Why Personality and Autograph Quality Matter When Building a Sports Memorabilia Collection

We just got back from a busy weekend of autograph signings in Washington, DC, and it gave me a chance to reflect on something I don’t think collectors talk about enough.

When it comes to autographs, we often focus on:

• How good the athlete was

• Championships and stats

• Hall of Fame resumes

And while all of that matters, I think there are two other factors that deserve just as much attention when adding pieces to your collection:

1. The athlete’s personality

2. The quality of their autograph

When you combine both, that’s where collecting becomes truly rewarding.

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More Than Just “The Best Player”

Don’t get me wrong—elite players matter.

Patrick Mahomes is an obvious example. He’s already one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and his autograph is something most collectors would love to own. But his autograph itself isn’t particularly strong from a visual standpoint.

That got me thinking:
What about athletes who have great personalities and great autographs?

Those are the pieces that tend to stand out, hold meaning, and bring long-term satisfaction.

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A Weekend in Washington, DC

This trip involved getting 40–50 athletes signed, and I brought my oldest daughter, Madison, with me. She’s a big football fan and wanted to meet some players in person, which made the weekend even more memorable.

Between signings, navigating DC traffic, and sightseeing downtown on scooters in the rain (yes, really), we met a group of athletes who perfectly illustrated why personality + autograph quality matters.

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Athletes Who Checked All the Boxes

Rocky Bleier

One of the highlights of the weekend.

• Vietnam veteran

• Former Steelers running back

• Incredible personality

We only had one item for him to sign, yet spent nearly 10 minutes just talking. He took his time, added multiple inscriptions to a helmet, and genuinely connected—especially with Madison.

That’s the kind of autograph experience you remember.

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Matthew Golden

A standout personality.

He was:

• Polite

• Engaged

• Respectful with everyone

You could tell he takes pride in what he does. The Packers may have found a great one, both on and off the field.

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Julio Jones

Julio hadn’t signed in a while, but he was:

• Happy to be there

• Great with fans

• Very intentional with his autograph

He even adjusted his jersey number in signatures depending on the team item being signed (Alabama, Falcons, etc.). While his autograph is shorter, his attitude and professionalism made him one of the weekend’s favorites.

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Terry McLaurin

Terry might’ve said it best.

He joked that he likes to look around the room to see who has the worst autograph, because he actually takes pride in his own.

That matters.

Terry:

• Has a clean, readable autograph

• Knows it

• Cares about it

That combination is exactly what collectors should value.

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Rashod Bateman

One of Madison’s favorite moments.

• Clean, legible autograph

• Friendly, patient demeanor

• Took time for a photo op

For a younger player, he already understands how important presentation and interaction are.

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Anthony Muñoz

A fun, memorable moment.

He signed a Spanish-language NFL educational card and pointed out a misspelling, even offering Madison money if she could find it. It was funny, educational, and completely genuine.

Muñoz is sharp, engaging, and takes real pride in what he signs.

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Mark Price

A great example of how these moments go beyond autographs.

Madison has been struggling with her jump shot, so I asked Mark for one piece of shooting advice. He lit up and gave her a simple but powerful tip.

That night, she went to the park and won 15–0.

That autograph now has a story behind it.

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Bernard King

A true old-school personality.

Every time I see him, I make the mistake of calling him “Mr. King,” and every time he corrects me—politely—“Just Bernard.”

He’s thoughtful, sharp, and deeply connected to basketball history. If you ever get a chance to meet him, do it.

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Julius Erving (Dr. J)

One of the best values in the hobby, in my opinion.

• Takes his time

• Adds inscriptions carefully

• Knows the history of the items he’s signing

• Fantastic autograph quality

He even recognized specific tickets and games being signed and recalled details most people would miss.

For the player he was, his autograph is still relatively affordable.

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The Three Questions Collectors Should Ask

Before adding an autograph to your collection, I think you should ask:

1. Do I like this athlete’s personality?

2. Is the autograph clean, consistent, and visually appealing?

3. Does it fit my budget?

If it checks all three boxes, that’s a piece worth owning.

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Final Thoughts

Not everyone can afford:

• Michael Jordan autographs

• Caitlin Clark at today’s prices

• Ultra-premium grails

And that’s okay.

Great collections aren’t just about money—they’re about connection.

When you look at an autograph and it makes you smile because you remember:

• The story

• The interaction

• The personality behind it

That’s when collecting really matters.

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Learn More

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