January 24th, 2012 
Walt J. Whenever I think of athletes and their interactions with fans, I remember this episode.
My love of football and the San Francisco 49ers goes back to my childhood, watching football with my Uncle Doug when I was eight years old. Guys like Jerry Rice, Roger Craig and Steve Young were some of my favorites, however none of them as much as Joe Montana. Recently, thanks to my dear friend Tim, I was able to attend a Montana autograph signing at a store that will remain nameless. I was actually going to have a chance to meet a childhood hero and one of the all-time greats. Now I’ve been to signings before and typically you get the autograph, handshake, a “thanks for coming” or “appreciate the support”, and maybe a quick snapshot of your item being signed. Not much for what you pay, but it’s the experience…or the investment if selling is your thing.
The signing was BY FAR THE BIGGEST WASTE OF FUCKING TIME AND MONEY THAT I HAVE EVER BEEN A PARTY TO. Let me set the scene for you. After waiting 90 minutes in line, you get to the table and one employee checks your $200 ticket (good for ONE signature, which was fine considering I already have an autographed jersey). Now the tickets started at $160 for just autographed pictures or mini-helmets, but for jerseys and equipment it was $200. I spent the $200 in an effort to try to get a ball & picture signed but to no avail. Fine, shame on me.
Next, another employee takes whatever is to be signed, glances at it and hands it to Joe. You do not speak to Joe, you deal with the employee. I brought a picture of AREA 49 (my mancave for the newbies) to be signed. I asked if it could be personalized. Joe didn’t respond and the employee said “No, there’s a separate ticket for that.” I said fine, no big deal. Joe takes the picture from the employee, scribbles his signature and slides it over to me. I attempted to shake his hand and then said “Thanks, you’re the MAN, Joe!” His response consisted of a half-assed smirk, a weak handshake that would even offend my grandmother, then he turned his sights to the next thing to sign. As people received their autographs, a few of them leaned in over the table to get a quick picture with Joe. After receiving my half-hearted shake, I leaned to the side of the table, as to not block people walking by (plus Tim, who took the picture, was being rushed), and attempted to get a quick snapshot with Joe. Then finally my childhood hero spoke to me and said…
“I don’t think you’re supposed to be over here.”
So, that was my experience. Let me preface this by saying that yes, athletes are just people. I will also say that I understand that when some fans interrupt them at dinner or family time for autographs it can be intrusive and annoying. I also know that some people build idols up in their minds and can be disappointed. NONE of that was the case here. When people are willing to drop close to $200 or more plus the cost of whatever you wanted autographed (sports jerseys and equipment depending on the sport can run up to $300 per item) just to say hello and meet you, WHERE THE HELL DOES ANYONE GET OFF ACTING LIKE A COMPLETE DICK TO PEOPLE. You guys play a fucking sport! Had he simply just shook my hand like a man and said “Thank you” I would have been COMPLETELY satisfied. But for us to simply move along like an assembly line of douchebags is straight up FOUL! Joe Montana flat-out disgusts me right now.
As the self-proclaimed “Voice of the Fan”, I felt it was my duty to speak on this but at the same time let you know that this was an isolated experience. I believe wholeheartedly that the vast majority of professional athletes are very appreciative of their fans. Having said that, I will make the following declaration. I am STILL and will ALWAYS be a 49ers fan; that hasn’t changed. However, NEVER will I purchase ANY further memorabilia of Joe Montana unless it is a part of the team or a collection of players (i.e. plaque signed by the 1989 Super Bowl team). I respect him as a part of NFL and 49ers’ history but that’s where it ends.
- 11″ x 14″ picture print: $12
- Tank of gas: $48
- Official NFL football: $90
- Ticket for autograph session: $200
- Taking a vacation day from work to drive 2.5 hours each direction in a torrential downpour and fog just to have your all-time favorite player barely even shake your hand…
FUCKING PRICELESS!!!
Posted in 
Aw, Walt… That’s AWFUL!!! And it’s not like Joe didn’t know what he was in for. It’s a scheduled autograph session! U know ure gonna meet fans, ure gonna sign crap and they’re gonna wanna snap a photo with u. If it weren’t for all the fans such as yourself (the people who BUY game tickets and jerseys and sports memoribelia and crap) the league wouldn’t be profitable enough to pay these douche bags the millions of dollars they make just to toss a ball around on a field. He should show some appreciation for the people who (albeit indirectly) stock his bank account.
