Phil Kessel Hot Dog Hockey Card
If you're a sports fan, you probably already know that memorabilia can be worth its weight in gold. From signed jerseys to game-used equipment, collectors pay top dollar for items that are tied to their favorite athletes or teams. But even the most avid collectors might not know about the Phil Kessel hot dog hockey card.
What is the Phil Kessel hot dog hockey card?
The Phil Kessel hot dog hockey card is a trading card that features the former NHL star chowing down on a hot dog during a game. The card was produced by Upper Deck for their 2018-19 NHL Series 2 set, and it quickly became a sensation among collectors and sports fans alike.
The card itself shows Kessel, then playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, looking straight at the camera with a hot dog in hand. The image is so absurd that it's hard not to chuckle when you see it. The back of the card features Kessel's stats and bio, like most other trading cards.
So why did Upper Deck decide to create a hockey card featuring a player eating a hot dog? According to the company's blog, it was all in good fun.
"We know that Phil is a fun-loving guy with a great sense of humor, and we wanted to convey that in his latest trading card," Upper Deck wrote. "We're thrilled with the results and can't wait for fans to get their hands on this unique collectible."
And fans certainly did get their hands on it. Despite being a relatively common card in the set, the Kessel hot dog card quickly became a sought-after item. Some online retailers even sold the card for upwards of $100 USD shortly after its release.
The backstory behind the hot dog incident
To truly appreciate the absurdity of the Phil Kessel hot dog hockey card, you need to know the backstory behind the hot dog incident.
During a game in 2016, Kessel was caught on camera eating a hot dog on the bench. The moment quickly went viral, with fans and pundits alike mocking Kessel for his apparent lack of focus on the game.
Kessel later explained that he had eaten the hot dog during a break in play, and that he had been doing it for years. He also pointed out that he had been playing well that game, despite the hot dog incident.
"It's not like I just took a bite out of it, and the camera was on me," Kessel said in a later interview. "I was just eating it like anyone else would. I've done it before. I'll do it again."
Whether or not the hot dog incident affected Kessel's performance on the ice is up for debate. But one thing is for sure: it made for an unforgettable moment in hockey history.
The value of the Phil Kessel hot dog hockey card
So just how much is the Phil Kessel hot dog hockey card worth?
As with any collectible item, the value of the card depends on a variety of factors. The card's condition, rarity, and demand all play a role in determining its worth.
At the time of writing, a quick search on eBay shows that the Kessel hot dog card can be purchased for anywhere from $5 to $30 USD, depending on the condition. While that might not sound like a lot of money compared to some other sports memorabilia, it's worth remembering that the card is only a few years old.
As time goes on and the card becomes rarer, its value is likely to increase. And who knows? Maybe one day the Phil Kessel hot dog hockey card will be as valuable as a Wayne Gretzky rookie card.
Conclusion
The Phil Kessel hot dog hockey card is a unique piece of sports memorabilia that captures a hilarious moment in hockey history. Whether you're a fan of Kessel, the Penguins, or just appreciate a good laugh, the card is definitely worth adding to your collection. And who knows? Maybe one day it will be worth a fortune.
