BECKETT FOOTBALL 7
DISHING WITH
THE ROOKIES
JOSH JACOBS,
RB, RAIDERS
Did you realize making football
cards was such a big business
and the Rookie Premiere was
such a big organized event?
“I didn’t know it was this much
that went into it. I didn’t know there
were metal cards. I don’t know where
to get them, I need a couple of them. I
honestly want to get at least one of ev-
ery kind, from each diff erent product.”
What did you think of all the
different varieties and inks for
signatures?
“It’s defi nitely dope. Th is one with four of us on here together,
I think that’s dope. I’ve never seen anything like that either. And
the cards with the jerseys.”
Did you realize the college cards and collectibles are
such a big deal?
“I kind of did, especially early on. We haven’t offi cially played
a snap in the league, and we have so many die-hard fans at our
school. But it’s cool how they got our new jerseys.”
What did you collect growing up?
“I used to have a crazy baseball card collection, rare ones. But
we moved so much that I lost them.”
What player would you want to be on a football
card with?
“It’s got to be a running back. I would have to go with my all-
time favorite, LaDainian Tomlinson.”
What type of RB are Raiders fans getting?
“One of the most versatile backs. I’m defi nitely that new-era
back. You can line me up out wide and run routes. You can keep
me in to protect, and obviously I can run
the ball. So, I feel like I can do everything
pretty well. Th at’s what probably sold me
most to teams.”
How have the Raiders veterans
helped you so far?
“Derek Carr probably knows me the
most. Antonio gave me some gems, but
you know, he’s not a running back (laughs).
But Derek Carr keeps me up to date on the
plays. Him and Doug Martin, and all the
other running backs helped me out.”
How did all the hardships in your
history help shape you outside of
football?
“It helped me more outside of school. It
helped me to be very understanding when
it comes to a lot of people’s situations...
when it comes to judging people. It taught
me to take a humble approach to everything. It helped me grind
for everything.”
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing
football?
“Probably something in the community. One of my dreams
is to start a facility back home that helps kids who grew up like
I did, that don’t have much, to have somewhere safe to go and
perfect their craft s. Th at may be sports, music, technology, what-
ever—just to provide help for free. Back home, why my story is
so special, is because I’m the only one to ever do it without help,
other than faith and God. I just want to be that person who can
help them.”
What rookie would you want to start building a Rookie
Card collection of?
“I would have to say Irv Smith, just because that’s my dog.
I went to school with him, and we were roommates. I know
a lot of things going on in his life that a lot of people don’t
know about.”
You learn a lot about each rookie at the NFLPA Rookie Pre-
miere presented by Panini America. You see the young rookies
interact not only as athletes, but also as competitors, profession-
als and friends. Th is year’s Rookie Premiere debuted 40 elite stars
from the 2019 rookie class. Th ousands of photos and autographs
were captured that will be used in card products over the next
year. Th is year marked the 25th anniversary for the event, which
just happens to coincide with the 100th NFL season.
Rookies signed cards for up-coming 2019 products such as
Luminance, Elements, National Treasures Collegiate, Flawless
Collegiate, Immaculate Collection Collegiate, Prestige, Origins
and online-exclusive Instant Access. By far, the most popular cards
among the rookies were the metal Elements cards, signed in diff er-
ent color ink.
Panini’s intricate organization is pretty impressive to see. Cards
and sets are packed in individual boxes with clear instructions on
where to sign and what color ink to use. Any serial numbering or
special inscriptions might be hand-signed for rare cards. Panini
Instant also designed and created the fi rst full NFL uniform cards
of these top rookies during the weekend.
Beckett Football chatted with most of the rookies throughout
the event about the transition from college to the NFL, their
expectations for the season, and seeing their fi rst licensed trading
cards.
Continued on page 8