Gridiron Greats
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| 1963 Topps #44 Dave "Deacon" Jones RC 1970 Topps #100 Roman Gabriel |
Welcome to Nowbatting19's "Gridiron Greats" Page. On this page we will feature vintage football cards and maybe even a few "modern" issues as well. Football cards have been around for some time.
One of the most famous early football issues was by National Chicle in the 1930's. Bowman Gum, Leaf, and of course Topps also produced many football issues. Some can be quite valuable. For instance
Joe Namath's 1965 Topps rookie card easily fetches four figures in NM condition. Rookie cards of Jim Brown, Bart Starr, and Johnny Unitas (to name a few) can cost a few hundred dollars each depending
on condition. But in general, football cards, especially 1960's through 1980's Topps cards are pretty affordable. Here are some terrific football cards for your viewing pleasure! This page is dedicated to
my Uncle John Math, who worked as a long time NFL Scout and later Director of Player Personnel (Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers). Enjoy! Tim
One of the most famous early football issues was by National Chicle in the 1930's. Bowman Gum, Leaf, and of course Topps also produced many football issues. Some can be quite valuable. For instance
Joe Namath's 1965 Topps rookie card easily fetches four figures in NM condition. Rookie cards of Jim Brown, Bart Starr, and Johnny Unitas (to name a few) can cost a few hundred dollars each depending
on condition. But in general, football cards, especially 1960's through 1980's Topps cards are pretty affordable. Here are some terrific football cards for your viewing pleasure! This page is dedicated to
my Uncle John Math, who worked as a long time NFL Scout and later Director of Player Personnel (Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers). Enjoy! Tim
| 1958 Topps #62 Jim "Jimmy" Brown (Rookie card) |
One of the most desired cards from the 1950's is this 1958 Topps #62 Jim Brown rookie card. Brown set the standard for all great running backs, before and after. He had a short career but
became the game's all-time leading running back. Considered by many still as the greatest back EVER. Jim Brown quite football to pursue other interests, including acting. One of his best movies was
"The Dirty Dozen" starring Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, and of course, Jim Brown. If you have never seen it you should check it out. If you are a football collector, a Jim Brown card is a "must have" in
your collection. For affordable alternatives to his 1958 rookie card, check out some of his 1960's Topps and Philadelphia Gum cards. Also Post cereal issued a Jim Brown card in their 1962 effort.
These cards were cut from cereal boxes and can be difficult to find in nice shape.
became the game's all-time leading running back. Considered by many still as the greatest back EVER. Jim Brown quite football to pursue other interests, including acting. One of his best movies was
"The Dirty Dozen" starring Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, and of course, Jim Brown. If you have never seen it you should check it out. If you are a football collector, a Jim Brown card is a "must have" in
your collection. For affordable alternatives to his 1958 rookie card, check out some of his 1960's Topps and Philadelphia Gum cards. Also Post cereal issued a Jim Brown card in their 1962 effort.
These cards were cut from cereal boxes and can be difficult to find in nice shape.
1976 Topps #148 Walter Payton (Rookie card)
One of the great running backs to top Jim Brown's all time records was "Sweetness," the great Walter Payton. Payton played his entire career with the Chicago Bears and broke about every record a
running back could have. He was marvelous to watch. It is sad he died so young but he did enjoy a long Hall Of Fame career and is remembered not only as a great back but a terrific human being as
well. This 1976 Topps #148 Walter Payton rookie card is one of the most expensive cards from the 1970's.
running back could have. He was marvelous to watch. It is sad he died so young but he did enjoy a long Hall Of Fame career and is remembered not only as a great back but a terrific human being as
well. This 1976 Topps #148 Walter Payton rookie card is one of the most expensive cards from the 1970's.
1962 Topps #1 Johnny Unitas
When I was a kid, the first football name I remember is Johnny Unitas. Johnny Unitas, during his career was considered by most to the be the best quarterback EVER! In fact, Topps Chewing Gum
Inc. thought so highly of Unitas that they gave him the number one card (card #1 to lead off a set, considered an honor) several times during his career. I think the 1960-1963 Topps cards all
featured Johnny U. as the #1 card. This 1962 Topps #1 Johnny Unitas card is a beauty. The 1962 Topps cards featured black borders which showed the slightest bits of wear. Also
notorious was Topps' centering issues; finding a well centered example is a big plus. This is my favorite Johnny Unitas card. Also note his number... 19!!!
