NFL Players Inc. (NFLPI), the marketing and licensing arm of the NFL Players Association, has teamed up with FanPrint, a provider of custom-made soft-goods, in a licensing deal that will directly benefit the Gene Upshaw Player Assistance Trust Fund (GU PAT Fund). FanPrint is the first NFLPI licensee to link its proceeds to help former NFL players who are in need.

When Darren and FanPrint approached NFLPI with a proposal to create licensed apparel that would directly benefit former players, they provided a unique benefit and point of differentiation that made this partnership very appealing, said Steven Scebelo, vice president licensing and business development, NFLPI. In addition, FanPrints portfolio of new player designs is a very creative addition to the assortment of NFLPI licensed apparel.

Woodson, FanPrints Director of Partnerships and one of the companys founding investors, noted that licensed sports gear is an $18 billion a year business and I felt with all the passion fans have for their favorite teams and players, there had to be a way to put some of those dollars to good use through charity. The Professional Athletes Foundation grant assistance arm known as the Gene Upshaw Players Assistance Trust Fund does such important work and was a logical beneficiary since it links directly to the players who have helped make the NFL so popular that there is this amazing demand for player affinity apparel.

FanPrint recruits and works with a wide range of talented graphic artists to create original designs for current NFL players. Fans are able to choose the artwork they like from different collections (including caricatures, player names/numbers, catchphrases, etc.) and order specific designs on apparel items of their choice, providing for an extensive array of custom possibilities.

Starting today, fans can go to the FanPrint website (www.fanprint.com) to check out our great products, said Woodson. Among my favorites are designs for Dez Bryant as an ‘X-factor and Colin Kaepernick as ‘Kaeptonite, since they blend clever animation with each of the players on-field abilities, continued Woodson, a three-time Super Bowl winner and five-time Pro Bowler. Our goal is to offer a wide range of products that will appeal to every sports fan and enable them to shop with a charitable purpose.