically like walking up to Bill Gates and asking him for $5. My dad has asked for some athletes autographs and has some pictures with others but his best memento from meeting someone famous was playing craps with Charles Barkley in Atlantic City. No picture, no autograph, just an experience. :notworthy: Absolutely. Focus on the immaterial, not the material. If the worst thing you can say about a guy is - he doesn't do autograghs?? - you've paid him a far greater compliment than insult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riggins44 Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 I think alot has to do autograph hounds getting autographs and then selling them on ebay. In all sports, the players are reluctant to give autographs even to kids. These people have taken the fun out of being an idol. Heard a story about where these people would give kids a golf ball and have them seek out a Tiger Woods or Palmer for an autograph. For each ball signed would give them a few bucks. I believe this is a factor in why DG wouldn't sign for kids. I feel DG would give an autograph to a kid if he knew for certain it wasn't for profit. Guess it's the times we live in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 nelms Yeah that sounds like a real prick. What's funny is, the impression you get from interviews and things like that is of a friendly, if occasionally moody guy. But the reality is, he's an a-hole and has, if I'm not mistaken, a bunch of kids outside marriage(with different women too, right?) How the hell do you turn down an 8 year old kid wearing your JERSEY?? Even if he didn't sign and explained to the kid why, like Bill Russell, the kid would have understood(and he'd have a photo anyway.) I know that being a great athlete doesn't make you a great person, but my experience at MY various jobs, is that people are generally pleasant or at least functional as human beings in social situations. Why are so many of THESE guys, a-holes? Is it because they've been spoiled most of their lives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 riggins, You bring up a good point. If I'm ever a successful writer or actor, I might refuse or grudgingly sign if a 40 year old guy interrupts me during my meal with my wife. But I would not CARE if they profited from my autograph? Ok, so someone gets a kid to get a signature. So what? If I throw out my garbage and someone finds a collectible in there and sells it, how does the impact me? It may create more autograph hounds, but the WAY to deal with it is Bill Russell style. Talk to them, explain your policy, but treat them kindly and even take a photo with them. The true fans will love you for it, and the autograph profiteers will go away as soon as you mention it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 And to think I convinced my wife to name her new dog Darrell.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Heck, did anyone read the SI article a few weeks back with Bo Jackson? I think it's cool that he hunts and fishes and have no issue with him shooting a raccoon that's threatening his wife, but he seemed to take too much pride in being a jerk in his youth, and said the reason he hunts is "because it's illegal to kill stupid people." Um, with Bo's past, I wish I could believe that was merely a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuji869 Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 That is it, this post is too traumatic for me! Because the shock of Darrell Green being a such a bad person I have taken down my Darrell Green Stuff in my sports rooms and taken my Darrell Green Jerseys to Good Will! I think us as fans need to pressure Mr. Snyder not to retire # 28 this season and start a movement to remove him from the Redskin's Ring of Honor and no name shall never be mentioned again during a Redskins Home Game. Heck the man should be kicked out of the D. C. Metro Area and forced to move to a place like Dallas, Philadelphia, or New York where they hate the Redskins so he can learn to the love he got in D. C. :rant: Just kidding, just had to say that! # 28 will always have a special place in Redskin History for what he as done on the field and his work with the DGYLF! :wavetowel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsanity56 Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 don't care about the average fans,but HOW can u say no to the kids.i never held him in high esteem anyways.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeSkin Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 This is a sidenote, but while we're on the topic of ******* celebrities...my brother's friend used to be a flight attendent on Al Gore's plane. Apparently Gore was a total prick to everybody and acted like the staff was a bunch of peons. Now he works on Air Force One and he says Bush almost never comes out of his office. At least he's not a dick like Gore was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyward72 Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 I just think its wrong to treat people, espically kids, with such disregard. Really sad to hear. Go to Ebay and take a look, even certified autos of DG don't really get a lot of attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosperity Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Leave him alone, just because he doesnt sign autographs (he probably got tired of doing them for 20 years of his life just so people can go out and sell them) If he was a jerk he would not be so involved in so many charities. Stop spreading negative rumors about one of the best Redskins in our history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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