Amazing video! Here’s a cool story: In 1999 (5th grade), when students got a perfect score on a test, did something nice, etc. our teachers would give us something called “Bonus Bucks”. At the end of each semester, our class would hold an auction with the fun money for donated items from parents (trading cards, toys, etc). To begin the school year (August/September), we were given an assignment to write our favorite NFL team and one celebrity/athlete. I wrote the Dallas Cowboys and, my favorite player of all time, Michael Jordan. If they sent anything back, we would get to keep the letter and any smaller items, but the main item had to be put into our class auctions for bidding. Luckily, the Cowboys responded right away. They were nice enough to send a team photo with facsimile autographs which had to be put into our class auction. I got to keep the letter and two 5x7 pictures of Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith. Fast forward to April, I came inside from recess and there was a big envelope on my desk. I approached my desk and saw the Jumpman logo. I immediately started to cry haha not only because Jordan is the GOAT, but it was my birthday too! Inside was a letter, a “rules card” on how to succeed in school, and five 8x10 pictures with facsimile autographs of Jordan’s final shot in the 1998 Finals. The teachers clearly understood my love for Jordan and were nice enough to let me keep the letter, the rules card, and one photo. The other 4 went into the auction. Best birthday present of my life!
Back in 1997 I sent a few envelopes with football cards to many NFL teams. Mostly to well known players with hand written letters. The only one that sent back an envelope with autographed card was Gus Frerotte. He was a QB for Washington Redskins at that time. I still kept that until this day.
Good on you for trying. It’s too bad you didn’t get a better response. When I was a kid, if you did this, you would have had much better results. The honest truth is that not too many organizations actually care for fan interaction anymore.
I learned a trick send them a letter with your jersey etc. Find out what charity they have send a check with it. Chances are they will sign and send the money back or keep!!
I suggest going to a basketball game and getting players to sign your cards. I ended up getting Trae Young, Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and others to sign my Panini Origins cards. Just arrive between an hour or 2 before tip-off during shoot around. Make sure you have either a white or silver color sharpie.
When I was a kid, in the 80s, we would send the to the mlb parks but put the players name on the address, with the stadiums actual address. Inside would be just that players card and a return self addressed stamped envelope. We had a several come back signed. You gotta make it more convenient for them instead of just throwing some stamps in the envelope. Address it to the player and maybe it'll make it to their locker and they'll just have to sign it and throw it back in the envelope and the stadium will drop it in the mail for you.
