Aaron Rodgers has become one of the most controversial, polarizing stars in the NFL.
In just the latest in a long string of off-field incidents, Rodgers repeatedly denied a so-called “autograph hound” at the American Century Championship celebrity tournament in Lake Tahoe on Thursday.
While signing autographs for some fans at the event, Rodgers was caught on camera getting caught in a back-and-forth with a man asking the new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback to sign to a hat.
The man at Edgewood Tahoe Resort claimed to have attended a Packers-Saints game “20 years ago” and apparently had the ticket stub to prove it.
After the man claimed to have attended the game, Rodgers began to quiz him on the contest, which took place on Oct. 9, 2005 and saw the hosts score a 52-3 victory.
The game was notable for Rodgers, who saw his first game action and completed his first career NFL pass – perhaps why the fan was looking for his signature.
“I remember the score, it was a blowout,” the fan said.
“Who’d we play?” Rodgers asked, to which the fan correctly replied that it was New Orleans.
“Yeah, it’s on the ticket,” Rodgers said, pointing to the stub.
Rodgers asked what the score in the blowout was and the fan’s guess of 50-3 was off by two points.
“And I played?” Rodgers asked, noting that he was the backup QB to Packers great Brett Favre at the time. “How many plays?”
“One pass,” the fan responded. “I remember you threw a pass … I don’t remember it like that, I was 16, 20 years ago.”
The four-time league MVP asked if the man remembered who caught the pass, but he couldn’t recall.
“I remember,” quipped Rodgers, who is known for his excellent recall.
Rodgers added that you the fan can “look it up,” referring to the game stats.
“You can look it up, though, and I would believe you then I would sign your thing,” Rodgers said, “but since I don’t believe you, I’m not going to sign it.”
According to the game log, Rodgers completed his only attempt of the game, to fullback Vonta Leach, though it went for zero yards.
The fan insisted he was at that game while looking disappointed and started walking away.
“I was at the game,” he said dejectedly.
“No, you’re an autograph hound,” Rodgers shot back.
While the fan replied that Rodgers could personalize the autograph, limiting its potential resale value, the future hall of famer stuck to his guns.
“You’re an autograph hound,” Rodgers repeated. “Yeah, you are. You can’t fool me. Can’t fool me.”