View Full Version : Mount Rushmore of Football Cards
jefferyepayne
09-21-2017, 08:39 AM
So, if you had to choose four cards to be on the Mount Rushmore of Football Cards, what would they be and why?
I'm gonna have to think a bit about this myself but wanted to open it up to everybody for their thoughts.
Post away!
jeff
Tyranusberg
09-21-2017, 09:33 AM
'35 Nagurski
'58 Brown
'65 Namath
'81 Montana
Bigshot69
09-21-2017, 01:57 PM
Punt Montana and add 33' Goudey Sport Kings Red Grange. Just my $.02.
Bigshot69
09-21-2017, 03:13 PM
Next question. Whats the Rushmore of defensive players?
57' Lane, 82' Taylor, 86' White have to be considered, right?
Move white out and put in Butkus and nietchke in. Have jack lambert as an alternate.
revmoran
09-21-2017, 05:32 PM
You can't exclude all the players from the pre-war era when guys went both ways from a defensive Rushmore. Mel Hein was the first NFL MVP and a charter member of the HOF, and he's remembered as a offensive center but it was his defensive play that was cited in his MVP award. But are we talking about players or about cards?
jefferyepayne
09-21-2017, 08:19 PM
My Pre-War Mount Rushmore of Cards
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gnlaLX9OSBUtzN0HZGiq1j7YQliB_qDHxSt9V4Kj6t9wh6iF-Dvt9DgJU-XHkO8XwxyJPN0GKbvnR03Wdf6QTuNYlb2epB4fp25bAOPGg_Oh 8fFbZ2gMsnCfOajqogeFdh-YK_4Yl2aEMsB2kBcWMjAPttOunsiCfP8Hv_RQ-1EXdqQwsFGY9ElKtD6LALLFvTgATaty3tE-szAqUMOPVrmg03_eMo0hcBoA_dioe4DVu9mwKm8yjf7M2x0w43 u0R0yuhLSUpeNfFDprPgmpjFrZTiGwMcSEOtVnRea71KNTQFva GSpztzV_OXLEO0ap_0SmW6DDbvtdioTn9NmGUND62OC6oDaeqG zNEs9alKIYapcJ6Apy7v-fSmjNJ2ayEcnkARSzGfifkzdlRf4BbIDa3IhC1BMhgnPBQhpgB hbu58CeUAap4w2D9ovrxC3xQ6UOn0T8IMyc22AdORB47pji39y U-4Xz5UQsSlFRBas3eZoQ7kYZvfrvbbgnpYZAX9wbGjjweIDDGDA wSG84NRC0z0oSA2VjyknYDIxyiuQpukcTdo_LSBSGpArNrtH_V X2jrHN2jW3TyqOeha9eruRzPV-d28JCjTcR0m3QyQ=w539-h904-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PNLjjmBdAZ0RzgM7G5C4p3mTidajM4UXhqJMmBVQwgGyKWakso YocXJ6sEPLwII4IrvUDUu6s1tKYl1AgYEv5hYi0ifdy-nDlRNNxV9H8b8xWTLlVycfUViIF-bG4gGzLkN9RZOceIFay5J_tFF9TV9m5KUkjksctK56Dfu1HaT4 EmiDOj2SuOfuhansi5fNM1Rl6M6y4dAOUuyUDMALwuSoMjMnnn iPk9n6qaH2mbi51jAyffn8WOBuC9MM8g63T9j1gDTUx3t5a_BR lToXOataOuB9QmoDiv7PwNZRI6jj377v3thehMSqrWb8idpKSQ zELrB67wSiMjgKV-YtHQuaHOcDeplWlUc1NeRoBYOePDzsEwGZVsELbXsx_WpCI76_ G2zWHmT9dVhZ4dQnkd2OZoileWkpwusjtK57fV9ntpUkYGDure h5ETR1PI6bHbLylfzPgW24STeXaQtCVHgOassXru8zDXACnxvo vEUkx24qKuc7BswycxEemh8YqyfRhT6tdAxihwYfGuT5ZlBp-C2bEGvEjIsAKEWW6N6KaUOdbkZdIreQ0_WZMhRD6QzS7lXMrzm 72YegyBhCFlrf6Ezf24aA2HEaPuyx3g=w526-h640-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HUg0dQeVBWWrjwr4BtfheU7zUzLafTs16qMCdB3zuPI72jKIef qRWMishJngXRmQxZBKkotiGuSohw0qA7x3yUgYLq6ARJJ9jmD8 