Ryan Grant is proof positive that collectors should save any rookie cards they come across, no matter how insignificant they may appear at first. As Grant's story shows, today's unwanted spares can become tomorrow's hot cards.
A former New Jersey Player of the Year in high school, Grant went on to have a productive career as a running back at Notre Dame, where he rushed for over 2,000 yards. He was considered a solid, dependable runner but the general consensus was that he was neither fast nor shifty enough to star at the next level, and he went undrafted as a result.
Grant did catch on with the New York Giants practice squad, where he spent the entire 2005 season. He was injured in an off-field accident before the 2006 campaign and placed on injured reserve. Despite never carrying the ball in an NFL game, Grant's services were acquired by the Green Bay Packers in September 2007 in exchange for a future draft pick.
That trade may turn out to be one of the NFL's great bargains. After injuries and ineffective play by the likes of Vernand Morency, Noah Herron, Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn, the Packers turned to Grant. He rewarded them by rushing for almost 1,000 yards, scoring eight touchdowns and ripping off more 20-plus yard runs than all backs except for LaDainian Tomlinson and Willie Parker - despite starting only seven games.
Grant's first playoff game was literally one for the record books. He fumbled twice early against the Seattle Seahawks in Green Bay's 2007 playoff opener, but rebounded to become the first Packer to rush for three touchdowns and just the seventh in NFL history to top 200 yards in a postseason contest.
Wearing the same number 25 and possessing a similar frame, Grant reminds observers of Dorsey Levens, but the former Packers star never got hobby love like Grant. He only has two 2005 rookie cards, but they both became hot commodities down the stretch run of the 2007 season, and he just may be the man to carry the football card torch in Green Bay once Brett Favre finally decides to call it quits.
Ryan Grant 2005 Rookie Cards
- Playoff Honors # 191 - #'d to 399
- Sweet Spot # 177 - #'d to 699