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
1990s football cards
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
Signature Rookies Broke New Hobby Ground; Then Faded Away
For longtime collectors who endured the hobby in the 1990s, it’s hard to believe that a quarter century has past since Signature Rookies began to fade away. While you rarely hear that card company's name much these days, how they changed the hobby has a huge influence on what is happening 25 years later. Signature Rookies emerged on the scene with the revolutionary idea … [Read more...] about Signature Rookies Broke New Hobby Ground; Then Faded Away
Cris Dishman Q&A: Collecting Cards as a Kid, Raiders Fandom and Signing Autographs at Astrodome
Louisville, Kentucky’s Cris Dishman was a standout wide receiver at St. Francis DeSales High school. The former wideout was a two time Kentucky All-State team member. Dishman played collegiately at Purdue University, where he was transitioned to the defensive side of the ball, becoming a member of the All-Big Ten Team in 1987. He also laced up the track spikes and ran the … [Read more...] about Cris Dishman Q&A: Collecting Cards as a Kid, Raiders Fandom and Signing Autographs at Astrodome
Card Back Q&A: Dwight Stone Talks Blazing Speed, Steelers Mini Camps and FBI Agent Aspirations
Florala, Alabama native Dwight Stone went undrafted coming out of Middle Tennessee State in 1987 but still managed to forge a 14-year NFL career, playing the bulk of it with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After stints with the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets, he retired after the 2000 NFL season. The multi-threat back was known for his blazing speed. ‘Stoney’ was a running … [Read more...] about Card Back Q&A: Dwight Stone Talks Blazing Speed, Steelers Mini Camps and FBI Agent Aspirations
Gus Frerotte Q&A: NFL Trading Card Glamour Shots, Collecting Clemente and Punting in a Pinch
Quarterback Gus Frerotte was a standout during his time at the University of Tulsa. Drafted in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, he went on to play 15 seasons in the NFL for seven different teams. His finest season was the 1996 campaign, one in which he threw for nearly 3,500 yards and was named to the Pro Bowl. In 2008, Frerotte tied the NFL … [Read more...] about Gus Frerotte Q&A: NFL Trading Card Glamour Shots, Collecting Clemente and Punting in a Pinch
Jarrod Bunch Talks Rookie Cards, Signing Autographs in High School and Blocking Lawrence Taylor
Jarrod Bunch was a standout running back at the University of Michigan in the late 1980s, serving as captain on the Wolverines' 1990 team. Selected in the first round of the 1991 draft by the New York Giants, he averaged 4.8 yards per rushing attempt in 1992, ranking second in the NFL. His playing career was cut short due to injuries and he then transitioned to coaching and … [Read more...] about Jarrod Bunch Talks Rookie Cards, Signing Autographs in High School and Blocking Lawrence Taylor
Levon Kirkland Q&A: Card Backs, Fun Facts, Encyclopedias and Signing Body Parts
The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the richest traditions of linebacker greats in the history of professional football. One name that probably isn't mentioned as often as it should be is that of Levon Kirkland. The Clemson graduate and South Carolina native was a two time Pro Bowler, a two time All-Pro, a two time team MVP and he was named to the NFL All-Decade Team of … [Read more...] about Levon Kirkland Q&A: Card Backs, Fun Facts, Encyclopedias and Signing Body Parts