Upper Deck has always been a proud supporter of the United States Military. Upper Deck works hard to show our appreciation of the military through philanthropic efforts and by including veterans into new trading card sets. We have even incorporated military moments on trading cards in sets like Goodwin Champions.
This Memorial Day Weekend, we would like to acknowledge some athletes who proudly served their country. As you enjoy this long weekend, take moment to recognize those who lost their lives in order to secure your freedom. Here is our top ten list of athletes of great American athletes who risked their lives and careers in order to serve the greater good:
#10 – David Robinson
Robinson won the Naismith and Wooden award during his senior year at the United States Naval Academy. After graduating from one of the nation’s top military schools, David served for two years in the Navy. After serving his country, David dominated the NBA and the Olympics.
#9 – John Wooden
Wooden is a three time All-American and helped Purdue win the 1932 National Championship. After a successful academic and athletic career at Purdue, Wooden enlisted in the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Wooden was a lieutenant when he left the Navy and went on to become one of the greatest coaches in college history with UCLA.
#8 – Yogi Berra
Yogi served in the United States Navy during World War II. Berra was a gunner’s mate on a ship off the coast of Normandy during the D-Day invasion. Berra went on to be one of the greatest players in New York Yankee history.
#7 – Bob Feller
Bob Feller was the first MLB player to volunteer for active duty after the Pearl Harbor attack. Feller returned to the MLB after serving for four years on the USS Alabama as an anti-aircraft gun captain. When he retired in 1956 after an 18-year professional career, Feller was a World Series champion and eight-time All-Star and pitched three no-hitters.
#6 – Bobby Jones
Though he only played as an amateur, Bobby Jones is considered to be one of the greatest golfers ever. Jones won all four of the major golf tournaments in 1930. Jones served as an officer in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. He bought and developed Augusta National in Georgia and raised cattle on the land in order to help with the war efforts.
#5 – Hobey Baker
Hobey is considered to be the United State’s first superstar hockey player. After dominating at Princeton University, Baker enlisted in the United States Army Air Force during the World War I. After surviving the war and receiving numerous military awards, Hobey died in post-war plane accident. The Hobey Baker Memorial Award is given to the top NCAA athlete each year.
#4 – Jerry Coleman
Jerry Coleman is the only Major League Baseball player to have seen combat in two wars. Coleman flew in 120 combat missions during World War II and the Korean War. Coleman went on to win four World Series championships with the New York Yankees. After his professional career, Coleman excelled in sports broadcasting.
#3 – Ted Williams
After his first Triple Crown season, Ted Williams served as a flight instructor during World War II. Williams was recalled back to duty in the beginning of the Korean War. He flew in 39 combat missions before being forced to stop flying due to an inner ear infection. In his 21 year career with the Boston Red Sox, Williams won the Triple Crown twice, was an All-Star 17 times, was the last player to bat over .400 in a single season and twice was the American League MVP.
#2 – Rocky Bleier
After playing for one year in the National Football League, Rocky was drafted into the Army and was shipped over to Vietnam. While on patrol, Rocky’s platoon was ambushed and he suffered a severe leg injury from grenade shrapnel. After being told that he would never play professional football again, Rocky attended the Steelers training camp one year after the ambush. When he retired in 1980, Bleier had 3,865 rushing yards, 1,294 receiving yards, 25 touchdowns and four Super Bowl Championships to his credit.
#1 – Pat Tillman
Pat Tillman is an American hero, pure and simple. Eight months after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Pat Tillman chose to leave his professional football career with the Arizona Cardinals ($3.6 million contract) and join the U.S. Army. He served a tour in Iraqbefore being redeployed to Afghanistan. He was killed in a friendly fire incident. He was awarded a Silver Star, Purple Heart and a posthumous promotion.
There is another American hero Upper Deck is hopeful can someday make the big leagues in Doc Jacobs who recently received his first-every Upper Deck card which can be found in 2013 Goodwin Champions coming out right after the 4th of July.
We want to share a special item from Doc Jacobs and Tommy Lasorda with our fans this Memorial Day with an autographed baseball signed by both veterans limited to just six total copies.
You could score this UDA signed baseball from Tommy Lasorda and Doc Jacobs! Read how below!
In the comment section below, please share why you feel Doc Jacobs and other military veterans who are athletes are worthy of an Upper Deck card. Please keep your comments to four sentences maximum. The person who most skillfully provides the most patriotic and original response will be selected to receive the baseball signed by Doc Jacobs and Tommy Lasorda with a certificate of authenticity from Upper Deck Authenticated. Comments must be received by Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. Pacific. Thank you to all those who participate and to all those who have served!
Upper Deck’s Athlete Relations team has been busy conducting signings with football stars this off-season for the company’s highly anticipated 2012 Exquisite Collection Football product set slated to arrive in hobby shops at the end of June. The hard work has been paying off as more and more high-end autograph content has been coming in each day which is sure to have football fans fired up as they crack tins of this product. Take a look at a few new cards we have recently received in and some images from signing sessions with a variety of athletes.
