went to giants traing camp yesterday

nalamolly5

took my son and his friend for a 2.5 hour trip to albany ny for autograph day at giants training camp. it was fun watching the practice along with about 4000 other people. they had a nice booth manned by snickers that gave away free ice cream, free mini autograph balls, and even took pictures of all. we all moved our way over to the area that we hoped our favorite players would pass by on their way to the locker rooms. they set up two sets of barriers along each side of these walkways, with the inner area reserved for kids 12 and under, which my son was able to enter. my son was able to get several players autographs on his giants jersey. my hope was to get eli manning to autograph my giants helmet for my collection, but there was no way to know which area eli would exit along, so i just crossed my fingers and hope that i might luck out. we waited a while and many players passed by and signed, and then there was eli, grabbed my helmet from my son, and signed it with his black sharpie (unfortunately he wouldn't take the silver sharpie that my son was also holding) signed a few more autographs and ducked down the steps into the locker rooms. some of the players were very engaging and signed for nearly all, but some wouldn't even look up at all, but in general most were very nice. all three of us had fun, and i have a nice helmet added to my collection.

jswieton

Sounds like a fun day for you and your boys. You are extremely fortunate to get Eli. He is not known to sign a ton of autographs.

Bosox1976

I agree - sounds like a blast.

CollectorAtWork

I know I'm sounding like a complete jerk, but it's a pet peeve of mine for people who send kids to get autographs for themselves or to sell later. It's why a lot of athletes don't like signing. If that helmet was for your son that he would be cherishing, it would just be a whole lot better. Anyway, enough of my rant, and I'm sure your whole family, including your kids, will enjoy your collection.

MeteoriteGuy

Talk about trying to overblow a non-issue. And yes, you are sounding like a complete jerk. The guy just had what many would consider a good family day.

metrotheme

<< <i>I know I'm sounding like a complete jerk, but it's a pet peeve of mine for people who send kids to get autographs for themselves or to sell later. It's why a lot of athletes don't like signing. If that helmet was for your son that he would be cherishing, it would just be a whole lot better. Anyway, enough of my rant, and I'm sure your whole family, including your kids, will enjoy your collection. >>



You do realize most training camps are only letting kids get autographs now right? He said his son got autos on his (the child's) jersey and got Manning to sign the helmet for dad.

VitoCo1972

Sounds like you had a great day!

To CollectoratWork...this all stems from athletes now charging $100+ for one autograph. Add that in to the price of the helmet and you have to spend upwards of $250 just to have a display piece in your office/den. I find that to be a bit ridiculous. While I wouldn't condone sending a kid in to get an auto that is meant for sale...if you're on a budget and want something for your house, I would have no problem doing what the OP did. Quite honestly, people need to start boycotting signings that cost over $100. It's completely ridiculous.

nalamolly5

The helmet is for my own personal collection, and not for sale. Your comments though are appreciated, many adults there were acting like children in trying to get what can best be described as an undecipherable scribble on a piece of paper or some other item. The memories my son and I will have of this day will always be on the shelf in the family room, and will always be cherished as a great day together. The joy that he and I felt when he turned to me and gave me the helmet and a big hug, grinning with satisfaction that he was able to get this helmet signed for me. It was a moment that he and I will remember forever.