Desmond Howard will not sign your Heisman pose photos
Well Desmond is doing a rare autograph signing next month but has some oddly specific demands....
I know the photographer tried to sue him for the rights to the photo but Desmond won the lawsuit and is the sole owner of the Heisman pose photo. Also he won’t do more than a few words for an inscription.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:28 AM ^
Don, you never cease to impress with your absolute commitment to being a douche.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:28 AM ^
Edited due to a double post: Don, are you also this confused by people who go to concerts and spend the same or more to never actually meet the band.....? I'll hang up and listen....
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:13 AM ^
I was over autographs once I was asked for my own. (I used to have a radio show.)
Now the only place I want someone's autograph is on a check.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:31 AM ^
Is that you Gregg Henson?
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:42 AM ^
I had Loy Vaught sign my moving t-shirt after I packed his house. I think I've lost it. I'm not into signatures really.
Also, not a fan of toys in the box. I want to play with toys, not leave them in a box to look at.
December 3rd, 2019 at 9:48 AM ^
Really WD? You have Cricket Wireless?
December 3rd, 2019 at 9:50 AM ^
I used to have Verizon and it was awful at games. Oddly enough Cricket works in Michigan Stadium and Crisler ??♂️
December 3rd, 2019 at 9:53 AM ^
Choosing your wireless carrier based upon reception at the Big House. Priceless :-)
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:05 AM ^
Just WD things
December 3rd, 2019 at 9:49 AM ^
In a related story, Brian Bosworth won’t sign any “Getting flattened by Bo Jackson” photos.
The no lean in photos thing is kind of crappy. I went to a Barry Sanders signing there a few years ago and he was totally cool with the lean in photos.
December 3rd, 2019 at 9:49 AM ^
I suppose, but I also understand why he wouldn't want to be touched.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:03 AM ^
You didn’t touch Barry. He sat behind a table and you just turned to whoever was taking a photo.
Although I did shake his hand and holy shit he has a strong grip. No wonder he rarely fumbled.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:06 AM ^
Wasn’t that the signing he did where some guy brought a Pontiac Silverdome urinal for him to sign?
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:09 AM ^
And it sold for $3,000 on ebay
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:18 AM ^
That was a few years ago now. I wonder when it will come back on the market.
One of my most vivid memories of the Silverdome was from a Pistons game in the mid 80s. The lines for the urinals were so long that people started pissing in the sinks. I was lucky and got an actual urinal. I almost always wash my hands after taking a piss, but not on that day....
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
Pissing in sinks was SOP at Joe Louis Arena.
December 3rd, 2019 at 9:54 AM ^
This makes me want to present him with a picture of me doing the pose for him to sign. Wonder if he would sign that?
December 3rd, 2019 at 9:55 AM ^
Is Desmond broke or something? Seems odd for him to be charging so much for an autograph. Seems like the sort of thing people used to do for free.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:01 AM ^
If I had to venture a guess I would say that he is broke because I have come to believe the worst about well known athletes in most circumstances.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:04 AM ^
There is no way. He has been a mainstay at ESPN for years now.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:18 AM ^
I'm no expert in finances of pro athletes, but I did watch A-ROD's (loser) show. Usually athletes go broke when they hit the end of the pro athlete pay checks but continue living like pro athletes. Desmond has been without the pro athlete check for a while, but I am sure he is doing well with the ESPN paycheck. He really should have made the lifestyle transition by now
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:03 AM ^
If you think that’s crazy, you should see Tom Brady’s prices.
And these aren’t even for a public signing. It’s private. That’s why his signed stuff costs so much if you go in memorabilia shops. He just doesn’t sign much.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:24 AM ^
I just really find that to be odd. He obviously doesn't need the money.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:52 AM ^
I'm guessing someone at "New England Picture" is a friend of his and he's doing that person a favor.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:09 AM ^
He just doesn’t sign anything. DC Sports in the OP charges the same amount for his autographed helmet.
The only way to catch him in person is at Patriots training camp or practice if you make him laugh.
Someone got his autograph by bringing birthday signs and balloons for him to their training camp. Seriously.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:09 AM ^
Apparently Giselle has expensive tastes.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^
That is utterly nuts.
I went to a charity fundraiser a few years ago that Larry Bird, who is the only celebrity I’ve ever wanted to meet/get an autograph from, was at. He signed a ball, a jersey and two photos for me and took photos with anyone who wanted one.