Inc. thought so highly of Unitas that they gave him the number one card (card #1 to lead off a set, considered an honor) several times during his career. I think the 1960-1963 Topps cards all
featured Johnny U. as the #1 card. This 1962 Topps #1 Johnny Unitas card is a beauty. The 1962 Topps cards featured black borders which showed the slightest bits of wear. Also
notorious was Topps' centering issues; finding a well centered example is a big plus. This is my favorite Johnny Unitas card. Also note his number... 19!!!
1963 Topps #1 John Unitas
Here is another example of a #1 Johnny Unitas card, from the 1963 Topps set. The 1963 Topps set was numbered by teams. So card number one featured Unitas and the numbers in sequence after
that were Baltimore Colts players, then the next team, etc. The cards also featured bright colored borders, and again teams used the same colors. So they were easy to sort in a shoebox or wherever you
stored your collection.
that were Baltimore Colts players, then the next team, etc. The cards also featured bright colored borders, and again teams used the same colors. So they were easy to sort in a shoebox or wherever you
stored your collection.
1971 Topps #260 O.J. Simpson
Ok, ok. So I put an O.J. Simpson card on here. I didn't really want too either. But back in the 1970's there was one big name in football and that name was O.J. Simpson. Kind of like in basketball, "Dr. J." was
the big name in hoops when he first came on the scene. I am not going to go too much into Simpson. I do remember once driving back from the beach on Sunset Blvd. and O.J. was driving a Rolls Royce
convertible with the top down and we followed him home and said hi. He was a bit alarmed at first but we didn't ask him for anything. We just wanted to say hi to the "Juice." And he waved and said "hey
fellas." But that was when he was O.J. Now he is almost a cartoon character with all the trouble and antics he gets himself into. I can care less about him today. The 1971 Topps football cards are super
colorful with red and blue borders. One of my favorite sets and maybe the best set issued by Topps in the seventies. Btw, Johnny Unitas also led off this set as well as the #1 card. As for O.J., this is actually
not his rookie card but his 2nd year card. Simpson's rookie card, which has plummeted in value was included in the 1970 Topps set.
2009 O.J Update: O.J is once again in the slammer. No, not for murder, but for supposedly trying to "steal" back some of his memorabilia. It's just too incredible for words. And while I believe the sentence
he received was harsh for the crime, it might be a fitting close to the one of the most absurd, unbelievable, surreal, horrific, and just plain ridiculous sports sagas of all time.
the big name in hoops when he first came on the scene. I am not going to go too much into Simpson. I do remember once driving back from the beach on Sunset Blvd. and O.J. was driving a Rolls Royce
convertible with the top down and we followed him home and said hi. He was a bit alarmed at first but we didn't ask him for anything. We just wanted to say hi to the "Juice." And he waved and said "hey
fellas." But that was when he was O.J. Now he is almost a cartoon character with all the trouble and antics he gets himself into. I can care less about him today. The 1971 Topps football cards are super
colorful with red and blue borders. One of my favorite sets and maybe the best set issued by Topps in the seventies. Btw, Johnny Unitas also led off this set as well as the #1 card. As for O.J., this is actually
not his rookie card but his 2nd year card. Simpson's rookie card, which has plummeted in value was included in the 1970 Topps set.
2009 O.J Update: O.J is once again in the slammer. No, not for murder, but for supposedly trying to "steal" back some of his memorabilia. It's just too incredible for words. And while I believe the sentence
he received was harsh for the crime, it might be a fitting close to the one of the most absurd, unbelievable, surreal, horrific, and just plain ridiculous sports sagas of all time.
1970 Topps Super Glossy #9 Bart Starr
Bart Starr is beloved by Packers fans, playing his entire career with Green Bay and winning Championships along the way with Ernie Lombardi's great Packers teams. He may even be more beloved
than Brett Favre, who is currently contemplating another comeback with the Vikings now. Phooey on that. Starr was near the end of his career when this card was issued in 1970. The 1970 Topps Super
Glossy cards were inserted in packs of regular 1970 Topps football cards, one per pack. These are wonderful cards and affordable. I think this graded 1970 Topps Super Glossy #9 Bart Starr card cost
me about $10 or $15. To me a bargain when you consider it costs about ten dollars to have a card graded to begin with. Starr's last card is in the 1971 Topps set.
than Brett Favre, who is currently contemplating another comeback with the Vikings now. Phooey on that. Starr was near the end of his career when this card was issued in 1970. The 1970 Topps Super
Glossy cards were inserted in packs of regular 1970 Topps football cards, one per pack. These are wonderful cards and affordable. I think this graded 1970 Topps Super Glossy #9 Bart Starr card cost
me about $10 or $15. To me a bargain when you consider it costs about ten dollars to have a card graded to begin with. Starr's last card is in the 1971 Topps set.
