NFL’s top rookies spreading holiday cheer

Panini America is doing its part to spread holiday cheer this season. It got Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson to don Christmas hats for special holiday-themed memorabilia cards.

The only way to get these cards is in Panini’s Black Friday promotion.

The 2012 NFL rookies wore hats specific to each player’s team. Luck’s hat has a bit more blue in it while RG3’s hat has that Redskins maroon color.

Companies have had holiday cards in the past. Pro Set regularly put Santa Claus cards into its football card packs in the early 1990s.

In 1999, Upper Deck featured baseball star Ken Griffey Jr., in a Santa hat and then embedded pieces of the hat in cards. It was issued to UD employees and some direct dealers.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Griffey card is the writing on the back: “You have received a special holiday-worn Santa hat card straight from Santa’s special workshop in Carlsbad, California. We hope you enjoy this piece of “collectible cheer” as we at the Upper Deck Company wish you a very happy holiday season.”