Looks like CJ Gardner-Johnson loves to stir the pot. He previously turned heads with his blunt comments about parting ways with the Eagles. “Scared of a competitor. Simple as that,” he said on The Pivot podcast when asked why the team moved on. But if that wasn’t enough, one of the league’s loudest and most unapologetic defenders recently did something that rubbed even some of his own fans the wrong way.
The man showed up at a paid autograph signing with all the class you’d expect. Fans were lined up like it was Black Friday at Best Buy. But somewhere between the selfies and Sharpies, things went sideways. Indeed, the talk online wasn’t about picks or Pro Bowls. But it was about who got ghosted at the table. Subsequently, Johnson went from signing autographs to trending for all the wrong reasons.
The Houston Texans set up a paid autograph event starring CJ Gardner-Johnson. Fans showed up early, cash already shelled out, Sharpies in hand, ready to leave with signed gear and maybe even a quick flex for Instagram. But instead of a solid meet-and-greet, CJ showed up, did a few quick scribbles, and bailed. Fast. Why? Well, his girlfriend was hungry.
Yep. Not an emergency, not a tweak or a team thing. Indeed, just a little snack run for his girlfriend. One minute, fans were in line picturing an autographed gold. Next, they were holding blank jerseys and realizing a craving took top priority.
And these autograph sessions aren’t some goodwill gesture. Fans paid real money to be there for the Texans star. Some folks dropped up to $50 to $100 just for a chance to meet CJ in person. The kids were probably waiting for days to see their favorite player, gear in hand… only to watch the whole thing fizzle out after maybe five minutes of quick scribbles and a “thanks, bye.”
On the field? Johnson backs it up. He posted 87 tackles and 4 picks in 2024. Off the field, though? That fan-love meter is starting to dip. When fans are paying the price of admission, they want some love back. A little time, a quick smile, maybe a photo. Not just the highlight reel on Sundays. And obviously, they made their feelings known.
Fans react to CJ Gardner-Johnson’s ‘urgency’
Let’s get real: CJ Gardner-Johnson launched this whole saga for one reason—his girlfriend. You can almost picture it: “Hungry” text in all caps. But the fans don’t care. As you’d expect, they were quick to storm Instagram. One fan said, “Are we really surprised? He seems like the kinda guy who’d do that.” Honestly? Yeah, he might be that guy. He always had that trolling edge, so if someone told you he’d bounce from a fan event because his girlfriend wanted Chick-fil-A, you probably wouldn’t blink twice.
Another one wrote, “fans come first.” That’s the golden rule, right? Fans come first. Not after dinner plans. Not after a snack run. definitely not after a ‘babe, I’m hungry‘ text. Fans paid up, lined up with Sharpies and dreams, then got ghosted. We understand you love Summer Bunni, Johnson.
One remarked, “Yeah, bro, if you were getting paid for that, you gotta upkeep your end of the deal.” Exactly! This wasn’t some casual stroll through a mall. It was a paid signing. It would’ve been one thing if this were just a voluntary thing. But when actual money gets involved? That becomes part of your job.
One took a nasty shot. “Who would pay American currency for his auto ,” he said. Let’s not get too cute now… CJ Gardner-Johnson may not be handing out MVP trophies, but the man did help anchor one of the nastiest secondaries in the league when healthy. But no matter what you say, expect hundreds of grown men to line up for his autograph.
Finally, one dropped a remarkable suggestion. “If this was me… shoot, I’d hold the autograph signing inside an In-N-Out or something so everyone would be fed while waiting .” Now that’s innovation! Honestly, Johnson might’ve missed a golden branding opportunity here. Imagine autographing jerseys between Double-Doubles and animal-style fries. And at the same time? Keep your girlfriend fed. Win-win.
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