Panini America Planning a 20th Anniversary Celebration for 2014 Absolute Football

Two decades in the constantly evolving trading card industry can sometimes seem like, well, an eternity. In a marketplace often earmarked by here-today, gone-tomorrow releases that both appear and disappear seemingly without warning, Panini America’s product portfolio is bolstered by a steady supply of legacy brands that have stood the test of time. Score. Donruss. Elite. Contenders. Certified. National Treasures. And Absolute.

It’s that last one — Absolute — that’s on the verge of a major milestone. Indeed, when 2014 Absolute Football arrives in hobby shops in late December, it will do so as a grand 20th anniversary edition that both pays tribute to its roots and stays true to them.

Much has changed since that first Absolute Football product arrived in 1995 sporting a rookie class headlined by the likes of Ki-Jana Carter, Steve McNair, Kerry Collins, Warren Sapp, Kordell Stewart, Curtis Martin and some sixth-round pick named Terrell Davis. In the 20 years since, while many of those players have gone on to enjoy Hall of Fame careers, Absolute Football has spent the time entrenching itself into the hearts of collectors by sticking to its memorabilia mantra.

A brand that has spent 20 years becoming synonymous with multi-swatch and jumbo-patch memorabilia cards will deliver plenty of both in 2014; 2014 Absolute Football also will feature a new packaging configuration (10 cards per box including two autographs, three memorabilia cards, one base or rookie parallel, one Quad or Rookie Quad and one Hogg Heaven or Hogg Heaven parallel) and a bevy 20th anniversary-themed chase cards.

The product highlights are many and include . . .

• Rookie Autograph Memorabilia cards featuring Jersey Quads (numbered to 99 or less), Jersey Ball (numbered to 20 or less), Jersey Ball Glove (numbered to 15 or less) and Jersey Ball Glove Shoe 1/1s.
• Rookie Memorabilia cards featuring Jersey Quads (numbered to 249), Jersey Ball (numbered to 149), Jersey Ball Glove (numbered to 99), Jersey Ball Glove Shoe (numbered to 20), Jumbo Patch (numbered to 15) and NFL Shield 1/1s.
• Tools of the Trade 8 Player Memorabilia cards numbered to 249 or less and paralleled by 8 Player Spectrum Gold (numbered to 99 or less), 8 Player 20th Anniversary (numbered to 20 or less), 8 Player Prime (numbered to 15 or less), 8 Player Prime Spectrum Holo Gold 1/1s.
• Tools of the Trade Complete Rookies memorabilia cards numbered to 249 or less and paralleled by Complete Rookies Spectrum Gold (numbered to 99 or less), Complete Rookies 20th Anniversary (numbered to 20 or less), Complete Rookies Prime (numbered to 15 or less) and Complete Rookies Prime Spectrum Holo Gold 1/1s.
• Leather and Lace cards featuring pieces of football and football laces numbered to 99 and paralleled by Leather and Lace 20th Anniversary (numbered to 20) and Leather and Lace Prime (numbered to five).

We’ll have plenty more to preview on the spectacular 20th anniversary edition of Absolute Football in the coming weeks right here on The Knight’s Lance. But for now, enjoy this extended first look at the product:

All information is accurate at the time of posting – content is subject to change. Card images are solely for the purpose of design display. Actual images used on cards to be determined.