The NFLPA Rookie Premiere began on Thursday and will last through Sunday. As we reported, three members of the Cleveland Browns were invited to participate in the event this year: QB Cody Kessler, WR Corey Coleman, and WR Ricardo Louis. All three rookies were busy signing trading cards in Los Angeles and getting a crash course on the life of marketing yourself as a professional athlete.
Also, something that I've never been aware of is that there is a financial incentive for the rookies to attend the event, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com.
Guaranteed min $12k to attend. Malcolm Mitchell only player to turn down invite, says he wants to study NE playbook. https://t.co/FW1YwiSzHh
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) May 20, 2016
That might not be a ton of money in the whole grand scheme of their careers, but when they're first starting out, how can you say, "no?" Check how some of the photos below from the event:
QB Cody Kessler
The @Browns @CodyKessler6 has joined the signing session. #whodoyoucollect #ratedrookie #nflparookiepremiere pic.twitter.com/L1GqWbg3BE
— Panini America (@PaniniAmerica) May 19, 2016
Kessler's card will be in the Group 2 pack.
Honored to join @CokeZero this for #NFLRookiePremiere visiting with players like @CodyKessler6 @Browns pic.twitter.com/tc5Dn172Xw
— George Whitfield Jr. (@georgewhitfield) May 20, 2016
WR Corey Coleman
The @Browns @TheCoreyColeman signing has begun #whodoyoucollect #nflparookiepremiere #ratedrookie pic.twitter.com/jVxWLDcixD
— Panini America (@PaniniAmerica) May 19, 2016
Coleman's card will be in the Group 1 pack.
WR Ricardo Louis
The @Browns @GuttaManRick signing his Elite Pen Pals #whodoyoucollect #ratedrookie #nflparookiepremiere pic.twitter.com/U968ZNIOBi
— Panini America (@PaniniAmerica) May 19, 2016
Louis' card will be in the Group 3 pack. He also have some fun doing the Carlton dance:
.@Browns Ricardo Louis (@GuttaManRick) has that #FridayFeeling
— 120 Sports (@120Sports) May 20, 2016
Follow : the120sports for more #RookiePremiere pic.twitter.com/J1m4JqUQes
120 Sports interviewed Louis on Facebook Live. That interview began around the 15:00 mark of the video below.
#DawgPound.. @Browns rookie WR @GuttaManRick stopped by to sign some memorabilia at the @NFLPA #RookiePremiere. pic.twitter.com/fA4r6CHDNa
— Fanatics Authentic (@FansAuthentic) May 20, 2016