yZJRR4gWEEHsKhoCxXXHKeYbWFYd77Lka_uUPy9M79XGKANYWa YppVPHvHuL_Rq0KBo0I7ZWiq1d7UpKYdAtSlQo-eHrDNNsjYqcPbf4bYM6npW2di-2A6MkmToQlhUfNTUawWyPba5J3DEfJS7-mEjvBnXsHgMeeQqTNpzAe1A9v1G2G105ifCRpjIM-zYfpIBW66t0mnXDQO2_oNK6-5wi_9Y_h8BPwStpM6wlXs4pynR_CDebn1Eu9At99Xem8YAvqiV Bm1cx4CleHHFrI-DZO2UK7HwVjbedJ3Y72jzfKq2LISn6ZX_HDtg6FA7EIRmPNEzf cTuDUDmL-n1QMAdYQAlAMNGU9swLVy3CPzOrbvmXL7jGXm32N_bea__jPx6 fUAml3yNrOGnMhgNB7Z9bBNxDnweup-hlvqSksr3MZTWXrLmbRHiYACfc9nGQ9pzGOOrTPqc50F5aspBE YKzgrtpPmU--X8KCcIDn3ALy4Q_8djxO8bXqDyAmz33yxlZdGA=w504-h802-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/O2Xd1LmDE3C3u_zctLl3sMmqMMyBMs6OE-PmrGu0KOjGd8CtGJSYrI15C-0A_GnEC9KshdfFqXfOVmNkkAknG5zi0F7UUAY5kQiLW0cETUT3 TaZNDehay7g6cmSJyZ4xrca3BM86FuRhrIoID5THnyINhddy9o 9gT2A3Fdfa1z5zDebiGjtejY0-xx-ysPeJobQbEn5fO8TS4puI5N2OhfymPa0Hkp02HR1tJVrYUdJM3 JHfxCQ7JCSHreT0JyDvAL-Gc68y1mHJ-d3UBDp4jwNOcHZAVQ-UBbiFWpuDczfhKTkLifSDIZjVeF_pN8SOIqcsM3QXyUW9XLNG8 q5MyGQGmbTFyqoDIY4-xelclYkOt29bWWUuUP4V9VnfuNV2TDmJVRrXwGXl1gmNY92LTc pX51Lj1pNYEWvL3338Jq9rS9uBPJVtIaK613ee0_3gLWPI-UKDIAhNZGW2BksFDlnDLcRcrVWdDz3YUHSb6TJwjMAf1UL0-iOqpKbx_Ixsx0ugw3iN3Ub_YI3GXbfKogx-FX8F7qdhYB43ZcduseGuvyt7hTQ9-axHN7oqUz5GfZ9ChHrp7G1QsMBjuCVEmBoj36h2MWeaaOEB3rq NeA=w494-h800-no
jeff
Angyale
09-22-2017, 06:11 AM
Based on performance of player, not value of card.
Angyale
jefferyepayne
09-22-2017, 07:13 AM
A VERY worthy candidate! Love that card and have been trying to upgrade mine for 5 years.
jeff
rats60
09-22-2017, 10:59 AM
35 Nagurski
57 Unitas
58 Brown
65 Namath
Defensive players
63 Deacon Jones
66 Dick Butkus
71 Joe Greene
82 Lawrence Taylor
Bigshot69
09-22-2017, 11:11 AM
Jones was a stud but Nightrain Lane's INT record, which he set his rookie year in a 12 game season, has stood for 65 years. He was also 7X first team all-pro, and his violent play served as a contributor to the origin of the facemask penalty.
He might not only be on the Defensive Rushmore, he could be the Abe Lincoln.
samosa4u
10-20-2017, 09:15 AM
I agree that the Namath deserves to be on the list because it is a very popular card. Here is the thing I don't understand though: if you look online at any list that ranks the greatest QBs to ever play the game, he didn't even make the top 20! :eek: So how come his rookie card is so popular among collectors? What makes it so special?
Peter_Spaeth
10-20-2017, 10:02 AM
I agree that the Namath deserves to be on the list because it is a very popular card. Here is the thing I don't understand though: if you look online at any list that ranks the greatest QBs to ever play the game, he didn't even make the top 20! :eek: So how come his rookie card is so popular among collectors? What makes it so special?
