Overview

• Former NFL linebacker, Blake Martinez, has begun attempts at a career revival in the NFL following a scandal that resulted in his ban from the popular card-trading platform, WhatNot, where he made millions trading Pokémon cards post-retirement.
• Martinez was accused of swapping packs with higher-value cards for less valuable ones on the platform, creating a controversy and leading to his ban.
• While the exact nature of the violations remains undisclosed, WhatNot issued a statement in August noting all buyers impacted by the infractions would receive refunds.
• Martinez retired from the NFL in 2022 after seven seasons with three teams to focus on his Pokemon card trading business, reportedly making $5 million in just seven months.
• Now, Martinez is reportedly working out for the Carolina Panthers in an effort to strap his pads up again and return to his football career.