Cost of the ticket was $100, which included a lobster dinner and drinks. Plus they had so much leftover wine you could take a few bottles home.
I consider it one of the best investments I’ve ever made.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:34 AM ^
You could remove all references to Larry Bird from your post and it would still be perfectly reasonable.
December 3rd, 2019 at 12:16 PM ^
He's not allowed to make money off himself like every other current, and former athlete out there? Maybe you are much older than I am, But I can't remember anyone doing one of these for free. Maybe if you were lucky you could get a signed ball for free at a game, or you could get a rookie to give you a free autograph.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:10 AM ^
Lakeside mall is still open?
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:06 AM ^
Yeah, but it’s looking rough as hell.
I’d be surprised if it lasts another decade
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:14 AM ^
Damn sucks for yall
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:32 AM ^
Drops mike...
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:40 AM ^
Poor Mike
December 3rd, 2019 at 12:06 PM ^
Lol. Exactly! I looked on my Michigan Wall and, yup, there it is. Not sure why he won’t do it now. Weird.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:20 AM ^
Just bring blank photos paper and have him sign that then go home and print the Heisman photo and you’ve solved that problem...apparently it’s a thing that is done.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:26 AM ^
Friend of mine walked in to the Cascade (GR) location of Meijer yesterday after lunch. Lo and behold, Charles Woodson was there, repping a new wine label. My buddy bought the wine for $15, got it signed by 2, got the ol' lean in photo, and says Charles was awesome.
I know - cool story bro.
December 3rd, 2019 at 2:44 PM ^
Shit I am planning on going there this week and almost went yesterday
December 3rd, 2019 at 3:05 PM ^
No that is a cool story. And Charles is, by all accounts, a very cool dude.
I don't begrudge any athlete for charging big $$ for their autograph. But I think it is a terrific thing when they don't.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:30 AM ^
I think it was the season he won the Heisman, he had made a rubber stamp of his signature, and stopped signing autographs, and would use the stamp. I don't know how long he did this, but I know for a fact he did... some of us at the time were incredulous. Perhaps his writing hand was hurt, but I had asked a player and he said not, and said the fame has gone to his head.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:51 AM ^
This had to be after first semester. I had a class with him (and Elvis) and watched a Daily photo editor bring a huge stack of photos, and he sat and signed every one of them after class one day. I could see how the constant asks grated on his nerves.
I'm definitely surprised at the dollars, but maybe it's not going to him. Similar with Brady. Maybe the money is for the business - an old friend with a flagging shop. Maybe it'll go to charity. Maybe it's for his kids' college funds.
He was a good dude back in the day. I'm going to keep that as my forever take of him.
December 3rd, 2019 at 3:08 PM ^
Yeah, I had not heard the rubber stamp story. That's interesting. My impressions of him were very positive as well, in line with your memories. He signed both SI covers for me as well as my "Bo" M hat right around the time of the Heisman. I deliberately bumped into him coming out of class and he couldn't have been nicer about it.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:49 AM ^
This seems really odd for him. He’s one of my all-time favorites on the field, but off the field and away from the cameras he seems less than approachable. My opinion has been that he hates that he’s famous for being a great athlete, so I’m surprised he’d hang out with the general public even with restrictions.
December 3rd, 2019 at 3:11 PM ^
People might be surprised at how common that post-career anti-fame sentiment is among great athletes.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:54 AM ^
I'll sign your Desmond pose pictures for $5/ea.
December 3rd, 2019 at 10:57 AM ^
Got a picture with Charles Woodson and 3 bottles of his wine autographed yesterday at the Cascade Meijer. Was only $15.99 a bottle and a 5 minute line.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^
I have a feeling, considering their respective NFL careers, Charles doesn’t need the money as badly as Desmond does.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
Autograph tip. Get a blank glossy 8x10 have him sign it then put it in your printer at home and print the image. Auto will still be there
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^
Hey WD — first off, to second Et Tu Brute, you're one of my favorite posters here, dude, love the commitment, as well as your thick skin — but I have a question I'd really appreciate your help on. (Or, I suppose, anyone else who knows.)
I've totally gotta go see Desmond, he's the one who infected me with this incurable disease of fandom, but do you happen to know which sporting goods manufacturer made Desmond's helmet circa 1991? Were there various models used by different guys on the team, or a single vendor?
December 3rd, 2019 at 12:01 PM ^
Will he sign a photo of ME doing the Heisman pose?