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1973 Topps Football Cards

Topps drastically increased the size of its football card issue in 1973, going to 528 cards. (The 1971 Topps set contained 263 cards, and the 1972 Topps set contained 351.) I have not seen an uncut sheet of 1973 Topps cards, but I assume they were printed on two 264-card sheets. For the first time since 1967, Topps released its football cards in a single series.

Because the set was so much larger than previous football card issues, many of the players made their first appearance on a card in this set. By my rough count, the 1973 Topps set contains 197 rookie cards. The set also contains an odd feature I have not seen in another set: three "boyhood photo" cards. I am curious how the boyhood photos came about, and why there are only three of them. Maybe Topps just needed some filler cards to make it to 528?

Rookie cards of Pro Football Hall of Famers in the 1973 Topps set: Art Shell, Bob Brown, Bob Brown, Dan Dierdorf, Franco Harris, Jack Ham, Jack Youngblood, Jim Langer.

Rookie cards of Heisman Trophy winners in the 1973 Topps set: Pat Sullivan.

To see a large picture of any card, pick the small picture or the card title.

Picture Set # Card Team Position College Honors Notes Est. NM Value (?)
1973 Topps 1972 Rushing Leaders football card1973 Topps11972 Rushing Leaders
Larry BrownWashington Redskinsrunning backKansas StateRedskins Ring of Fame
O.J. SimpsonBuffalo Billsrunning backUSC, City College of San FranciscoBills Wall of Fame 1980, College Hall of Fame 1983, Hall of Fame 1985, Heisman Trophy 1968
1973 Topps 1972 Passing Leaders football card1973 Topps21972 Passing Leaders
Norm SneadNew York GiantsquarterbackWake Forest
Earl MorrallMiami DolphinsquarterbackMichigan State
1973 Topps 1972 Receiving Leaders football card1973 Topps31972 Receiving Leaders
Harold JacksonLos Angeles Ramswide receiverJackson State
Fred BiletnikoffOakland RaidersendFlorida StateCollege Hall of Fame 1991, Hall of Fame 1988
1973 Topps 1972 Scoring Leaders football card1973 Topps41972 Scoring Leaders
Chester MarcolGreen Bay PackerskickerHillsdalePackers Hall of Fame 1987
Bobby HowfieldNew York Jetskickernone
1973 Topps 1972 Interception Leaders football card1973 Topps51972 Interception Leaders
Bill BradleyPhiladelphia Eaglesdefensive backTexasEagles Honor Roll 1993
Mike SensibaughKansas City Chiefsdefensive backOhio State
1973 Topps 1972 Punting Leaders football card1973 Topps61972 Punting Leaders
Dave ChappleLos Angeles RamspunterUC Santa Barbara
Jerrel WilsonKansas City Chiefspunter, running backSouthern MississippiChiefs Hall of Fame 1988Error: name misspelled Jerrell
1973 Topps Bob Trumpy football card1973 Topps7Bob TrumpyCincinnati Bengalstight end, wide receiverUtah
1973 Topps Mel Tom football card1973 Topps8Mel TomPhiladelphia Eaglesdefensive endSan Jose StateRookie card
1973 Topps Clarence Ellis football card1973 Topps9Clarence EllisAtlanta Falconsdefensive backNotre DameRookie card
1973 Topps John Niland football card1973 Topps10John NilandDallas CowboysguardIowa
1973 Topps Randy Jackson football card1973 Topps11Randy JacksonChicago BearstackleFloridaRookie card
1973 Topps Greg Landry football card1973 Topps12Greg LandryDetroit LionsquarterbackMassachusetts
1973 Topps Cid Edwards football card1973 Topps13Cid EdwardsSan Diego Chargersrunning backTennessee StateRookie card
1973 Topps Phil Olsen football card1973 Topps14Phil OlsenLos Angeles Ramsdefensive tackleUtah StateRookie card
1973 Topps Terry Bradshaw football card1973 Topps15Terry BradshawPittsburgh SteelersquarterbackLouisiana TechCollege Hall of Fame 1996, Hall of Fame 1989Bradshaw's brother Craig, also a quarterback, played one season for the Houston Oilers.
1973 Topps Al Cowlings football card1973 Topps16Al CowlingsHouston Oilersdefensive endUSCRookie card
1973 Topps Walker Gillette football card1973 Topps17Walker GilletteSt. Louis Cardinalswide receiverRichmondRookie card
1973 Topps Bob Atkins football card1973 Topps18Bob AtkinsHouston Oilersdefensive backGramblingRookie card
1973 Topps Diron Talbert football card1973 Topps19Diron TalbertWashington Redskinsdefensive tackleTexasRookie card
1973 Topps Jim Johnson football card1973 Topps20Jim JohnsonSan Francisco 49ersdefensive backUCLAHall of Fame 1994

Listing TitleListing TypePriceTime Left
Image of eBay item1973 TOPPS #487 KEN STABLER RC PSA 10 GEM MT Pop 1 HOF?Store7500.00 obo1 day 3 hrs