Reggie Jackson Denies Pushing Fan Seeking Autograph at Restaurant

Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson was involved in an altercation with a fan who was seeking an autograph in Cooperstown, New York. 

According to Bill Madden of the New York Daily News, citing a video of the incident, Jackson was eating dinner with friends when at least one fan made an attempt to receive multiple autographs. 

"I already signed one," Jackson yelled, "and you go back to the f-----g line and come up again. That's f----d up. Now it's my time to eat dinner with people I seldom see. It's f----d up. Pay for them like everybody else."

Madden goes on to write that the fan said something else to provoke Jackson, and "it was unclear if the 69-year-old retired Yankee slugger touched the man, as others in the crowded restaurant tried to intervene." However, Jackson denies there was any physical altercation.

"You cannot touch a person," Jackson said. "It would be wrong to touch a person. Touching someone is not for me. You don't touch people in public. I was upset." 

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Cooperstown police chief Michael Covert said he was aware of the incident even though a formal complaint had not been filed with his department. 

According to Madden, Jackson claims he did sign some autographs for fans, but this particular person already got one earlier in the day while on the golf course.  

Autograph seekers have been a staple of celebrity culture for a long time. Hall of Famer George Brett had a confrontation with a fan in 2013 that resulted in him using foul language in a public place. 

Athletes are human beings who will have good and bad days. Asking someone for an autograph while out to dinner with friends may not be the best time to do it.