JuJu Smith-Schuster among 4 Steelers to rank in Top 50 of NFL merchandise sales
JuJu Smith-Schuster didn’t lead the Pittsburgh Steelers in any major receiving category in 2019, but he still managed to top all of his teammates in NFL merchandise sales.
In the fiscal year merchandise report conducted by the NFL Players Association, Smith-Schuster was among four Steelers players to rank in the Top 50 of officially licensed sales from March 1, 2019 until Feb. 29, 2020.
Smith-Schuster was highest among the quartet by ranking No. 14, a leap of 11 spaces from the previous year’s calculations. Smith-Schuster was among the top five players in Hallmark holiday ornament sales.
Smith-Schuster battled injuries in 2019 and had his worst NFL season, finishing with 42 catches for 552 yards and three touchdowns.
Also representing the Steelers on the list were outside linebacker T.J. Watt at No. 35, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick at No. 46 and running back James Conner at No. 47. Former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell ranked No. 40.
Tom Brady’s two-year run as the NFL’s top merchandise sales leader ended as he was surpassed by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Brady was second, followed by Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield in the top five.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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