Artistic Impressions: Top NFL Rookies Get Creative for Unique Panini America Cards

Most folks would agree that the 35 NFL players who attended May's 2012 NFLPA Rookie Premiere have football down to an art form. Their real art forms, though, are every bit as interesting, compelling, revealing and fun to look at.

Most folks would agree that the 35 NFL players who attended May’s 2012 NFLPA Rookie Premiere have football down to an art form. Their real art forms, though, are every bit as interesting, compelling, revealing and fun to look at.

Andrew Luck, the Picasso, is no match for Andrew Luck, the passer, but his rendition of Lucas Oil Stadium is pretty darn impressive. Robert Griffin III likely won’t draw comparisons to Vincent van Gogh, but he will draw a colorfully poignant tree. And while Brandon Weeden is no Andy Warhol, his use of color is, dare we say, impeccable.

Indeed, you can learn a lot about a player by handing him a blank 2 1/2-by-3 1/2 cardboard canvas and telling him to “sketch something.” That’s essentially what Panini America officials did in late May, and the resulting original sketch cards, as you’ll soon see, are equal parts inspirational, elementary, fascinating and funny.

To complete the masterpieces, each player autographed the back of his sketch. And each of these hand-drawn originals — and more like them — will be randomly inserted as instant-win prizes in Panini America’s wrapper-redemption program during the 2012 National Sports Collectors Convention, which begins Wednesday at the Baltimore Convention Center.

The one-of-a-kind works of art are personal and personality-bearing, dripping with pearls of wisdom and hinting at the optimism of the future. Some of our personal favorites? Luck’s Lucas Oil Stadium rendition, both of Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin’s pirates and anything created by New York Giants running back David Wilson.

Check them out for yourself below.

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26 Replies to “Artistic Impressions: Top NFL Rookies Get Creative for Unique Panini America Cards”

  1. Tracy,
    These are awesome. Of course I think the Tannehill is the best. The players are getting so much more creative in both football and hockey since the beginning. Hopefully these rookies with start to build off each other from year to year and make these better each year.
    Thanks,
    T

    1. Many of these guys do have other talents outside of football…maybe you can start the “Panini Players Got Talent” talent show to showcase their more human-like gifts in addition to their immortal football skills 🙂

  2. That’s awesome, love to see rookies having fun with signing sessions.
    In my opinion hockey players are the best; they humbly take time to sign cleanly and are willing to sign a lot of on-card autos.

  3. I cant wait to try and get my hands on one of these! I think its a great idea and if your a fan of the player then thats even better cause you have more of a personal piece from the player! Graet job Panini on getting us closer to the game and players that we love! Keep coming up wit good ideas!!!

  4. Any chance that those of us not going get an oppurtunity to win some of these??? Would love to land any of the David Wilsons drawings. he did an awesome job.And go GMEN!!!

  5. I gotta say my fellow Appalachian alum in Brian Quick did a very nice job with the Rams head! Foles, Graham and Luck’s were also impressive. I wish I would have known we could participate in this even if we werent at the Nationals, I would have held off and bought my Elite this week instead of last week.

  6. I should be invited to the rookie camp next season Tracy and I will give free lessons in art….I would also turn heads on the field I have great hands………

  7. Just an FYI: I am the lucky one to owned the 1 of 1 one of a kind piece of art Lucas Oil Stadium sketch and signed rookie card by Andrew Luck that he personally drew. I know this card is his best rookie 1 of 1 card available in the market today or could be the best in the world because it was certified with the Panini Autograph Red Sticker on the back, plus encapulated by Best Grading Company- BGS/Beckett Grading Services. I personally sold my Blake Griffin Exquisite Gold numbered to 25 to just to get this. If you want to get hold of me, you can email me at: [email protected].

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