Another Opinion
In a previous post I mentioned Anthony Davis would be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. I also said I wondered if he would charge for autographs in South Bend, like he does at the Coliseum for the Notre Dame-USC game.
Reader FDOG sent in this post that is worth looking at:
A few questions ...
Did Morley Drury or Mort Kaer ever set up a table outside the Coliseum to charge for autographs? How about Erny Pinckert or Orv Mohler? Surely Cotton Warburton could have drawn a crowd and made a few bucks. If not, how about Gifford, Sears, Jaguar Jon, Iron Mike, Cunningham, Swann or Lott?
The best question is ...
Has anyone EVER seen anyone BUT Anthony Davis and Charles White setting up shop outside the Peristyle?
Answer ...
Nope.
Don't make excuses for the man. He has to do what he has to do. End of story. Pay/donate if you want. But please don't make excuses for the man.
Obviously Wolf feels it's tacky for players to charge $ at public functions. But there's no difference if you sell your jersey on Ebay or sell your autograph at a game; you're marketing an image that was earned. When you pay $9 to "see" a movie, you're paying $ for the right to just look at something. Same with an autograph, but you own it, and it's a piece of history. I'd rather have a signature from AD or CW than waste $ on a Tom Cruise Scientology Festival / Movie.
there is nothing wrong with them charging for autographs at the game. Maybe they don't make as much money as writers for the Daily News.
If you don't like it, don't buy it. Simple as that. I wouldn't ever pay for something like that, but don't begrudge him for charging. One of the reasons I don't have a problem with it is that someone will get his autograph, then sell it to someone else. Why shouldn't AD get some of the jack off his own name?
Fight On!
I agree with Scott. Sad indeed; feel a bit sorry for them.
Anthony Davis is pathetic, anyone who can't maintain a regular diet has no self control. Gastric bypass is for people who are weak. He looked like fat albert last time I saw him.
I am former DT sp. ed. I knew AD well and wrote an article about him for LA magazine during his junior year.
I think charging for sig. at a football game cheapens the game itselt. It is not was a cf game is for.
Nor does he need the money. It is ego.
AD gave USC great moments. This is not one of them.
Hmmmmmm.
I don't know if I should be more surprised by the fact that Scott Wolf singled out one of my messages to be "re-posted" or by the fact that some of you thick-headed ones still feel the need to rationalize on behalf of A.D. (and C.W.).
For the sake of those of you who disagree with me on this, I have one more point to make and thankfully it will basically support both of our arguments ...
It isn't always easy to behave like a "Trojan" and we can't expect everyone to do so.
When I was a 10 year-old kid, I met AD at a Trojan Club dinner my Dad took me to. He gave me an autograph on a travel brochure - it was the only piece of paper I could find. On his own, he also gave me his home address in the dorm and told me I could write him so he could send me a proper autographed picture, which he did promptly with a nice note. This was absolutely at the prime of his career, at a time when there was no way he could have been busier. Isn't it a shame what's become of athletes!
so what exactly has become of athletes??? when was the last time you talked with one, more specficly AD. my guess is that he would love to hear your story about your childhood experience with him. he might even give you another autographed pic to go with the one you have...you still have it don't you ..or did you sell it??? this world is full of givers and takers...which one are you??????
How Do You Do?
Interesting post from former USC Daily Trojan Sports Editor, Paul "the Wolf" Morantz, to the blog by Wolfie! I'm sure Paul can also comment on
Tom Cruise and Scientology---as well as snakes in mail boxes--for Trojan fans with great memories.
Fight On!