One of the most unpredictable NFL seasons in recent memory is finally over, and the dust has settled with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals set to face off in Super Bowl XLIII. From both history and hobby standpoints, it would be hard to match up two teams that have less in common.
The Steelers have been on football's biggest stage before, winning five of the six Super Bowls they've made prior to 2008. With a strong contingent of loyal fans in Pittsburgh and a worldwide following, star players like quarterback Ben Roethlisberger have quickly become popular with football card collectors.
In contrast, the Cardinals are making their first Super Bowl appearance - and first championship game of any kind since 1947. Arizona isn't exactly a hobby hotbed thanks to decades of mediocrity in the desert, but this particular team is poised to change that with the likes of former MVP Kurt Warner and electrifying wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
As with any Super Bowl, there are a host of football cards available to commemorate the game and the season in general. And even if you can't get your hands on any of the goodies from Tampa, you can still get in on the action by collecting the two teams getting set to collide.
Keep reading to find out about the key players to watch and the special cards being created for Super Bowl XLIII.
Collecting the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers
For the Steelers, everything begins with quarterback "Big" Ben Roethlisberger, who has been a hit with collectors since coming into the NFL in 2004. He's already won one Super Bowl, and another would likely catapult his cards into the stratosphere.
Pittsburgh added several high profile rookies in 2008, but neither Rashard Mendenhall (injury) or Limas Sweed (inconsistency) made a huge impact. Instead, look for big plays and a possible step forward in the hobby by receiver/return man Santonio Holmes or running back Willie Parker.
One to watch: S Troy Polamalu. Defensive players definitely get the short end of the stick when it comes to attention from collectors, but safeties have been making some gains. With a knack for big plays and his trademark long hair flying, Polamalu could easily win over more fans with a big game in Tampa.
- Ben Roethlisberger Rookie Card Checklist
- Santonio Holmes Rookie Card Checklist
- Troy Polamalu Rookie Card Checklist
Collecting the 2008 Arizona Cardinals
No one may have expected the Cardinals to make it to the championship game, but that doesn't mean they are a completely anonymous bunch. Both quarterback Kurt Warner and running back Edgerrin James had plenty of interest from collectors on previous teams, and Warner, especially, has seen a renewed surge of activity thanks to his 2008 performance.
The homegrown talent isn't too shabby either, with wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin comprising one of the finest tandems in the NFL. Fitzgerald has exploded during Arizona's run to the Super Bowl, and only his soft-spoken nature and small market have stood in the way of his blossoming into a superstar.
One to watch: RB Tim Hightower. This fifth-round pick from the University of Richmond had a low profile at the beginning of the 2008 season, but that changed once the rookie started scoring touchdowns. Even with James showing flashes of his old form, it's Hightower who usually gets the call late in games and in the red zone.
- Kurt Warner Rookie Card Checklist
- Larry Fitzgerald Rookie Card Checklist
- Tim Hightower Rookie Card Checklist
Donruss Super Bowl XLIII Card Show at The NFL Experience
Donruss takes over as the title sponsor for the card show that takes place within the NFL Experience, an interactive fan festival open to the public Jan. 29-31 at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium. While the Experience will feature a full slate of football-related events, the card show will showcase cards and collectibles from a number of dealers and free autographs from over 50 current and former NFL players.
Admission to the show is included in the ticket price for the NFL Experience, which costs $18.50 for adults and $12.50 for children under 12. Updated schedules for player appearances and events are available by calling 1-888-NFL-CARD.
The card manufacturers also create various sets of cards specifically for the Super Bowl, some of which focus on the home team and others which celebrate the 2008 season.
Donruss
As the title sponsor for the Super Bowl XLIII Card Show, Donruss has numerous promotions and limited edition card sets planned for the event. For starters, there's a special Super Bowl edition of the Score factory set ($40), which will also come with an exclusive 18-card set of players in this year's Super Bowl (nine from each team).
A glossy version of the factory set will also be available ($100), with each card numbered to 250 and a memorabilia card created specifically for the event. The cards will show off prime jersey swatches and be limited to 25 copies each, and the featured player include Adrian Peterson, Tom Brady and Darren McFadden.
A wrapper redemption program at the Donruss booth will showcase special cards of the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Anyone who brings three unopened packs of 2008 Donruss Playoff football cards to the booth will receive a card of Jeff Garcia, Earnest Graham, Derrick Brooks or Ronde Barber.
The Donruss booth will also be home to a 10-foot wheel that collectors can spin to receive limited edition cards of past Super Bowl MVP winners and current stars and rookies.
Upper Deck
Upper Deck's booth will have a two-tiered wrapper redemption program. Anyone opening three packs of 2008 Upper Deck football cards (except for First Edition Football) will receive one of four cards featuring Buccaneers players Garcia, Brooks, Antonio Bryant and Aqib Talib. Anyone opening five packs will receive a special six-card set called "The Franchise" which depicts six top 2008 rookies: Matt Ryan, Jonathan Stewart, Chris Johnson, Joe Flacco, Matt Forte and Darren McFadden.
The company will also be giving away singles from SP Rookie Edition and SP Authentic throughout the show, as well as raffling off prizes and showing off its new, smaller line of All-Star Vinyl football figures.