Grievance: I LOVE the 49ers, but SCREW Joe Montana
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 man-room 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!!!
25 Comments:
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!
so I read this post about Joe Montana & couldnt help but relate to this post & feel absolutely sorry for this fan because I felt the same disappointment myself. Growing up as a kid i couldnt get enough of Joe & the 49ers. He is ( WAS ) my favorite 49er on the offensive side of the ball. It took me up until last yeat to finally meet Joe Montana my childhood idol @ a local sighning in town. I paid $185.00 for his signature & a special inscription on a Pro Line Helmet. I was nervous yet excited to meet him. When I finally did meet him he was very short on conversation & gave the impression he really didnt want to be @ the signing. joe signed my helmet & was quick to move on to the next guy. I understand there is more fans waiting for signatures & they have to move along but Joe could of been a little friendlier & atleast acted like he was happy to sign autographs for his loyal fans. I ran into Joe again shortly after the signing as he was walking out the building. I pulled out a picture I had of him & asked him if he would sign it. He said “No” very rudely without even looking @ me & blew right by me. I remember standing there in disbeliefe, very let down that someone I looked up to & idolized had in that brief moment tarnished my immage & admiration for him. I always wondered what it would be like to meet Joe Montana my childhhood idol & this was my sad reality. I have never cheered against the 49ers with the exception of when Joe was traded to the Chiefs in 1991 & they played the 49ers. I was upset that they traded Joe & I cheered for him on that 1 game. That was my loyalty to Joe Montana & appreciation for the 4 Superbowls he helped win for the 49ers. So much for loyalty! Look what it got me, a shattered image of my idol & left me wondering if I wanted to meet Ronnie Lott my favorite player on the defensive side of the ball for fear that he might act the same way & ruin my immage of him. I had the honor of talking to another football great from another team ( which I wont mention out of respect for him ) & he told me that Joe Montana was known for being rude & unappreciative of his fans @ his signings. He also told me that he had the honor of playing along side Ronnie Lott & that he wasnt very friendly as far as fans & signings go. I can only hope that he is wrong about Ronnie Lott because I idolize Ronnie Lott & still do. As far as Joe Montana goes I can only hope he doesnt do this with other fans because they may not be as forgiving as myself. Yes, I forgive him but I can never look @ him the same way after that experience. I hope other Pro players see my post & think twice before showing up @ a signing in a foul mood for fans who support them & there teams.
49er Faithful, Gabriel
Wow! I also had a bad experience with Joe at a signing back in 2006. I’ve hated his ass ever since! I also used to look up to him as a child living in the Bay Area. I handed my helmet to the guy, he hands it to Joe, and then Joe hands it off to the last guy. No hello, no nothing… I reach my hand out and say “nice to meet you Joe”! He looked at me like I was a dumb ass for wanting to shake his hand. Yeah, he shook my hand, but he made me feel like I really put him out of his way to shake my hand. I spent like probably 300-400 bucks on a full size helmet and his autograph. What a JERK! Iwill no longer support Joe Montana. I’ve met Jerry Rice on two occasions, and he is awesome!
Hey DJ,
Thanks for commenting. It sounds like you had the same experience. Yeah, it’s ridiculous how much you pay for these sessions and to be treated like that is just ridiculous. I would love to meet Jerry, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t apprehensive about doing this again.
Hi Walt! Yeah, he’s a real jerk! Like you, i’ve been to these things before, and I know what to expect from these signings. But damn, all I expected was a smile and handshake. I didn’t even try to snap a picture of him. Jeeze!!! I forgot to mention Joe just scribbled his signature on my helmet. The last thing you want is the autograph to look F-’d up. At least its authenticated. I’m done with this guy!
The same signing (Tristar Productions) featured Jerry Rice also. He was doing Dancing with the Stars earlier that day. So he ended up showing up a little late because he was flying up here to San Francisco from L.A. When he got there, he didn’t just sit down and start signing, he actually got on the microphone and apologized for being late. And he was smiling and taking pictures with ALL his LOYAL fans. I’ve never heard of Jerry being rude to his fans.
That’s not a good experience. I never met Joe and still hope to one day and I will expect the worst now. But about Jerry Rice: I’ve met Jerry Rice twice in person. Once when i was 17 years ago at a grocery store as he shopped and about a year ago at a free Microsoft store signing. Both times he was as down to earth as a star can be. He shook my hand, looked me in the eyes, I told him he is “the greatest of all time”, he said thanks, and was sincere. That’s what a childhood hero should be like. I always like Jerry more than Joe, a meeting might cement that. Better luck next time. Niners for life.
Hey Dan,
Yeah, definitely not a good one. I’ve heard many people say that Jerry was great and such a class act. I hope I do get to meet him at some point. Thanks for the comment.
Montana sounds like a monster! Fortunately, Dwight Clark, Roger Craig and Ronnie Lott are the complete opposite. They have the good sense to appreciate their fans. I’ve had the pleasure to meet them at events and they are down to earth.
Hey Walt,
I was planning on meeting Joe this Summer at a convention here in Canada. I hope things go better than your experience. How did the autograph come out on the football (did it bleed, was it clear, did he provide the marker or are you able to bring your own archival marker, sharpie is not archival and will fade over time)? I am on the fence, not sure to get him to a sign an official ball or one of those 3 sided white balls. I’m just concerned it will not come out on the ball because of all the texture. Thanks.
I had a devastating fan experience with Montana also. He’s no longer “JOE MONTANA”, now its just plain “montana”. I grew up with nothing but football fans of the 49 era, and couldn’t even count how many games I attended since a child. I thought ” montana”, was great until I stood in line for a signing. It was a out 10 years ago, at a convention in Aneheim, CA. We were given an authentic NFL football and had the option of “montana”, Ronnie Lott, or both to meet and autograph our ball. Of course I wanted both of them, having Ronnie Lott from USC and the 49ers during the 80′s& 90′s and montana, was perfect. Take it I was there with my girlfriend, and we were an attractive lesbian couple, I met Ronnie Lott first. Ronnie Lott shook my hand, we had a laugh together, and a picture…it was great! I then noticed montana practically drooling over my girlfriend…way to close to her face..and acting like a hormone raged teenager…with that big stupid grin on his face….As his eyes never left my girls, his hands would come out grab the next persons ball…not even acknowledge them…sign it…and move to the next. I smacked football soball hard in his HAND, it broke his concentration off my girl. He looked at me..noticed her grabbing my hand..then smiled that stupid grin again. I told him “Just sign the ball”, and as he laughed it off..nudging Ronnie Lott…I added “Aren’t. you married”. Ronnie Lott says ” Come on man”, to montana, in my defense, because he knew montana was being a #@!?/…..We started to leave I said thanks to Ronnie Lott, and told montana….”There are things that your money couldn’t ever buy!” Since then I have watched just a handful of games…never attended a game live….despise everytime montana is on t.v. with that grin..and everytime I see that ball in my livingroom I get pissed off! So tofay I decided its oing to be for srll on Amazon!!! I regret having Ronnie Lott sign the same ball, but I hate it so much. Well “montana”, I soon will no longer have that ball….but ten years later….”I still have that girl!”