On cusp of NFL career, ex-Pitt player Damar Hamlin enters new world of digital trading cards
Damar Hamlin can’t control when he will be drafted, which NFL team will pull the trigger or how long the process will take.
But the former Pitt and Central Catholic defensive back said he’s more than ready to be a professional, and he’s acting that way off the field, too.
After the 2020 football season, he held a toy drive last Christmas through his Chasing M’s Foundation at Kelly and Nina’s Daycare center in McKees Rocks, surpassing his goal of raising $2,500 in donations.
Nina is Hamlin’s mother, someone he calls a “staple” of the community. He said holding the toy drive at her daycare at this point in his career completes “the circle of life” for him.
Additionally, he hopes to conduct a football camp and a back-to-school fundraiser this summer.
Hamlin, 23, also will be among the first athletes to issue individual digital trading cards — known as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) — that have the potential to increase in value as his NFL profile improves. A total of 10 will be launched at 9 p.m. Wednesday and can be purchased for $25 each.
The Golden State Warriors on Tuesday became the first U.S. pro team to release officially licensed NFTs.
Jordon Rooney, a marketer who owns the Built Different Creative agency, presented the idea to Hamlin, who is not shy about advancing his brand.
“I just thought it was a great opportunity to get ahead of the curve,” Hamlin said. “It’s something a lot of players in the league are getting into for the future, and I’m just excited to be one of the first players.”
Said Rooney, who has partnered on this venture with the crypto agency, Cloud Fire Capital: “Damar and I are very close, and I wanted to do this because of what it represents. Athletes are taking more ownership in the digital age. They no longer need to seek permission to build a legacy and create generational wealth. Their brands can generate just as much money off the field.
“As Damar plays better, the card increases in value. Think of having currency that increases because of performance. It’s like buying stock in a player.”
Hamlin will receive 20% every time an NFT is sold.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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