AMC’s “THE WALKING DEAD” RELEASES SPECIAL EDITION DIGITAL TOPPS TRADING CARDS FEATURING NFL PLAYERS TURNED WALKERS FROM NEW ENGLAND, ATLANTA AND MORE
“The Walking Dead” Returns as Football Season Ends with Highly Anticipated Second Half of Season 7 Starting on Sunday, February 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT
NEW YORK, NY, February 3, 2017 – Just in time for the Big Game, AMC’s “The Walking Dead” has released a special-edition digital card set featuring “zombie-fied” professional football players from the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, and more. Greg Nicotero, executive producer, director and special FX make-up designer for “The Walking Dead,” has created hand-drawn walkers out of Malcolm Jenkins, Geno Atkins, Cole Beasley, Jesse James, Shea McClellin and John Kuhn, among others, on digital trading cards that football and series fans can collect, at no charge, for a limited time.
“The Walking Dead,” now in its seventh season, is the No. 1 show on television. With The Walking Dead: Card Trader app from Topps Digital, fans can collect over 5,000 cards that feature favorite characters, thrilling moments and locations from the show, and trade with fellow fans around the world. The app is available in the App Store and Google Play Store with hot new digital card releases daily including never-before-seen content covering the entire history of the TV phenomenon. This special-edition set is part of a co-branded licensing effort with the NFL Players Association, and made possible through Topps Digital – which is a mutual licensee.
“As far as we’re concerned the only thing missing from the Big Game is zombies, and we are pleased to rectify that with these special edition ‘The Walking Dead’ cards,’” said Theresa Beyer, senior vice president, brand activation and promotions, AMC. “As the #No. 1 show on television for five years running, ‘The Walking Dead’ has a huge fan base that includes many pro football players who enthusiastically signed up to become zombified walkers. We are committed to serving our passionate fans in a variety of ways and can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Big Game and the return of ‘The Walking Dead’ on February 12 than these special edition cards.”
A sentiment echoed by Malcolm Jenkins of the Philadelphia Eagles, “I am a huge fan of ‘The Walking Dead,’” Jenkins said. “In fact, preparing for a zombie apocalypse is my off season hobby. So I had to jump on the opportunity to become one through the NFLPA’s collaboration with AMC and Topps Digital. I’m excited to see how the other players’ artwork comes out. I think mine turned out pretty cool – I make an excellent zombie.”
As football season ends, “The Walking Dead” returns. The highly anticipated second half of Season 7 of “The Walking Dead” starts on Sunday, February 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. “The Walking Dead” is executive produced by showrunner Scott M. Gimple, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero, Dave Alpert and Tom Luse.
About AMC
AMC is home to some of the most popular and acclaimed programs on television. AMC was the first basic cable network to ever win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series with “Mad Men” in 2008, which then went on to win the coveted award four years in a row, before “Breaking Bad” won it in 2013 and 2014. The network’s series “The Walking Dead” is the highest-rated series in cable history and the number one show on television among adults 18-49 for the last five years. AMC’s other current original drama series include “Better Call Saul,” “Hell on Wheels,” “Turn: Washington’s Spies,” “Halt and Catch Fire,” “Humans,” “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Into the Badlands,” “The Night Manager,” “Preacher,” and the forthcoming “The Son,” “The Terror,” “Lodge 49,” “Loaded” and “McMafia.” AMC also explores authentic worlds and discussion with original shows like “Talking Dead,” “The Making of The Mob,” “Comic Book Men,” “Ride with Norman Reedus” and “The American West.” AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, SundanceTV, BBC America and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile.
About the NFL Players Association
The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players, and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through 2020.
About NFL Players Inc.
NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFLPA, connects businesses to the power of NFL players. NFL Players Inc. creates customized business solutions for partners, through licensing, marketing strategy and player activations. For more information, please visit nflpa.com/players.
About Topps
Founded in 1938, The Topps Company, Inc. is the preeminent creator and brand marketer of physical and digital sports cards, entertainment cards and collectibles, and distinctive confectionery products. Topps’ leading sports and entertainment products include Major League Baseball, National Football League, Major League Soccer, UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, Bundesliga, Indian Premier League, Star Wars, WWE, UFC, Wacky Packages, Garbage Pail Kids, Mars Attacks and other trading cards, sticker album collections and collectibles. Topps’ app portfolio, including Topps BUNT®, Topps NFL HUDDLE®, TOPPS KICK® and Topps® Star WarsSM: Card Trader, has been a hit with millions of fans around the world. Topps’ confectionery brands include Ring Pop®, Push Pop®, Baby Bottle Pop®, Juicy Drop® Pop, Crunchkins™ and Bazooka® bubble gum. Topps was acquired by Michael Eisner’s Tornante Company and Madison Dearborn Partners in October 2007. For additional information, visit Topps.com and Candymania.com.