Panini signs card, autograph deal with RG3

Posted May 1, 2012 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated May 1, 2012 at 05:57 PM

The Washington Redskins believe they made a good move by drafting Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft. And officials at Panini America undoubtedly feel the same way about Griffin after signing the Heisman Trophy winner to a trading card agreement for the 2012 season.

The deal will include Griffin’s first officially licensed NFL and NFL Players Association trading cards, as well as his first licensed autographed trading cards.

The quarterback’s first cards will debut in Panini America’s 2012 Prestige product, scheduled for a June release. In addition to traditional trading cards, Griffin also will be featured exclusively on Panini’s HRX Video Trading Card technology and in social media initiatives throughout the length of the agreement.

“As a kid, you go to the stores and you buy the trading cards and to know that I’ll finally be on those cards legitimately is very cool,” Griffin said in a Panini news release. “Not everybody gets that chance and I’m thankful that Panini America is making it possible for me. I’ll definitely savor it and just continue to build toward a better future.”
 
Panini CEO Mark Warsop also said all the right things in the news release, calling Griffin “one of the most dynamic playmakers to emerge at the quarterback position in many years.”

“His extensive presence in our 2012 products will only add excitement to arguably the greatest rookie class of the last decade,” Warsop said.

Prestige’s release is only a month away, so there will be plenty of anticipation. Griffin will be included in the packaging of the product, so that will give him something more to savor.