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Couple to sell rare football card to pay for fertilization treatment

Oct 9, 2012, 3:29 PM EDT

3 Comments
paytonsanderscard

After two unsuccessful in-vitro fertilization procedures, a Houston couple is hoping that Barry Sanders can help them have a baby. Wait, what?

Todd Nelkin, 45, is selling his 1999 Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph card with Walter Payton and Barry Sanders’ signatures to help pay for the $20,000 IVF treatment. The card is graded a Gem Mint 10 by Beckett Grading Services — the only card in that condition among the 29 Payton/Sanders signed cards that Beckett Grading Services has seen.

“I know this is going to sound a little sappy,” Todd said, “but this could be the only card in existence that is responsible for a human life. Hopefully, someone will be on this planet because of that card. I think this adds a nice element to the history of that card.”

Yep, the Nelkins are pretty big sports fans — they’re Houston Rockets season ticket holders, and were engaged and eventually married at the Rockets’ Toyota Center.

I have a good feeling about this, and declare this an opportunity to offer baby name suggestions. Walter? Barry? My choice, if a boy: Donruss. If a girl: Elite.

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  1. mybrunoblog - Oct 9, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    Wait. I’m confused. The couple pays for season tickets for the Houston Rockets but is short on cash for fertility?
    Another thing. $20G for a card with two signatures that I could get for less than $1K right now? There is one born every minute.

    • theawesomersfranchise - Oct 11, 2012 at 4:14 AM

      The Payton card will get 5k easy, there were only 100 made, 10 Rating, 5K without a doubt, not 20 however.

      • tsi431 - Oct 11, 2012 at 3:54 PM

        The card in the photo above shows 1500 were made I would assume your math may be a little off, with that many available.

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