The Patriot: Tim Tebow’s First New England Card Coming in 2013 Rookies & Stars

Thirteen years ago this month, Mel Gibson’s star turn as American Revolution war hero Benjamin Martin helped “The Patriot” gross more than $22 million at the box office during its opening weekend. This summer, however, a new Patriot will be generating boffo ratings, commanding cameras and providing fireworks. Yes, Tim Tebow is a member of the New England Patriots.

The rumors that started reverberating throughout the Internet on Monday night were confirmed early Tuesday when Tebow signed a two-year deal with New England and then immediately attended the team’s minicamp practice. As expected, the Tebow signing received national attention from newsrooms, sports desks and late-night talk shows. But it also gave Tebow’s seemingly countless legion of fans and collectors yet one more opportunity to chase their beloved lightning rod of a player.

Indeed, while Tebow may be third on the Patriots’ quarterback depth chart, he remains No. 1 in the hearts, minds and collections of millions (even if he is wearing No. 5 now), which means the first NFL trading cards featuring Tebow with his new team — his third in as many seasons — will be one hot commodity as soon as it’s released.

Today, Panini America officials unveiled what Tebow’s first New England Patriots card will look like when it releases in late August inside the company’s 2013 Rookies & Stars Football release. It’s not often that a regular trading card of a fourth-year player generates much buzz. Tebow, of course, is no ordinary fourth-year player.

“Whenever you have a player with the level of popularity Tim has, and that player moves to a new team, it reinvigorates the collectibility of that player,” said Jason Howarth, Panini America’s Vice President of Marketing. “Fans of that player — and football fans in general — want to acquire the first trading cards of that player in his new uniform. Panini is excited to continue to deliver to Tim Tebow fans the very best football trading cards out there.”

Enjoy this Tebow tease and stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for additional updates 2013 Rookies & Stars Football.