New York. The Super Bowl prediction and win. The swinging image. The relative scarcity of the set.
frankbmd
10-20-2017, 11:55 AM
Emmitt Smith until someone is able to Rush more
Peter_Spaeth
10-20-2017, 04:40 PM
Jones was a stud but Nightrain Lane's INT record, which he set his rookie year in a 12 game season, has stood for 65 years. He was also 7X first team all-pro, and his violent play served as a contributor to the origin of the facemask penalty.
He might not only be on the Defensive Rushmore, he could be the Abe Lincoln.
The best nickname in FB history IMO.
Chris Counts
10-20-2017, 06:52 PM
I'm surprised to never hear much about 1959 Bazookas when people talk about great football cards. The set includes Jim Brown and Johnny Unitas, as well as other stars, and the cards are both attractive and rare. I'd take a '59 Bazooka Brown over a '58 Brown any day, and the '58 brown is one of the most desired of all football cards.
BigRedOne
10-21-2017, 11:44 PM
https://www.unisquare.com/img/main/1/1/8/1508650994863ed51e4f2b91n.jpg
gustomania
10-23-2017, 06:34 PM
I've love this topic.....here is my Rushmore
Nagurski
Unitas
Brown
Namath
Walter and Montana as alternates
whiteymet
10-23-2017, 11:48 PM
After Sunday nights BST Auction it looks like the Exhibit Checklist card showing Chuck Bednarik should make the Mt. Rushmore of cards seeing what it sold for!
https://www.bst-auctions.com/1950_W468_Football_Exhibit_Bednarik_Checklist__Pos-LOT3024.aspx
jefferyepayne
10-24-2017, 05:13 AM
After Sunday nights BST Auction it looks like the Exhibit Checklist card showing Chuck Bednarik should make the Mt. Rushmore of cards seeing what it sold for!
https://www.bst-auctions.com/1950_W468_Football_Exhibit_Bednarik_Checklist__Pos-LOT3024.aspx
A strong price for sure. Particularly since some collectors/dealers wonder whether it is a legitimate card or not. Would be curious what the grading companies would say about it.
jeff
whiteymet
10-24-2017, 09:19 AM
A strong price for sure. Particularly since some collectors/dealers wonder whether it is a legitimate card or not. Would be curious what the grading companies would say about it.
jeff
Jeff
Curious what the concerns are? Maybe that this is a paper header card attached to another card? Only thing I can think of. Please enlighten
th38larg
10-24-2017, 09:51 AM
Well if you go by the original dealer's notations on the back, they didn't think it was anything special either.
jefferyepayne
10-24-2017, 07:06 PM
Jeff
Curious what the concerns are? Maybe that this is a paper header card attached to another card? Only thing I can think of. Please enlighten
That's it. There are examples of this checklist out there but they are all paper thin. The displays out there from the ESCO machines that distributed these cards all have paper thin images of the cards pasted on them. Here is one I have.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oFTnc3kY3_OlXatvhDqpBE76-fhyapzsQmz0hmEI7mGzTkd9aYWEzzMJQa_mrUthy0yKcQwOK7U V2ENZJH6VK_NXQo8NakrmXxQgOGs1NCwYBVm9RWczknmEPQFW3 rTcfZI5Gp9p8TvpexiT6ccmFmLQE1CLLWC4CA9eMO-0TlqT5D-b2EJR5am4XPbPYDtgbv5-FQa67bfFqB9DoCZfsWH4eKG0xBEqb7I1UYJ3LgS1JdS9i4SDxC xyrCgkUmPbzyArxJDuH9oKyzsP123D0Rk_SmxMJkc7_dAAX58_ ORgfT0TgfWwKCbuMPiw1nCw8BssdJTdqzr3cNCrbbxozukIYVf-5aTk6L0vpyEllOpDE0lXMOfHXi8mUUaDzVdz7i-Eua1IuZnFk5m9aq12XP3PwcUwLnRLmSS56yOAknQRFbHi4v4xe f74gnK6IYq3GI2qKbjC0BuiiyJoMp2DzzTzOW3_RuTB6tCmo0x 9a7ygkkHFYNA_kdKewkzlnnmbgxBLDyFCzj7uaYlAu4RGeVOwb doNub8pVjWayUbx4fpS5Iwe2hZ2bnAy8pfvPHr0CVdzaUNBtYe CSxd-2XWKAfz_sVwQfTcUmueECI9yLVuTY4-XfbrjFhyiTa7_KTUpMadf5vn9jPy48Ak5YlnQZhF6jemmnUdQU Tn8=w438-h640-no
Regardless, it is a really cool item and if it hadn't gone so high I would have loved to have had it!
jeff
orly57
12-02-2017, 11:51 PM
I feel like the N162 Beecher should be on any football card Mount Rushmore. Definitely Nagursk belongs, and it is the only no-brainer. I hate to admit that the Namath belongs up there. I would round it out with the Sport Kings Grange.
