Signing in the Reign: Panini America Finally Lands Seahawks Superstar Russell Wilson

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Less than two weeks after leading the Seattle Seahawks to the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history, Russell Wilson on Thursday afternoon got back to performing the signature moves that have captivated football collectors for the last two years. This time, however, he didn't hold a football in his capable right hand. Instead, he clutched a series of Staedtler pens that left indelible marks on every last one of his Panini America autograph cards.

Panini America Russell Signs Main

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Less than two weeks after leading the Seattle Seahawks to their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history, Russell Wilson on Thursday afternoon got back to performing the signature moves that have captivated football collectors for the last two years. This time, however, he didn’t hold a football in his capable right hand. Instead, he clutched a series of Staedtler pens that left indelible marks on every last one of his Panini America autograph cards.

Indeed, over the course of a monumental four-hour signing session with Panini America’s David Sharp and Joe White inside a conference room at The Westin Bellevue hotel, Wilson transformed his outstanding redemptions into truly outstanding redemptions. He signed everything remaining on his Panini America contract, including key Rookie Cards from such products as 2012 Crown Royale Football, 2012 National Treasures Football and 2012 Contenders Football. And in true Wilson fashion, he made a huge positive impression while doing it.

“He’s one of the most down-to-earth players I’ve ever worked with; you would never have thought he had just won the Super Bowl,” said White, Panini America Football Acquisitions Manager. “He said he wanted to shatter the signing record. I think he did.”

Although the wait for some collectors holding Wilson redemption cards has been longer than Panini America officials would like, the timing of this long-awaited signing session could hardly be better. Wilson’s two-year ascension to superstardom peaked 12 days ago with the Super Bowl XLVIII victory and sent his best trading cards to all-time-high value levels. In a matter of days, those autograph cards will be in collectors’ hands, replacing their redemption placeholders.

“Thursday’s signing with Russell Wilson is huge for our collectors and it’s a session we had been working with Russell to arrange for some time,” said Jason Howarth, Panini America Vice President of Marketing. “We agreed it would take place at the conclusion of his season – it just so happened that his final game would be one that resulted in a Super Bowl championship. We’re happy to get his cards signed and Russell was excited to get his Panini autograph cards complete and into the hands of his fans.

“The driving force in our commitment to getting these cards —  including Russell’s key Rookie Cards — signed was to deliver them to our loyal Panini NFL trading card collectors. We never wavered in our commitment to get the job done and that’s what sets our Acquisitions and Customer Service teams apart from everyone else in the industry.”

Below, we’ve provided a stunning gallery showcasing just some of what Wilson signed yesterday. If you’re waiting on a Wilson redemption, just know that we can now confirm it’s been signed. In a matter of days, it will also be sealed and delivered.

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38 Replies to “Signing in the Reign: Panini America Finally Lands Seahawks Superstar Russell Wilson”

  1. I feel like I’m pretty in the know when it comes to NFL cards from 2012, but I have to ask…What are those Spectra cards? I don’t remember seeing any redemptions for those. THANK YOU for finally getting him to sign all of his cards. I’m a true Seahawks fan from Texas (Love Panini), and it was so easy to collect RW from the start because I knew he would be our next franchise QB. I absolutely can’t wait until you guys send me my 14 Playbook autos!

  2. Great news on the Russell Wilson signing. Now only if you could get Julio Jones to sign all of his outstanding redemptions.

  3. Hi Did Wilson Sign 2012 Absolute War Room Autograph/ Materials card??? I Really Hope So. Also when do you think Kevin Durant will sign 2012 Elite series Aspirations Auto Card? Lastly I was Happy Very Happy with Kyrie Signing but the Absolute 2012 Rookie Autographs were not signed by Kyrie. But I’m OK, I will Patiently wait for it. I Was Thankful for Kyrie signing the elite inscriptions. Thank You. Thank You for Everyone at Panini for All the Hard Work. The Collectors Appreciate it, Thank You and God Bless.

    1. I know that Wilson signed everything that was outstanding. I’ll check on where we are with Kevin Durant. Kyrie should be just about all caught up with the exception of a few sticker autos. We appreciate everyone’s patience. None of us like redemptions, but we will continue doing our best to lead the industry in how we handle them.

  4. Holy *&!%!!!!!!! I come here every week asking about Russell Wilson redemptions and now they are signed! Best day of my life!!! (Just kidding, of course.) Thank you!

  5. Hey Tracy Thanks to you and the Panini team, this is good news. Do you know when they might be shipped out? They were not in the redemption report this last week. Just wondering, cannot wait to see mine! Thanks again,
    Marty

  6. Still no updates on the status page for our redemptions. Any word on when these will REALLY ship, now that Panini has these signed??

      1. I have received one of my Playbook Prime Materials Signatures cards, but not other playbooks. It looks like a lot of NT have been shipped out, and possibly on Die Cut 3 Prime of the Playbook.

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