Jamaal Charles Asked For Peyton Manning’s Autograph

Yesterday I came across a report from KCTV5 that Kansas City Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles apparently hung around after the Chiefs’ 17-9 loss to the Denver Broncos Sunday, in order to get Peyton Manning’s autograph.

Dwayne Bowe also got in on the action, posing for a picture with the future Hall of Fame QB.

I didn’t figure the news was worth passing along. After all, players get one another’s autographs all the time after games. Sometimes they even give up their jerseys.

It may be easy to forget sometimes, but the players are fans of the NFL too! Oftentimes players grow up watching and idolizing a player and when they are early in their NFL career they become fortunate enough to have a chance to play against that player.

Manning has been around for a long time. He’s a star and a class act. It makes sense that players around the league might want his autograph or a photo with him. It is a sign of admiration and respect. When you have players like Ndamukong Suh are running around kicking opposing players when they are down, a little more respect between players is something the league could use more of.

Yet a few media outlets have jumped on the story and have done their bast to make a big deal out of it, as if there is something wrong with what Charles and Bowe did.

Look, this is what happens when your team is the laughingstock of the NFL. There is nothing people love more than kicking you when you’re down. When you stink, you’re an easy punchline.

Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Just think about how easy it has been to take shots at the Raiders over the last decade.

Unfortunately for Chiefs fans and players, this type of bad press is likely to continue. As long as the Chiefs are an NFL doormat, they’ll be subject to extra helpings of ridicule.

Some folks may not like seeing Chiefs players being friendly with the opposition after the game, especially when the opposition is a division rival. I am not sure it really matters. I watched the game and I saw Charles give maximum effort. If he wants to get an autograph after the game, as far as I am concerned, that is his business.

I wonder if he can get Clark Hunt’s autograph on Scott Pioli’s pink slip?