Only 10 NFL players sold more jerseys than Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still over the past seven months, according to sales data released Wednesday by the NFL.
The popularity of Still's jersey rose as the story of his 4-year-old daughter's battle with cancer reached the masses. More jerseys were sold once the Bengals confirmed they would pay the jersey costs (about $50 each) to make sure that the full $100 price paid for the jersey went to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital and pediatric cancer research.
In all, the Bengals said nearly 15,000 Still jerseys were sold from when they were first produced in the beginning of September, when Still was on the practice squad, to Oct. 20, when the Bengals' donation match ended.
A Bengals spokesman said a check worth more than $1.3 million will be presented to Leah Still and other pediatric cancer patients on the field between the first and second quarters of Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Browns.
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton did his part and bought 100 of Still's jerseys. Also, the New England Patriots bought jerseys for their cheerleaders to wear during their game against the Bengals. The team signed and auctioned the jerseys off with the proceeds going to the children's hospital.
Demand for Still's No. 75 jerseys is still high. A note on the Bengals website store says that "due to the overwhelming demand for #75 jerseys, the Bengals Pro Shop may not be able to meet the original four-week delivery window for some orders. ... Our supply has not kept up with our demand."
Still has seen time in all seven games since being signed Sept. 10.
The jersey list, based on sales on NFLShop.com from April 1 to Oct. 31, has Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson on top. The two overtook Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, whose jersey sales slowed dramatically after he lost the competition for the starting job with Brian Hoyer.
Jerseys of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers round out the top 10.
The Seahawks have the best-selling team merchandise, followed by the Cowboys, 49ers, Broncos and Packers.