2012 NFL Rookie Photo Shoot
Dates: May 16-20, 2012 – Los Angeles, CA
Photo Shoot Presented By Nike
NFLPA Press Release
Key Points:
35 Top NFL Rookies Invited
Photo shoot to get pictures in new Nike NFL uniforms
Sign Autographs for all major 2012 Football Card Sets
Wear Event Worn Jerseys for all 2012 Sets
Take a look back:
2011 Rookie Premiere Photo Shoot
2013 Rookie Premiere Photo Shoot
The 2012 NFL Rookie Premiere Photo Shoot is by far the single most important event all year for trading card manufactures like Panini and Topps to obtain not only photographs of 2012 rookies in new NFL Nike uniforms, but also get autographs and event worn jerseys from all of the 35 attending players. Just about every major card set produced by Topps and Panini in 2012 will feature cards that originated from this event. All 35 players will have the opportunity to sign and appear in both sets. Look for no athlete to sign an exclusive contract with either company. There is some misconception that Robert Griffin III and/or Andrew Luck would only be in Panini or Topps products. RGIII and Luck will appear in all Topps AND Panini sets with autographs, and event worn jerseys in both companies products. Look for every other player to also sign cards and wear jerseys for each company. The NFLPA wants both of their “partners” in Panini and Topps to have a fair shot at player contracts and probably discourage players from signing exclusive deals – especially rookie players.
All year Sports Card Radio will be putting up full checklists of each 2012 Football product by Panini and Topps. You can access those and other card checklists here. Many of the early products like Panini Prestige, Topps Inception and Bowman Signatures will heavily feature cards from this photo shoot. But in reality, just about every product in the 2012 cycle has some sort of cards that derived from the 2012 NFL photo shoot.
The NFLPA does an incredible job at putting on this event and it’s crucial for these card companies because it gives them access to 35 top rookies all in one place. The MLB and NBA do not have players associations that cater to the card companies like the NFLPA does for Panini and Topps. Fans of football cards should feel fortunate that the league does care and will spend a great deal of money putting on the 2012 event. This year there are no defensive players attending the premiere. For me, I like that, but I can see why some collectors would want certain defensive players invited to the event. Take a look at the players going – and also check back often from May 17-20 as we will update this page with many more pictures and additional information.
2012 NFL Rookie Premiere
Players At Photo Shoot
A.J. Jenkins WR 49ers
Andrew Luck QB Colts
Bernard Pierce RB Ravens
Brandon Weeden QB Browns
Brian Quick WR Rams
Brock Osweiler QB Broncos
Chris Givens WR Rams
Coby Fleener TE Colts
David Wilson RB Giants
DeVier Posey WR Texans
Doug Martin RB Buccaneers
Dwayne Allen TE Colts
Isaiah Pead RB Rams
Jarius Wright WR Vikings
Joe Adams WR Panthers
Justin Blackmon WR Jaguars
Kendall Wright WR Titans
Lamar Miller RB Dolphins
LaMichael James RB 49ers
Michael Egnew TE Dolphins
Michael Floyd WR Cardinals
Mohamed Sanu WR Bengals
Nick Foles QB Eagles
Nick Toon WR Saints
Robert Turbin RB Seahawks
Robert Griffin III QB Redskins
Ronnie Hillman RB Broncos
Rueben Randle WR Giants
Russell Wilson QB Seahawks
Ryan Broyles WR Lions
Ryan Tannehill QB Dolphins
Stephen Hill WR Jets
T.J. Graham WR Bills
T.Y. Hilton WR Colts
Trent Richardson RB Browns
2012 NFL Rookie Premiere
Team by Team Breakdown
49ers – 2
Bears – 0
Bengals – 1
Bills – 1
Broncos – 2
Browns – 2
Bucaneers – 1
Cardinals – 1
Chargers – 0
Cheifs – 0
Colts – 4
Cowboys – 0
Dolphins – 3
Eagles – 1
Falcons – 0
Giants – 2
Jaguars – 1
Jets – 1
Lions – 1
Packers – 0
Panthers – 1
Patriots – 0
Raiders – 0
Rams – 3
Ravens – 1
Redskins – 1
Saints – 1
Seahawks – 2
Steelers – 0
Texans – 1
Titans – 1
Vikings – 1
Be very careful when choosing teams for “box breaks” if you participate in those. Use this guide to help you select teams. If you’ve been buying football cards the last few years you know that many of the “hits” that come in boxes are of Photo Shoot rookie players. Notice the teams that have zero players attending the event: Bears, Chargers, Cheifs, Cowboys, Falcons, Packers, Patriots, Raiders, and Steelers. Now take a look at a product like 2012 Topps Inception Football – if this product stays true to it’s 2011 form – ALL of the “hits” will be of the rookies featured at the photo shoot. Meaning besides base cards and the parallels available off of that, there will be no “veteran hits” in the product. So teams like the Patriots, Steelers and Cowboys in a box break would be a horrible purchase unless Topps adds veteran autographs and game used cards.
