These guys are allowed to have bad days too.
They get busy, they get frustrated, they can get caught at the wrong time.
It’s not easy having your every move studied under the microscope every single day and being expected to be the perfect role model and sound ambassador to every fan who calls your name on a whim but that’s what makes Rory McIlroy’s comments about Roy Keane surprising.
The Down native still remembers being snubbed for an autograph by the Republic of Ireland legend when he was a kid and he even says that he hasn’t liked the Cork man since.
The chat came up because McIlroy drew a beautiful reaction from a young wide-eyed fan last week when he gave up his golf ball after his round.
Little Henry’s reaction to @McIlroyRory’s gift is so pure ❤️
(via @Chrell83) pic.twitter.com/g2aui6IqNq— NBC Sports Bet (@NBCSportsBet) September 30, 2017
McIlroy says that’s something he tries to do all the time because the shoe has been on the other foot before.
“I had it go the other way for me, where I asked someone for an autograph as a kid and they didn’t give it to me,” McIlroy told the press as highlighted by The Telegraph.
“And I’ve never liked them since.
“It was Roy Keane. He should be one of my heroes because I was, and still am, a huge Man Utd fan. But I remember I went and asked him for his autograph at the Portmarnock Links Hotel [in Dublin] when he was with the Ireland squad and he just said no. And it just sort of stuck with me ever since. So that’s why if a kid asks me for an autograph, I always try to do it.”
The question out there was whether he does do that or not.
https://twitter.com/SportdecApp/status/915851815958310913
A lot of Roy Keane fans – and just general stirrers – are enjoying circulating this clip of McIlroy refusing an autograph for a young fan but, mid-tournament, this would result in a disqualification had he stopped for the fan to do that.
Try telling that to the youngster.
The firm hand from McIlroy might’ve been harsh but necessary.
It’s the next guy’s hand that’s worst though.
And the other guy coming in to help him.
It’s not going to be one the next young lad forgets in a hurry.
