The NFLPA Rookie Premiere is a time for the players to learn the business side of football. One of the things that they will have to do is sign autographs. Panini America is one of the major players when it comes to trading cards. They were on hand at the event to have players sign rookie cards that will be released soon.
The players signed cards and other products that will be a part of a rookie release. Pro Player Insiders was in the room as the players signed cards and put on their jerseys for the first time. Some of the guys that were in the room with us were Mike Evans, Jarvis Landry, Jordan Matthews, Teddy Bridgewater, DeAnthony Thomas and Allan Robinson.
Robinson was very excited about getting to sign his own rookie card. “I think it is a big deal. I signed a lot of cards and to be at that moment where you have been dreaming of all your life and to have your own rookie card. I think it is a great experience. Same thing with getting to put my jersey on for the first time.”
DeAnthony Thomas didn’t collect cards when he was younger but he was excited about signing for Panini. “It is a great experience to be here. Signing for Panini has been great. It is great to have that me and be the guy that they choose to have sign.”
We spoke to Panini executive Joe White about how big of an opportunity it is to get the top rookies to sign their products. He told us about some of the things that they have going on. He was very pleased to have the top rookies in the room to sign all of their cards. “We have them sign quite a few different things. trading cards, stickers that will go on the trading card and acetate that will actually go inside trading cards. Everything that is here is going to be in the first four or five products out of the 18 products that we release throughout the year. It’s huge because collectors want the market guys. We have to have them in our packs. They’re randomly placed into the packs so the fans get a prize.”
The rookie card signing was one of the more laid back opportunities for the rookies. They were given stacks of cards to sign. Some of the players said that they practiced their signatures when they were younger in hopes of becoming a professional athlete. They have arrived in the NFL and now the game that they played when they were younger is their job. Be sure to follow @PaniniAmerica for exclusive information about their rookie card release.