I wouldn't fist-fight you if you wanted to argue Jim Brown and Johnny U belong over any of my suggestions other than nagurski. And I also think the Mayo Cut Anonymous deserves strong consideration.
glynparson
12-03-2017, 10:22 AM
Nagurski
Unitas
Brown
Namath
cfhofer
12-03-2017, 11:07 AM
Completely agree with glynparson. While Dunlop and Beecher are great cards, their value is based solely on rarity. I’d rather have cards of players that non-collectors would appreciate.
bmattioli
12-04-2017, 06:03 PM
Mine..
Brown
Montana
LT
Brady
TanksAndSpartans
12-05-2017, 11:45 AM
The first 3 came to mind right away: ’35 Nagurski, N302 Mayo Dunlop/Anonymous, ’65 Namath
But I think the 4th one could be just about anything. A '57 Unitas is a nice safe choice, but I could see an argument for any card already mentioned - one card I thought of that I don't think anyone else threw out is the '89 Score Barry Sanders (I kind of think of it as football's analog to the Griffey Jr rookie). I’ll take the ’48 Leaf Bednarik because its a high numbered card from an iconic set. (I eliminated the Jim Brown rookie just on the aesthetics of that card and set design, but I'd be fine with Chris's suggestion of the '59 Bazooka.)
My card picks don’t overlap with my pro football Mount Rushmore though. In that case I’d say: Lawrence Taylor, Don Hutson/Jerry Rice, Sammy Baugh/Otto Graham, Jim Brown if starting point is 1920/Jim Thorpe if starting point is the beginning of time. I wanted to have at least one defensive player and not have two players at the same position, so odd as it sounds if I really had to pick 4, I wouldn't have Brown or Rice (Thorpe, LT, Hutson, Baugh). Jeff mentioned the '33 Thorpe already. I think the '55 AA Hutson and '48 Leaf Baugh (there's that set again) are nice too as possible 4ths.
Peter_Spaeth
12-05-2017, 06:03 PM
All discussions of football start with Jim Brown IMO. So his RC.
Doubtless it isn't unanimous, but I think Brady has the claim to being the best player at the most important position. His best RC is probably SP Authentic.
LT is probably the greatest defensive player but his RC is practically a common from a bad set. So somewhat arbitrarily I would substitute Butkus whose RC is a classic.
Final pick is tough. Nagurski to get a pre-war presence; or Unitas as the best vintage QB. I would go with Unitas.
Namath? No way. Iconic card as it's a perfect storm (tall boy set, NY, Super Bowl prediction, Broadway Joe blah blah) but he probably doesn't even make the top 100 player list.
jefferyepayne
12-06-2017, 02:12 PM
Great thoughts, guys! Keep'em coming.
jeff
Bigshot69
12-09-2017, 08:10 AM
I feel Elliott and Watson both have extremely high ceilings and their high end RPA’s are both 50% off from where they were 3 months ago. I’ve been picking up a couple here and there.
Yes, Elliott could go off the deep end and Watson has knee issues but collectors could potentially include both names in a Rushmore discussion 25 years from now.
TanksAndSpartans
12-12-2017, 07:52 AM
Running back is a tough position to crack the list. On lists just of running backs, the guy with the most yards usually lands around 4 or 5.
jiovine22
12-12-2017, 04:15 PM
This is a great question! I think you can look at it from a few different POVs. If you're looking at the players who may have had the greatest impact on the game and who non-collectors would appreciate, then I'd go with:
2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady
1982 Topps Lawrence Taylor
1957 Topps John Unitas
1958 Topps Jim Brown
If you're looking at the toughest/most desirable cards to collectors, I'd go with:
1935 National Chicle Bronko Nagurski
1965 Topps Joe Nameth
1933 Goudey Sports Kings Red Grange
1948 Leaf Chuck Bednarik
Just my personal opinion!