Matt Flynn Rookie Cards on Fire

In about three and a half hours on Sunday, Green Bay Packers' backup quarterback Matt Flynn probably made himself--and his descendants--quite wealthy. He also put some money in the pockets of those who jumped on eBay and put those dust-collecting Matt Flynn rookie cards up for bid.

Flynn's 480-yard, six touchdown passing day probably ensured him of a huge free agent contract when his current deal expires at season's end. He's waited patiently behind Aaron Rodgers for four seasons and now stands to cash in--maybe as the new quarterback of the Washington Redskins or another team desperate for a long term answer at the position. It wasn't a one game wonder. Flynn provided a good account of himself in a loss to New England last year and has been sharp when big leads have moved coach Mike McCarthy to bench Rodgers. He also comes from a winning background at LSU.

Collectors have been buying Flynn for awhile, imagining the same type of scenario that played out for Rodgers, but not to the degree they were Sunday afternoon and evening. Flynn has multiple autographed 2008 rookie cards. Except for those numbered to 25 and less, most had been selling for $25 and less. Over a 90-day period ending in late December, autographed Matt Flynn rookie cards had averaged $18.06 on eBay.

Not anymore.

On Sunday, Flynn rookie card sales were brisk. Dozens sold between the second half of the game and early Sunday night. A lot of 10 SP Authentic signed rookies sold for $550, not bad considered that in October, the same card had been selling individually for $15-25 each.

Most of the sales were "best offer", meaning those who had them put them up for sale as Flynn set the Packers' record for touchdowns in a game and those who speculated it might be a good time to buy, did exactly that.

Low numbered rookie cards sold for record prices. A Leaf Monikers signed Flynn rookie, one of ten created, sold for $250. A BGS 9-graded Playoff Contenders rookie brought $175. Ungraded copies sold for $125. Days earlier, they had been going for half that.

Auction listings that had been quiet, suddenly exploded. A 2008 Exquisite Flynn rookie auto, numbered to 150, sold for $115 and garnered 23 bids.

On the bargain end were his Sage signed rookie cards, picturing him in an LSU uniform, Topps Chrome and some of the Bowman Sterling issues, many still bringing $40 and less.