UPDATED: Upper Deck creates card for 7-year-old cancer patient
By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor
Jack Hoffman has been part of the Nebraska football family since last season – and he’s getting his first trading card.
The 7-year-old is battling pediatric brain cancer and grabbed attention earlier this month when he ran for a 69-yard touchdown in Nebraska’s spring game.
Upper Deck is going to create a “Rookie Card” for Hoffman, the company announced Tuesday. The cards won’t appear in packs, but will be blown up and signed by Hoffman and used for charitable purposes.
“Jack is the type of inspirational athlete who absolutely deserves an Upper Deck rookie card,” said Chris Carlin, Upper Deck’s sports marketing manager. “Upper Deck does not want to risk Jack’s amateur status with the NCAA so the card we created will not be part of a mainstream trading card release. Jack had a larger than life moment on the field that day for Nebraska, which is why Upper Deck is creating a limited number of promotional blow-up rookie cards for Jack to sign and use for charitable purposes. Upper Deck is proud to play a small role increasing awareness in Jack’s cause and we are excited to be a part of ‘Team Jack!’”
So many are part of Team Jack already with nearly 45,000 Facebook fans on his page.
“We are humbled that a prestigious sports card company like Upper Deck would take such an interest in our son Jack,” said Andy Hoffman, Jack’s father. “We are so thankful for their interest in joining our family in the fight against pediatric brain cancer. With their help, we will be able to keep moving the ball forward by getting this devastating disease elevated onto the national agenda.”
Upper Deck will announce how fans can bid on these cards later.
Update: Upper Deck will create a 5-inch by 7-inch trading card of Hoffman and donate them to the Hoffman family, who in turn said they will use them for charitable purposes.
The cards will feature Hoffman’s statistics and information on the Team Jack Foundation. The back will also be written by the 7-year-old himself.
To order the Upper Deck cards, visit the Team Jack Foundation store. The cards will be available starting May 15 and will cost $10 each.
Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Football. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here. Follow Beckett Media on Facebook and Twitter.
Classy Upper Deck. Keep boxing on young Jack!
Love it!
I agree rishgoon.Upper Deck takes a beating from you collectors,but give them props for a very classy thing to do.God bless you Jack.Very classy Upper Deck.
Very Very Cool…..Upper Deck should be an inspiration to other corporations.
This is a Great way for fund raising.
Wouldn’t it be nice if each company built a set and dedicated that set to a Non-profit organization like the Cancer Society or an equal entity?
I’m sure all of us would have been very proud to know that (just for an example) the Topps Turkey Red Football sold out in less than an hour, and they will be giving all the proceeds to the organization that has been named. Just within the card manufacturing companies you would have the ability to raise Millions per year on sets that would be dedicated to Non-profit organizations.
There has been much said about the internet and the companies selling directly to its customers. I think this ( direct fund raising) would be one time that we could let that go and do what is right for the community. I think the corporations would be very pleased at the outcome of set fund raising, have any idea how many women and men would be interested in buying cards or sets that help a cause that have never purchased a card before.
Here’s an easy set they can make and dedicate it to an organization: 2013 Baseball All-Star Set……Do like Topps did with Turkey Red…..Small box/pack…..reasonable start price….Quality players and a short-list…..limited supply…….Put the organization on the card and there we go……..A sell-out with proceeds going to the chosen organization. I could go on and on with ideas for fund raising.
Some things aren’t that hard to figure out…..Topps. Panini, etc…You want Free marketing and advertising? Do something for the people, don’t worry you will profit at both ends….just like the Corporation likes it.
Peace
Definitely cool.
Awesome. Nice move by Upper Deck.
I really like Ed’s idea, too.
Upper Deck has given Jack something that is priceless! Prayers to Jack and his family.
Wow!!! Great card !!! Way to go UPD & way to go Nebraska & Jack Hoffman, the player to collect from the 2013 class!!!! Best rookie card I’ve seen in years.
Simply awesome
An inspirational story that brings tears to the eyes!!
What a classy thing to do!
God bless this family and best of luck with the fund raising!
Bravo Upper Deck!