Aaron Rodgers accuses fan of being 'autograph hound' in tense standoff at Lake Tahoe
By ALEX RASKIN
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 pass – his first as a professional – to fullback Vonta Leach for zero yards and later ran out the clock on New Orleans.
Rodgers plays a shot from the seventh tee box prior to the American Century Championship
'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 shot back. 'I think was 50-3. I remember you threw a pass.'
Asked who the pass 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.'
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 pass rusher TJ Watt.
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