rexvos
Bench Warmer
When thinking about the top cards in the hobby in terms of history these are what I think anyone that is a true fan of the game and its history should want. Book value, sale value or anything else has no sway over this list, only the players impact and meaning to the game.
25. 1963 Topps Deacon Jones - The most dominant defensive end ever before sacks were kept as a record. If they would have kept record of them in his day, no one would ever come close to breaking his records.
24. 1966 Philadelphia Gayle Sayers - Better than Barry Sanders, or anyone else, too bad injuries kept him from reaching his full potential, still a HOFer with a very short career.
23. 1982 Topps Ronnie Lott - the best defensive back to ever play the game period.
22. 1984 Topps USFL Reggie White - most dominant defensive player in the league for over a decade. Plus this was a monumental set, the USFL was the last league that scared the NFL and brought legitimate compettion for a few years.
21. 1991 Stadium Club Brett Favre - record upon record, the ultimate gunslinger.
20. 1984 Topps Dan Marino - the perfect pocket passer.
19. 1989 Score Barry Sanders - the last great set of the 80s and one of the best sets for rookies ever, and this was the best one in the set.
18. 1984 Topps John Elway - On the shortlist of best QBs ever, who delivered over a 2 decade period time and time again.
17. 1990 Score Supplemental Emmitt Smith - all time rushing leader, 3 Super Bowls, and tough as nails, not flashy, but dominant.
16. 2000 Sp Authentic Tom Brady - the last of the great non autographed non jersey rookie cards, 2000 marked an end of an era, also 3 Super Bowls, undefeated regular season, and the single season TD record to boot.
15. 1998 Sp Authentic Peyton Manning - this card marked the dawning of a new era for football cards, the SP serial numbered rookie, great set, and featured is the poster boy for Quarterbacks.
14. 1971 Topps Terry Bradshaw - 4 Super Bowl rings. One of the strongest arms in the history of the NFL, and a down right cool guy.
13. 1955 Topps All American Don Hutson - maybe the best receiver ever, had more receptions than entire teams in his era.
12. 1982 Topps Lawrence Taylor - Easily the best outside linebacker to ever play the game. Maybe the best player ever.
11. 1935 National Chicle Knute Rockne - made his mark in college and mainly as a dynamic coach but if you love football you have to love this card.
10. 1965 Topps Joe Namath - the big boy. One of the rarest cards of the 60s and in most demand. This is the 52 Mantle for Football collectors. The man who called his shot in the Super Bowl. Great looking card to boot.
9. 1972 Topps Roger Staubach Captain America. The Leader of America's Team. Heisman Trophy hero from Navy. The man who is responsible for the term Hail Mary in football terminology.
8. 1986 Topps Jerry Rice - One of the greatest ever at any position, he defines the term wide receiver.
7. 1981 Topps Joe Montana - Joe Cool. The man who ran the West Coast Offense to perfection that people are still trying to copycat 20 years later
6. 1933 Sport Kings Red Grange - made his biggest mark in the college game. The Galloping Ghost is stuff of football legend
5. 1966 Philadelphia Dick Butkus - Most feared defensive player in history, Mean, nasty, and a true football icon.
4. 1976 Topps Walter Payton - Sweetness. The perfect running back, great blocker, punishing runner, excellent receiver. The perfect football player in my opinion.
3. 1957 Topps Bart Starr - The leader of the first Super Bowl era dynasty. He ran Lombari's system perfectly, nobody was more efficient at the position that Starr.
2. 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas - Mr. Quarterback. A legend that worked harder than anyone else. The ultimate teammate and leader. Defined the position like no other.
1. 1958 Topps Jim Brown - Most dominant player of his era. The mold was broken after Jim Brown was made. It does not get any better than him. Best ever.
Comments? Critiques?
25. 1963 Topps Deacon Jones - The most dominant defensive end ever before sacks were kept as a record. If they would have kept record of them in his day, no one would ever come close to breaking his records.
24. 1966 Philadelphia Gayle Sayers - Better than Barry Sanders, or anyone else, too bad injuries kept him from reaching his full potential, still a HOFer with a very short career.
23. 1982 Topps Ronnie Lott - the best defensive back to ever play the game period.
22. 1984 Topps USFL Reggie White - most dominant defensive player in the league for over a decade. Plus this was a monumental set, the USFL was the last league that scared the NFL and brought legitimate compettion for a few years.
21. 1991 Stadium Club Brett Favre - record upon record, the ultimate gunslinger.
20. 1984 Topps Dan Marino - the perfect pocket passer.
19. 1989 Score Barry Sanders - the last great set of the 80s and one of the best sets for rookies ever, and this was the best one in the set.
18. 1984 Topps John Elway - On the shortlist of best QBs ever, who delivered over a 2 decade period time and time again.
17. 1990 Score Supplemental Emmitt Smith - all time rushing leader, 3 Super Bowls, and tough as nails, not flashy, but dominant.
16. 2000 Sp Authentic Tom Brady - the last of the great non autographed non jersey rookie cards, 2000 marked an end of an era, also 3 Super Bowls, undefeated regular season, and the single season TD record to boot.
15. 1998 Sp Authentic Peyton Manning - this card marked the dawning of a new era for football cards, the SP serial numbered rookie, great set, and featured is the poster boy for Quarterbacks.
14. 1971 Topps Terry Bradshaw - 4 Super Bowl rings. One of the strongest arms in the history of the NFL, and a down right cool guy.
13. 1955 Topps All American Don Hutson - maybe the best receiver ever, had more receptions than entire teams in his era.
12. 1982 Topps Lawrence Taylor - Easily the best outside linebacker to ever play the game. Maybe the best player ever.
11. 1935 National Chicle Knute Rockne - made his mark in college and mainly as a dynamic coach but if you love football you have to love this card.
10. 1965 Topps Joe Namath - the big boy. One of the rarest cards of the 60s and in most demand. This is the 52 Mantle for Football collectors. The man who called his shot in the Super Bowl. Great looking card to boot.
9. 1972 Topps Roger Staubach Captain America. The Leader of America's Team. Heisman Trophy hero from Navy. The man who is responsible for the term Hail Mary in football terminology.
8. 1986 Topps Jerry Rice - One of the greatest ever at any position, he defines the term wide receiver.
7. 1981 Topps Joe Montana - Joe Cool. The man who ran the West Coast Offense to perfection that people are still trying to copycat 20 years later
6. 1933 Sport Kings Red Grange - made his biggest mark in the college game. The Galloping Ghost is stuff of football legend
5. 1966 Philadelphia Dick Butkus - Most feared defensive player in history, Mean, nasty, and a true football icon.
4. 1976 Topps Walter Payton - Sweetness. The perfect running back, great blocker, punishing runner, excellent receiver. The perfect football player in my opinion.
3. 1957 Topps Bart Starr - The leader of the first Super Bowl era dynasty. He ran Lombari's system perfectly, nobody was more efficient at the position that Starr.
2. 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas - Mr. Quarterback. A legend that worked harder than anyone else. The ultimate teammate and leader. Defined the position like no other.
1. 1958 Topps Jim Brown - Most dominant player of his era. The mold was broken after Jim Brown was made. It does not get any better than him. Best ever.
Comments? Critiques?
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