DOMINIQUE WILKINS NOT YOU ALSO

A friend of mine called me at the last moment to see if I was interested in listening to a lecture by NBA HAll of Famer Dominique Wilkins about lessons and his personal fight with Diabetes. I met him once a few years back at a rest stop on the Florida Turnpike and thought it might be a good opportunity to see the 11th all time scorer in NBA History. When we entered he was sitting at a table with about 5 people waiting their turn to sign a personal item they had. I brought along a Hall of Fame Poster with other NBA greats that had signed for me in the past looking to add him also. I approached the area when I was stopped by a handler who told me" It is either a picture with or a signed item. You can not do both? I could not believe it as there was ONLY 5 people waiting. I did not argue as he was to begin his talk in about 15 minutes and maybe he was trying to be focused. We listened to the lecture that lasted about 20 minutes and instead of taking a few moments to sign for many kids and some true fans he rushed out of the building. He stopped for a moment to take a picture and when my friend tried to get one other photo signed Wilkins said" Are You One of those guys that sell on Ebay" and when he tried to explain that it was for his brother, he scribble what might resembled his autograph and off he went in a golf cart.

Now in years before Mr. Wilkins was very happy to sign but now even he feels anyone who may have an item and appears organized is getting his autograph to sell. Yes it does happen but to assume everyone is following this practice only makes an ass of you and me.