“Broadway” Joe Namath showing off one of his Exquisite autograph cards after a signing session with Upper Deck.
Hall-of-Famer Barry Sanders adds his autographs, and inscriptions, to new Exquisite Collection Football cards.
For over a decade Brian Urlacher was the core of the stout Chicago Bears defense and now he has decided to hang up the cleats and retire. It is a sad day for Bears fans, but a good day for collectors to go through their collections to remember Urlacher through the significant amount of trading cards he has been featured on over those years. Since many of his best cards come from Upper Deck and Fleer, we thought it fitting to share some of our favorites from throughout his illustrious career. Enjoy!
The 2013 Draft is in the books and football fans have been clamoring to score rookie cards of their favorite team’s draft picks. The only company with live, licensed rookies in the market right now is Upper Deck and fans have been enjoying the rich content available in 2013 Upper Deck Football.
Worthy of note, there are photo variation cards of the Star Rookies that are quite rare with different groups being available in hobby and retail. Cards 251-275 in the Star Rookie set have a photo variation appearing 1:120 hobby packs. Cards 276-300 in the Star Rookie set have a photo variation appearing 1:120 retail packs. The only difference between these cards and the base versions is the photograph.
And to help those fans who are looking to put together sets, including the always popular College Mascots patch set, UD is pleased to share short print information on a variety of sets in 2013 Upper Deck Football.
Base Set Star Rookie Autographs
Group A: 1:12,192 packs
148
Bjoern Werner
Group B: 1:847 packs
86
Barrett Jones
112
Manti Te’o
127
Eddie Lacy
138
Mike Glennon
144
D.J. Swearinger
146
Tyler Bray
Group C: 1:368 packs
61
Emory Blake
62
Keith Pough
72
Justin Hunter
85
DeAndre Hopkins
91
Geno Smith
98
Ryan Swope
119
EJ Manuel
130
Braden Wilson
Group D: 1:78 packs
55
Marcus Davis
57
Marquise Goodwin
60
Da’Rick Rogers
63
Kwame Geathers
64
Cameron Marshall
65
Knile Davis
67
Dion Jordan
68
Rex Burkhead
73
Mike Gillislee
78
Gerald Hodges
82
Le’Veon Bell
90
Dee Milliner
102
Aaron Dobson
107
Andre Ellington
110
Cobi Hamilton
117
Zac Dysert
118
Kiko Alonso
131
Terrance Williams
140
Damontre Moore
150
Joseph Randle
Group E: 1:16 packs
51
Marquess Wilson
52
Philip Lutzenkirchen
53
Jordan Hill
54
Mitchell Gale
56
DeVonte Holloman
58
Kenny Stills
59
Datone Jones
66
Xavier Rhodes
69
B.W. Webb
70
Terry Hawthorne
71
Duke Williams
74
Dan Buckner
75
Keenan Davis
76
Trevardo Williams
77
Chris Harper
79
Gavin Escobar
80
Margus Hunt
83
Erik Highsmith
84
Travis Kelce
87
Johnny Adams
88
Nick Kasa
89
Spencer Ware
92
Sean Porter
93
Chris Thompson
94
D.J. Harper
95
T.J. Moe
96
Oday Aboushi
97
Zach Boren
99
Dayne Crist
100
Jordan Reed
101
D.J. Fluker
103
Malliciah Goodman
104
Josh Boyce
106
Chase Thomas
109
Blidi Wreh-Wilson
111
Logan Ryan
113
Lonnie Pryor
114
Kawann Short
115
Mike Shanahan
116
Khaled Holmes
120
Roy Roundtree
122
Theo Riddick
123
Conner Vernon
124
Ricky Wagner
125
T.J. McDonald
126
Matt Elam
128
Eric Fisher
129
Robert Alford
132
Sanders Commings
133
Greg Reid
134
Chuck Jacobs
135
Michael Williams
136
Robert Lester
137
Brandon Ford
139
Michael Mauti
141
Joseph Fauria
142
Drew Terrell
143
Menelik Watson
145
Josh Johnson
147
Justin Pugh
149
BraxstonCave
Star Rookie SP Autographs
Group A: 1:6,096 packs
167
Uzoma Nwachukwu
Group B: 1:93 packs
151
Dyrell Roberts
152
Lavar Edwards
153
Tavon Austin
155
Russell Shepard
156
Josh Jarboe
157
Michael Clay
159
Akeem Spence
166
Zaviar Gooden
168
Curtis McNeal
169
Jarvis Jones
170
Brandon Jenkins
171
Leon McFadden
173
Steve Greer
174
John Boyett
178
Bacarri Rambo
179
Brandon McGee
180
Brad Sorensen
183
Khaseem Greene
184
Ryan Otten
187
