The opening kickoff of the regular season always brings great anticipation. For the Miami Dolphins and Joe Auer, the first regular-season play in franchise history always will be special. On September 2, 1966, Auer stood in the west end zone of Miami’s Orange Bowl, waiting for the opening kickoff by the Oakland Raiders. “I knew I would do something unusual as the … [Read more...] about 1967 Royal Castle Dolphins Set Marks Auer’s Place in History
1960's football cards
1965 Topps Football Set is More Than Just Broadway Joe
Youngsters used to seeing packs in a standard size wax wrapper found something completely different on the shelves of their local drug store in the late summer of 1965. For the second year in a row, the nation’s only baseball card maker had created a set of players from the American Football League players but this time, the packs were huge. The 1965 Topps … [Read more...] about 1965 Topps Football Set is More Than Just Broadway Joe
It’s A Wrap: Collecting Football Wrappers Can Be A Challenge
Be honest. If you were a kid growing up in the 1960s or ’70s, saving those wax wrappers for football cards were an afterthought. Packs of cards were usually stacked on shelves at small candy stores and five-and-dime counters. The wrappers were colorful, but unappreciated. Occasionally, an astute youth would notice an advertisement for a sports product on the side panel and … [Read more...] about It’s A Wrap: Collecting Football Wrappers Can Be A Challenge
1964 Topps Football Set Marked Big Change
More than a few historians believe the 1960s to be the greatest decade in professional football history. Those 10 years saw the rise and success of the AFL, a merger with the NFL and the first Super Bowl, known then as the AFL vs. NFL World Championship Game. It was a busy time in the football card world as well. The game was getting more popular and football cards … [Read more...] about 1964 Topps Football Set Marked Big Change
Best Football Cards of the 60s Include Champions, Tragedy
A good list of the best football cards of the 60s isn’t necessarily all about the rookie cards. Pro football cards created in that era gave us some all-time greats, a rivalry between two leagues and two card manufacturers, rookie cards enveloped in tragedy and a single card that represents the league's prevailing dynasty. The 1960s was a time for explosive growth in the … [Read more...] about Best Football Cards of the 60s Include Champions, Tragedy
Top 10 Most Important AFL Cards
Even though the American Football League lasted a mere 10 seasons, it was a decade rich with important players, game-changing coaches and innovative team personnel. And while Fleer and Topps sets were relatively small during the 1960s, there are still plenty of fantastic cards with which we can celebrate “The Other League.” To my way of thinking, the first step in making a … [Read more...] about Top 10 Most Important AFL Cards
20 Kick Butt Old Football Cards You Should Own
Unlike baseball, with its solid roots back to the 19th century, football card sets are primarily a 1950s-present game. You've got your 1935 National Chicle and a couple of late-1940s sets courtesy of Bowman and Leaf, but other than that, it's a modern era hobby. There are plenty of pricey rookie cards sprinkled throughout the past six decades, but the good thing about old … [Read more...] about 20 Kick Butt Old Football Cards You Should Own
Remember the AFL Honors League (and its Football Cards)
In 1959, eight wealthy businessmen, unable to break into the closed ranks of the National Football League, agreed to start their own—calling it the American Football League. None could have foreseen the wild ride that followed. From 1960 through 1969, when the league merged with the NFL, the AFL captured the imagination of the country, who loved the colorful uniforms, the more … [Read more...] about Remember the AFL Honors League (and its Football Cards)