Collecting the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductees
Unlike their baseball counterparts in Cooperstown, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio seems to surprise collectors every year with the induction of a player or two that flies under the radar. As a result, many collectors are often tasked with researching players they hadn’t necessarily pegged for inclusion. While some selections are obvious, every year brings a new slate of players for collectors to add to their Hall of Fame collections. Below is a primer on the rookie cards and some of the other collectibles for the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees.
Jack Butler (Cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers)
Jack Butler played 103 total games between 1951 and 1959. He was a four-time Pro Bowler who amassed 52 interceptions with 827 return yards and four pick sixes. Butler was named to the 1950’s NFL All-Decade Team.
Rookie Card:
Butler has few other collectibles other than in-person and through-the-mail (TTM) autographs.
Dermontti Dawson (Center, Pittsburgh Steelers)
Dermontti Dawson appeared in 184 total games between 1988 and 2000. Drafted in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft, he was 44th overall pick. Dawson was named to seven consecutive Pro-Bowls between 1993 and 1999 and was twice named Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Rookie Cards:
- 1989 Pro Set #344
- 1989 Score Supplemental #408S
To date, Dawson has no certified autograph or memorabilia cards. However, signed photos, mini-helmets, in-person and TTM autograph cards are available. Dawson is a willing signer through the mail. Collectors can use the Hall of Fame's address in Canton to request a signature: Dermontti Dawson; c/0 Pro Football Hall of Fame; 2121 George Halas Drive Northwest; Canton, OH 44708
Other Notable Collectibles: 1999 Starting Lineup
Chris Doleman (Defensive End/Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers)
Selected fourth overall in the 1985 NFL Draft, Chris Doleman played in 232 total games from 1985-1999. Over those 15 seasons, he played in eight Pro Bowls and was named the league's co-Defensive Player of the Year in 1992.
Rookie Card:
So far, Doleman has certified autographs in two sets, including ten different cards in 1992 Pro Line Portraits. He also has an autograph in 1993 Pro Line Live that is serial numbered to 1000. To date, Doleman has no game-used cards.
Cortez Kennedy (Defensive Tackle, Seattle Seahawks)
An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Cortez Kennedy shared 1992 Defensive Player of the Year honors with fellow inductee, Chris Doleman. Kennedy played in 167 total games over 11 seasons from 1990-2000. He was the third pick in the 1990 NFL Draft.
Rookie Cards:
- 1990 Action Packed #39
- 1990 Fleer Update #U85
- 1990 Pro Set #671
- 1990 Score #299
- 1990 Topps #334
Kennedy has certified autographs in 1991 Pro Line Portraits and 1995 Pro Line (#/1380). He also has two memorabilia cards to-date, including 2000 Bowman Reserve Pro Bowl Jersey #PBCK and 2000 Pacific Omega #10.
Other Notable Collectibles: Kennedy has several unique inserts made by the Pacific Trading Card Company in the late-90s.
Curtis Martin (Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, New York Jets)
Curtis Martin joins Barry Sanders as one of only two NFL running backs to rush for 1,000 yards in ten straight seasons. The third round pick from the 1995 draft played for 11 seasons, racking up 14,101 career yards on 3,518 carries. Martin, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, also scored 90 career rushing touchdowns.
Rookie Cards:
- 1995 Action Packed #90
- 1995 Bowman’s Best #R74
- 1995 Collector’s Choice Update #U38
- 1995 Finest #264
- 1995 Flair #124
- 1995 Images Limited #115
- 1995 Pacific Prisms #195
- 1995 Playoff Contenders #139
- 1995 SP #18
- 1995 SP Championship #29
- 1995 Select Certified #117
- 1995 Summit #168
- 1995 Ultra #447
- 1995 Upper Deck #30
Martin also has four autographs from his rookie year that were released through Signature Rookies:
- 1995 Signature Rookies Auto-Phonex Phone Card Autographs #26
- 1995 Signature Rookies Autographs #49
- 1995 Signature Rookies Autographs International
- 1995 Signature Rookies Signature Prime Autographs.
Other Notable Collectibles: Martin has many autograph and memorabilia cards on the market with price ranges to meet any fan or collector’s budget. He also has several figures from the Starting Lineup and McFarlane SportsPicks lines.
Willie Roaf (Offensive Tackle, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs)
Willie Roaf appeared in 189 games between 1993 and 2005. The eighth pick in the 1993 draft, he appeared in 11 Pro Bowls and was named Offensive Lineman of the year in both 1993 and 1994.
Rookie Cards:
- 1993 Action Packed #170
- 1993 Bowman #421
- 1993 Collector’s Edge #260
- 1993 GameDay #201
- 1993 Playoff Contenders #114
- 1993 Power Update Prospects #56
- 1993 Pro Line Live #183
- 1993 Pro Line Portraits #468
- 1993 Pro Set #293
- 1993 SP #179
- 1993 Select #181
- 1993 SkyBox Impact #368
- 1993 SkyBox Premium #171
- 1993 Stadium Club #469
- 1993 Topps #441
- 1993 Ultra #313
- 1993 Upper Deck #6
Roaf also has an autograph in 1993 Pro Line Portraits Autographs #24.
Other Notable Collectibles: Roaf has few other collectibles other than in-person and TTM autographs.
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