Show Notes
This episode explores Scott Hedrick’s ranking of the Top 50 Junk Wax Football Cards, using 1981–1995 as the era’s boundaries.
The top five: 1981 Topps Joe Montana, 1989 Score Barry Sanders, 1984 Topps John Elway, 1984 Topps Dan Marino, and 1986 Topps Jerry Rice.
Standout sets: Why 1984 Topps, 1986 Topps, and 1989 Score feature so prominently in the countdown.
Beyond rookie cards: First Topps NFL cards of former USFL players and a memorable 1985 Topps Walter Payton.
Four for Emmitt: Emmitt Smith leads the list with four cards from his rookie season.
Collecting memories: Bo Jackson, Brian Bosworth, William “The Refrigerator” Perry, and Icky Woods.
Personal picks and omissions: My love for Barry Sanders’ 1989 Pro Set card, plus cases for Vinny Testaverde, Cris Carter’s Topps rookie, and Junior Seau.
Find the full ranking and links to the cards at DavidGonos.com.
Which cards would you rank higher, and which missing card deserves a spot? If you add one, tell me who you’d bump out!
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🏆 BEST ROOKIE CARDS FROM EVERY YEAR! 🏆
We list the best rookie cards from each flagship release in all four major sports since the 1950s.
Best MLB Rookie Cards From Every Year!
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