In just a few short weeks, much of the NFL’s newest wave of talent will experience their official welcome to the National Football League.
But before those Week 1 debuts come, several of the top NFL rookies received their “welcome” to the NFL in a different and heartfelt way.
On Tuesday, Fanatics released the latest edition of its The Locker Room series, where NFL rookies, like Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, Cam Ward, and Ashton Jeanty among others, received a message and a signed jersey from either an NFL legend or current NFL player that they are compared to.
Before they were legends, they were rookies.
We welcomed the rookie class to the @NFL with a special surprise from some of the game’s biggest stars. pic.twitter.com/6m98AOMupP— Fanatics (@Fanatics) August 5, 2025
REQUIRED READING: Madden 26 ratings: Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, top rookies for 2025
Among the NFL legends to be featured in the video were Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Barry Sanders, who spoke to Hunter and Jeanty, respectively. In his clip to Hunter, who was listed as a starting wide receiver in the Jacksonville Jaguars depth chart on Monday, Rice shared that his work ethic will help his career take off as he didn’t “let anyone outwork” him in his.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning sent a message into Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has publicly talked about his close relationship with the former G-Men quarterback over the last handful of seasons because of their Ole Miss connections.
“It’s been an honor to watch you these past three years break all my records at Ole Miss,” Eli Manning said in the video.
Added Dart after he read Manning’s message on the signed jersey: “This is special. Not many people have this.”
Peyton Manning offered up a message to Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren, saying that he knows Colts fans will “be behind you every step of the way,” just like they were for Manning, who won a Super Bowl and threw for 54,828 yards and 399 touchdowns in 13 seasons in Indianapolis.
Of all the players featured in the video, New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo was the one who got choked up the most when watching his message from four-time Pro Bowler Eddie George.
“It means a lot just knowing how much he cares,” Skattebo said in the video. “Because coming from a great and somebody that has done it and knows what it takes. I know he’s there for me if I need it.”
NFL Preseason action continues on Thursday, Aug. 7 with a triple-header of games featuring the Indianapolis Colts at the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals at the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Las Vegas Raiders at the Seattle Seahawks.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch: NFL rookies receive NFL welcome from NFL legends