1969 Topps Bryon Piccolo (Rookie card)
I bet a lot of you don't know who Bryon Piccolo was, but he was a running back with Gale Sayers on the Chicago Bears in the late 1960's. He died at a very early age, from cancer and had to retire
from the game pretty much right when he started. He fought a courageous battle and his life was the subject of a movie, "Bryon's Song" about his life and his friendship with Gale Sayers. I think James
Caan played Bryon Piccolo if I am not mistaken, and Billy Dee Williams played Gale Sayers. It's been awhile since I saw the movie. This is the one of the very few Bryon Piccolo cards to be issued and his
only "regular" card. He was also included in the 1969 Topps 4-in-1 cards but this 1969 Topps Bryon Piccolo card is the most desired by collectors.
from the game pretty much right when he started. He fought a courageous battle and his life was the subject of a movie, "Bryon's Song" about his life and his friendship with Gale Sayers. I think James
Caan played Bryon Piccolo if I am not mistaken, and Billy Dee Williams played Gale Sayers. It's been awhile since I saw the movie. This is the one of the very few Bryon Piccolo cards to be issued and his
only "regular" card. He was also included in the 1969 Topps 4-in-1 cards but this 1969 Topps Bryon Piccolo card is the most desired by collectors.
1972 Topps #343 Joe Namath Pro Action (In Action)
While this may not look like much of a card (note that there are no team logos on the player's helmets; Topps airbrushed them out probably due to licensing) this is actually one of Joe Namath's most
expensive cards. The one card everybody wants of "Broadway" Joe is his 1965 Topps rookie card but that card is very scarce and expensive for most. Namath's 1970's Topps cards are very
affordable, his last two cards from 1972 and 1973 sell for about $20-$25 each in NM condition. However this 1972 Topps #343 Joe Namath "Pro Action" card was included in the scarce
high number series and as such is fairly expensive. A PSA 8 NM-MT graded example sells for about $150.
expensive cards. The one card everybody wants of "Broadway" Joe is his 1965 Topps rookie card but that card is very scarce and expensive for most. Namath's 1970's Topps cards are very
affordable, his last two cards from 1972 and 1973 sell for about $20-$25 each in NM condition. However this 1972 Topps #343 Joe Namath "Pro Action" card was included in the scarce
high number series and as such is fairly expensive. A PSA 8 NM-MT graded example sells for about $150.
More football cards coming soon! Questions? Comments? Please email me at nowbatting19@yahoo.com Tim
1962 Post Cereal #184 Francis Tarkenton
At one time, Fran Tarkenton was the all-time passing leader, surpassing even the great Johnny Unitas. Tarkenton was famous not only for his aerial assaults, but for his scrambling abilities as well. So
was Archie Manning, but Manning (now Sr.) had the misfortune of playing for some very bad New Orleans Saints teams in the 1970's. Tarkenton led the Vikings to 4 Super Bowls but never won a
Championship. This doesn't change the fact that he is a Hall Of Fame quarterback. Tarkenton's rookie card is considered his 1962 Topps card (#) but also issued the same year was this 1962 Post
Cereal #184 Francis Tarkenton card on the backs of Post Cereal boxes. Post also produced baseball trading cards from 1961-63, but only issued these NFL cards in 1962. The set included many
stars like Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, Bart Starr, etc., and also included many short printed cards which are in some cases even more expensive than the star cards. The above card, professionally graded
by PSA as MINT 9 is hand cut from the box. It is very rare to find hand cut Post cereal cards in high grade; most likely this card was cut more recently from an uncut box panel. Most kids cutting these out
in 1962 would not have done a MINT cutting job and then to have no wear on it from handling, etc. There is no way some kid cut this out. Anyway an expensive card in high grade like this; the seller is
asking close to a thousand dollars for this PSA graded example.
was Archie Manning, but Manning (now Sr.) had the misfortune of playing for some very bad New Orleans Saints teams in the 1970's. Tarkenton led the Vikings to 4 Super Bowls but never won a
Championship. This doesn't change the fact that he is a Hall Of Fame quarterback. Tarkenton's rookie card is considered his 1962 Topps card (#) but also issued the same year was this 1962 Post
Cereal #184 Francis Tarkenton card on the backs of Post Cereal boxes. Post also produced baseball trading cards from 1961-63, but only issued these NFL cards in 1962. The set included many
stars like Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, Bart Starr, etc., and also included many short printed cards which are in some cases even more expensive than the star cards. The above card, professionally graded
by PSA as MINT 9 is hand cut from the box. It is very rare to find hand cut Post cereal cards in high grade; most likely this card was cut more recently from an uncut box panel. Most kids cutting these out
in 1962 would not have done a MINT cutting job and then to have no wear on it from handling, etc. There is no way some kid cut this out. Anyway an expensive card in high grade like this; the seller is
asking close to a thousand dollars for this PSA graded example.
