16 BECKETT.COM
DREW LOCK,
QB, BRONCOS
Did you realize making football cards was such a big
business and the Rookie Premiere was such a big orga-
nized event?
“No, I guess I didn’t realize how big of an event it was as far as
the trading card side of things. Th ere is a lot of organization put
into this event. Th ere’s a lot of cool stuff that opened my eyes to
what Panini does.”
Did you know the college cards were such a big market?
“No, I was collecting Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon cards back in
the day. I didn’t get too deep into some of the sports cards. But just
being around this event and learning more about it, it’s a much
bigger deal than I thought it was.”
Did you play the games or just col-
lect the cards?
“I just tried to collect. Everyone wanted
the blue eyes white dragon with Yu-Gi-
Oh!, so that was super-dope to get. Poké-
mon, the originals were always nice to
have—Pikachu, Charizard and Bulbasaur.”
Are you going to see the Pokémon
movie?
“I kind of want to. I watch the Yu-Gi-
Oh! and Pokémon shows on Netfl ix. I’m
a big Pokémon guy.”
What rookie would you choose to
build a Rookie Card collection of?
“Th at’s a good question. I’d start
my collection with a little Will Grier,
Carolina Panthers. Me and Will got
pretty close during all this. Maybe even
a Jarrett Stidham card because of how
close we are.”
What cards of yours this weekend did you think were
cool or unique?
“I like these Origins ones big-time, especially the super-thick
ones. Th en there were the Passport cards I was signing. I had to
sign the metal plate ones, those are sick. And the one of me, Dan-
iel, Kyler and Dwayne is pretty cool, too.”
What all-time player would you most want to be on a
football card with?
“I think it would be cool, being in Denver, to be on a card with
Mr. Elway. Th at’d be awesome, have him sign one side and me one
side. Hopefully I end up having a career like he did in Denver. But
we can wait for that down the road so I can establish myself a little
before they put me on a card with him.”
What style of quarterback are Broncos fans getting?
“My playing style... edgy is a pretty good word. I go out on the
fi eld with a chip on my shoulder, 24/7. Sometimes it can come off
a little arrogant, but there’s defi nitely an edge. It keeps me going.
I’m not a basic pocket passer. I can get out of it and make the game
exciting for people watching. Th at’s kind
of the QB they’re getting.”
How well have you gotten to
know Noah Fant so far?
“Pretty well, actually. Being in the
huddle with him. Th at staff in Denver
does such a good job just keeping
the rookie class together as much as
possible just so we get to know each
other really well. Th at really helps on
the fi eld because you start building the
chemistry off the fi eld and it becomes
a chemistry on the fi eld. Noah is defi nitely a goofy guy. He
likes to laugh and have fun. He has a good vibe about him, so
I like being around him.”
What players still at Missouri should collectors
watch out for the next couple years?
“I’m going to say Larry Rountree, running back. Super-
explosive guy. He was the second-leading rusher last
year in the SEC, and we had three backs that played. He
was my man. He put his body on the line for me in pass
protection.”
What will you miss most about college football?
“When you go to a school, you get to pick. So you are
picking the guys at that school. Making the friends that I
did, and going to the stadiums that I did, and just battling
out with the guys is the coolest part of college football. It’s
an awesome time in your life. I played in the SEC, so you
got the coolest stadiums of all time. It’s not always easy.
You fi ght through some rough times.”
DREW LOCK