When it comes to pure excitement, not many NFL players come close to matching Michael Vick. That might be why football card collectors are crazy about him even though he doesn't fit the mold of the great collectible quarterbacks of the past.
The football world knew it was getting something different when Vick left Virginia Tech and entered the NFL in 2001. Blessed with speed and shiftiness that are the envy of most running backs and an arm more powerful than his six-foot frame would suggest, he made an immediate impression on the NFL and the hobby.
Vick's rookie cards caught fire during his first few seasons, and his 2001 SP Authentic # 91 made history when its book value climbed past $1000. Though subsequent rookies have surpassed those levels, it still stands out as one of the hottest rookies of the 2000s.
Several coaches have tried to change Vick's reliance on his feet, but his record-setting 1039 rushing yards in 2006 hint that he'll keep on running when he can. Regardless of how he gets it done, he's a prime candidate to return to his top dog status among collectors if he can lead the Falcons to a Super Bowl.
There's no lack of variety among Vick's 58 RCs, and not all of them command top dollar. Bargain hunters should be able to find even fairly limited cards like his Pacific Invincible # 254 and Upper Deck Ovation # 149 for reasonable prices.
Michael Vick 2001 Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 151 - jersey card #'d to 850
- Bowman # 200
- Bowman Chrome # 180 - #'d to 1999
- Bowman's Best # 125 - #'d to 1499
- Crown Royale # 146 - autographed, #'d to 250
- Donruss Classics # 101 - #'d to 475
- Donruss Elite # 101 - #'d to 500, first 50 autographed
- E-X # 136 - #'d to 1000
- Finest # 134 - #'d to 1000
- Fleer Authority # 101 - #'d to 1350
- Fleer Focus # 181 - #'d to 1850
- Fleer Game Time # 111 - #'d to 2001
- Fleer Genuine # 126 - jersey card #'d to 1000
- Fleer Legacy # 91 - #'d to 999
- Fleer Premium # 209 - #'d to 2001
- Fleer Showcase # 116 - #'d to 500
- Fleer Tradition # 401
- Fleer Tradition Glossy # 401 - #'d to 2001
- Hot Prospects # 109
- Leaf Certified Materials # 133 - jersey card #'d to 400
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 201
- Pacific # 515 - #'d to 1000
- Pacific Dynagon # 110 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Pacific Impressions # 149 - #'d to 117
- Pacific Invincible # 254 - #'d to 299
- Pacific Prism Atomic # 151 - #'d to 506
- Playoff Contenders # 157 - autographed, #'d to 327
- Playoff Honors # 231 - jersey card #'d to 725
- Playoff Preferred # 101 - #'d to 1100
- Private Stock # 105 - #'d to 200
- Quantum Leaf # 201
- Score # 271
- Score Select # 271 - #'d to 275
- SP Authentic # 91 - autographed jersey card #'d to 250
- SP Game Used # 91 - jersey card #'d to 500
- SPx # 95 - autographed jersey card #'d to 250
- Stadium Club # 164
- Titanium # 150 - jersey card #'d to 75
- Titanium Post Season # 5 - #'d to 795
- Topps # 311
- Topps Chrome # 262 - #'d to 999
- Topps Debut # 108 - autographed
- Topps Gallery # 101
- Topps Heritage # 133 - #'d to 1956
- Topps Reserve # 118 - #'d to 999
- UD Game Gear # 101 - #'d to 500
- UD Graded # 54 - 2 versions #'d to 500 each
- Ultra # 283 - #'d to 2499
- Upper Deck # 239
- Upper Deck Legends # 129 - #'d to 750
- Upper Deck MVP # 283
- Upper Deck Ovation # 149 - #'d to 250
- Upper Deck Pros and Prospects # 135 - jersey card #'d to 1000
- Upper Deck Rookie F/X # 301F - #'d to 750
- Upper Deck Top Tier # 184 - #'d to 1500
- Upper Deck Victory # 374
- Upper Deck Vintage # 204
- Vanguard # 104 - #'d to 450