NFL Linebacker Retires After Selling Rare Pokémon Card For Over $650,000

Thoughts?

The article said “PSA 10 aka perfect copy.” There is no such thing as a perfect card. Highest grade possible is a better phrase

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My first thought: how can you retire for life at 28 years old with just 700k USD. You’re not gonna make it to age 75+ without working with just that.

Then again, ‘retiring’ here probably means to just retire from sport and getting a regular job later on. :person_shrugging:

Greetz,
Quuador

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Pack opening lmfao.

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Hahaha 3 of us thinking wtf.

eBay bros gonna have to update their title format

Chilling Reign Booster Pack RARE PSA10? Swirllustrator chance!

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It’s definitely clickbait. You could double the amount and it still wouldn’t be enough to completely retire.

I figured there was some press releases as I had an influx of eBay messages. :melting_face:

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I dont know anything about the NFL or how much players make but if he’s a professional athlete then surely he’ll have more than enough money to last him the rest of his life?

Just opened 319 packs of Steam Siege and didn’t get a single Swirllustrator… Thanks Kotaku.

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Yes, plus after three years they get a pension from the nfl

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Assuming he managed his finances well, I’d say he’s living a good life.
Also notable that he tore his acl in 2021 which would end his season early and likely lead to his release from New York roughly a year later. Could have been an early retirement to not destroy his body any further and enjoy what he’s made.

Source: Blake Martinez Contract, Salary & Net Worth: How much did the retired LB earn from Packers & career in NFL?

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Not sure what thoughts you are looking for, but for what it’s worth and as already mentioned, the title is total clickbait. Yes, he did sell an Illustrator and he is into Pokemon cards, but they’re falsely leading people to believe he retired simply because of one Pokemon card sale, which I highly doubt to be the case (and isn’t what he cited). I’ve followed him a bit since he used to play for the Packers (my favorite team); the guy has raked in plenty in contracts as a starting defensive player, and had an ACL injury somewhat recently as well (not that that stops everyone from playing, but it’s a factor). Not weird at all to me that he steps away and decides to focus on other stuff.

Also FWIW, I know the majority of this forum probably doesn’t use WhatNot much (understandably, yay sToNkS!!!1!!), but he has active shows all the time on there with either him hosting or some of his partners/employees.

Edit 2 minutes too late lol, repeating same info as above ^

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You can’t fool me, I know you saw him in a mirror!

It all makes sense now
image

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Seems like a low price?

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Yeah I was just speaking to the 650k. His nfl earnings are the actual reason why he can retire!

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19.4 million USD is indeed more than enough to retire at age 28 (assuming you have normal average expenses in your life, and not going to buy a new sport car or private yet every other week).

Those career incomes have nothing to do with the sale of the Illustrator, though. One of many clickbait articles, as mentioned by Scott. :person_shrugging:

Lol… I hadn’t even read the article, just read the title and coincidentally saw his age mentioned when I opened the link.
Time to open some booster packs to try and pull an illustrator I guess. :roll_eyes:

Greetz,
Quuador

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Kotaku article helping me realize you have to open packs to get an illustrator instead of looking in my Gramma’s attic

Drake Computer GIF - Drake Computer Notebook - Discover & Share GIFs

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$650k for the Swirllustrator is actually pretty low. Furthermore, his net worth is estimated to be $25 million, so the card is probably not the reason why he retired.

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or donate a building or have legacy.

If anyone pulls one can you post what packs it came from?