1935 National Chicle #9 Knute Rockne
One of the most popular (and expensive) football cards ever is this 1935 National Chicle #9 Knute Rockne of Notre Dame fame. The 1935 National Chicle football set is considered to be the
first mainstream football trading card set issued. "Win one for the Gipper!!!"
first mainstream football trading card set issued. "Win one for the Gipper!!!"
1965 Topps #122 Joe Namath (RC)
Ok, back to "Broadway Joe." Here are a couple of great Joe Namath cards. The card on the left is Joe's rookie card, from the 1965 Topps
football set. Because it is his rookie card plus a short print, it is very expensive. Expect to pay a few hundred bones for a nice mid-grade example.
NM and higher graded cards sell for well over $1000. The 1972 Topps #100 Joe Namath is a more affordable card. You can pick up a
nice NM graded example for around $25. This is also one of Joe's last cards. His last card is 1973 Topps #400. It lists for about $18 in graded
NM condition.
football set. Because it is his rookie card plus a short print, it is very expensive. Expect to pay a few hundred bones for a nice mid-grade example.
NM and higher graded cards sell for well over $1000. The 1972 Topps #100 Joe Namath is a more affordable card. You can pick up a
nice NM graded example for around $25. This is also one of Joe's last cards. His last card is 1973 Topps #400. It lists for about $18 in graded
NM condition.
1948 Leaf # 'Slingin' Sammy Baugh (RC)
Football great, Sammy "Slingin" Baugh. One of the first quarterbacks to capitalize on using the passing game,
Baugh was an All-American and Hall Of Fame quarterback for the Washington Redskins. In 1948 Leaf Gum
produced a very nice football set, similar to their baseball (All-Star Gum) and boxing (Knockout Gum) issues of the
same year. Check out the football helmets back then; can you imagine the kind of game it was back in those days? It
must have been brutal. Obviously so as the helmets and game have changed since then.
Baugh was an All-American and Hall Of Fame quarterback for the Washington Redskins. In 1948 Leaf Gum
produced a very nice football set, similar to their baseball (All-Star Gum) and boxing (Knockout Gum) issues of the
same year. Check out the football helmets back then; can you imagine the kind of game it was back in those days? It
must have been brutal. Obviously so as the helmets and game have changed since then.
1962 Topps #88 Roman Gabriel SP (Rookie card)
One of the LA Rams all-time greats, quarterback Roman Gabriel. Gabriel played nearly his entire career with
the Los Angeles Rams and while never getting to a Super Bowl, he was still a terrific QB and fan favorite. This
1962 Topps #88 Roman Gabriel is his rookie card and a short printed card to boot. Note the smaller
black and white in-action shot; it is not Roman Gabriel but Hall Of Fame Quarterback Y.A. Title of the New York
Giants. The error was never corrected.
the Los Angeles Rams and while never getting to a Super Bowl, he was still a terrific QB and fan favorite. This
1962 Topps #88 Roman Gabriel is his rookie card and a short printed card to boot. Note the smaller
black and white in-action shot; it is not Roman Gabriel but Hall Of Fame Quarterback Y.A. Title of the New York
Giants. The error was never corrected.
1966 Philadelphia #38 Gale Sayers RC
In Gale Sayers rookie season, he had 2272 all-purpose yards, including 1374 yards rushing and a record 22 touchdowns. On December 12, 1965 Sayers made a record 6 touchdowns in a
single game. In his career Sayers average 5 rushing yards per carry and is the all-time leader in kickoff return yardage (30.56). Injuries cut short his career (Sayers only played 6 NFL seasons),
however he was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility (1977). His number, #40 has since been retired by the Chicago Bears. This is Sayers' rookie card, from the 1966 Philadelphia
Gum set.
single game. In his career Sayers average 5 rushing yards per carry and is the all-time leader in kickoff return yardage (30.56). Injuries cut short his career (Sayers only played 6 NFL seasons),
however he was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility (1977). His number, #40 has since been retired by the Chicago Bears. This is Sayers' rookie card, from the 1966 Philadelphia
Gum set.
