Odell Beckham Jr. hasn’t yet played three full seasons in the NFL but he’s already accumulating quite a collection of game-worn jerseys.
One of the league’s marquee talents is also a superstar when it comes to trading jerseys with his colleagues around the league. The post-game jersey swaps have become more popular in recent years, turning players into collectors.
“This is a chance to capture the memories of our careers and preserve them for a lifetime,” Giants linebacker Jonathan Casillas told NorthJersey.com, which carried a feature story on the NFL’s trading sessions.
The jerseys don’t often wind up tossed in a box and forgotten; athletes often have them framed or at least hang them in a special place in their homes.
While some players say it runs against their competitive nature to spend time trading or acquiring an opponent’s jersey, others prefer to look at the long-term picture.
Some trade with players they knew on their way to the league; others set up swaps with players they have come to know and respect during their pro careers.
All of them share a common bond, often unspoken when they take off the sweaty shirts and make the exchange.
“We made it. This is a small stage and we’re blessed to be on it,” said Jets safety Rontez Miles.
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