Useful Links:
2012 NFL Rookie Premiere Twitter List
A list containing the twitter handles of companies, players, and people involved in the 2012 Rookie Premier. Look for that thing to light up from May 16-20, 2012.
Rookie Premier Schedule:
Thursday – May 17, 2012
One Team – One Community Event
Held at Alexander Hamilton High School – rookies and past players will hold a Nike Fitness Challenge from 10:00am-12:00noon.
Friday – May 18, 2012
5:30pm-8:30pm
NFLPA Rookie Premiere League Flag Football Game
Held at UCLA North Athletic Field rookies and former stars will play a game of flag football
Saturday – May 19, 2012
9:30pm-11:30pm
Sunday Night Lights – Red carpet event held at Colony Hollywood in Los Angeles.
In between these public events the rookies will be holding the photo shoot and autograph signings for Panini and Topps at the Rose Bowl in in Pasadena.
PICTURES – LINKS – INFORMATION TO BE ADDED DURING EVENT!
BOOKMARK PAGE AND CHECK BACK!
Updates 5-16-2012
Players and Companies arrive at the event:
“Fresh off da plane. Thank God that we landed” – Mohamed Sanu WR Bengals (Twitter)
“On my way to L.A!!!” – Doug Martin RB Buccaneers (Twitter)
“Just touched down in LA .. It’s feels great out here!!” – Joe Adams WR Panthers (Twitter)
“Can’t wait to put on my full NFL #3 uniform and take my first trading card photos” – Russell Wilson QB Seahawks (Twitter)
“The team helmets have arrived… Now we just need the heads that go in them” – Topps Football (Twitter)
“Here is a look at Topps Tall Boys about to be signed at #rookiepremiere” – Topps Company (Twitter)
Article: 2012 NFL Rookie Premiere: What To Look For This Week – Sports Cards Uncensored
Article: Panini Recaps 1st Day at Rookie Premiere Photo Shoot– Panini America Blog
Updates 5-17-2012
Players sign more cards!
“One of our major initiatives this year is to deliver ON CARD autographs..” – Topps Football (Twitter)
“For everyone questioning the use of 00 we can only use numbers approved by the league prior to press dates..” – Topps Football (Twitter)
“My hand isn’t as tired as I thought it would be from signing all this memorabilia #RookiePremiere” – Michael Floyd WR Cardinals (Twitter)
Photo Gallery by the NFLPA – (Google +)
Updates 5-18-2012
Players arrive at Rose Bowl in NFL gear
“Ringing the bell early today! Headed over to scope out the Rose Bowl for the big shoot #RookiePremiere” – Topps Football (Twitter)
“Signatures, photos, Interviews, Meetings, Community Service, Signatures, Media, Apparel, Signatures.”
– Doug Martin RB Buccaneers (Twitter)
Photo Album – Topps Facebook
“Michael Floyd checking out his photos” – ToppsFB
David Wilson sporting his first Panini RC – Panini
RGIII back at work signing for @Topps – Nicole Chayet
