Professional athletes aren't naive when it comes to handing out their autograph. While some autograph seekers are genuine fans, others are professionals who sell signed images and sports memorabilia to make a living.
No matter where you stand on the debate over autograph seekers, you'll most likely agree that anyone who uses foul language in their pursuit of a signature deserves to get snubbed. After a practice session at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AM, two-time major champion Jordan Spieth declined an autograph request, suspecting that the fans asking for his signatures were pros looking to sell merch.
According to USA Today, Spieth claims that the fans dropped an “F-bomb in front of three kids” before calling the autograph seekers “scums.”
“I felt the need to turn around and tell them that that wasn't right,” Spieth said ahead of his fifth start in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. “And couple of them were saying, ‘You're not Tiger Woods, don't act like you're Tiger.’ I mean it's just like, whatever, guys. You're still trying to benefit off me and I'm not even Tiger Woods. So, you know, what's that say about you?”
“I'm not appreciative of people who travel to benefit off other people's success,” Spieth said “I enjoy signing and sign for kids whenever we get the chance. And when these guys have these items that you've already seen online and people … our team keeps track of that kind of stuff. And these guys that just have bags of stuff to benefit from other people's success when they didn't do anything themselves. Go get a job instead of trying to make money off of the stuff that we have been able to do. We like to sign stuff for charity stuff or for kids, and if you ask anybody universally it's the same way.”
Seems like a pretty fair reaction from Spieth, and it's certainly an approach that many other professional athletes have taken in regards to professional autograph seekers. SO watch out, "scums," because Jordan Spieth isn't afraid to call you out and make things super awkward.
(H/T: USA Today)
