How Sports Cards Gave a Disabled Veteran and His Son Hope and a Brighter Future
For Jason Maimes and his son Aiden, sports cards have been a blessing.
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Selling cards is a side hobby for some. A livelihood for others.
For Jason Maimes and his son Aiden, it’s a blessing.
They got into the hobby five years ago when Aiden was just 6 years old. He came home from school one day with a soccer card a friend gave him.
He told his father he wanted to collect cards, a common request for kids as they get their hands on sports cards or Pokémon for the first time.
Jason didn’t have the money for cards. However, he also didn’t want to disappoint his son, who didn’t ask for a lot.
The duo had already been through so much. They lived in a rough neighborhood – with no prospects of leaving. Jason, a disabled veteran, had left a difficult relationship and was doing everything he could to make ends meet.
Jason took $20 to Target to buy a blaster. At this point, he had done research and bought a football box for Aiden to start his collection.
“That was a lot of money,” Jason told me while taking a break from a card show in Texas.
But luck found Jason and Aiden that day. They pulled a Sam Darnold Panini Prizm Disco autograph. They couldn’t believe their luck.
They sold the card to a local hobby store and used that money to buy another box of cards — and hit a high-end Patrick Mahomes card. The cycle continued, with the father and son going on a hot streak.
While luck was on their side, Aiden researched cards, sold them locally at shows and at shops, and soon he was making money that would change their lives.
“He saved my life,” Jason said.
That’s not the first time Jason has said that about his son, who is now 11. In fact, it was a similar comment that caught my attention. During one of my weekly Twitter #CardChat sessions, I asked, “Why do teenagers have Zion cases filled with cards that can pay for college?”
Jason responded, “It truly is remarkable. As a 100% disabled combat veteran, if I hadn’t listened to him and who he wanted to collect from the beginning - Mahomes and Luka - I wouldn’t be able to pay the bills. He changed our lives in every way possible.”
That may feel like a lot of pressure for a kid, but Jason firmly believes it.
Jason nearly died when Aiden was a toddler from complications of chemical exposure while serving in Iraq. Aiden, who was barely able to speak at the time, told his father that he loved him.
“Clear as day, he said, ‘I love you too, daddy,’” Jason said. “That gave me the strength to survive. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my kid. Even if it cost me everything.”
Those $20 spent at Target changed the trajectory of their lives. They soon became regulars at the Dallas Card Show, selling, trading and buying like longtime dealers. Many at the show got to know Aiden through trade-up challenges.
They continued selling with Aiden taking charge. Jason is there to protect his son and make sure people treat his son right, but Aiden is the face of the operation.
“He built us up the opportunity because of who he is,” Jason said. “If he hadn’t chosen cards, and I didn’t listen, I wouldn’t have had any money to pay bills. Now we have our first home.”
Since they started their journey, the hobby has aided them so much. Signatures for Soldiers helped by giving them the proceeds from a charity auction during a past National, which helped buy furniture for their new place.
“We aren’t trying to live an extravagant life,” Jason said. “I have VA retirement and Social Security. The cards stuff is anything extra. This is just a blessing. It’s made us who we are. Aiden is still a smiling 11-year-old, and that’s the most important part.”
From Sooz’s Desk
Here are several pieces I wrote recently. Check them out:
The Ultimate Paul Skenes Rookie Card Guide (link)
2024 Bowman Draft Baseball: Meet the Top Prospecting Targets (link)
‘Shouldn’t Have Cashed Out!’: Chris Sale Adds Humor to a Fan’s Special Autographed Card (link)
Have any burning questions about the hobby or industry? You can reply to this email or fill out this form.
Love you two and so very proud of all your accomplishments!
This is an awesome story!