Johnny Manziel Tells The Story Of Tiger Woods Denying Him His Autograph

Screen Shot 2014-11-14 at 12.19.19 PMImage via Golf Digest

Before Johnny Manziel took over College Station, won the Heisman, and got drafted by the Cleveland Browns, he was just an average American kid who was infatuated with sports. Not only did Johnny toss around the pigskin growing up, but he loved the game of golf–especially the biggest star in the game, Tiger Woods. During a recent interview, which is set to appear in the December issue of Golf Digest, Manziel tells the story of the first interaction he had with his golf hero.

From Golf Digest:

[I was] About 9 or 10. My dad played in a member-guest at Isleworth every year with a friend, and we’d take our family vacation to Orlando. One day I ended up playing with a bunch of kids at the house of Thurman Thomas [Pro Football Hall of Famer], of all people. I think he was friends with some of our family friends. Somehow we heard that Tiger was out playing on a nearby course [The Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Pointe], so another guy and I ran out there looking for him. it was a really quiet day. Tiger was playing a practice round all by himself.

We saw Tiger on the 16th hole and asked for his autograph, and he said to catch him right after the round. I was sitting about 100 yards from the 18th green, and he drove by in a cart and was pulling his hat really, really low. I remember him saying, “No autographs today.”

We’ve all been there. You grow up idolizing some ball player, actor, or musician, and you’re crushed to find out he or she is a complete dick in real life.

Still, it’s funny to think of little Johnny with his Scotty Cameron putter in hand, patiently waiting for Woods at the eighteenth, only to have Tiger blow by him in a golf cart mumbling “Not today, kid.”

Sounds like classic Tiger.

Feel free to share the worst interactions you’ve had with athletes in the comment section. Just let the pain out, gentlemen.

[Golf Digest]

  1. Dick N Cider

    went to go watch exhibition avp matches in albany, ny which was showcasing some of the best mens’ and women’s beach volleyball players in the country. i was sitting right behind where all of the players were resting and everyone was asking for the players autographs. all of them willingly signed during their off time, then kerri walsh (3 time olympic gold medalist) turned around and snapped at everyone. haven’t liked her since.

    11 years ago at 2:08 pm
  2. FrattingOutLoud

    Some years ago I was in Kansas City watching the Cardinals and Royals play when Tony Gonzalez sat down a few rows in front of us and gave me his autograph.

    11 years ago at 2:09 pm
    1. Fratasaurus

      I’ve known a couple of people who have met tony Gonzalez over the years and he has always taken pictures with them and been considerate.. Seems like a pretty nice feller

      11 years ago at 2:24 pm
  3. ChiefDancesWithWhiskey

    Met Joe Montana when I was 11, wore his number and everything growing up. Anywho, got sideline passes for Notre Dame blue gold spring game in South Bend. Next thing I know, Joe Montana is walking thru the tunnel, I work up enough courage to shake his hand and tell him he’s my idol.

    I walk up to him and he’s looking down at me, chewing gum and I hold out my hand to shake his and tell him what an honor it is to met my idol football player. He folds his arms, states at me like I’m a pond scum, and says, “Cool.” And keeps chewing gum obnoxiously. I asked for an autograph and he said, “Beat it kid or I’ll have you tossed.”
    —bottom line, fuck Joe Montana.

    11 years ago at 2:15 pm
    1. Frordon Frombay

      Ya I’ve heard that about him. My dad was at a benefit for kids that have cancer and Montana was there. He told me he saw one of the kids (bald hair and everything) go up and ask Montana for an autograph. Montana responded by looking at his wife smirking and saying, “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
      What a piece of shit.

      11 years ago at 4:22 pm
    2. Tailhook

      Back when I was a freshman in high school I was bagging groceries at a local supermarket. He came through my line with two $15 bottles of wine and a box of powdered donuts. Really fucked up my impression of him. 8 years later and I’ll never forget that

      11 years ago at 3:39 am
    1. RoyTinCup

      Bubba Watson is known for being a total tool, my uncle knew some guys that golfed with him at UGA.

      11 years ago at 11:31 am
      1. Tuco1855

        I’ve been anti-Bubba forever and I have shared insider stories about that fuck face and I always get lapped for it. No one around here wants to hear about he REAL Bubba Watson so don’t bother.

        11 years ago at 11:07 pm
  4. Frattylightrebels

    My dads an fsu alum and him and I saw bobby Bowden and asked for an autograph in tally. He’s singed my dads fsu coozie and I played football at the time. He hoped that I would grow up to play at the collegiate level. And now I do. Intramural.

    11 years ago at 2:37 pm
  5. Strong F. Kennedy

    I met Obama before he was president and asked for his autograph. He gave me one, but he made sure to point out that it was a huge hassle for him and he didn’t have time for this shit because he was a busy man. He wasn’t even president yet. I was 12. Fuck that guy

    11 years ago at 2:41 pm
  6. golfs_finest

    Met Albert Pujols at the Peabody hotel in Memphis during a cardinals spring training series. Me and three of my friends (we were 12) rushed over to ask him to sign our hats. He replied, “do I look like I have a free hand?” Understandable, since he was carrying a newspaper and a briefcase. Couldn’t have been more of a douche about it.

    11 years ago at 2:45 pm
  7. TheRealGunslinger6

    I was at the proviso west basketball tournament and Michael Jordan’s son was playing against proviso, he was at the game with about 6 body guards. I tried to sit near him and ask for his autograph but his body guards pulled me away. However shockingly Jordan called off his boys and signed my bulls hat. To the day it is my prizes possession. To all you Jordan haters, he has a heart

    11 years ago at 2:59 pm