BACKKansas Collector J.P. Murnan Earns Meeting with Mahomes in 2017 Panini NFL POD
J.P. Murnan of Overland Park, Kan., is like thousands of other sports card collectors across America. He collected as a kid, took a break from the hobby for a few years and then returned to the hobby in his early 20s. But unlike the thousands of other collectors who entered the 2017 Panini NFL Player of the Day contest, Murnan will be spending the day on June 15 with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II.
Murnan, a 26-year-old diesel mechanic, was among more than 150,000 NFL card collectors who participated in the Panini NFL Player of the Day contest at more than 600 hobby shops last fall. He is among the thousands who earned prizes; but as the Grand Prize winner, he is the only one spending the day with an NFL player. His journey began just like thousands of other collectors when he uncovered the Panini NFL Player of the Day in a pack of Panini America NFL cards. He was then randomly selected as the store’s grand prize winner and was entered in the national sweepstakes with winners from the other 600 shops.
The big day will begin with Mahomes attending a private party with Murnan and up to 25 friends and family members. The guests will toss the football around, conduct a Q&A, pose for photos and receive autographs. Following the party, Mahomes, Murnan and some of his friends will take a limousine to The Baseball Card Store in Overland Park as up to 150 of the shop’s best customers will receive a free autograph and photo with the Chiefs’ quarterback.
“We look forward to sharing this memorable day with J.P and many of our loyal customers,” said Scott Neal, Owner of The Baseball Card Store. “J.P. comes into the shop twice a week. He’s an avid collector and a huge Chiefs and Royals fan, so I know the chance to meet the Chiefs’ quarterback of the future will be truly special for him.”
“We are excited to create this special day for J.P. and loyal customers at The Baseball Card Store,” said Jason Howarth, Panini America Vice President of Marketing. “Collectors have a chance to get closer to their favorite NFL player in every pack of Panini America NFL trading cards, so it’s fitting that we cap off the Panini NFL Player of the Day promotion by bringing a player and collectors together for a memorable day.”
The 2017 Panini NFL Player of the Day promotion included more than 600 hobby shops. This marks the 18th consecutive year that the NFL Player of the Day program has given a card collector the chance to spend the day with an NFL player. Past players have included K.J. Wright, Antonio Brown, Pierre Thomas, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ed McCaffrey and many more.
Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance and be sure to follow @PaniniPOD on Twitter for complete coverage of the Mahomes event.
