Dedicated autograph collector is Upper Deck's Ultimate NFL Fan
This guy’s a true collector of ink.
While many a fan has collected an autograph, which will often get tucked away for safe keeping, Matt Ellis of Auburn, Ind., takes his collection with him everywhere he goes.
And that alone — his Indianapolis Colts autograph collection which are now tattoos — made him the winner in Upper Deck‘s Ultimate NFL Fan contest.
“I’ve been a Colts fan since the Jim Harbaugh day,” said Ellis, 38, in a release from the Carlsbad, Calif.-based company. “But it wasn’t until 2007 that I started collecting their signatures on my body.”
His collection includes 31 players and two Colts coaches — the first being former Colts punter Hunter Smith. As part of the contest, Ellis won 20 tickets to an NFL game, a NFLShop.com shopping spree and will appear on a 2010 Upper Deck football card.
Ellis’ collection started when he got Smith’s signature on a football, which went to his wife, Ann. But it was his wife who suggested that he get his leg signed instead of a ticket stub. The rest is indelible (tattoo) ink history.
He noted that his collection is far from complete — he needs Marvin Harrison and Bob Sanders — among others. “I feel they are two of the most valuable to obtain, so they’re right there with the best of the best. I’m afraid I might be going to the grave without Marvin’s.”
His favorite tattoo is the autograph of former Colts coach Tony Dungy, which appears on his left shoulder, but he might have a new one coming to the collection soon as he agreed add the Upper Deck “Ultimate Fan” logo on his chest.
“Are you kidding me? Absolutely I will wear the Upper Deck Ultimate Fan logo with honor,” he said. “If [Upper Deck is] willing to put me on a trading card, the best I can do would be to ink and represent Upper Deck.”
[…] His collection includes 31 players and two Colts coaches — the first being former Colts punter Hunter Smith. As part of the contest, Ellis won 20 tickets to an NFL game, a NFLShop.com shopping spree and will appear on a 2010 Upper Deck football card. (via Beckett Blog) […]