Johnny Manziel Says Tiger Woods Once Snubbed Him for an Autograph

Johnny Manziel will never forget the time Tiger Woods sandbagged him on an autograph request. 

The Cleveland Browns backup sat down recently for an interview with Golf Digest’s Craig Bestrom (h/t Devil Ball Golf’s Ryan Ballengee) and relayed some stories about his golfing past.

One such story included a run-in with Tiger Woods, who didn’t have time to stop and sign an autograph for little Johnny during a round of golf near Orlando, Florida.

Manziel told Bestrom he was nine or 10 years old when his family went on a trip to play a tournament at Isleworth Country Club. He says there were rumors that Woods was playing a round at nearby Golden Bear Club, and Manziel and a buddy struck out together to see if they could find the No. 1 golfer in the world.

Manziel caught up with his golf idol on the course. He says Woods promised to sign autographs after finishing the round but eventually changed his mind. 

“We saw Tiger on the 16th hole and asked for his autograph, and he said to catch him right after the round,” Manziel said. “I was sitting about 100 yards from the 18th green, and he drove by in a cart and was pulling his hat really, really low. I remember him saying, ‘No autographs today.’”

Having since experienced superstardom, Manziel says he understands Woods’ rejection on that day.

“I’m sure there are stories about me,” Manziel said. “Maybe not in the same fashion, but maybe someone has asked, ‘Hey can I take a picture with you?’ And I say, ‘Sure, I’m gonna use the restroom, and I’ll be right back.’ Then, something comes up.” 

Manziel is no longer bitter and says he'll have a laugh about it whenever he eventually runs into Woods. 

“If I ever run into Tiger at Nike or somewhere, it’ll be a funny story,” Manziel said.

It’s anyone’s guess as to how Manziel hasn’t met Woods yet (he’s met everyone, everywhere, except you). And he’s an avid (and skilled) golfer to boot. 

But worry not. Someone, somewhere will set up a round of golf between the two and film a charming video of Woods fake-smiling and Manziel genuinely smiling through nine at Pebble Beach. They'll laugh awkwardly when they both show up in Sunday red. One will do a golf trick and the other will do a football thing with a golf ball. 

Wink. Nudge. Cough. Nike.

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