Panini Signs Geno Smith to Card, Autograph Deal

February 3, 2013 By Editor

Panini America announced an autograph and trading card agreement with former West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, who could be one of the first players picked in this year’s NFL draft. The deal is Smith’s first officially licensed pro trading card deal and will include his first licensed autographed trading cards.

Smith actually the news himself Friday morning on Twitter:

Amped to announce partnership w/ @paniniamerica looking forward to my first rookie card!

— Eugene Geno Smith (@GenoSmith_12) February 1, 2013

“Geno Smith is an incredibly talented young player blessed with the kind of otherworldly skill set that sports fans and football card collectors alike absolutely love,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop.

During a spectacular four-year career at West Virginia, Smith passed for more than 11,000 yards and 98 touchdowns and earned First Team All Big-East honors in 2011 and the 2012 Orange Bowl MVP Award.

The first Geno Smith rookie cards will be on the 2013 Score Football product that will be released in May. Panini says Smith will be featured on product packaging and in social media initiatives throughout the length of the agreement.