Manning or Leaf? Leaf or Manning? It was the biggest question debated between football fans and collectors leading up to, and even months after, the 1998 NFL Draft. Sure, we know how the story ends. Peyton Manning ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and won two Super Bowls. Ryan Leaf did not come anywhere near living up to the expectations the football world … [Read more...] about How Leaf vs Manning Draft Debate Fueled Sports Card Hobby in 1998
1990s football cards
1990 Action Packed Football Brought New Look to Football Cards
The images on 1990 Action Packed Football literally jumped off the card at collectors. With a fully embossed, 3D base set coupled with some pretty spectacular photography, the cards were unlike anything else that had been produced in the past. The cards were dubbed as 'high profile sculptured cards' by the company. That is quite a mouthful when describing a football card but … [Read more...] about 1990 Action Packed Football Brought New Look to Football Cards
1990 Score Football Supplemental Set Has Emmitt’s Top Rookie Card
The 1990 Score Supplemental set (also known as the Score Rookie & Traded set) was a 110-card release issued in the same design style as the regular and very colorful 1990 Score Football set from earlier in the football season. The set was released through Score's dealer outlets and was only available in complete factory set form. Packed in a red cardboard box, the … [Read more...] about 1990 Score Football Supplemental Set Has Emmitt’s Top Rookie Card
1998 SP Authentic Football Offers Iconic Rookie, High Quality Autographs and Serial Numbered Cards
With its second offering in the SP Authentic Football line, Upper Deck increased the quality of the hits, offered serial numbered base rookie cards and even better autographs and inserts, making this a landmark release of the latter part of the 1990's. The premium offering was found in Hobby boxes, featuring five cards per pack and a 24 pack box. The packaging for SP … [Read more...] about 1998 SP Authentic Football Offers Iconic Rookie, High Quality Autographs and Serial Numbered Cards
In 1997 Upper Deck Ushered in Iconic SP Authentic Football with Solid RCs, Stunning Autos
The arrival of 1997 SP Authentic Football is significant in its release as it was the debut of the wildly popular brand for Upper Deck in the football card market.The premium 198-card, all foil base set is generally considered to be a very attractive product, even by modern day collecting standards. As we know with foil, condition sensitivity issues arise and that is … [Read more...] about In 1997 Upper Deck Ushered in Iconic SP Authentic Football with Solid RCs, Stunning Autos
1996 SP Football Continued Upper Deck Tradition of Foil, Pushed Envelope on Inserts
The 1996 Upper Deck SP Football set was the fourth year running of the premium product offered each football season. With a hobby-only format, the 188 card, single series set featured what the company dubbed eight 'super premium' cards per pack in a 30 pack box. Packs had an SRP of $4.39, pricey for the time. The box art and packaging featured Dan Marino in the marbling design … [Read more...] about 1996 SP Football Continued Upper Deck Tradition of Foil, Pushed Envelope on Inserts
Recalling Kurt Warner’s Sudden Stardom and a Card Company’s Efforts to Chronicle It
In the years that I worked in the sports card industry developing products and marketing plans for various manufacturers, there were days in which I felt I was in the right place at the right place at the right time. There were also days when I was clearly in the wrong place at the wrong time. And then there was the perfect storm. Kurt Warner. He was the perfect player … [Read more...] about Recalling Kurt Warner’s Sudden Stardom and a Card Company’s Efforts to Chronicle It
John Madden Left His Mark On Collecting
Football lost one of its most iconic figures Dec. 28 with the passing of Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden. He was 85 years old. Madden had an incredible life in football – a life that made him say he never worked a day in his life, and that he was “the luckiest guy in the world” during his Hall of Fame induction speech. He is one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time … [Read more...] about John Madden Left His Mark On Collecting
1996 Topps Football Brought Fun, But Missed Key Rookies
The 1996 Topps Football set arrived at an interesting time in my life. I graduated from high school in June of '96 and by the time Topps released its football product in the fall, I had already failed out of college. A one and done, if you will. Shortly after it's release, I was on to my second college where I did indeed manage to stay and eventually get my degree.Much like my … [Read more...] about 1996 Topps Football Brought Fun, But Missed Key Rookies
Donruss Football Made It’s Debut 25 Years Ago
Ownership of the brand has changed through the years but 40 years after its first entry into the sports card world, Donruss is still a big part of the hobby's brand landscape and this fall marks another milestone anniversary: the 25th anniversary of Donruss football cards. In April of 1996, Pinnacle Brands Inc. purchased Donruss-Leaf from Huhtamäki Oyj, a confectionary … [Read more...] about Donruss Football Made It’s Debut 25 Years Ago