2005 Reebok NFL Players Rookie Premiere Presented by EA Sports
Twenty-nine of the top 2005 NFL draft picks gathered in Los Angeles this past weekend for the annual
Reebok NFL Players Rookie Premiere presented by EA Sports and produced by PLAYERS INC. The event was
also sponsored by trading card companies Donruss/Playoff, Topps and Upper Deck, and by Pepsi.
The rookies, including first-overall draft pick and 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, put on their official
team uniforms for the first time as they participated in a series of photo shoots for football trading
card companies Donruss Playoff, Topps and Upper Deck. The shoots ranged from standard portrait and action
shots to more unique concepts involving running, jumping and diving.
"Putting on that jersey for the first time was great," said Eagles rookie running back Ryan Moats.
"It really helped things sink in with being a player in the NFL. I've always wanted my own football
card and now I have one."
In addition to the photo shoots, which took place on the field of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on
Saturday and Sunday, rookies visited two local hobby shops on Thursday – one in Beverly Hills and one
in South Bay – to sign autographs, meet fans and pose for photographs.
The rookies also underwent head scans from video game sponsor EA Sports for use in the 2006 version of
Madden football. The head scans will help EA provide lifelike versions of the rookies in the next version
of the top-selling sports video game.
On Friday afternoon, Smith, Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones and Vikings wide receiver Troy
Williamson led a group of local youth in skills and drills competitions in the Reebok kids' clinic, also
at the LA Coliseum. Children ages 8-14 who registered at nearby Kids Foot Locker stores upon a purchase of
RBK licensed product between May 16 and through May 19 were eligible to participate.
"Rookies always look forward to being part of this event," said Pat Allen, COO of PLAYERS INC.
"Not only is it the first time they wear their official team uniforms, but they are also excited about
seeing their very first football trading card."
A new addition to this year's event was Pepsi, who utilized the Rookie Premiere to launch its "Rookie of
the Week" and "Rookie of the Year" programs, season-long promotions where fans can vote on
www.nfl.com for their favorite rookie. When the rookies first
arrived at the event, they campaigned through video testimonials to win fans' votes as the 2005 Pepsi Rookie of
the Year.
The top response, offered by Eagles wide receiver Reggie Brown, was awarded a personalized Pepsi vending machine
presented by NFL Network host Rich Eisen at a welcome reception on Friday night at the Westin Century City hotel.
The vending machine, which will be delivered to Brown's home, features an enlarged trading card image of Brown
and will be stocked with Pepsi products for the entire 2005 NFL season.
Friday night's welcome reception concluded with the "Rookie Madden Bowl," when rookies challenged each
other to Madden NFL 2005. Ravens wide receiver Mark Clayton defeated Packers wide receiver Terrence Murphy in the
final round and did not get scored upon throughout the tournament. "I play a lot of video games and mostly
I play Madden and other sports games," Clayton said. "So that came in handy."
The week's activities were filmed for a one-hour television special, produced by PLAYERS INC and the NFL Network.
Hosted by Eisen and former NFL wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, the show will air repeatedly on NFL Network starting
in July.
Source: PLAYERS INC
Date: May 25, 2005
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