The NFL Players' Association (NFLPA) released their Top 50 midseason merchandise sales list this week, and only one member of the Indianapolis Colts made this list: none other than Anthony Richardson.
Comprised of all officially licensed NFL player merchandise sold between March 1st and August 31st, the list includes not only jerseys, but -- according to the NFLPA -- "T-shirts, and hoodies, to bobbleheads, plush toys, socks, and drinkware, pet products, and more."
Some of the most popular players, like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Travis Kelce, were no surprise. But seeing Richardson make an appearance is a sign of his growing popularity. Richardson came in at #42, ahead of the Chiefs' Isaiah Pacheco, Derrick Henry for the Ravens, and Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence.
Richardson had a rough start to the season, struggling with both incompletions and interceptions as he also threw occasional bombs that gave fans a glimmer of hope. He was injured in September, and came back several weeks later only to face a huge controversy.
During the Colts-Texans game in October, Richardson sat out during a play and was brutally honest with reporters, telling them he had simply been "tired." Head coach Shane Steichen responded by benching him for two weeks in favor of veteran QB Joe Flacco, saying he felt the Colts could still be playoff contenders and needed Flacco to help them win.
Unfortunately, Steichen's little experiment was a complete disaster, as Flacco not only played horribly - throwing no shortage of picks himself - but members of the Colts team didn't hold back on airing their feelings on the situation. Numerous players, including team captains, said they found out about Richardson's benching on social media, and rumors began to quickly spread that Steichen had lost the locker room as a result of the Richardson-Flacco situation. Fans began to speak out on social media, too, with #FreeAnthonyRichardson quickly trending.
When Steichen changed course and reinstated Richardson, the locker room was jubilant, and Richardson himself turned in two back-to-back improved performances, with many feeling like this could be the beginning of a promising quarterback career.
The Richardson roller coaster has had its share of ups and downs, but love him or hate him, it's undeniable that he brings out passionate opinions in fans, players, and analysts alike. With time, his position on the merchandise sales list could very well begin to climb.
One member of the Colts made the NFLPA's midseason top 50 merchandise sales list
