How did you get started in the hobby

[jcc6252]

I grew up in Little Falls, NJ, and my friends and I first started collecting the 1968 Topps Football set (12 yrs. old). We played all sports, and were really successful for kids. I am not sure why we chose football that late summer, probably because we were too busy playing baseball up until then, and football was right around the corner. Anyway, what I remember most was sitting around and trading. We all had our favorite players for different reasons, so trading was fast and furious. For me, Mom and Dad were from Northern Indiana, so it was the Bears with Butkus, Sayers and Ditka. Of course, everyone was either a Jets or Giants fan, so those cards were hot. But, my most coveted card was Bob Griese, since Purdue ran through our family veins (don't remind me that they totally suck in football now). I still have all the cards from that summer, sent many in for grading (waste of money). They're not in the greatest shape, but priceless in my eyes.