Yeah, it definitely sucked. I wasn’t looking for any special treatment or anything like that. Hell, even Tim Tebow shakes hands and is personable. I’ll probably still frame the autograph (since I paid for it) but I almost just said the hell with it and trashed it.
Wow. That’s terrible. I just heard that he will be at the NFL Experience today in Indianapolis for an autograph session. As a native Californian & die-hard 49er fan, I am preparing to get out of work early to stand in line for hours in order to get his autograph. This seriously has me reconsidering my decision.
Hi Terri,
I was pretty disgusted as you could tell. I can only speak from my experince. I have a good friend who went to a signing a few years ago. He didn’t say anything negative, but I think he was happy with just the mere sight of the him. I just felt like it was a total lack of appreciation for fans, especially compared to other signings I’ve been to or what I’ve heard about other athletes. It’s even worse when people are paying that much money just to meet you. I still think seeing the NFL Experience would be cool regardless. Too bad it’s not the Niners playing.
Thanks for commenting. I hope you’ll come back and check out the blog again!
DAMN!!!
DAMN!!!
I been waiting all month to go to his signing now you got me debating it. I would think $160 will cover at least 2 signing on anyhting, So how much were they charging for two items? I have two helmets I want Joe to sign (full size)what do you think the price will be on that? You could count me out if they want $200+ for each.
Hey Omar, thanks for reading.
Yeah, needless to say I was pretty disappointed. The signing was run by the memorabilia store (unfortunately I’ve chosen to keep them nameless). I believe if you wanted more than one piece signed you needed to purchase a second ticket. It just wasn’t a fun experience at all. It could have been an isolated one, and I hope it was. Hopefully if you chose to go your experience is much better. I just think that for the people who spend their money for these sessions, a little courtesy and maybe a “hello” would be nice.
wow shocking.just attended show in New Jersey and had a mini helmet signed and Joe was very cordial took 2 photos and shook his hand well worth the 2 hour wait…already had met him at hall of fame where he signed a cotton bowl program…sorry u had a bad experience…met him twice went great both times,gale sayers was rude though lol…so who knows.GO NINERS !!!!!
PS PRICES WERE RIDICULOUS…100 dollar ticket and 50 dollars per signature but he signed 3 items I only paid for one like I said he was very cool about the whole thing and I watched him do multiple signings for people.
Hi Troy,
Glad your experience was better. I agree that the price of those autograph sessions are ridiculous. At least you were able to get a few of them.
Thanks for reading!
JOE was a pretty cool guy, firm hand shake also let me take a picture with him as we shaked hands but the price was outrageous!!! I had to play $185 for just one full size helmet and if I wanted his stats it would have been a extra $85….crazy!!! First time and last time I will pay so much! I do want to meet Jerry Rice does anyone know when his next pubic signing would be at around the NY/NJ areas!!! ? I’m sorry your meet with Joe went bad.
Hi Omar,
Glad it all worked out for you. That’s outrageous for an autograph. I wouldn’t mind meeting Jerry either, but don’t think I want to pay $200+ again for an autograph.
Thanks for commenting.
Thanks,
Ill definitely keep you posted if I hear anything about J.Rice.
It sucks you had a bad experience. I think you gotta give him the benefit of the doubt though. I have always heard he is a pretty down to earth guy. I hope to get my soon to be born daughters pink mini helmet signed by him some day. I grew up watching joe and he in my mind is the greatest QB to touch a football. You may have just caught him on a bad day…after all like you said he is human. It sucks that one hand shake can change your opinion of the man. We all have those days. And I think the people who run these events are the real douche bags.
Hi Drew,
First off, congrats on the new addition to your family and best of luck to you. Regardless of the situation, I do agree that Joe is the greatest QB to ever play the game. Like I stated, I do believe (especially now that I’m not snarling and foaming at the mouth like I was that day) that this was an isolated event. While I’ve heard mixed reviews from people regarding his signings, it just may have been a bad day. Although, considering the circumstances when people pay for these autograph signings, being a little more welcoming couldn’t hurt.
I will agree with you regarding the people who run some of these events. Thanks for reading, hope you’ll come back soon.
I do totally agree with that. Although no one can be perfect, when you’re being paid 10′s of thousands of dollars to sign autographs there should be professionalism involved. I just couldn’t change my whole opinion on the man for being a little snippy. But I can understand your side as well. I can’t imagine meeting joe Montana for the first time and having that happen. Thanks for your congrats. My daughter will be ninered out from birth! Go Niners!