IP-Chicago burbs:arfmax:2014

[arfmax]

Today, I went to an appearance by Chicago Bears rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller at Verizon Wireless, on the southside of Chicago. I was able to get Mr. Fuller to sign an 8x10 in blue, which he signed in the very bottom, although he had a huge amount of space to work with on the photo, and then soon thereafter, he decided that he would not use blue anymore on anything, only silver or black, and the pens he had on the table only. I asked him why he wouldn't use my blue, and first he stared at me blankly, and then when I repeated the question, he told me that he thinks it looks better in black and silver. I was able to get two cards signed in the black, before the handler got rid of anyone who had been in the line too many times. He still had 30 minutes left to go, was signing one per person, was not talking or smiling, and I had gotten through the line three times, which gives you an idea of how many people were there. I'm happy with the three autos, but the man has no personality, and the fact that he wouldn't switch pens or use blue was ridiculous. I also saw him switch to a orange paint pen for a woman in line, so he just seemed to be anti-blue.

Photo of the signed Fuller 8x10 and cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps86e99f59.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 373

[arfmax]

Today, I went to a benefit for the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation. Admission was free with unwrapped children's gifts, and they had former Bears players there to sign autographs and act as celebrity bartenders. They also had a couple of other former athletes, who I was not prepared for. So, I got former Chicago Bull Cliff Levingston and former University of Illinois basketball star Kenny Battle on my generic Bears cards. I also got foermer player and Walter Payton's son Jarrett Payton to sign the generic Bears card, as well as Walter Payton's wife Connie Payton. I also got 1 autograph on a card from former Bears running back Mark Green, 2 cards signed by former Bears receiver Rashied Davis, 3 cards signed by former Bears fullback Jason McKie, 5 cards signed by former Bears tight end Desmond Clark, and 8 cards signed by former Bears cornerback Donnell Woolford, for a total of 23 autograph cards, all for a good cause.

Photo of signed Levingston, Battle, Jarrett Payton, Connie Payton, and Mark Green cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5841a92f.jpg

Photo of the signed Rashied Davis and Jason McKie cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psdf000f72.jpg

Photo of the signed Desmond Clark cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psdf881e56.jpg

Photo of the signed Donnell Woolford cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2dcc8b23.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 396

[arfmax]

Today I went to the Chicago Bears pregame radio show on a local sports radio station, and got two autographs from former Chicago Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly, for free. Mannelly signed an 8x10, and a bobblehead from many years ago, when he threw out the first pitch at the Schaumburg Boomers minor league baseball game. He hiked the ball from the pitcher's mound, actually. Not much space on the bobblehead, so he signed on the base on the back.

Photo of the Mannelly signed 8X10:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3b0de7f1.jpg

Photo of the Mannelly signed bobblehead:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps92d1a15c.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 398

[arfmax]

Today I went to an appearance by former Chicago Blackhawks player Eddie Olczyk, appearing with his Blackhawks announcing partner Pat Foley, at a local sports car in Vernon Hills, IL. Mr. Olczyk signed three cards for me, for free, and Mr. Foley signed one promotional 5x7 card. I am surprised to say this, but it was really packed for two announcers!

Photo of the autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps85d258b0.jpg


-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 402

[Coltsfanatic09]

Wowsers! What an awesome thread! Can't wait to see future updates!

Justin

[arfmax]

Today I went to an appearance at a Tempur-Pedic mattress store in a local mall by Chicago Bears defensive end Willie Young, who was a replacement for Kyle Fuller, who was supposed to be there, but do to injury, could not. Willie Young was one of the Bears offseason acquisitions, and he already has 7 sacks this season. Mr. Young was very relaxed and very pleasant, sitting on a couch, talking with everyone, taking pictures, discussing local fishing, etc. I was able to get 4 8x10's signed, as well as 1 promo 8x10, for free, in Schaumburg, IL. One of the photos was accidentally printed twice by Walmart, and that one is Young as a member of the Detroit Lions sacking Denver Broncos former quarterback Tim Tebow.

Photo of the signed Young 8x10's:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5abcea9d.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 407

[arfmax]

Today, I went to a grand opening event for an outdoors store in Algonquin, IL, where they had appearances by MMA fighter Tim Sylvia, Chicago Bears backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen, and Chicago Bears rookie safety Brock Vereen. The store had 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" photo cards that they were making everyone sign, and wouldn't allow any outside items for the Bears players, however, I waited until the event ended, and Vereen and Clausen signed in the parking lot. I ended up getting 1 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 promo card signed by Mr. Sylvia, 1 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 promo card and 1 8x10 signed by Brock Vereen, and 2 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 promo cards and 2 trading cards signed by Jimmy Clausen, for free.

Photo of the signed Sylvia/Vereen items:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3e7d0dcf.jpg

Photo of the signed Clausen items:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psed72fb63.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 414

[arfmax]

Today, I went to an appearance by Chicago Bears rookie running back Ka'Deem Carey, at a local Chevrolet auto dealer in Libertyville, IL. Mr. Carey signed 4 cards, plus the promotional 8 1/2 x 11 paper photo, for free. He really liked the various cards, and hadn't seen the Valor one before.

Photo of the signed Ka'Deem Carey items:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9b1e25da.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 419

[arfmax]

Yesterday I went to a live radio show on a local sports radio station, and got two autographs on cards, for free, from current Chicago Bears linebacker Jon Bostic. I give a lot of credit to these current active Bears players for doing public appearances and taking all calls from angry fans, as it is a tough time to be a Chicago Bear, after giving up over 100 points in 2 consecutive games.

Photo of the signed Bostic cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9ee8506b.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 421

[arfmax]

Today, I went to a radio station interview at a bar in downtown Chicago, in Lincoln Park, featuring 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya. Mr. Oduya signed 4 cards for me, for free.

Photo of the signed Oduya cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psaa535ca0.jpg

Part II coming up.

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2014: 425