Calling all NFL sports fans and NFT collectors, this new launch was made for you! If you’re a fan of players such as Emmitt Smith, Dick Butkus or Jerry Rice, then keep on reading.
Premier NFT platform, OneOf, has partnered with Sports Illustrated to create the "Legends of the Gridiron" NFT collection. Purchases for the NFTs can be made through OneOf’s website or leading NFT marketplace, OpenSea.
OneOf is a platform that allows music lovers and sports fans to connect and collect their favorite artists, athletes, and brands. The "Legends of the Gridiron" collection highlights a superstar athlete and is inspired by their career-defining Sports Illustrated cover.
The collection features the first ballot of players from the NFL Hall of Fame, including Emmitt Smith, Dick Butkus and Jerry Rice. Each player within the collection was inspired by their Sports Illustrated cover - 3D animations bring these star football players to life as action figures, design and animation created by SeriouslyFun.
Emmitt Smith’s cover of Sports Illustrated is perhaps the most memorable. The July 1, 1996 issue features Smith in a way people have never seen him before, relaxing in a pool. Not only is Smith a fan favorite due to his personality, he is also considered the greatest running back of all time.
Known as the ultimate “Man in the Middle” from his Sports Illustrated September 21, 1970 cover, Butkus possessed grit, determination and desire which made him one of the game’s most competitive players and is known as one of the greatest defensive players in the history of the NFL.
Finally, 36 time NFL record holder, Rice continued to cement his status as one of the most dominant players in the game in his Sports Illustrated cover story. The January 15, 1990 cover celebrates Rice’s epic performance and victory over the Vikings.
Each collection features three different tiers of rarity, from Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Each of the NFTs incorporates Americana themes and city-specific cultural elements, making each individual piece visually striking and completely unique.
At the time of the "Legends of the Gridiron" NFT launch, the collection will be available for purchase on OneOf and OpenSea will be selling a select amount of the NFTs within the Platinum and Diamond tier.
The NFT sale launches on March 10, at 6 p.m. ET on both OneOf and OpenSea, with a pre-sale going live at 3 p.m. for Sports Pass holders. A portion of the proceeds made will be donated to the Butkus Foundation. Emmitt Smith’s collection is supposed to be the first NFT collection to drop, followed by Dick Butkus, finishing off with Jerry Rice.
