What would you do if the most embarrassing moment of your life wound up immortalized on your rookie card? That’s exactly what might have happened to Malachi Corley, raising the question of whether a cringe-worthy image can still be iconic.

What makes an iconic card? For many, it’s being able to tie the image on the card to a specific play or game. A great example is Odell Beckham Jr’s 2015 Topps Chrome card featuring “The Catch”. (Buy on eBay)

Corley’s rookie issue, however, may feature his notorious end-zone fumble, one of 2024’s most squirm-inducing highlights. If you need a reminder, here’s the replay (and a brutal Twitter jab) that went viral:

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This week, We the Hobby dropped an Instagram Reel suggesting the fumble might actually appear on Corley’s Phoenix rookie card:

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Will this discovery increase the value of his rookie card? Stranger things have certainly happened and collectors do love a card with a story. Whether it becomes a sought-after oddity or simply a quirky footnote, it’s proof that context can be as valuable as on-field performance.


What card in your collection carries a story? Let us know on Mantel.