Anyone who thinks sports are just about statistics needs to consider the case of Reggie Bush. The electrifying Heisman Trophy winner from USC made an impact on the NFL and the football card hobby much larger than his raw numbers would suggest.
With his sprinter's speed and video game-like moves, Bush was a threat to take it the distance every time he touched the ball in college. USC wisely avoided exposing him to too much abuse, rotating him with other backs and allowing him to return punts and kicks and split out wide as a receiver.
Following his Heisman win, Bush was expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft. But the Houston Texans chose Mario Williams instead, leaving Bush for the New Orleans Saints. Desperate for a new face for the franchise, the rookie back and his new team turned out to be a perfect match.
Sharing carries with veteran back Deuce McAllister, Bush started slowly and got involved mostly by catching swing passes and returning punts. He scored his first NFL touchdown on a punt return against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, giving fans a glimpse of what was still to come.
Among the highlights from the latter part of the 2006 season was a four-TD game against the San Francisco 49ers. And Bush scored a memorable touchdown in the playoffs, taking a pass from Drew Brees and going 88 yards to paydirt, taunting All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher as he did so.
It's that kind of explosiveness and flair for the dramatic that have football card collectors going crazy over Bush. Despite rushing for well under 1000 yards, his 2006 Exquisite Collection # 105 set a modern record with a book value of $4500. All of his rookie cards are tops in their respective sets, outpacing even those of Offensive Rookie of the Year Vince Young.
Reggie Bush 2006 Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 260 - jersey card #'d to 849
- Bowman # 111
- Bowman Chrome # 223
- Bowman Sterling # RB1 - jersey card
- Donruss Classics # 123 - #'d to 599
- Donruss Elite # 204 - #'d to 599
- Donruss Gridiron Gear # 222 - jersey card
- Donruss Threads # 250 - autographed, #'d to 100
- Exquisite Collection # 105 - autographed pacth card #'d to 99
- Finest # 151 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Flair Showcase # 232 - #'d to 199
- Fleer # 183
- Hot Prospects # 194 - autographed, #'d to 175
- Leaf Certified Materials # 210 - jersey card #'d to 550
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 273 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Playoff Contenders # 182 - autographed with announced print run of 645 copies
- Playoff National Treasures # 143 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Playoff NFL Playoffs # 71
- Playoff Prestige # 231
- Score # 360
- Select # 360 - #'d to 599
- SP Authentic # 252 - autographed jersey card #'d to 299
- SPx # 187 - autographed jersey card #'d to 399
- Sweet Spot # 205 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Topps # 359A
- Topps Chrome # 221
- Topps Draft Picks and Prospects # 167 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Topps Heritage # 312 - SP
- Topps Total # 526
- Topps Triple Threads # 103 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Topps Turkey Red # 192
- Ultimate Collection # 206 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Ultra # 203 - #'d to 500
- Upper Deck # 219
- Upper Deck Legends # 184 - #'d to 750
- Upper Deck Rookie Debut # 251 - autographed with announced print run of 25 copies