Every rated product displays a star score between 1.0 and 5.0 in half-star steps. When it is not shown, the rating is still below 2.5 which means we still have work to do on the data or the better authentication. Directly below the stars you will see a short list that explains why the shirt scored as it did. Items that carry the most weight are shown in bold, so you can scan the top reasons in seconds. If a professional signature grade exists, you will see it referenced in the text when it materially improves confidence.
Example of a Walkouts Rating:
Why a rating at all?
Collectors know that not all signed shirts are equal. Some have bulletproof provenance and exact proof of the moment of signing. Others look great but lack the documentation a careful buyer wants to see. The Walkouts Rating exists to close that gap. It translates a wide range of signals into a single, readable score that reflects how much reliable evidence supports a shirt.
We designed it for real buying decisions. If you are weighing two similar pieces, the rating helps you compare them quickly while still encouraging you to read the details that matter.
What the score represents
The number is not a beauty contest. It is a confidence measure that blends three pillars: the shirt itself, the quality of proof and certification around the signature, and meaningful context such as match usage or player significance. Inside those pillars we evaluate dozens of data points available to us through the product’s metadata, reputable third parties and our own verification process.
Because the Walkouts Rating is evidence first, the score rises when the underlying documentation becomes stronger and more complete. When a shirt lacks information that matters to collectors, the score reflects that as well. We keep the full weighting private in order to protect the integrity of the system, but the public summary always explains the top reasons a shirt scored where it did.
How the Walkouts Rating works in practice
On every rated product you will see stars rendered in half-star steps. Beneath the stars is a short explanation that lists the most important factors for that item. High-impact items are shown in bold so you can see the strongest evidence at a glance. If a professional signature grade is present and contributes meaningfully, the summary will call it out in plain language.
When a rating is not yet visible, it means the preliminary score is below 2.5. In those cases we keep working. We either strengthen the data and proof we have, or we decide the shirt does not meet our standards and remove it from the catalog. The goal is not to rate everything. The goal is to give collectors a reliable signal when we are confident in the evidence.
What tends to move scores up
Without revealing the exact algorithm, there are patterns collectors will recognize. Strong, verifiable proof pushes scores higher. Independent certification that can be checked online increases confidence. Letters of Authentication from respected bodies are valued more than generic paperwork. NFC linked certification adds both ease and certainty. Exact proof of the moment of signing is particularly meaningful because it ties the ink on the shirt to a documented place and time. When a shirt is genuinely match worn, especially in significant competitions, the historical importance of the item grows and so does the rating. Player significance matters too, since demand and scarcity affect how collectors view long-term value.
We also recognize special cases in the market. For example, Beckett First status indicates we supplied extensive material to enable the first official authentication for a specific player. That kind of milestone is rare and signals careful work behind the scenes. A strong signature grade can help as well. When a grading service confirms quality at a high level, the rating reflects that added confidence.
What the summary tells you
The short list under the stars is designed to be read in seconds. It calls out the most influential reasons for the score, such as match worn use, exact proof, online verifiability of certification, a Letter of Authentication, NFC backed records, a high signature grade, or noteworthy player context. Lower-impact items may appear as supporting lines. We avoid clutter and do not show every minor detail. If something matters to your decision, it will be surfaced there or in the full product details tab.
What we exclude
We never rely on generic claims that cannot be checked. If proof cannot be linked to the shirt, it does not count. If a story cannot be corroborated, it does not drive the rating. We also avoid inflating scores with vague language. The system rewards substance, not marketing.
How Walkouts verifies information
Verification starts with source quality. We work with trusted partners, compare metadata across systems, check certification numbers, and confirm whether those records are accessible online. When we handle exact proof, we look for visual continuity with the shirt, timing details, and a clear link between the media and the item in hand. For match worn claims we cross-reference competition data, dates and locations that match the shirt’s identifiers. If something does not add up, we pause the process rather than push a weak rating through.
Technology helps. NFC based records and secure digital certificates reduce uncertainty and make re-verification easier over time. We are committed to using tools that improve collector certainty while keeping the experience simple.
How to use the rating when buying
Think of the number as a compass, not a destination. A higher score means stronger evidence and typically a more compelling shirt for long-term collecting. Read the short summary lines to understand why the score landed where it did. If you need deeper context, open the product tabs for proof, certification and match details. Combine those signals with your own taste and budget. The rating gives you clarity. Your eye and experience complete the decision.
Our promise to collectors
We built the Walkouts Rating to make signed football shirts easier to evaluate and easier to trust. It is the product of research, market experience and the simple belief that transparency helps everyone. As the hobby evolves, we will keep refining the system while preserving its core principle. Evidence should lead. Hype should follow. That is how we collect, and it is how we serve you.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the rating is below 2.5 we hold it back while we strengthen the proof or authentication. We only display scores when the underlying evidence meets our standard.
Verifiable proof and independent certification. Exact proof of the moment of signing, online verifiable records, strong Letters of Authentication and NFC backed data are especially meaningful.
Only when it materially improves confidence. If a professional grade is present you will see it referenced in the summary. When the grade does not change certainty, we do not highlight it.
Authentic match worn use adds historical significance. Appearances in important competitions tend to carry more weight. Match issued shirts do not receive full game wear credit.
It means we supplied the material that enabled the first official authentication for a specific player. This is rare and indicates careful documentation that supports higher collector confidence.
We keep the exact weighting private to protect the integrity of the system. The summary under the stars always surfaces the most important reasons behind the score.
We review the framework regularly and update when better verification methods, data sources or technologies become available. Any changes are made to improve clarity and trust.