He was known as “Mr. Quarterback.” The Golden Arm. Or simply, Johnny U. For 18 seasons, Johnny Unitas was the yardstick for other quarterbacks. He threw for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdown passes and led the NFL in passing four times. Unitas passed for 3,099 yards during a 12-game season in 1959 and was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1959, 1964 and 1967. It is a tribute … [Read more...] about Johnny Unitas: The Career and Cards of ‘Mr. Quarterback’
1970s football cards
CFL Fans and Collectors Had Great Stuff to Chase 50 Years Ago
The long-awaited Grey Cup is over for another year, and football fans got the chance to see an instant classic. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers scored a 33-25 win over the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats in overtime in one of the greatest CFL games ever played. In the hobby, collectors always speculate that championships will equate to rising card values. Sometimes, that is true. For the … [Read more...] about CFL Fans and Collectors Had Great Stuff to Chase 50 Years Ago
1970s Wonder Bread Cards Featured Top Crust Of NFL Stars
It’s an old expression: some NFL running backs carried the football as if it were a loaf of bread. Holding the ball gingerly could lead to fumbles, and in the 1970s that was problematic since ball-carriers took some hard hits. But no matter how you sliced it, football fans had a chance to collect cards through a notable baking company. From 1974 to 1976, Topps collaborated … [Read more...] about 1970s Wonder Bread Cards Featured Top Crust Of NFL Stars
An American Idol – Looking Back on Roger Staubach’s Life and 4 Classic Cards
Many American Dreams have been built around the pursuit of becoming successful in business, tasting fame as a professional athlete, or experiencing glory in battle. To accomplish one sometimes takes a lifetime of devotion—but to accomplish all three? That’s reserved for legends like Roger Staubach. Whenever duty called, Staubach was there to answer the bell. Whether that was … [Read more...] about An American Idol – Looking Back on Roger Staubach’s Life and 4 Classic Cards
The Man Behind the Curtain. 4 Classic Jack Lambert Cards
The "man behind the curtain" is a phrase that invokes memories of The Wizard of Oz, a scene where the trusty watchdog named Toto pulls the curtain back to reveal the man behind this frightening persona. In 1974, the Pittsburgh Steelers discovered their own man behind the curtain—a second-round draft pick from Kent State named Jack Lambert—who would punish ball carriers who … [Read more...] about The Man Behind the Curtain. 4 Classic Jack Lambert Cards
Vintage Pack Facts: 1976 Topps Football
Those who collect vintage football card packs don't have a lot of trouble finding reasonably priced options during the last half of the 1970s but there's one that's a problem. If not for that Payton guy.... While 1977-1979 packs have gone up in value over the last several years, they're a piece of cake compared to the year that brought us Sweetness. Walter Payton's … [Read more...] about Vintage Pack Facts: 1976 Topps Football
Vintage Pack Facts: 1973 Topps Football
"Biggest Series Ever" screamed the packaging. Topps wasn't lying. While they'd pumped out a unique, three-series set in 1972--one that kept collectors hunting for high numbers well into the next four decades--the 528-card 1973 Topps football set was an unprecedented whopper. No, it wasn't as big as the company's last several baseball sets, but NFL fans had … [Read more...] about Vintage Pack Facts: 1973 Topps Football
Notes: 1971 Topps Football Cello Box Find; Larry Walker Autograph Deal; Kobe Tribute Cars
Mark and Donna Rubin, the long time owners of American Legends, a hobby shop in Scarsdale, NY, have been fortunate enough to uncover some great finds over the decades. Their latest discovery will melt the hearts of anyone who remembers the unique style of Topps cello packs in the early 1970s--or appreciates rare vintage material. It's a virtually untouched, complete … [Read more...] about Notes: 1971 Topps Football Cello Box Find; Larry Walker Autograph Deal; Kobe Tribute Cars
1978 Holsum-Gardner Football Set a Regional Rarity
If you lived in Minnesota or Wisconsin in the late 1970s and early 1980s and collected sports cards, you probably ingested a lot of carbohydrates. It's where Holsum and Gardner's brand breads kept collectors full by offering a few different sets as promotions aimed at youngsters. They cranked out three different football issues during the time period including … [Read more...] about 1978 Holsum-Gardner Football Set a Regional Rarity
1976 Topps Football Cello Pack Break at NSCC
There were plenty of packs and boxes ripped at the National Sports Collectors Convention. Most were current era boxes were opened as part of the card company redemption giveaways but fans of older material also set free some cards that had been sealed a long time ago. A couple of days ago, we showed you the end of a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee hockey box break. Topps' … [Read more...] about 1976 Topps Football Cello Pack Break at NSCC