Panini America continues to challenge status quo with Father’s Day memorabilia cards
By Chris Olds | Beckett Sports Card Monthly Editor | Commentary
If you’re a collector who has participated in some of Panini America‘s promotional pack programs in the last few years, you know how the company has implemented the unusual into them.
We’ve seen player-used towels, Hackler-used shirts, player-used giant foam fingers, gloves and so much more make their way into cards that bring something different into the mix, something we haven’t quite seen before.
This year is no different.
Draft-night hats, NFL Combine jerseys, Super Bowl pylons and balls are all included in this year’s Father’s Day promo packs that begin distribution soon as a bonus item after purchase of Panini products at participating stores.
Also among them is something we haven’t seen before — a coach’s challenge flag. The Miami Dolphins provided a challenge flag to be made into cards and you can see the results above. Is there much extra interest because it was used by coach Joe Philbin? Probably not — the interest would be in the fact that this type of card has never been made before.
It’s interesting that instant replay challenges have been around for a long time — and the coach’s flag has been around for a decent part of that — yet a memorabilia card had never been made from one. (And I’m pretty sure we still haven’t seen one for the plentiful yellow referee flag, either.)
There’s no doubt that these flags are game-used — from Sept. 7, 2014, even — but since it’s not by a player on the field for four quarters some collectors will balk at or discount their “value.” Others, myself included, will see it as something interesting and unique and want one in the ol’ collection — the value being that it was something never done before.
The Panini Father’s Day packs are just the start — up next will be the National Sports Collectors Convention in late July. And, not long after that, we’ll be looking at Black Friday before you know it where our collecting notions might be challenged once again.
Let us know what you think of these cards in the comments below.
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball and Beckett Sports Card Monthly magazines. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
According to pro-football-reference.com, the Miami Dolphins did not challenge a call on September 7, 2014.
So there.
And yet it was still in the coach’s possession for the duration of an NFL game that was played and therefore was used. Go figure.
It’s a cool piece, it would’ve been even cooler if it was actually used to challenge a play during the game. I understand that technically it is “game used” however the card gives the illusion that the coach actually used it during a game. It definitely a unique piece, since there has never been a similar card made before, however it makes me wonder what’s next: “game used” napkins from the concession stand.
So Chris,
If a player does not enter a game for a given date, do you still consider that uniform game used? it was on his body for the entire game
I like the concept. Why does Panini wait for special promotions for these unique cards? Insert them into all the boxes but please, please, I beg you – do not make 10 parallels of each card. Parallels, other than one of one’s, suck.
Neat that they are giving this a try, but why not put an actual picture and name of the coach on the card? Would be better than the generic-looking arm holding a flag. Maybe it’s Philbin’s arm, but why not actually attribute it to the coach that used it by including their picture and name on the card as well. Could maybe do the same with a ref set of penalty flags and have a version that they autograph as well. Again, cool idea, poor execution.
While some may think it’s cool,which it might be,I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to regularly insert into packs.I’m ok with a special occasion,but cards don’t need another over-produced item to reduce their value. It’s sad when gimmick cards sell for more than a Hall of Famer’s autograph.
I agree with Chris here Steve D. It technically isn’t game used (according to dictionary.com use/used= put into service, make use of) neither of which this flag qualifies. Now if you want get technical and say well it was put into service by being in the coaches pocket the whole game then panini needs to be more specific and state whether it was game PLAYED or just game USED. Just because it was at the game doesn’t make game used. It’s like saying a football that sat in the ball bag all game is game used or the tee shirt I wore while sitting in the stands is game used, because technically I used it as a shirt while at the game so it technically it IS game USED. I wonder how many of these supposed game used products get pawned off on these collector’s that technically didn’t even make it into the game. Basically what I’m trying get at is that panini and these other companies need to start being more specific as whether it was game USED or game PLAYED it almost falls into the false advertising category.
I’m a big fan of something different coming up in memorabilia cards. 20 years after the mem card was first issued in NASCAR sets I’ve grown road weary of seeing jersey after jersey.
I think it would be interesting, next, to cut a few roster sheets that are filled out and signed by coaches. Baseball would obviously have the most opportunities, but I could see a set done for the NFL with the player image and scribbled name as a cut beside. Would make a cool 1/1, especially with the notoriety some coaches have these days.
What I think is most notable here is that Panini made an entire game-used insert set with items used on a specific date, specified on the card. That’s what we need more of.
I hope they come out with Official Game Deflated Game Balls, actually used during The Patriots games. (REMAINDER OF COMMENT REMOVED BY EDITOR)