The WWE wrestler, Kevin Owens, recently remarked that he used to sign autographs with an interesting message, “Don’t follow us at the airport”, conveyed as a subtle plea to deter fans from waiting for them at airports to collect autographs and later selling these signed merchandise items on eBay.
Kevin Owens made a subsequent clarification on Twitter regarding his stance on interacting with fans at airports. He stressed that he isn’t against such encounters, but demands fans to behave respectfully.
Owens stated, “To clarify: If you happen to stumble across me at an airport or practically anywhere else, please feel free to talk to me or ask for a photo or an autograph – if I’m in the situation to comply, I absolutely will. However, if you show up at the airport with a plastic bin full of merch and wait at baggage claim with 26 other people and then exhibit signs of outrage when I decline signing autographs, but I still offer a picture with you, you may resort to self-intimacy.”
In response to the question as to why he would still agree on a picture, Owens elucidated, “Because clicking a picture only takes a moment. Usually, the people present there for capitalizing on autographed stuff have multiple items for signing. I once tried saying “I’ll sign one” and yet received backlashes or they’d return after getting something signed, hoping that I wasn’t attentive enough to remember who I signed for and try to get additional items signed. Like any other situation in life, it is the decent and considerate individuals who end up bearing the consequences due to those who are self-centered. Agreeing to pictures with everyone is my method of ensuring the good fans still receive something.”
For further clarification:
In case you cross paths with me at an airport or practically anywhere else, you are more than welcome to converse with me or request a photo or an autograph. If I am able to comply, I will without a doubt do so.
If you turn up at the airport with a bin full of merch and wait… https://t.co/mmBpsl4XWq
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) April 11, 2025