A Collector’s Journey to Bring the Five Greatest in Sports Together on One Page

Most collectors spend their lives building a set or curating a display case. Patrick Ryan decided to do something different — something almost no one in the hobby had ever attempted: get the autographs of five of the greatest athletes in team sports history together on a single sheet of paper.

The goal was ambitious, the execution even harder. The “GOATs” he targeted?

This was more than just chasing signatures — it was about bringing together five different eras, five different sports, and five different stories onto one perfectly arranged artifact.

Ryan’s project couldn’t start without a Babe Ruth autograph, but Ruth passed away in 1948 — long before the other four legends were even born. The only option was to find an authenticated cut signature, a fragment of history taken from an original signed document or letter.

Finding the right Ruth wasn’t easy. Ryan needed a bold, clean signature in ink, properly centered, and in a size that would fit harmoniously with the rest of the layout he envisioned. After scouring dealers, auctions, and private collections, he finally secured one that met his standards — PSA authenticated and ready to anchor the page.

This wasn’t just a purchase; it was the first building block of a once-in-a-lifetime collectible.

Wayne Gretzky is widely regarded as one of the most approachable living sports legends when it comes to signings — but for Ryan, the challenge was precision. He wasn’t collecting any Gretzky signature; he needed it directly on the same page as Ruth’s cut, in a specific spot, leaving space for the remaining three autographs.

This meant waiting for a controlled signing environment. At a private Gretzky signing event, Ryan presented the page, already housing the Babe Ruth cut in a protective mount. Gretzky signed neatly in his designated space, completing the second step.

Of the living legends, Messi was perhaps the toughest logistically. Opportunities to get his autograph are rare, and public signings are almost nonexistent. Ryan tracked Messi’s move to Inter Miami and planned around the few U.S.-based signing windows that became available.

Through a private signing broker who had secured an arrangement with Messi’s camp, Ryan got the page in front of the Argentinian star. Messi’s signature, known for its compact and distinctive style, fit perfectly — now placing three GOATs from three different sports together on one sheet.

Jordan is notorious for his limited and expensive signing opportunities. His signature is often only available through high-end private signings arranged by Upper Deck Authenticated.

Ryan waited for just such an event, ensuring the page could be shipped, signed, and returned under strict handling guidelines. Given the rarity and cost, this was one of the most nerve-wracking stages — but Jordan’s bold autograph came back pristine, filling the fourth slot on the page.

The last name on Ryan’s list was Tom Brady, and fittingly, it would be the most memorable moment of the journey. The 2025 National Sports Collectors Convention was hosting a Brady signing session. Ryan brought the nearly complete page to the event.

When Brady saw the names already there — Ruth, Gretzky, Messi, and Jordan — his reaction was priceless:

With a laugh and a grin, Brady added his name, completing what might be the most ambitious autograph collection ever attempted on a single page.

With the project complete, Ryan sent the page to PSA for authentication. Not only did PSA verify each signature, but they also gave it a special designation: “Sports GOATs” — a nod to the historic significance of the combination.

The result? A unique piece of memorabilia that bridges generations, sports, and continents, immortalizing five legends in one place.

Autograph collecting is often a solitary pursuit — a single player, a single sport, or a theme. Patrick Ryan’s “GOATs” page breaks that mold, showing what’s possible with creativity, persistence, and connections in the hobby. It’s a testament to the thrill of the chase and the power of a singular vision.

This piece isn’t just a collector’s dream — it’s a conversation starter, a centerpiece, and, for many in the autograph community, an instant hobby legend.

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Secret word: GOATs