1973 Topps #300 Dick Butkus
1955 Topps All-American #37 Jim Thorpe
One of the all-time classic football sets is the 1955 Topps All-American set. Included in the set is a card of sports legend
Jim Thorpe who happened to be an American Indian Native. His real name was "Wa-Tho-Huk" ("Bright Path"). While
his career included Olympic Gold Medals, Major League Baseball, College and NFL Football and even basketball,
Thorpe's life after sports was anything but a "Bright Path." He died in 1953, nearly penniless. Today he is remembered
as one of the Greatest Athletes Of All-Time. Check out the back of this 1955 Topps All American #37 Jim Thorpe card:
"Most experts agree that Jim was not only the greatest football player, but the greatest athlete of all times!"
Jim Thorpe who happened to be an American Indian Native. His real name was "Wa-Tho-Huk" ("Bright Path"). While
his career included Olympic Gold Medals, Major League Baseball, College and NFL Football and even basketball,
Thorpe's life after sports was anything but a "Bright Path." He died in 1953, nearly penniless. Today he is remembered
as one of the Greatest Athletes Of All-Time. Check out the back of this 1955 Topps All American #37 Jim Thorpe card:
"Most experts agree that Jim was not only the greatest football player, but the greatest athlete of all times!"
1955 Topps All-American #37 Jim Thorpe (back of card)
1972 Topps #100 Joe Namath
1955 Topps All-American
| 1972 Topps Football Posters Joe Namath |
As a bonus to football card collectors, Topps included these full color mini posters in packs of Topps football cards. Roughly four times the size of a regular card, these posters were mostly pinned or
taped to walls, so finding nice examples can be somewhat challenging. A very fun issue to collect.
taped to walls, so finding nice examples can be somewhat challenging. A very fun issue to collect.
1962 Kahn's Weiners Fran Tarkenton (Rookie year)
1974 Topps #150 John Unitas
You will see alot of Johnny Unitas cards on the Football Page because he was one of my favorites. This is his last regular card from the 1974 Topps Football set. The crew cut was gone, but he still had
his hair neat. I think I picked up this card for a few bucks; it's not a GEM MINT 10, PRISTINE, or the Holy Grail, but it's still a terrific Johnny U. card. And for five bucks, who's complaining?
his hair neat. I think I picked up this card for a few bucks; it's not a GEM MINT 10, PRISTINE, or the Holy Grail, but it's still a terrific Johnny U. card. And for five bucks, who's complaining?
1950 Bowman #103 Charley Conerly
Are these beautiful cards or what? Like their baseball counterparts, the early Bowman Gum Football cards were full color drawings (from actual photographs) that are improvable today.
You can add the shiny glitz and foil of new issues and all it is is a boring piece of cardboard, much like all the same auto vehicles you see on the road nowadays. Boring. Old sports cards are
like classic cars, 50's T-Birds and '57 Chevy's, 1960's Corvettes and Mustangs. There is a reason people pay a lot of money for vintage cards (& cars). Nostalgia is one reason. Another is that
they are simple and innovative at the same time. Back then card manufacturers were competing against each other to make the best possible product. Same with the auto makers. If they
made a car that sold thousands of units is was a hit. If kids were buying packs of gum to get the latest cards it was a hit. Now it is more about making a profit than about making something
special. A real shame. Thankfully we have these old cards to remind us of what we had and are capable of.
My favorite Charley Conerly story was when he was fighting in WWII a rifle was shot out of his hands. Conerly said "Damn. I don't like that...," picked up his weapon and went right back
to fighting. Conerly exhibited this same attitude on the gridiron as a member of the New York Giants and was part of the greatest games ever played, the 1958 NFL Championship vs. the
Baltimore Colts and Johnny Unitas. Charley Conerly was a true hero and a member of Pro Football's Hall of Fame.
You can add the shiny glitz and foil of new issues and all it is is a boring piece of cardboard, much like all the same auto vehicles you see on the road nowadays. Boring. Old sports cards are
like classic cars, 50's T-Birds and '57 Chevy's, 1960's Corvettes and Mustangs. There is a reason people pay a lot of money for vintage cards (& cars). Nostalgia is one reason. Another is that
they are simple and innovative at the same time. Back then card manufacturers were competing against each other to make the best possible product. Same with the auto makers. If they
made a car that sold thousands of units is was a hit. If kids were buying packs of gum to get the latest cards it was a hit. Now it is more about making a profit than about making something
special. A real shame. Thankfully we have these old cards to remind us of what we had and are capable of.
My favorite Charley Conerly story was when he was fighting in WWII a rifle was shot out of his hands. Conerly said "Damn. I don't like that...," picked up his weapon and went right back
to fighting. Conerly exhibited this same attitude on the gridiron as a member of the New York Giants and was part of the greatest games ever played, the 1958 NFL Championship vs. the
Baltimore Colts and Johnny Unitas. Charley Conerly was a true hero and a member of Pro Football's Hall of Fame.