The year 1988 was right in my adolescent wheelhouse. I was 10 years old and a full-fledged, all in sports fan. I couldn't get enough baseball, basketball and football. I played sports, watched sports, talked about sports and, you guessed it, collected sports cards. With that being said, 1988 was a great year for sports and sports fans in general. 1988 Was Full of Moments, … [Read more...] about 1988 Topps Football Set Brought Bo and Boz; End of an Era
1980s football cards
Sir Hit-a-Lott: 4 Iconic Ronnie Lott Cards That Don’t Punish Your Wallet
The will to win has been an intangible that experts have attempted to quantify for decades in an effort to recognize toughness, perseverance and the ability to do whatever it takes to succeed. Some players have it, others lack it—but it’s not a trait you can often label with a number grade. Every once in a while, a player comes along that redefines this mold, setting a new … [Read more...] about Sir Hit-a-Lott: 4 Iconic Ronnie Lott Cards That Don’t Punish Your Wallet
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
Topps 1984 USFL Set A Coveted Classic
It’s hard to believe the USFL has been gone for 35 years. As the first league to challenge the NFL since the American Football League took the field in 1960, the USFL was innovative. The league introduced ideas that are now common in the NFL — the 2-point conversation, coaches’ challenges and the salary cap. The USFL also holds a soft spot for football card collectors. The … [Read more...] about Topps 1984 USFL Set A Coveted Classic
1989 Kicked Off Football Traded/Update Card Era
As was the case with baseball cards, Topps and Bowman led the way in producing the first post-war football cards in the late 1940s and early 1950s. After Topps acquired Bowman, they had little competition in the football card market (Philadelphia Gum and Fleer aside) until the 1980s. In 1974, Topps got the idea to create a small subset of cards for baseball players that were … [Read more...] about 1989 Kicked Off Football Traded/Update Card Era
2019 Score Football Will Pay Tribute to Inaugural ’89 Set
In a year when the football card market began to explode with new manufacturers, Score is the brand that emerged with the most long-term respect. The brand is still alive, courtesy of Panini America, and the release of 2019 Score will offer some 30th anniversary touches when it arrives as the first major NFL-licensed product of next season. A full checklist is … [Read more...] about 2019 Score Football Will Pay Tribute to Inaugural ’89 Set
1987 Topps Football: Return to “Normalcy”
There were once again 396 cards to collect, but the 1987 Topps football set was hard-pressed to match the 1986 version in terms of key rookie cards. The 1986 set had a bumper crop of future Hall of Famers as rookies, including Jerry Rice, Reggie White, Steve Young, Bruce Smith and Andre Reed. However, the 1987 set was sort of a return to tradition in that it was much less … [Read more...] about 1987 Topps Football: Return to “Normalcy”
All PSA 10 1986 Topps Football Set at Auction
It's been sitting atop the PSA Registry chart for a long time, but by Sunday night, the only 1986 Topps set made up completely of PSA 10-rated cards will have a new owner. Long-time collector Kevin Roberson of Sacramento, CA, is selling the set on eBay where bidding has already surpassed $55,000 ahead of Sunday night's close. He spent several years chasing … [Read more...] about All PSA 10 1986 Topps Football Set at Auction
Underrated Rookies Highlight 1983 Topps Football Set
The 1983 Topps football set doesn't include the big name rookies found in other 1980s sets. But it is an affordable set that's nearly 35 years old and includes some key players. Here's a closer look at the issue. 1983 Topps Football Basics Topps' focus appears to have shifted slightly in 1983. That year, they produced their smallest set in more than a decade. You have to go … [Read more...] about Underrated Rookies Highlight 1983 Topps Football Set
1980 Topps Football Kicked Off Exciting Decade Of Cards
Let's face it. While the 1980s produced some significant football releases, the one to start that decade isn't heralded as a great one by most fans. The 1980 Topps football set is lacking quite a bit, particularly when it comes to key rookie cards. But other than being the first set of an important decade for football releases, there are some reasons to pursue this set. 1980 … [Read more...] about 1980 Topps Football Kicked Off Exciting Decade Of Cards