Mount Cody does his part for the process

LINK

'Mount Cody' proves too steep for local fans
Crimson Tide star charges $25 a pop

By Don Fletcher • Progress staff writer • April 7, 2010

For most of the hundreds of football fans that entered Prattville High School's Powell Gymnasium last Saturday, the excitement that filled their faces as they entered the gym was replaced by disappointment as they left.
Advertisement

The throng's excitement stemmed from an announcement that University of Alabama defensive standout Terrence "Mount" Cody would sign autographs during a two-hour event sponsored by an online merchandiser of UA paraphernalia and memorabilia.

The disappointment experienced by most was generated by the discovery that the 6-foot-5, 350-pound athlete's signature was only available for a price, and that the price was too steep.

Cody, accompanied by his newly hired sports agent, charged $25 for each item to which he applied his name. For $30, he personalized prints of Daniel Moore's "The Block," which immortalized the UA defender's deflection of a Tennessee field goal in last year's SEC battle.

Saturday's event was sponsored by bamawear.com, a Childersburg-based online merchandiser of UA paraphernalia and memorabilia. The vendor had several tables set up inside the gym, marketing numerous 'Bama items that could be autographed.

"They told me that you had to buy something, and you had to pay $25," said Dalton Gnann, a local home-schooled teen, as he left the gym, empty-handed, around 12:45 p.m.

Martha Ellis, a local psychologist, said the autograph fee was just a small part of her disappointment. Ellis, who shelled out more than $100, said she was also turned off by the attitude of the athlete, who offered little interaction with fans and often talked on his cell phone as he scribbled his name for those who paid for it.

"We're excited, don't get me wrong," said Ellis. "We just expected a better reception than we got, a better mood. It's like, 'you people are in the way, get out of here.' They weren't exactly running over with people, so you'd think they'd be glad for the ones that did pay. If I spend $120, I expect somebody to appreciate it."

A representative of the online merchandiser said that business was brisk when the event first began, but dropped off quickly as angry or disappointed people quickly left without buying anything.