Johnny Manziel Tells The Story Of Tiger Woods Denying Him His Autograph
Image 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..
In 2010, Jordan Speith played in the Western Amateur at my CC. All the members had to share a locker with one of the players and he was in my dad’s locker for the week. He talked to us after rounds, signed golf balls for me and my brothers and took pictures. Dude was super cool about it, even as an 18 year old. Huge fan of his now
11 years ago at 3:07 pmIt’s not like Speith was super famous in 2010. It probably wears on guys as the years go by.
11 years ago at 7:19 pmSpieth*
11 years ago at 11:30 pmIt’s Spieth you degenerate fucks
11 years ago at 10:41 amOne time I met Ben Roethlisberger. He took me into the bathroom and had sex with me against my will while his boys were guarding the door.
11 years ago at 3:42 pmYou really think I believe you’re Abe Froman, Sausage King of Chicago?
11 years ago at 11:27 amMy dad and I went to a Patriots training camp scrimmage when I was 6 and when the players were walking through in front of the crowd no one was signing autographs and one of the kickers (I forgot his name) was the last to walk through and my dad called him over to sign something for me and he laughed and walked away. My dad yelled “I hope you break your leg”, believe it or not two weeks later he actually broke his leg and never played football again.
11 years ago at 3:47 pmI was at this bar in Clemson called TD’s and my buddy and I saw Brian Dawkins and some guy who said he used to play DE for the Saints (I can’t remember his name, he wasn’t a starter or anything.) We figured he wouldn’t be at a somewhat busy bar at his alma mater if he didn’t want people going up to him so we waited til they were done eating and went up to them. Seemed like really nice guys, didn’t say much, but they took a picture with us which is cool.
11 years ago at 3:47 pmAnother story, I met Tony Romo his first couple of the years in the league when he was Dallas’ 3rd string QB. Some new hotel was opening in Fort Worth and there were some retired players and guys on the team who weren’t very well known signing autographs so I went and got their autographs. Romo’s a sincere dude, doubt he’s changed much either he looks like a laid back guy.
11 years ago at 3:53 pmI was in Indianapolis during high school during the scouting combine, my group were walking the halls our hotel and spotted Jason Pierre-Paul. Got a photo with him and such, but his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was major dick during this process
11 years ago at 4:32 pmThat guys such a cocksucker.
11 years ago at 5:36 pmI was face-to-face with Derek Jeter before a spring training game one day. Mind you, I was 12 and sticking a baseball and pen two inches from his face. He completely shrugged me off though and took a picture with a couple Mexicans and left. I still love him.
11 years ago at 4:53 pmyeah jetes
11 years ago at 12:00 amI met steve nash at a clipper Phoenix game when i was around 12, he was warming up, we were 6 rows up from court side so i went down with my sharpie and boxed McFarland figurine, after being star shruck for about 15 minutes got the balls and yelled “nash can i get an autograph please” he look right at me an said ya but after the game…..so i figured fuck nash, my dad said fuck nash he wont remember, after the game im on the railing of the tunnel, Phoenix won 106 to like 70 nash dropped like 30, so media is all over him, he runs through the tunnel with me yelling “nash, nash, nash!!” what do you think he does? Runs back through the tunnel with media pushing him, signs my shit, and “says told you i wouldnt forget” made my week, gave me a little respect for Canada
11 years ago at 5:35 pmI met Steve Nash in some airport terminal 4 or 5 years ago. He’s kind of a weird looking guy so I knew it was him right away, and he was nice enough to take some pictures and sign autographs for the small group that formed around him. Seemed like a great guy.
11 years ago at 7:16 pmIn ’98 my whole little league team went to a Braves Cardinals game in Atlanta. We went right up to the field and met Mark McGuire. Our coach told us to call him Mr. McGuire to be respectful because all these douchebags thought they were on a first name basis with him. He seemed like a good guy, but we were all Braves fans, and for most of us Chipper was our favorite player. (Except for the colored kids, surprise surprise) Anyway, at the end of the game we got right up to the players as they were leaving the field. Brian Jordan stopped and signed my glove and hat. We saw Chipper and he walked right past our whole team. My Dad called him a fucking asshole and we left. Which looking back is kind of frat but that’s a little too asshole, even for me. I mean we were just a bunch of eight year olds trying to get our hero’s autograph. Then 12 years later wouldn’t you know, I saw him at my school’s athletic department after an intramural game. We walked past each other, he gave me the head nod, and I didn’t acknowledge him. Dick.
11 years ago at 5:40 pmMy mom got me Chipper’s autograph along with a bunch of the other atlanta players either from 97 or 98. She was on a business trip somewhere and stayed in the same hotel. I was at home sick and moms being moms, she was going to bring me back a baseball and thought she’d get some scrub to sign it. Now I have a baseball signed by the best and most frat baseball players ever.
The only signature I’m missing that I’d want is John Rocker’s.
11 years ago at 9:45 pmI was at game 2 of the World Series in 2007, Red Sox vs Rockies. The sox were up 1-0 in the series, and were definitely the better the favorite (they swept the Rockies 4-0). Regardless, before the game the Rockies were taking warm ups on the field, and I went down to the edge near the right field pole. There was a numerous amount of people swarming the edge and Rockies outfielders were signing some autographs for fans. I distinctly remember seeing this one guy, must’ve been later on in his career
11 years ago at 7:13 pmbecause he looked like he was in his mid 30’s, sign a baseball. He looked right into they eyes of an 8 year old Red Sox fan (whom was thinking the signed ball was for him) and shook his head to the little boy and instead walked over to a Rockies fan and have it to him instead