Epic Comeback: Panini America Reimagines Elway Collection for 2012 Certified Football
The greatest comeback quarterback in NFL history is at it again. The legendary John Elway, who engineered a record 47 come-from-behind victories during his Hall of Fame career with the Denver Broncos, is now spearheading an epic collectibles comeback.
This week’s release of 2012 Certified Football includes the stunning return of the John Elway Collection, a five-card tribute to the two-time Super Bowl champion that deftly remakes an insert that first appeared in 1999 Rookies & Stars Football.
That season, you may recall, was Elway’s first in retirement following a sensational 16-year career capped by back-to-back championships, and that original five-card set provided a fitting, end-of-the-millennium tip of the cap to the magnificent No. 7.
Today, those original Elway Collection cards (two game-worn jersey cards, two game-worn helmet cards and one game-worn shoe card) still resonate with collectors. The set is currently valued by Beckett Media at more than $500.
But 2012 Certified Football’s next-generation Elway Collection elevates the bar considerably with some of the most massive memorabilia cards ever made of the Mile High miracle worker, including rare autograph versions and some of the sickest pieces of Elway prime ever sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard. Of course, the pristine design of the new insert doesn’t hurt, either.
Ultimately, the new five-card Elway Collection provides a bold remastering of that 1999 original, a 21st-century upgrade that poignantly pays tribute to one of the greatest, most-collected quarterbacks in NFL history.
You can check it out for yourself now in the following gallery, which includes many prime examples from the 2012 Elway Collection as well as every card from the original insert. Enjoy.
The Knight's Lance 
I really like the look of the Leaf Rookies & Stars collections. It reminds me a lot of the 1997-98 Leaf Lindros Collections cards. That is one of the best designed sets of the year.
Yea the R&S looks good….because Panini didn’t design them.
Okay those are just awesome.
Too bad nobody at Panini likes the Broncos 😦
I know, I know. Mike, would you believe I had nothing to do with this set being included? But I’m thrilled that it is!
Tracy,
This set is really cool, I bet you were particularly excited about this project. Do you think there could be a set in the future to commemorate Dan Marino like this? Even better, what about a set to commemorate the entire 1983 draft class, that would be awesome? Especially this year with another really good class!
Thanks,
T
Great idea. I think it’s possible, but likely depends on the quality and quantity of Marino memorabilia we have in inventory.
They are unreal…….Tracy beware of your drooling around these cards!
Awesome cards! Would love to have any of them
Well this looks like a great set to collect as a Bronco fan. I am one down on the Prime set. Looks like it will be expensive, but well worth it.
Beautiful cards! I wish I would’ve pulled one of those bad boys in the multiple boxes I busted of this stuff!
OK Tracy, I know it’s your blog and all but we get it 🙂
I promise! I had nothing to do with this insert being included — only in it being glorified!
We are all under the Hackler Spell
Hackler, Hackler, Hackler… isn’t the 11th Commandment “Do not covet thy neighbor’s cards?” I have to make damn sure that I…& not a neighbor, secure one of those cards.
I don’t have the economy…nor understanding spouse, needed to buy cases of product. But my top-secret “Cardboard Crack” account has allowed me to purchase multiple boxes of Prestige, R&S, Threads, Elite, and now I’m on my first box of Certified. Undoubtedly, this box will contain a Luck patch auto and one of those Museum-Quality Gunslinger7 issues. Those are not only gorgeous, but I believe they are also significant to the hobby. The Marino, Montana and Elway collections of old paid tribute to the QBs who set the stage for this generation. I hope Panini has given some thought to following suit with other legends of the game.
Really, REALLY impressive. Kudos and 3 Snaps up in Z-Formation to the Panini product development team.
Wow. Super nice, and clean looking cards!
Panini is really going ELtheWAY on this!
Love it!
Great job Panini!
Really great looking insert set Tracy, the real question is how many of these will make it into the packs and how many are going home with you? HA! Thanks as always for the preview!
Funny. I was just talking to Carlos and he said he made the base versions numbered out of 99 so they’d be more affordable for Elway collectors like me.
What are the autos numbered to? I’m sure I saw it somewhere, just Cant locate it.
Just looked at the checklist and the autographs are numbered to either 7, 2 or 1.
Oh c’mon Tracy, we all know you make those mad Panini bucks. And don’t forget about the employee discount!
Tracy, you had NOTHING to do with Elway collection? C’mon 🙂 Someone at the company must love you then! lol
Super awesome cards-you can see how the sewing on the patch cards is very different then it is now. Tracy are any of these Elway inserts being given away?
I like seeing how the older material is a bit different than today’s. Cool insert.
wow, love them all. awsome design an patches.
Tracy is it possilbe to create an autographed Jerry Rice card as a Broncos player?
Im a big broncos fan, and a huge john Elway fan so i have too get one of these to add to my collection!!!
These are great cards and I’d love to have em. However, I am so sick and tired of hearing the PROVABLY FALSE CLAIM that he has 47 comeback wins etc. Its a lie perpetrated by the Denver Broncos and has been soundly debunked for several years yet it still keeps surfacing because NO ONE does their own research anymore. Laziness is no excuse. He doesn’t even hold the record for most comeback wins. Dan Marino does.