Jack Doyle
188
Michael Buchanan
191
Matt Barkley
192
Kevin Minter
193
Tommy Bohanon
194
Stefphon Jefferson
197
Desmond Trufant
199
BJ Daniels
200
Stedman Bailey
201
Travis Howard
202
Stepfan Taylor
203
Vance McDonald
205
Lane Johnson
209
Cierre Wood
Group C: 1:83 packs
154
John Simon
160
Corey Fuller
161
Dion Sims
162
Marc Anthony
163
Sharrif Floyd
164
Jon Bostic
165
Collin Klein
172
Seth Doege
175
Sylvester Williams
176
Vince Williams
177
Jeff Tuel
181
Ray Graham
182
Ryan Nassib
185
Kevin Reddick
186
Jesse Williams
190
Onterio McCalebb
195
Jordan Rodgers
196
Jordan Poyer
198
Arthur Brown
204
Everett Dawkins
206
Cordarrelle Patterson
207
Shamarko Thomas
208
Skye Dawson
210
Montee Ball
Star Rookie Rare Autographs
Group A: 1:1,804 packs
211
Alex Okafor
225
Jawan Jamison
231
Denard Robinson
233
Ezekiel Ansah
246
Will Davis
Group B: 1:321 packs
215
Zach Ertz
220
Tyler Eifert
221
Aaron Mellette
226
Giovani Bernard
227
Tyler Wilson
232
Tavarres King
234
Kenny Vaccaro
235
Barkevious Mingo
237
Sam Montgomery
238
Luke Joeckel
240
Markus Wheaton
241
Matt Scott
242
Dennis Johnson
248
Johnathan Franklin
249
Marcus Lattimore
250
Kenjon Barner
Group C: 1:191 packs
212
Jelani Jenkins
213
Daimion Stafford
214
Star Lotulelei
216
Zach Line
218
Bennie Logan
219
Lerentee McCray
222
Landry Jones
223
Rodney Smith
224
Robert Woods
228
Robbie Rouse
229
Brandon Kaufman
230
David Amerson
236
Sheldon Price
239
Nico Johnson
243
Keenan Allen
244
Zach Maynard
245
Tyrone Goard
247
Tony Jefferson
1995 SP Autograph Legends
Group A: 1:4,549 packs
95SP-5
Bart Starr
95SP-9
Ken Stabler
95SP-10
Steve Young
95SP-11
Troy Aikman
95SP-12
Paul Hornung
95SP-13
Drew Bledsoe
95SP-14
Herschel Walker
95SP-16
Archie Griffin
95SP-18
Don Maynard
95SP-19
John Elway
95SP-20
Bruce Smith
95SP-22
Joe Theismann
95SP-24
Tedy Bruschi
95SP-28
Daryle Lamonica
95SP-29
Jim Kelly
95SP-31
Archie Manning
95SP-32
Doug Flutie
95SP-33
Joe Namath
95SP-35
Dan Fouts
95SP-36
Dan Marino
95SP-37
Bo Jackson
95SP-42
Earl Campbell
95SP-45
Jerome Bettis
95SP-50
Jerry Rice
Group B: 1:3,349 packs
95SP-6
Nick Buoniconti
95SP-15
Roger Craig
95SP-34
Billy Cannon
95SP-44
Ozzie Newsome
Group C: 1:390 packs
95SP-2
Jason White
95SP-8
Rodney Peete
95SP-17
Garrison Hearst
95SP-21
Johnny Lattner
95SP-23
Rich Gannon
95SP-25
Andre Ware
95SP-26
Keith Jackson
95SP-30
Chris Weinke
95SP-38
Jake Plummer
95SP-40
George Rogers
95SP-41
Joe Washington
95SP-43
Billy Sims
95SP-46
Mike Rozier
95SP-47
Robert Smith
95SP-48
Gary Beban
95SP-49
Anthony Carter
Group D: 1:762 packs(quantity of individual cards is higher than Group C, but because of the limited amount of subjects in Group D the ratio is higher)
A new football season is upon us and fans are fired up after the first round of the Draft. The 2013 Upper Deck Football trading card product is loaded with all the top draft picks including authentic autograph cards of your team’s newest stars. And it was almost appropriate that the 2013 Draft in New York opened up with an appearance from “Broadway Joe” himself. Take a look at Joe Namath showing off an autograph card from the recently announced Upper Deck Exquisite Collection set after a recent signing session!
For a look at the top draft picks you can find in 2013 Upper Deck Football, take a look below for their draft position and some shots of their cards that are in the market now!
#1 – Eric Fisher (to Kansas City)
#2 – Luke Joeckel (to Jacksonville)
#3 – Dion Jordan (to Miami)
#4 – Lane Johnson (to Philadelphia)
#5 – Ziggy Ansah (to Detroit)
#6 – Barkevious Mingo (to Cleveland)
#8 – Tavon Austin (to St. Louis)
#9 – Dee Milliner (to New York)
#11 – D.J. Fluker (to San Diego)
#13 – Sheldon Richardson (to New York)
#14 – Star Lotulelei (to Carolina)
#15 – Kenny Vaccaro (to New Orleans)
#16 – E.J. Manuel (to Buffalo)
E.J. Manuel showing off his “SEMINOLES” Autograph Letterman cards.