Im sad. Football season is over, and now I have to endure almost 6 months of football-less despair as I wait for the 2016 season. Regardless of the pending wasteland of the summertime, Super Bowl 50 did have some major hobby players involved, and I was excited to see how everything played out. This may have been the last hurrah for a few guys, and its time to talk through some of the legacies that were made or diminished by last night’s game.

Peyton Manning

There may not be a more iconic football card than the 1998 Contenders Manning Auto Ticket. It is the a card that single handedly established a brand that has lasted through to today, without much else to show for the other years. Manning has been a great signer through his entire career, and his autographs are still worth a lot of money. When supply is high, and value remains in the top tier, you know a guy is among the greats. Winning last night did not help him. That is true. Losing last night may have hit his values temporarily, but I doubt the long term impact would have been major. A guy who owns all the records in the book doesnt take a hit over a loss against the best team in the NFL.

2013 Topps Five Star Peyton Manning Inscription Auto

2013 Topps Supreme Peyton Manning Quad Patch Auto /10

2015 Topps Chrome Peyton Manning Base Auto SSP /10

Cam Newton

Unfortunately for the hobby, 2011 had some BAAAAAAAAAAD looking cards. When I say bad, I mean really really bad. Panthers' offensive line last night bad. Regardless of this terrible situation, Newton’s cards were obviously on fire these last few months. It was even more of a sustained burn, because unlike Kaepernick a few years back, he has always been a good player, a heisman winner, and a #1 overall pick. A down year wont relegate him to the bargain bin, and this stinger of a loss wont have a lasting impact on his base value. All that afterburner that was turned on over the last few months will fade, but its not like his cards are going to be worthless, ever. Even though his personality was not at its best yesterday, he is still going to be one of the most popular players in the league for years to come.

2011 Topps Chrome Cam Newton Atomic Auto /50 BGS 9.5

2011 Prime Signatures Cam Newton Auto /25

2011 Topps Five Star Cam Newton Rookie Auto /199

Von Miller

I dont think I have seen two performances in a row like we saw Miller have on the biggest stages that exist. First, he made Brady look like a rookie in the Championship game, and followed it up by basically winning this game for Denver. If Von Miller doesnt play, the Broncos dont win. The sad part is, defense doesnt sell in the hobby, unless your name is JJ Watt. There are a few guys who have residual value because they are future HOFers who dont sign much, but defense generally isnt the face of the franchise like Watt, Polamalu and Ray Lewis were. Miller will get a nice little bump for winning the MVP, and thankfully he is a GREAT player to sustain some of that bump later on. This wont be a Malcom Smith situation, and Miller could end up being on Watt’s level, if he isnt already, in terms of talent. Like Newton, he was a rookie during a terrible card year, and probably wont see far above 100 bucks for any of his normal rookie cards.

2011 Topps Chrome Von Miller Red Refractor Auto RC /5

2011 Crown Royale Von Miller Silhouette Auto Patch

John Elway

Believe it or not, Elway has been a hot topic over the last few weeks, and this Super Bowl was a testament to his legacy in the front office as much as it was his legacy overall. Elway being on stage to accept the trophy will have an impact on his value, especially as younger collectors are exposed to his persona. Like many HOFers who are still around the game, he signs a ton, but like Manning his value is still nice. I say he will get a slight bump for his “third” ring, although it isnt anything like it was when he won back to back as a player. Elway has one of the best stories, going out after winning a ring, and hopefully Manning does the same.

2014 National Treasures Peyton Manning / John Elway Dual Auto

2012 Elite John Elway /' Peyton Manning Dual Auto Passing the Torch

Again, I am sad the season is over, but feel this was a fitting culmination. Although it wasnt a shootout, it was still an interesting game, and was within one score for most of the second half. I kept waiting for the fireworks on the offensive side of the ball, but they came from the defense instead.

With a weak class likely on the cusp in 2016, I guess it isnt a bad thing to bask in 2015 for a while longer.