Super Bowl Autograph sessions......

[howiek]

Just to get Jim Brown today would be a real treat!

He is doing the Macy's event. Let us know if he is signing personal items or just what ever Macy's is supplying?

[walker066]

Just got back from NYC. Was overall an ok day.

So my train was 25 mins late getting to NYC (probably from the additional trains). I knew at this point, I was in trouble. So we get out of the station and get over to Broadway (took about 10 mins). As we are walking fast towards the autograph stage we realize people have their badges you were supposed to register for the events. We stop when we see people with an iPad and the badges. Lucky for us, there was a computer glitch and we had to re-register. So after 10 mins and the guy finally taking allllll my information down, I was able to head towards the autograph stage. My buddy had got his badge before me and got in line while I was waiting for mine.... Then I get to the autograph stage area....

I knew I was doomed right away. We were 400-450 people back. Forte was late due to traffic problems. While waiting I noticed Cowboy and Packer fans waiting for D Ware and Lacy, so I thought maybe they will let people go. Boy I was wrong. Majority of people were in line for an autograph although some people near the front stood off to the side (Cowboy fans waiting for Ware). We were about 100-125 people to go when Forte only had 5 mins remaining. Damn.

So as Forte is leaving, the announce they have a surprise guest after Forte, but weren't saying who it was. It turned out to be Teddy Bridgewater!! Great, I only prepared myself with a Bears helmet, but they had something on stage for him to sign and give you. While we waited, they announced Bridgewater at 1 and Mark Herzlich a1 2. So Ware and Lacy didn't make it. We get to the stage and I get a small Super Bowl GMC promo card signed. Ok success.

So we move around New York to check everything out and head towards Macys to see about Eric Berry and scope out what we need to do for Jim Brown. Welllllllll it was so packed in the NFL Shop, I was looking for a way out of the store!!! Apparently you had to buy $50 worth of items and it was only good for the first 100 people. So that sealed the deal and we left.

My suggestion is for the autograph stage, you get there at least 1-1.5 hours early and get the one person you want because that is all you will be getting.

Good Luck!

[cyberer]

Sucks it's such a zoo. But I figure when nick foles draws a few hundred on a random snowy day in Philly at a modells, the Super Bowl party destination city will draw thousands to star players.

You probably had to camp since Monday to get in the first 100 lol.

post a pic of the bridge.

[C&C Collecting]

I went yesterday (Thursday) with hopes of having a fun time graphing with my wife. Boy, were we wrong. We got there, 2.5 hours late thanks to no parking at train and bus stations throughout NJ. Fine, no problem. There were autos to be had. I had prepped with a Jim Brown photo, 2 DeMarcus Ware photos (my friend couldn't go and is a big Cowboys fan), an Eddie Lacy photo, an Antonio Cromartie photo and an Antrel Rolle photo (he was signing at Macy's). Well, we see the autograph stage and Mark Herzlich is signing and the line is looooong. The wait was about 3 hours. No way. Plus Lacy and Ware didn't make it due to travel problems.

We head to Macy's, figuring to get there early. We flirted with trying to get Victor Cruz at Foot Locker but the line was hundreds long. No go. We finally get to Macy's. I double check the site to make sure Rolle is still signing and don't see anything about requirements. We head inside.

Once inside we ask 6 different people where Rolle is singing and what we need to do to get his autograph. We get 5 different answers. To get Rolle's autograph you either had to make a $50 purchase or you had to buy the Super Bowl poster created by the artist who was also signing with Rolle. We get the poster for $25 because we were near the front of the line and not about to leave. Luckily, we were handed 2 autograph tickets. This is great, I think because we can get the poster signed and my 8x10.
The line moves along and I'm next. My wife went up and got the poster signed. Then, a Macy's employee asks me what I'm holding. I tell her its an 8x10. She takes it away and tells me only merchandise bought at Macy's will be signed but that there is a picture Rolle will sign for me. The picture is printed on 8.5x11 paper. The photo is about 5x7 and the rest is a white background with a big ad for Macy's on the bottom. Whatever, I got my autograph but knowing my Jim Brown pic wouldn't get signed and not willing to make a $50 purchase (there was no poster option for Brown) we head back outside.

Along the way some jerk thought it would be wise to do a television interview right where Macy's has their NFL Shop set up. People were stopping, pushing, shoving all to get a glimpse of whomever it was that had a camera in their face. My wife was almost trampled and I got to do my best impersonation of a fullback trying to clear a path for my running back wife. I wish I had a center, two guards and two tackles because she got overwhelmed by people moving in from the sides and was almost knocked over. I am no small guy, standing 5-10 with about 230 on me and I felt like I was in a bad episode of The Walking Dead as I was getting overrun by zombies trying to take photos.

We finally made it through to take our chances with the crowds on the streets. We left with 3 autographs, 1 Charles Fazzino (the artist) and 2 Antrel Rolle graphs.

If anyone is going dress warmly, brush up on some crowd control/riot control techniques, stay away from the signings going on at stores (they lie and trap you to make you spend money) and be prepared to be disappointed. Times Square is filled with every insane person NYC has to offer from the "End is Near" religious nuts to the accosting Elmo's, Cookie Monsters, Ironman, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and every other cartoon character in between. The homeless are also there in droves hoping for handouts from the Super Bowl revelers. There are also plenty of cops, most of whom look like they froze in place at their post hours ago.

You might have a better experience. I hope you do. But it was one of the more insane environments I have ever seen and that includes my time overseas in Iraq. Good luck.

[borisplante]

This is why I hate free events (I assume these were free). I'd rather pay for people I want at a set time and place than waste all this time.

[howiek]

today was a mess. I got Garcon on an 8x10. Got on his line 2 hrs prior to him signing. He was like a machine. Next up was Luke Kuechly. It was announced he was only siging these small cards that said Super Bowl Boulevard or the badges they handed out same thing. So, i got him on my badge. Next up Reggie Wayne cancelled and was replaced by Jairus Byrd. I skipped him because I needed to find something for Marshall Faulk which was not till 4pm. I get back the area and Byrd was still signing. 3pm came and Nick Foles was 25 mins late. Foles also only signed the bagdes. Instead of just doing the 1hr he left when Faulk was supposed to start at 4. Well Faulk was also late. 35 mins. At this point the crowd was getting crazy. Faulk was signing anything. 1 per though. I was way back on the line and just before 5pm which is when Faulk was supposed to stop. it was announced he would stay as long as they allowed him to. 5 mins after 5. it was announced he had to leave the stage because they needed to set up for a concert that was not till 7:30. What a load of crap that was.
Also during the day there were signings at JC Penney, Macys and Models. Emitt Smith signed at Macys, but you needed to buy $50 worth of NFL stuff. None of which Smith would sign. He only signed the head shot they handed out. I'm not suprised with the way things went. I may go back tomorrow. Cam Newton and Jim Brown are signing. But, I'm sure neither will sign any personal items we bring and will only sign the badges. But, its worth a shot.
Check out my blog in the next few days for pics and more details

[walker066]

Sounds like you guys experienced what I did. I guess it should have been expected, but still disappointing. Here is my Bridgewater auto:

IMG.jpg

[cyberer]

I'm suddenly not disappointed one iota that I couldn't go. Why even have events if you're going to treat ppl like that?

[howiek]

I didn't even go today. Standing that long killed me and I figured the crowds would have been double what they were yesterday.

[RealBrianD]

Sucks that it's such a lousy experience. I haven't heard a good thing yet really