Redskins QB Robert Griffin III topped jersey sales for all NFL players from April 1 through Dec, 31, 2012, according to figures from NFLShop.com. Griffin was followed by Broncos QB Peyton Manning at No. 2 and Patriots QB Tom Brady at No. 3. During the same period last year, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers topped all players, but fell to No. 6 this season. After finishing last season with the No. 2 jersey and finishing '10 ranked No. 3, Jets QB Tim Tebow ranked No. 10 this year. Texans DE J.J. Watt was the highest-ranked defensive player at No. 9 overall. Watt did not rank in the top 25 last year. Other rookies joining Griffin on the list are Colts QB Andrew Luck (No. 4) and Seahawks QB Russell Wilson (No. 19). Wilson had not cracked the top 25 until late in the season. The Super Bowl XLVI-winning Giants took the top spot for all teams in merchandise sales, followed by the Redskins at No. 2 and Steelers at No. 3. After ranking No. 3 and No.4, respectively, last season, the Saints and Eagles dropped out of the top 12 this season (THE DAILY).
| TOP-SELLING NFL PLAYER JERSEYS |
| RK | PREV | PLAYER | RK | PREV | PLAYER |
| 1 | n/a | Redskins QB Robert Griffin III | 14 | 4 | Saints QB Drew Brees |
| 2 | 17 | Broncos QB Peyton Manning | 15 | 11 | 49ers LB Patrick Willis |
| 3 | 5 | Patriots QB Tom Brady | 16 | 13 | Cowboys TE Jason Witten |
| 4 | n/a | Colts QB Andrew Luck | 17 | 15 | Ravens LB Ray Lewis |
| 5 | n/a | Giants WR Victor Cruz | 18 | n/a | Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware |
| 6 | 1 | Packers QB Aaron Rodgers | 19 | n/a | Seahawks QB Russell Wilson |
| 7 | 8 | Giants QB Eli Manning | 20 | 25 | Panthers QB Cam Newton |
| 8 | n/a | Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski | 21 | n/a | Ravens RB Ray Rice |
| 9 | n/a | Texans DE J.J. Watt | 22 | n/a | Broncos LB Von Miller |
| 10 | 2 | Jets QB Tim Tebow | 23 | n/a | Lions WR Calvin Johnson |
| 11 | 6 | Packers LB Clay Matthews | 24 | n/a | 49ers RB Frank Gore |
| 12 | 3 | Steelers S Troy Polamalu | 25 | 24 | Vikings RB Adrian Peterson |
| 13 | n/a | Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch | | | |
| | | | | | |
| TOP-SELLING NFL TEAM MERCHANDISE |
| RK | PREV | TEAM | RK | PREV | TEAM |
| 1 | 7 | Giants | 7 | n/a | 49ers |
| 2 | n/a | Redskins | 8 | 8 | Packers |
| 3 | 1 | Steelers | 9 | 6 | Bears |
| 4 | 2 | Cowboys | 10 | n/a | Ravens |
| 5 | 5 | Patriots | 11 | n/a | Texans |
| 6 | n/a | Broncos | 12 | n/a | Seahawks |
| | | | | | |
DA BEARS: In Chicago, Danny Ecker cited data from Fanatics.com between Thanksgiving and Christmas showing that “five of the top 10 best-selling pieces of Chicago sports gear were Bears apparel.” That includes the “simply-designed Bears ‘Critical Victory’ hoodie, which was the most popular Chicago sports purchase, as well as the Nike ‘Da Bears’ T-shirt, which ranked second in holiday purchases.” The “ever-popular Derrick Rose youth jersey” ranked third. Missing from the list was “any Chicago Blackhawks apparel -- not a surprise amid the NHL lockout” (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 1/2).
