Ex-NFL Linebacker Blake Martinez has made millions selling Pokémon cards

Published February 28, 2023 at 5:54 AM EST

(SOUNDBITE OF POKEMON SONG, "POKEMON THEME")

A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:

Good morning. I'm A Martínez. Blake Martinez used to be an NFL linebacker. We're not related. He was a linebacker, I just looked like one. Anyways, Blake Martinez made $5 million in the last seven months by selling Pokémon cards. He started doing it online during the pandemic and has made 20% of what he earned during seven years in the NFL. And Martinez says the best part about selling Pokémon cards instead of sacking quarterbacks, no more shoulder and back pain.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "POKEMON THEME")

JASON PAIGE: (Singing) Catch them all. Pokémon.

MARTÍNEZ: It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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