Panini Blog Hair-Raising History: Panini Produces Troy Polamalu’s First On-Card Autographs!

For those counting at home, it’s been more than eight years since Pittsburgh Steelers*defensive dynamo Troy Polamalu*last*appeared on a certified autograph trading card.*But he’s never once signed on-card for a manufacturer — until now.
Today, Panini America*announced that it has secured autographs from Polamalu for insertion across several of its 2011 NFL*trading card brands, including a small number of on-card autographs.*For a player as popular as Polamalu on a team as collected as the Steelers, the announcement*ranks as huge news in the sports collectibles industry.***
During*Polamalu’s rookie season of 2003, Panini America became*the first (and remains the only)*trading card manufacturer*to include signatures from the wildly maned wunderkind in a select number of*rookie-themed products. Today, those autographed Rookie Cards*from 2003 Rookies & Stars and*2003 Playoff Contenders carry an average value of $450 according to Beckett Media.
All these years later, Panini America is making Polamalu history once again.*
Following years of*attempting to reach additional autograph agreements with Polamalu*(and*not receiving as much as a counter offer from Polamalu or his representatives),*Panini*America steadfastly went after the six-time Pro Bowler and 2010 Defensive Player of the Year*for 2011.
Somewhat*shockingly, Polamalu responded this time.
“Oh, I was shocked,” said Joe White, Panini America’s NFL Acquisition Manager. “But due to his immense popularity and the demands on his time,*it was difficult for Polamalu to*find the time*to sign. But he carved out some time for us this summer — and it probably*didn’t hurt our case that we were the only*company to sign him to an autograph deal during his rookie season.”
Polamalu’s*live autographs*are sure to inject*new*levels of collectibility and interest to most of Panini America’s remaining*2011 NFL products,*including 2011 Absolute Memorabilia, 2011 Crown Royale*and 2011 Certified.
“This is awesome news for*us and we’re obviously thrilled to have him back in the fold,” White said.*”But it’s even better news for the countless passionate Polamalu collectors who’ve been waiting almost 10 years for*new autographed trading cards. Make no mistake about it, this is huge news in collecting circles.”
Panini America made similar*waves earlier this year by announcing that it had secured Charles Woodson autographs for the first time since his rookie season of 1998.

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