Aaron Rodgers accuses fan of being ‘autograph hound’ in tense standoff at Lake Tahoe celebrity golf tournament

Aaron Rodgers accuses fan of being 'autograph hound' in tense standoff at Lake Tahoe celebrity golf tournament

Aaron Rodgers was more than happy to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe this week.

Where the new Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback drew the line, however, was autograph hounds – borderline professionals who hunt for celebrity signatures to hock online and at trade shows.

In a video from Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano that has since gone viral on X, Rodgers is seen identifying one suspected autograph hound and refusing to play a part in the scheme.

Asked to sign a ticket stub from his first NFL appearance with the Green Bay Packers in 2005, Rodgers quickly became suspicious. The item is a rare collectible and not something an everyday fan might have, so when the man claimed he attended the game, Rodgers began asking some questions.

‘You’re talking to somebody with a great memory,’ Rodgers told the fan.

Rodgers was just a 22-year-old backup to Brett Favre when he was called on to make his NFL debut in mop-up duty at the end of a 52-3 win over the visiting New Orleans Saints. He completed one pᴀss – his first as a professional – to fullback Vonta Leach for zero yards and later ran out the clock on New Orleans.

In a video from Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano that has since gone viral on X, Rodgers is seen identifying one suspected autograph hound and refusing to sign

In a video from Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano that has since gone viral on X, Rodgers is seen identifying one suspected autograph hound and refusing to sign

The autograph seeker denied Rodgers' claims and insisted he was just a lifelong fan

The autograph seeker denied Rodgers’ claims and insisted he was just a lifelong fan 

‘I remember the score,’ the suspected autograph hound told Rodgers. ‘It was a blowout.’

Rodgers didn’t hesitate to confront the man: ‘You remember the score. Who’d we play?’

The man quickly responded, ‘Saints,’ but that was hardly convincing. As Rodgers pointed out, that information could be found on the ticket stub.

‘I can tell you the score, I think,’ the man sH๏τ back. ‘I think was 50-3. I remember you threw a pᴀss.’

Asked who the pᴀss was thrown to, the autograph seeker admittedly didn’t know: ‘I was 16. 20 years ago.’

That non-answer ultimately doomed his effort to get Rodgers’ John Hancock.

‘[If you knew], then I would believe you and I would sign your thing,’ Rodgers said as he continued to sign autographs for other fans. ‘But since I don’t believe you, I’m not going to sign it.’

The unidentified man made one last desperate plea: ‘I was at the game.’

Rodgers plays a sH๏τ from the seventh tee box prior to the American Century Championship

Rodgers plays a sH๏τ from the seventh tee box prior to the American Century Championship

Aaron Rodgers is now the man under center in Pittsburgh, where he'll start camp on July 24

Aaron Rodgers is now the man under center in Pittsburgh, where he’ll start camp on July 24

Rodgers didn’t buy it.

‘You’re an autograph hound,’ he said. ‘Yeah, you are. You can’t fool me.’

Rodgers is hardly alone in eschewing autograph hounds. WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark is known for being generous with fans, but is equally famous for denying autograph hounds, albeit more subtly than Rodgers. On several occasions, the Indiana Fever guard has been seen avoiding the outstretched arms of adult autograph seekers in favor of younger fans.

The 41-year-old signal caller is entering his first season with the Steelers, who are slated to start training camp on July 24. In addition to Rodgers, a newly wed who has yet to reveal his new wife to the world, Pittsburgh has also added star receiver DK Metcalf in a trade from Seattle and veteran cornerback and Super Bowl champion Darius Slay.

Head coach Mike Tomlin’s team is also facing the possibility of an in-season holdout from star pᴀss rusher TJ Watt.

Related Posts

Shannon Sharpe makes first public appearance since ESPN firing as he presents brother with Hall of Fame jacket

Shannon Sharpe makes first public appearance since ESPN firing as he presents brother with Hall of Fame jacket

Shannon Sharpe made his first public appearance since his ESPN firing on Friday night, as he helped induct his brother into the Pro Football Hall of Fame….

Travis Kelce gushes over Taylor Swift with rare public statement about his superstar girlfriend

Travis Kelce gushes over Taylor Swift with rare public statement about his superstar girlfriend

A smitten Travis Kelce described girlfriend Taylor Swift as a ’20/20′ in a rare public comment about the songstress this week. Kelce recently went Instagram official with Swift…

Travis Kelce stuns NFL fans with telling transformation that hints retirement could be closer than ever

Travis Kelce stuns NFL fans with telling transformation that hints retirement could be closer than ever

NFL fans have been left stunned by Travis Kelce’s brand new look which he debuted at the Chiefs training camp this week.  In recent months, there had…

NFL WAG reveals brutal reality of the league after her husband’s shock release in wake of horrific neck injury

NFL WAG reveals brutal reality of the league after her husband’s shock release in wake of horrific neck injury

An NFL WAG has revealed the brutal reality of the league after her husband was released by his team during his recovery from a broken neck.  It…

Washington Commanders move step closer to .7bn DC stadium… but Donald Trump threat still looms large

Washington Commanders move step closer to $3.7bn DC stadium… but Donald Trump threat still looms large

The Washington Commanders have received the green light to build a new $3.7billion stadium in DC – despite Donald Trump’s threat to scupper those plans if they…

Missouri couple claim their newborn baby’s name has NOTHING to do with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift after ‘attention-seeking’ backlash

Missouri couple claim their newborn baby’s name has NOTHING to do with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift after ‘attention-seeking’ backlash

Robert Dillon and Haley Richardson naming their newborn baby Kelce Taylor-Grace Dillion caused a stir online, with the parents claiming their choice had nothing to do with…